Hey thats great and works! Was a bit confused first how to set it up properly but now I got it. Most convenient way I found was to follow the mod description and then create a FalloutLauncher.ini with the content:
And add "--start custom" to the Steam Fallout 3 launch arguments. Boom, game starts directly with Mod Organizer, Steam overlay, FOSE and all.
By the way, if you want to launch all this THROUGH Mod Organizer instead of the Steam shortcut, you can use a easy trick. Create a Fallout 3 MO.txt file in the Fallout 3 game location and write into the text file "start steam://rungameid/22300". Use 22370 if you have the GOTY Edition in Steam (The Fallout 3 Main game + DLCs and Fallout 3 Goty are weirdly enough different games in Steam...). After this rename it to Fallout 3 MO.bat and add it as executable in Mod Organizer. After this you can launch all this through Mod Organizer without the need of a Steam shortcut. Yeah I know, why bother? Lets just say I launch all my modded Bethesda games through Mod Organizer and it just feels odd to use a Steam shortcut instead...
Thank you so much for this!! This also works for Mod Manager by setting the path name to MM or MO respectively. Also-- VERY IMPORTANT that Steam is set to "run as administrator" if the launchers are too.
Great program, I managed to use this to allow Steam to track my hours while launching Morrowind through Mod Organizer.
For anyone wondering how to use this to launch other MO2 games through Steam, do the following:
First, create a shortcut for whichever .exe you use to start the game to desktop using MO2. Right Click the shortcut and copy the contents of the 'Target' field. In my case this looks like "E:\Games\Mod Organizer\Mod Organizer Morrowind\ModOrganizer.exe"
Second, run FalloutLauncher once to create the .ini. In the ini you want to put the first part of what you copied under Path and the second part under Arguments in the Mod Organizer section.
Finally, put both FalloutLauncher.exe and FalloutLauncher.ini in your game's install directory and rename FalloutLauncher.exe to the game's launcher and rename the old Launcher to anything.
For example, I renamed 'Morrowind Launcher.exe' to 'Morrowind LauncherOLD.exe' and renamed 'FalloutLauncher.exe' to 'Morrowind Launcher.exe'. Leave FalloutLauncher.ini named the way it is.
Now, when Steam launches your game, it will run this program in place of the old launcher. Press 3 for Mod Organizer and it will automatically open MO2 and launch whichever shortcut you specified.
You can add the --start mo argument under the game's properties in Steam to automatically select Mod Organizer as well.
Just keep in mind when you close the game that you need to close MO2 for Steam to stop counting your hours and thinking you're playing the game.
For Anyone having troubles getting anything to work, I am playing the GOTY with Fallout Anniversary Patcher and using a global instance.
Step 1: Modify Executables in MO2 -> Configure Libraries -> Add "Fallout3.exe" with "C:/Programs/Steam/GameOverlayRenderer.dll" (This injects overlay, point according to your Steam installation) Edit: The "Steam Overlay Enabler" by root1 mod fixes screenshots so I would recommend putting their files in the "Fallout 3 goty" folder and replace "C:/Programs/Steam/GameOverlayRenderer.dll" with just "steamoverlay.dll", no file path, then do Step 2 to launch MO2 mods through your Steam library.
Step 2: Add (C:\Programs\MO2\ModOrganizer.exe -p Default "moshortcut://Fallout 3" %command%) to your Steam launch arguments, no parentheses, point according to your MO2 installation, edit "Default" to whichever MO2 profile you wish to use.
Step 3: Launch game through steam, your play time will track, overlay and screenshots will work. Downside is that screenshots are saved to "Steam\userdata\---------\760\remote\0\screenshots", where Steam VR screenshots are, rather than "760\remote\22370" so they won't show up with usual Fallout 3 screenshots, if anyone has a fix for that let me know, you can make a shortcut and move them to the correct folder so that next time you launch Steam they will appear under the game.
Hey man, this works perfectly if Fallout 3 Instance is the latest one opened.
However, if per example I run Fallout 4 and close MO2 and I try to launch Fallout 3 it says that "Fallout3.exe" does not exist in Fallout 4 instance, do you know how can I make Fallout 3 Instance the default one?
