In late 2024, 2K removed its controversial launcher, prompting cheers from the community. However, it soon became clear that this move was not without its drawbacks, particularly for users of XCOM 2 mods. Users began reporting on platforms like Steam and Reddit that several mods had stopped functioning, and attempting to use them could lead to persistent crashes.

The enthusiast community hasn’t remained silent about these issues. Many have taken to forums to express their frustrations and seek solutions. It appears that mods linked to the War of the Chosen expansion tend to be the ones still functioning smoothly. Users with older mods have been less fortunate, with many encountering problems regardless of which launcher is being utilized.

Fortunately, there is a potential workaround for those facing issues with their XCOM 2 mods. Players can navigate to their Steam installation folder, usually found at Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\268500, and edit the mod files, ensuring that each contains the line RequiresXPACK=true. After making this change, users reported that their mods were operational once again.

This situation underlines the complexity of digital gaming and how changes in software can significantly affect user experience, especially in relation to third-party content like mods. Further developments are expected as the community continues to refine their solutions.