Unknown
On first launch the game just shows a black screen. As other reports noted this is related to the game not running properly in DX10 mode.
User kaktuspalme has provided a solution in the relevant Proton github issue 641 thread here. First, launch the game once. This makes sure the Proton instance is created. Then copy two DX10 dll files from base Anno 1404 Proton instance to the Venice instance:
cp ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33250/pfx/drive_c/windows/syswow64/d3dcompiler_40.dll ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/drive_c/windows/syswow64/
cp ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33250/pfx/drive_c/windows/syswow64/d3dx10_40.dll ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/drive_c/windows/syswow64/
If .steam is not located in your home directory replace ~ with the correct path.
After the tinkering steps the game runs flawlessly in Proton 9.0-2.
Black screen with sound only. When launching only Anno 1404 (with deinstalled "Venice" AddOn) everything works.
Install it selecting Proton-GE-Proton7-48 WINE VERSION
Execute once to create WINE PREFIX folder --> It will crash on launch
Execute again to create "./pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Roaming/Ubisoft/Anno1404/Config/Engine.ini" file --> Will load with sound but black screen
Change DirectX Version to 9 (set as 0 = 11) --> Modify in previous Engine.ini file the following line 0 9
Install DirectX9 through Winetricks Inside Game Settings press Box WINETRICKS Install Windows DLL --> Select d3dx9
Execute the game --> Now it works
Version tested --> Anno 1404 Gold Edition (from GOG) with Addon Venice
PROTON_USE_D9VK=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 PROTON_NO_D3D11=1 %command%
The following settings need to be made to run the game on the Steam Deck: Steps 1-9 maybe optional if you already did this
- Install the Game and run it once. It will only show a black screen (audio working)
- Go to Desktop mode and open a terminal window
- Set the users password with
passwd - Switch into root user by running
sudo su - Make the file system writable by running
btrfs property set -ts / ro false - Initialize the arch linux keyring by running
pacman-key --init - Fetch the kys for the repositories:
pacman-key --populate archlinux - Install wine and winetricks:
pacman -S wine winetricks - Return to the deck user by entering
exit - Install DirectX using winetricks with
WINEPREFIX=/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx wine /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe
- Create
/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/Engine.iniwith the following Content:
<InitFile>
<DirectXVersion>9</DirectXVersion>
</InitFile>
- Set the game options on steam to
PROTON_USE_D9VK=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 PROTON_NO_D3D11=1 %command%
13. Launch the game
I tried the following guide: https://gist.github.com/NickUfer/8c7dc64cdc41b760aff512e8f458a19f. This resulted in a black screen and sudden termination after launching the game.
I found the following comment on Github which fixed those problems: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/641#issuecomment-627059621. Following those winetricks instructions and editing the mentioned Engine.ini with "9" (0 initially) fixed the issue for me. There are apparently two different Engine.ini files that need to be changed with the correct DirectX version. The first guide I linked above does only mention one of them. In some cases the game might not create the second one when launching or it might have the wrong version number in it. If that is the case create a new one as described in the Github comment or change the version. Was able to play the game without problems after that fix. No black screen.
how to get the game working: https://gist.github.com/NickUfer/8c7dc64cdc41b760aff512e8f458a19f
Black screen, music plays
Even after installing d3dx9 to the prefix, and setting PROTON_NO_D3D11=1 %command% as described in https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/641 - the same issue persists
- Installation of UbisoftConnect in the same WINE PREFIX as Anno is installed in
- Installation of DirectX from the Anno folder (!) in the same WINE PREFIX as Anno is installed in
- Adjusting
<DirectXVersion>9</DirectXVersion>in theEngine.inifiles (with and without Addon)
- It's important to use always the right
WINEPREFIXwhen the UbisoftConnect and DirectX is installed. Since I used the flatpak version of steam it was$USER/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/<some-number>/pfx - I honestly believe that it doesn't matter if you use the wine version proton provides (
~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Proton 6.3e.g.) or the wine version from your linux distribution when you install UbisoftConnect and DirectX. I installed UbisoftConnect with the proton's wine and the DirectX with the wine from my distribution. - It was necessary to install the UbisoftConnect with wine. After staring Anno the UbisoftConnect application starts and ask for the credentials to login. After the authentication, Anno starts.
