How to launch the game without updating?
I have not updated the game but can't figure out how to get the current version to run without trying to update. I have my Steam .acf file set to read-only, so Steam can't update it, but no matter how I try to launch it keeps trying. Even running the executable directly or trying to launch with SMM.
Is there any way to get it to run the version I already have without updating?
Solution:Jump to solution
So, to create a single post to mark as the answer for this issue:
For Epic:
1. Make a copy of the game folder wherever you want it. This must be from before the update....
66 Replies
Hello? Anyone?
Having a similar issue. Apparently the announcement has brief but incomplete instructions on backing up your game files to be able to play modded game but no real follow up for after the backup part
Yeah, I know the normal trick for Steam where you bakup the current game files, let it update, then replace the files with your old version, but that is not working here. Everything I have tried fails and no matter how I try to launch the game it always crashes out because Steam is trying to update.
In on Epic having the same thing. SMM and the direct application EXE will not launch and will bring up the epic games launcher without the game. Seriously it’s 2024 how do we not have basic modding support in the launchers for early access games?
ikr!
I’m just hoping by shamelessly bumping your thread to get someone knowledgeable to reply . Meanwhile I’m stuck with a broken back and both the games I want to play (SF modded and Warframe) are having issues I can’t resolve without expert help
What I don't get is why launching the executable directly doesn't work when that works for almost every other game out there. It's like Coffee Stain intentionally made it so you can't play the old version. I know they don't want official mod support, but come on! lol
REE.exe
lmao
I'm starting to think it may just not be possible. I see other, much newer, threads getting quick responses, but crickets in here. Maybe because nobody knows how to get it to work?
In going to try Reddit
Good luck! Let me know if you find a solution.
Will do. Post is live on Reddit in the largest Satisfactory subreddit.
Running old version is pretty simple.
Step 1: You need a full game copy from update 8. If you already updated, you have a problem.
Step 2: Create a shortcut to the game exe. In target field add space and
-epicportal. This disables the epic/steam integration.
Step 3: Run the game from new shortcut. You will load offline, most likely spawn as new player. Thats normal.
Works fine for me, even spawned in my original body:
Unfortunately, that does not appear to work.
-I have a copy of the U8 version of the game that has not been updated.
-I created the shortcut exactly as shown, with "-epicportal" added at the end of the Target field.
Even with Steam completely closed, the game starts to load but then closes back out, Steam automatically runs and tries to update.
Please show the folder and the shortcut.
Step 1 - make a copy. Don't launch the game from steam folder.
dates and sizes on files look correct, so steam didnt overwite them yet
I have the .acf file set as read-only, so Steam is not able to overwrite or update anything. It fails as soon as it tries.
make a copy into separate folder to eliminate steam as a factor. it wont be touching files it does not know about.
I’ll give this a shot too
You can also download builds via the steam console.
steam console works, but it is an advanced thing. better have a good known copy steam wont mess with.
Tried again from a copy outside of the Steam folder structure, same result.
try launching the copy from new shortcut with -epicportal
Works on my end! You may need to change that -epic portal to a steam specific one
I've used the Steam console to grab old versions before, but I don't think that would work here because that just gives you the files, which I already have.
ok, try this:
copy launcher_id elsewhere.
Then edit original in notepad and replace steam with epic
thats epic[space]
[newline]
Works for mine seeing as I’m on epic. OP her is on steam and may need a different command than -epicportal
Glad it works for you, have fun!
lets see if we can convince your copy its an epic copy
Ok, giving that a try now.
Success! We have brainwashed it into thinking it's an Epic copy. It loads and all my mods are present, but the save games are missing. I'm assuming they have a different folder structure for where Epic saves are kept.
start new game, skip onboarding, save game with known name, exit
also, you have steam fully turned off, exe killed when tried launching the first time?
Yes, Steam is not running at all.
I have a new save game saved with the same name as my old save.
thats kind of worst options xd
search the save folder for that name, you will get a folder with digits as number, long one
copy the save you want to play into long named folder.
DO NOT overwrite your original save dude.
Btw, I do not know why it doesnt want to launch as steam ver. My u5 copy runs with steam launcher just fine
Hmm, I'm not sure where it's saving the new save game files.
Only my old save files are in the normal save location:
AppData\Local\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames
Does Epic store them somewhere else?
No idea on that one, maybe Coffee Stain changed something between U5 and U8?
Should be same folder for save
okay uh
I copied the game elsewhere
if you canr find it, search whole c drive. thats why I sugested you give it an unique name.
and now when I launch it, it just launches the steam version
made shortcut to new exe with -epicportal?
I... let me try that?
if you launch the exe directly, it will try to connect to epic/steam
So... shortcut with the launch arg
-epicportal?
F:/PortableApps/Satisfactory $ ./FactoryGame.exe -epicportal
same result
launches U8 for a bit, shows loading screen, kills itself and steam opens the steam version
I made this backup last night by just copying/pasting the steamfiles to a seperate locationscroll up, try replacing launcher_id as shown
Still can't figure out where the new save file went. The save directory still only has my old saves.
just does nothing now
start the game. make new save, call it NewTry123, then search the disk for file with that name
You are not launching it via shortcut
a shortcut should not have any difference in how its being launched
well, you forgot the -epicportal
yeah just noticed that, testing now
Yep
make a shortcut. dont repeat yourself (DRY)
Ok, found the new save location. It's actually here now:
AppData\Local\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames\common
Not sure why it's not using some long UID like in your example. Either way, thanks for the help!
weird, that is the 'old' savegame location.
I behest you build me a shrine. A simple triangle will suffice, no need to paint it white and black.
Maybe that's what it uses when in offline mode? :Eden_shrug:
I shall my lord, immediately!
lol
it saves to long id folder for me
this also remind me - you can ofc drop your saves into common folder, game scans it by default. restarting game not needed, just close manu and go back to load game
used this yesterday a hundred times to browse old saves
Yep, I figured it would be able to find the saves without having to restart the game.
Thanks again!
Solution
So, to create a single post to mark as the answer for this issue:
For Epic:
1. Make a copy of the game folder wherever you want it. This must be from before the update.
2. Create a shortcut to FactoryGame.exe and put the shortcut wherever you want it.
3. Edit the shortcut and add "-epicportal" at the end of the "Target" field.
4. Run the game from the new shortcut.
For Steam:
1. Make a copy of the game folder wherever you want it. This must be from before the update.
2. Create a shortcut to FactoryGame.exe and put the shortcut wherever you want it.
3. Edit the shortcut and add "-epicportal" at the end of the "Target" field.
4. Inside the game directory, edit the "launcher_id" file and replace "steam" with "epic", make sure to keep the extra space at the end.
5. Launch the game from the new shortcut.
Regarding save game files:
To access your old save game files, open this location in File Explorer:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames
You should see one folder with a long name which will either be all numbers or a combination of letters and numbers, depending on if you use Steam or Epic. Your old save files should be found inside that folder. You may need to copy the save files from that folder into this folder in order to load them:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames\common
For full details of these steps, read through the chat above.
Doing this
Adding a screenshot of those steps to my Reddit post
could you add save game location? as in 'drop them in saves/common' folder.
Ahh, yeah, that's a good idea!
There we go, any other suggestions before I mark that as the answer?
the docs will rebuild shortly with directions on this. they use an alternate method that convinces steam to launch anyways to avoid needing to edit the launcher_id and set up a shortcut
