Age LAN Server - Launcher Companion

Age LAN Server - Launcher Companion aims to provide DLL files to enhance or fix certain behaviours of the game to better be used with Age LAN Server launcher when using a custom game launcher.

Libraries

Age2FakeOnline.dll and Age3FakeOnline.dll: Fakes an internet always online behaviour. It is essential so that Age Lan Server can be used without connected to the internet, but still connected to LAN. AoE I and AoM: RT do not need it.
AgeFakeHost.dll: Fakes the resolving of hosts. It avoids the need for the launcher to modify the system-wide hosts (which requires admin permissions, affects all apps and so the changes need to be reverted). Can be used for all games.

Note: It is suspected Age3FakeOnline.dll is not actually needed.

Minimum system requirements

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (it is very likely you have it installed already).

Note: It is assumed the requirements for the game itself are met too.

Binaries

See the releases page

Note: If you are using Antivirus it may flag one or more binaries as virus, this is a false positive.

Verification

The verification process ensures that the files you download are the same as the ones that were uploaded by the maintainer.

<details> <summary>Verification steps</summary>

Check the release tag is verified with the committer's signature key (as all commits must be).
Download the ..._checksums_vA.B.C.D.txt and ..._checksums_vA.B.C.D.txt.sig files.
Import the release public key and import it to your keyring if you haven't already.
Verify the ..._checksums_vA.B.C.D.txt file with the ..._checksums_vA.B.C.D.txt.sig file.
Verify the SHA-256 checksum list inside ..._checksums_vA.B.C.D.txt with the downloaded archives.

</details>

Configuration

⚠️ ONLY FOLLOW THIS IF YOU HAVE A LEGAL LICENSE IN THE RESPECTIVE PLATFORM FOR THE GAME AND THE CONFIGURED DLCS ⚠️

You will need to use a custom launcher that either emulates Steam or Xbox Live (depending on the version you are using of the game) and configure it to inject the DLLs you want.

Steam

There are multiple Steam emulators you can use, however, the only one tested is the continuation of the so-called Goldberg Emulator hosted here.

Here are the basic steps suposing you are using Windows:

Download the latest stable emu-win-release.7z.
Uncompress it in a temporary directory (to be deleted later).
Copy these files residing in release\steamclient_experimental to your preferred folder outside the game's directory itself:
- steamclient.dll
- steamclient64.dll
- ColdClientLoader.ini
- steamclient_loader_x64.exe
Create the subdirectory dlls, steam_settings and saves where the other files reside.
Copy into dlls the common ones you want.
Follow game-specific steps.

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition

<details> <summary>Steps</summary>

Modify ColdClientLoader.ini and set the following values:
- [SteamClient]:
  - Exe: Drive:\Path\To\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\AoEDE\AoEDE_s.exe.
  - AppId: 1017900.
Create steam_settings\supported_languages.txt with notepad and copy the following text as-is:

english
french
italian
german
japanese
koreana
brazilian
russian
schinese
latam
tchinese
vietnamese
spanish

Create steam_settings\achievements.json with notepad and copy the following text as-is:

[{"name": "ROMA_VICTRIX"}, {"name": "VENI_VIDI_VICI"}, {"name": "IMPERIAL_PEACE"}, {"name": "THE_ELEPHANT_IN_THE_ROME"}, {"name": "PUNIC_ATTACK"}, {"name": "HITTITE_BABY_ONE_MORE_TIME"}, {"name": "PHARAOH"}, {"name": "SMOKING_ZIGGURATS"}, {"name": "EPIC"}, {"name": "BIG_IN_JAPAN"}, {"name": "HOMES"}, {"name": "TOWERS_OF_BABEL"}, {"name": "RISE_AND_WALL"}, {"name": "NOT_THAT_IM_KEEPING_COUNT"}, {"name": "HUN_IS_THAT_YOU"}, {"name": "HERACLES"}, {"name": "ARTEMIS"}, {"name": "PARTHIAN_SHOT"}, {"name": "21ST_CENTURY"}, {"name": "AXE_TO_GRIND"}, {"name": "CUTE_CATS"}, {"name": "THE_CHOSEN_ONES"}, {"name": "DANCING_CHARIOTS"}, {"name": "MINOAN_COMPIES"}, {"name": "SCYTHESEEING"}, {"name": "SYNTAGMA"}, {"name": "WOLOLO"}, {"name": "EYE_OF_HORUS"}, {"name": "LOSING_YOUR_RELIGION"}, {"name": "ATLAS"}, {"name": "FEET_ON_THE_GROUND"}, {"name": "EYE_IN_THE_SKY"}, {"name": "ASSASSIN"}, {"name": "PERSEUS"}, {"name": "COINAGE"}, {"name": "QUARRY"}, {"name": "WOODSTOCK"}, {"name": "PEPPERONI_PIZZA"}, {"name": "MARVELOUS"}, {"name": "ARCHIMEDES"}, {"name": "PEGASUS"}, {"name": "STATE_OF_THE_ARTIFACT"}, {"name": "RUIN_THEM_ALL"}, {"name": "RES_PUBLICA"}]

Create steam_settings\configs.user.ini with notepad and copy the following text:

[user::general]
# Fill your account name as you would normally see.
account_name=
# Fill with your real steamid or leave empty for it to be auto-generated.
account_steamid=
# Choose one from steam_settings\supported_languages.txt (described in https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/store/localization/languages) or leave empty to be set as 'english'
language=
# Choose from 'Alpha-2' country code: https://www.iban.com/country-codes or leave empty to be set as 'US'
ip_country=

[user::saves]
local_save_path=saves

Modify the fields according to the comments.
Edit Age LAN Server - Launcher resources\config.aoe1.toml and set:
- [Client]:
  - Executable: Drive:\Path\To\steamclient_loader_x64.exe.

Note: Up-to-date as of 11/9/2025 and using release release-2025_08_29.