Can you mix disc and steam installations?

**socal2009** · December 31, 2013, 08:15 AM

This past weekend I found my old BI disc and after doing some searching on here, it seems that if I installed it, it would be compatible with my current RSII game that was started using RTW. However, after some reading, I wanted to try alex.exe as well, and since I don't have a disc copy and it's less than $3 on steam, could I use a steam copy of ALEX with disc copies of RTW and BI?

If the answer is no, would it be possible to download the whole pack off steam (RTW, BI, ALEX), install that and continue on with my RS II saved game that I started with the RTW disc? I'd like some of the benefits of playing with ALEX (AI, stability) but I'm pretty far along in my campaign and would not like to start over.

**ur-Lord Tedric** · January 01, 2014, 08:19 AM

On the second matter - I believe some people have reported that it is possible to switch .exe's mid-campaign, but I personally wouldn't recommend it. Keep a .sav or 6, however, and you may wish to try it.

On the first - if you can, I'd always use a disk-based version (and obtaining RTW:Gold is still not difficult) and you can play with whichever you like. Disconnect from the internet, turn off all AV and as many other programs as possible, don't do anything else at the same time and have fun. Absolute best thing - use a separate old PC!

**socal2009** · January 02, 2014, 05:10 PM

Yeah, having it all on disc would be best...however, I didn't want to wait so I downloaded all three off steam and installed a new RSII onto it. I copied my save game files from my campaign into the saved game folder for the new RSII under steam, loaded the game and it seems the script activated ok (got the +1 denarii). Everything seems to be working ok, campaign and battle map worked over multiple turns, only had one CTD after a battle. The only thing I notice is my generals bodyguard seem to die faster and I actually lost a general in battle, but I believe that is part of running it off alexander.exe? Other than that, seems ok - would there be any other way to tell that the script wasn't working in my ported over saved game?

**ur-Lord Tedric** · January 03, 2014, 09:10 AM

As long as you activate it each and every time you load up - as the very first thing you do before ANYTHING else - and you see the 1 denarii added; you should be just fine.

I have personally become convinced that the post-battle (common) CTD is because of Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware being a bit too careful these days (RTW was written at a more halcyon time). This is why I no longer have them - 100's of battles throughout testing without a single one of those.