Confirmed DLCs no longer load in older versions (EDIT: or at all)

[Callid]

Information​

I have verifed my game files (Steam only)​

Yes

I have disabled all mods​

Yes

I am running the latest game update​

Yes

Required​

Summary​

DLCs no longer load in older versions

Description​

As of today, when I start the game in 1.8.2 (via the Steam Beta system), the DLCs are no longer being loaded, despite being enabled in the launcher. Consequently, I can't load save files that rely on these DLCs.

In case it matters, these are the DLCs involved:
- Fashion of the Abbasid COurt
- Garments of the HRE
- Fate of Iberia
- Northern Lords
- Royal Court

As this has worked before, and there were obviously no changes to the 1.8.2 version, this is likely an issue with the launcher, i.e. launcher 2024.3.

Not sure how to qualify this, as DLCs aren't an option for affected features.

Steps to reproduce​

1. Set the version to 1.8.2 in the Steam Betas
2. Start the game with DLCs enabled
3. DLCs will show up as not enabled in-game (and any saves that rely on them can't be loaded)

Game Version​

1.8.2, launcher 2024.3

Platform​

Windows

Additional Information​

Affected Feature​

• Gameplay
• Interface

Save Game​

Other Attachments​

 

[A Sentient Potato]

Hey there, Potato here!

I'm having some trouble reproducing your issue on my end. Could you please attach the save you're trying to load as well as images of your exact DLC setup (what DLCs you have and which ones are active in the launcher) so I can have a closer look? Additionally, are you using any mods at all with the save?

 

[Callid]

Hey there, Potato here!

I'm having some trouble reproducing your issue on my end. Could you please attach the save you're trying to load as well as images of your exact DLC setup (what DLCs you have and which ones are active in the launcher) so I can have a closer look? Additionally, are you using any mods at all with the save?

I was originally using mods with the save I was trying to load, but the issue occurs with mods disabled as well, and generally seems independent of the save in question, as it applies to literally every save file I have, from all playthroughs, modded or not.

Spoiler: DLC are set to be enabled...

Spoiler: ...but are labeled as 'not enabled' in the main menu (NSFW)

Spoiler: Example unmodded save file (from an even earlier version, but the DLC are still missing)

Spoiler: No save files are valid whatsoever

Spoiler: Interesting side effect - unchecking the "show invalid savegames" & returning to the main menu leads to this (restarting leads back to the one above)

So yeah, the game essentially believes that the DLCs are not enabled, and works off based on that, even though they are, in fact, set as enabled in the launcher.

EDIT:
Seems the issue even persists after switching to the latest version

Spoiler: Still NSFW

 

[A Sentient Potato]

Hmm, this is a very interesting issue.
There is one thing you could try though. Go to C:\Users\<user.name>\Documents\Paradox Interactive\ and rename the Crusader Kings III Folder (do not delete it, just to keep your saves intact). Then launch the game with all DLCs enabled (and without mods) and see if the game recognizes them then. This will make the game generate a new CK3 folder, where you can then drag and drop your save files for continuation.

If that also doesn't do anything, could you then open the C:\Users\<user.name>\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\ and attach the "dlc_load.json" file in a reply. This would allow us to check if the game is recognizing the DLCs as enabled from the launcher. You can view it yourself by opening the file with any text editor and see what mods are enabled as well as what DLCs are enabled.

 

[Callid]

Spoiler: Renamed folder result

Renaming doesn't seem to fix it (went back to 1.8.2).

Attached is the old dlc_load.json, the newly generated one is the same, just with the order switched:

{"enabled_mods":[],"disabled_dlcs":[]}

I also tried un- and re-installing the DLCs on Steam, with no effect.

EDIT:
I also tried switching to the latest version and having the game re-create the folder again, but no luck:

Spoiler

 

[A Sentient Potato]

Alright, let's try one more thing.
I would like you to nuke the game from your PC. Uninstall the game, remove the Crusader Kings III folder completely from your documents folder, and delete the Paradox Launcher with its folders as well. Basically, completely wipe the game and launcher folders from your PC, and when there are no residual files left, then you can try a reinstall and see if the DLCs activate on the latest update available.
If that does not work, I strongly encourage you to make a bug report in the tech support forum, found with this link:

Crusader Kings III - Tech Support

forum.paradoxplaza.com

 

[Callid]

Alright, let's try one more thing.
I would like you to nuke the game from your PC. Uninstall the game, remove the Crusader Kings III folder completely from your documents folder, and delete the Paradox Launcher with its folders as well. Basically, completely wipe the game and launcher folders from your PC, and when there are no residual files left, then you can try a reinstall and see if the DLCs activate on the latest update available.
If that does not work, I strongly encourage you to make a bug report in the tech support forum, found with this link:

Crusader Kings III - Tech Support

forum.paradoxplaza.com

Alright, that seems to have worked, at least for the current version.

Spoiler: Main menu (with only cloud saves)

... and for 1.8.2 as well. And also with the old CK3 folder restored:

Spoiler: NSFW, again

It works with my old mod setup, too.

So yeah, I guess this is resolved, though I'm still intrigued as to what may have caused that.

 

[A Sentient Potato]

I'm glad to see that it worked! Happy playing