I have a problem. Whenever i choose to open any option, the launcher closes, and so the overlay is off, and steam thinks fallout 3 is closed Oh and to clarify, the game actually opens, but the overlay is off and steam thinks its closed
For anyone that can't make this mod to work with the latest version of Fallout 3 (1.7.0.4) through MO2 and FOSE, here's a solution:
0. Downgrade the game with the Fallout Anniversay Patch (without it you can't use the script extender). 1. Rename the file FalloutLauncherSteam.exe inside the game's folder to FalloutLauncherSteam_ORG.exe 2. Download this mod, extract the file, and make a copy and rename it to: FalloutLauncher.exe. You should end up with two identical files with different names: FalloutLauncher.exe and FalloutLauncherSteam.exe. 3. Copy both files to the games folder, where the old FalloutLauncherSteam_ORG.exe is located. 4. Make the ini file as described in the mod description (FalloutLauncher.ini) and run the launcher once to fill it. Inside go to the section [Mod Organizer] and change the line "Path" to where you have installed MO2 (in my case, as an example: "E:\Tools\Mod Organizer 2\ModOrganizer.exe"). 5. Go to steam, right click on the game, go to properties and in the LAUNCH OPTIONS write: --start mo. 6. Paste the Script extender files inside the game's folder.
Now, when you run the game through Steam it will automatically load MO2 and through it you can launch the game (launch the Fallout 3.exe, not fose_loader.exe, it will automatically load FOSE).
In the end you should have: FalloutLauncher.exe (downloaded file from this mod page) FalloutLauncherSteam.exe (downloaded file from this mod page; same as the one above, with a different name) FalloutLauncherSteam_ORG.exe (original FalloutLauncherSteam.exe that comes with the game) FalloutLauncher.ini
That's not necessary, nor is this entire mod, if all you want is to launch the game through Mod Organizer 2 and have Steam features.
All you have to do is to add ("D:\MO2\ModOrganizer.exe" "moshortcut://:Fallout 3" %command%) to the Launch Options in the game Properties on Steam. Remove the parentheses, but keep all quotes. The path to the Mod Organizer 2 executable is just an example, adjust it accordingly.
This will allow you to open Mod Organizer 2 and automatically launch the game through it from Steam, with a single click. Steam will recognize the game is open and the Steam Overlay will work as well as the play time count. Mod Organizer 2 will also close automatically when the game is closed.
The mod is made specifically to stop you from excessively polluting your FO3 game folder like that. Otherwise, every time one would want to play a Bethesda game, they'd need to duplicate their MO contents (which is a 260MB waste). And yes, using this would still count as duplication, but at least they are only 2 files that take up only 32KB (ignoring the logfile)
This mod wasn't exactly made for that (or just for that) according to the description, more like because there was no way to launch the game through Mod Organizer while keeping Steam features previously (the method I have described didn't work/wasn't known before)... it's written: "A new FalloutLauncher.exe meant for Steam users to allow steam features while using FOSE or Mod Organizer." Either way, it doesn't matter anymore, I have found a proper solution for it. Check out my first comment again, I have updated it.
I made this just so I don't have to go move executables around (or just having to go into game folder) when I occasionally need to change a setting in the launcher, or just run FOSE without mods (when using MO2) or just run fully vanilla.
So in that way this mod isn't more or less necessary now than before for the purpose I wanted it for. I used your method before I made this.
Oh I see, you just wanted an easy way to launch different things. Pretty sure most people looking for this mod wanted a way to launch the game through Mod Organizer and still have all Steam features though (like what you presented this as a solution for, in the description), and I hadn't found a proper way to do that until now. A lot of people have asked for that on the internet for games like Skyrim as well but there was never a perfect way to do it.
Hey, appreciate your help in this thread, but I'm experiencing an error with your method. Inputting the command line (adjusted for my own file paths) and attempting to start thru Steam brings up a Windows error: "Windows cannot find 'D:\Mod.' Please make sure you typed the name correctly, and try again." My pathing is "D:\Mod Tools\MO2\ModOrganizer.exe"
That's because you have a space in the directory name. Add quotes around it as well so that the text is recognized as a single thing. I'll update the instructions.
I have a problem with the instruction gave by you @markie98 . After trying to running it on steam, i got an error saying "Executable Fallout 3" does not exist in instance "Portable" .Mod Organizer Screenshot
It seems like it's trying to use the "Portable" instance for the game rather than the "Fallout 3" instance. Shouldn't you just select "Switch to this instance"? Or maybe make the Fallout 3 instance the default somehow if there's a separate setting for that.