- It was essential to install the DirectX version which comes with Anno. In my case:
~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404\ -\ History\ Edition/Support/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe. A version installed with winetricks didn't work. - Editing both (with and without addon)
Engine.ini(adding 9) as it is described in any other post. - I don't use any proton start options (environment variables).
- It doesn't matter if I check the Uplay Activation DLC or not.
- I use openSUSE Tumbleweed 20210907-0
The game starts up with sounds but no graphical UI, just a black screen
The title pretty much says it all. The game does start up after a bit of a delay, but only the sounds of the initial cut-scenes can be heard as they are playing. The screen remains black during start-up and all the way until the main menu is reached, and beyond.
The main menu also cannot be interacted with and the initial cut-scenes cannot be intercepted via button clicks. Randomly clicking around the black screen produces no sound effects that might indicate a menu item was clicked successfully, once the main menu has been reached, after the sounds of the initial cut-scenes have finished playing.
After start-up, the game remains stuck in the main menu, with no visuals or interactable GUI. Just a black screen with the music track of the main menu playing in the background. Pressing buttons has no effect.
It is possible to get the game working except online multiplayer, with some tinkering and using an older version of proton.
Installed DirectX from installer in Anno 1404 game folder, to the prefix. Also had to edit the Engine.ini file in the prefix to use DX9. Previous reports explain this better.
Black Screen. Videos play in background. Unplayable.
The Venice expansion of Anno 1404 gives the same issues as the basegame; black screen. The difference is that it plays the intro videos in the background; audio is clearly there. It also seems to load in the menu as there's menu audio. Unfortunately it's just a black screen and needs to be manually killed. Even trying to use the tweaks offered by people in their Gold reviews does not change this black screen issue in the least.
The game plays very well, but it is frustrating to lose progress on a regular base because the game crashes when saving.
crash when saving, after >3h of playing
crash when saving, after >3h of playing
It took me about 2-3 hours of tinkering and trying every combination of proton version with the DX9 installation and launch options that were recomanded below. In the end what worked for me:
- proton 4.2-9
- reinstal DX9 (console: wine ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe)
- editing both Engine.ini (adding 9) path: .steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Application Data/Ubisoft/Anno1404Addon/Config/Engine.ini and .steam/steam/steamapps/common/Anno 1404/Engine.ini
- adding launch options: PROTON_USE_D9VK=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 %command%
Singleplayer worked, online didn't
Online did not work, got "Failed to upload" when creating online account
Using winetricks installed d3dx9_40 and d3dx9_42 (don't know which one actually did it).
Used hausers suggestions. Still had the problem that the game started with sound and black screen. Installing the mentioned components removed the problem and I was able to start the game.
Requires some additional steps to setup the game as described in earlier posts by the users
Following steps needed to setup the game:
Install DirectX
WINEPREFIX=/home/<user>/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx wine /home/<user>/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe
Edit Engine.ini file
/home/<user>/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/Engine.ini
<InitFile>
<DirectXVersion>9</DirectXVersion>
<UbiSurveyTime>-1</UbiSurveyTime>
<UbiSurveyTimeStatus>2</UbiSurveyTimeStatus>
</InitFile>
I followed Hauser's instructions but the engine.ini file I needed to edit was in the following folder: /.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Application Data/Ubisoft/Anno1404Addon/Config There is already an entry 0 I changed it to 9
Follow Hauser's tutorial to have it working.
Use Wine D3D (OpenGL) instead of D9VK (Vulkan) to make it possible to minimize the game when it is fullscreen. D9VK also works, performance-wise likely better than with Wine D3D, but you won't be able to minimize the fullscreen game.
Use WINEPREFIX="/path/to/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/" wine "/path/to/steamapps/common/Anno 1404/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe" to install DirectX 9.
Thereafter open the following file: /path/to/steamapps/common/Anno 1404/Engine.ini, and add the following line in between the <InitFile> tag: <DirectXVersion>9</DirectXVersion> in the file. Save changes and close the file.
The game runs slightly worse than on Windows, but not severely and is perfectly playable.
No amount of tinkering gets the game working
Installed DX9 from Anno 1404's folder using WINEPREFIX=/path/to/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/ wine /path/to/steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe and running the game with PROTON_USE_D9VK=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 PROTON_NO_D3D11=1 %command%. None of it was successful. Tried all other possible combinations, including starting with Proton 4.11 and Glorious Eggroll's Proton 5.0. Removing and adding different launch options changed nothing.
The game is stuck at a black screen. Audio works, but no videos or menus are visible. Borked.
The screen remains black no matter what.
I stopped playing it for a few weeks. I didn't uninstall it nor modified anything. But when I tried to play it again a few days ago, the screen remained black. The game starts, the audio works, and I can see the cursor but nothing else.
To get the game working, follow these steps:
- Run the install through Steam
- Install the DirectX 9 version provided with the setup:
WINEPREFIX=/path/to/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/ wine /path/to/steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe - Edit the Engine.ini file:
- Path:
/path/to/steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/Engine.ini - Add the following line inside of the
<InitFile>tag:<DirectXVersion>9</DirectXVersion> - Use the launch options:
PROTON_USE_D9VK=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 PROTON_NO_D3D11=1 %command%
To get the I.A.A.M. 1404 Mod working (tested with version 3.4):
- Download it on the official website: http://iaam1404.projectanno.de/
- Extract the .exe file
- Run the installer:
WINEPREFIX=/path/to/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/ wine /home/YOUR_USER/Downloads/setup_iaam_3.4.exe- Select the Anno install path when it asks you, ignore the warning about it existing
Performance dropped to 20-50 FPS depending on the settings
I spent a lot of time trying to figure it out, but no matter which option you choose, the game will only output sound in stereo. No way to have 5.1 audio. Doesn't matter much with this type of game, but this problem happens way too often on Linux.
Added PROTON_USE_D9VK=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 PROTON_NO_D3D11=1 in the game's command for it to start. I don't know how slow it is or how badly optimised it is for multicore CPUs, but in big cities FPS can drop to less than 40, especially in cutscenes. This in clearly CPU bottleneck as graphic settings or definition changes won't make any difference and the fans of my GPU won't even start. Still playable though considering the type of game it is.
One back to desktop crash in 22 hours of gameplay, so no big deal.
Unknown(an hour with Proton)Installed dx9 like others have suggested. D9vk messed up those 3D characters.
Unknown(an hour with Proton)Unknown(< 1 hour with Proton)Getting 100280fps maxed out. FIX: in a console paste this (you need to install winetricks first) : WINEPREFIX=/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/ winetricks d3dx9, then add "9" before the last into the ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/Engine.ini file. Rightclick on Anno 1404 in your Steam library -> properties -> launch options -> add: PROTON_USE_D9VK=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 %command%. NB: Anti-aliasing will fuck up the ingame cinematics (D9VK only).
Unknown(< 1 hour with Proton)
To get it running run the command: WINEPREFIX=~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/33350/pfx/ wine ~/.steam/s/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/DirectX/DXSETUP.exe to install DirectX9 manually. Add the line 9 before the line into the ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Anno\ 1404/Engine.ini file. Rightclick on Anno 1404 in your Steam library -> properties -> launch options -> add: PROTON_NO_D3D11=1 PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 %command%.
Unknown(2+ hours with Proton)The game shows only a black screen out of the box. Had to install manually DX9, edit the Engine.ini and disable D3D11 to be able to play. But the game showed after some time graphical glitches and you need to restart the game. Would be nice if this game would work with DXVK or if Wine could make this at least stable. Installed manually D9VK, it works as well but you need the laa patch until Wine fixes the 4gb limit.
Unknown(2+ hours with Proton)Unknown(an hour with Proton)Do not forget to install DirectX9 with Wine and add DirectX 9 to Anno's Engine.ini file and it works good. After 1h I had a little bug because all the characters disappeared, maybe it's not happen with more recent version.
Unknown(an hour with Proton)Unknown(2+ hours with Proton)Installed DX9 as described and the game runs great. As launch option PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 for the memory warnings in Multiplayer
Unknown(2+ hours with Proton)