Thanks for the reply, i already did the the "Switch to this instance" . But it still happens. So i proceeded on trying to run mod organizer first and then run the game from steam. But alas this error happens :
I already fixed the problem by installing another mod organizer 2 installation on a different path and simpler folder name so that I could follow exactly with your tutorial on it. I copy and pasted all of my mods and profiles to the new installation path. Lastly, I only need to rename or delete the mod organizer 2 folder on C:\Users\user\AppData\Local to make the fix reflect.
For some reason this isn't working for me. I've done everything exactly as stated and MO2 does launch when I run FO3 in steam but it doesn't seem to fully launch (this is what it looks like) meaning FOSE isn't running... If I alt-tab FO3 and MO2 both close. Any ideas?
"By the way, if you want to launch all this THROUGH Mod Organizer instead of the Steam shortcut, you can use a easy trick. Create a Fallout 3 MO.txt file in the Fallout 3 game location and write into the text file "start steam://rungameid/22300". Use 22370 if you have the GOTY Edition in Steam (The Fallout 3 Main game + DLCs and Fallout 3 Goty are weirdly enough different games in Steam...). After this rename it to Fallout 3 MO.bat and add it as executable in Mod Organizer. After this you can launch all this through Mod Organizer without the need of a Steam shortcut. Yeah I know, why bother? Lets just say I launch all my modded Bethesda games through Mod Organizer and it just feels odd to use a Steam shortcut instead..."
I did as you wrote. Everything starts up well, but for some reason the modes do not work, they are included in the mod organizer, but they are not in the game itself, for example (I have a mod for the modified armor of the brotherhood of steel, but in the game the brotherhood of steel walks in vanilla armor)
I have everything installed right its launching through steam how do I get my controller to work I have never had a problem with new Vegas like I have 3
I get the "Couldn't find Mod Organizer" no matter what, I've double checked the paths, tried with and without quotes, and tried running as admin. Anyone else have this?
I follow your instructions and the game responds with, FOSE that is “Unknown version of Script extender detected” or some such. Some assistance would be nice. This mod worked perfectly for me before the new Fallout update.
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[Custom]
Name=Fallout 3
Path="C:\Mod Organizer\ModOrganizer.exe"
Arguments="C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 3\fose_loader.exe"
And add "--start custom" to the Steam Fallout 3 launch arguments. Boom, game starts directly with Mod Organizer, Steam overlay, FOSE and all.
By the way, if you want to launch all this THROUGH Mod Organizer instead of the Steam shortcut, you can use a easy trick. Create a Fallout 3 MO.txt file in the Fallout 3 game location and write into the text file "start steam://rungameid/22300". Use 22370 if you have the GOTY Edition in Steam (The Fallout 3 Main game + DLCs and Fallout 3 Goty are weirdly enough different games in Steam...). After this rename it to Fallout 3 MO.bat and add it as executable in Mod Organizer. After this you can launch all this through Mod Organizer without the need of a Steam shortcut. Yeah I know, why bother? Lets just say I launch all my modded Bethesda games through Mod Organizer and it just feels odd to use a Steam shortcut instead...
Also-- VERY IMPORTANT that Steam is set to "run as administrator" if the launchers are too.
For anyone wondering how to use this to launch other MO2 games through Steam, do the following:
First, create a shortcut for whichever .exe you use to start the game to desktop using MO2. Right Click the shortcut and copy the contents of the 'Target' field. In my case this looks like "E:\Games\Mod Organizer\Mod Organizer Morrowind\ModOrganizer.exe"
Second, run FalloutLauncher once to create the .ini. In the ini you want to put the first part of what you copied under Path and the second part under Arguments in the Mod Organizer section.
It should look like this:
[Mod Organizer]
; Leave empty to ignore
Path="E:\Games\Mod Organizer\Mod Organizer Morrowind\ModOrganizer.exe"
Arguments="moshortcut://Morrowind:Morrowind"
Finally, put both FalloutLauncher.exe and FalloutLauncher.ini in your game's install directory and rename FalloutLauncher.exe to the game's launcher and rename the old Launcher to anything.
For example, I renamed 'Morrowind Launcher.exe' to 'Morrowind LauncherOLD.exe' and renamed 'FalloutLauncher.exe' to 'Morrowind Launcher.exe'. Leave FalloutLauncher.ini named the way it is.
Now, when Steam launches your game, it will run this program in place of the old launcher. Press 3 for Mod Organizer and it will automatically open MO2 and launch whichever shortcut you specified.
You can add the --start mo argument under the game's properties in Steam to automatically select Mod Organizer as well.
Just keep in mind when you close the game that you need to close MO2 for Steam to stop counting your hours and thinking you're playing the game.
Step 1: Modify Executables in MO2 -> Configure Libraries -> Add "Fallout3.exe" with "C:/Programs/Steam/GameOverlayRenderer.dll" (This injects overlay, point according to your Steam installation)
Edit: The "Steam Overlay Enabler" by root1 mod fixes screenshots so I would recommend putting their files in the "Fallout 3 goty" folder and replace "C:/Programs/Steam/GameOverlayRenderer.dll" with just "steamoverlay.dll", no file path, then do Step 2 to launch MO2 mods through your Steam library.
Step 2: Add (C:\Programs\MO2\ModOrganizer.exe -p Default "moshortcut://Fallout 3" %command%) to your Steam launch arguments, no parentheses, point according to your MO2 installation, edit "Default" to whichever MO2 profile you wish to use.
Step 3: Launch game through steam, your play time will track, overlay and screenshots will work.
Downside is that screenshots are saved to "Steam\userdata\---------\760\remote\0\screenshots", where Steam VR screenshots are, rather than "760\remote\22370" so they won't show up with usual Fallout 3 screenshots, if anyone has a fix for that let me know, you can make a shortcut and move them to the correct folder so that next time you launch Steam they will appear under the game.However, if per example I run Fallout 4 and close MO2 and I try to launch Fallout 3 it says that "Fallout3.exe" does not exist in Fallout 4 instance, do you know how can I make Fallout 3 Instance the default one?
Oh and to clarify, the game actually opens, but the overlay is off and steam thinks its closed
0. Downgrade the game with the Fallout Anniversay Patch (without it you can't use the script extender).
1. Rename the file FalloutLauncherSteam.exe inside the game's folder to FalloutLauncherSteam_ORG.exe
2. Download this mod, extract the file, and make a copy and rename it to: FalloutLauncher.exe. You should end up with two identical files with different names: FalloutLauncher.exe and FalloutLauncherSteam.exe.
3. Copy both files to the games folder, where the old FalloutLauncherSteam_ORG.exe is located.
4. Make the ini file as described in the mod description (FalloutLauncher.ini) and run the launcher once to fill it. Inside go to the section [Mod Organizer] and change the line "Path" to where you have installed MO2 (in my case, as an example: "E:\Tools\Mod Organizer 2\ModOrganizer.exe").
5. Go to steam, right click on the game, go to properties and in the LAUNCH OPTIONS write: --start mo.
6. Paste the Script extender files inside the game's folder.
Now, when you run the game through Steam it will automatically load MO2 and through it you can launch the game (launch the Fallout 3.exe, not fose_loader.exe, it will automatically load FOSE).
In the end you should have:
FalloutLauncher.exe (downloaded file from this mod page)
FalloutLauncherSteam.exe (downloaded file from this mod page; same as the one above, with a different name)
FalloutLauncherSteam_ORG.exe (original FalloutLauncherSteam.exe that comes with the game)
FalloutLauncher.ini
All you have to do is to add ("D:\MO2\ModOrganizer.exe" "moshortcut://:Fallout 3" %command%) to the Launch Options in the game Properties on Steam. Remove the parentheses, but keep all quotes. The path to the Mod Organizer 2 executable is just an example, adjust it accordingly.
This will allow you to open Mod Organizer 2 and automatically launch the game through it from Steam, with a single click. Steam will recognize the game is open and the Steam Overlay will work as well as the play time count. Mod Organizer 2 will also close automatically when the game is closed.
So in that way this mod isn't more or less necessary now than before for the purpose I wanted it for. I used your method before I made this.
I gave the link to my mod organizer 2 screenshot
New Error
Probably i need to change the shortcut into fallout 3 one, but idk what to put into the launch options for that one
Thanks a bunch !
I already fixed the problem by installing another mod organizer 2 installation on a different path and simpler folder name so that I could follow exactly with your tutorial on it. I copy and pasted all of my mods and profiles to the new installation path. Lastly, I only need to rename or delete the mod organizer 2 folder on C:\Users\user\AppData\Local to make the fix reflect.
Thanks for your help man! :D
I did as you wrote. Everything starts up well, but for some reason the modes do not work, they are included in the mod organizer, but they are not in the game itself, for example (I have a mod for the modified armor of the brotherhood of steel, but in the game the brotherhood of steel walks in vanilla armor)