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[Tutorial] How to run OpenRCT2 in Steam

By Thebe

How to easily run OpenRCT2 in steam.

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Thebe
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Category: Modding or Configuration

Languages: English

Posted

14 Mar, 2020 @ 9:54pm

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Guide Index

Overview

Installation:

Comments

Installation:

As everyone around these parts I love RCT2 (and 1), but running the original version on a 1440p display is a nightmare. Thanks OpenRCT2 for coming to the rescue.

I still however wanted my time played to count towards "Played" time on Steam.

This is surprisingly easy to do. As of the time of this writing I am using latest stable build, which right now is 0.0.4.0 here.[openrct2.org]

Download the ZIP portable version (at this time x86 is more stable than x64).
Locate where Steam installed RCT2. Default is usually C:\Program Files\Steam Library\common\Roller Coaster Tycoon 2. You will know you are in the right place if you see a file called RCT2.exe

Open the OpenRCT2 zip file from step 1 above and copy over all of the files inside into the RCT2.exe directory. Merge/overwrite any files.

Rename RCT2.EXE into something else like RCT2.EXE_Backup or RCT2_old.exe etc.

Rename openrct2.exe to RCT2.EXE

Launch the game through Steam and enjoy.

Very simple.

To revert simply rename or delete the renamed openrct2.exe file and rename the backed up file back to RCT2.EXE

If you mess up somehow you can always right click on the game in Steam Library list and go to Properties, then select Verify Integrity of Game Cache under Local Files tab.

27 Comments

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mugoloo 12 Dec, 2024 @ 8:44pm

A simpler method without overwriting or renaming files:

- Install RCT2 on Steam
- Install OpenRCT

- Change RCT2 Steam Launch Arguments to:

"C:\Program Files\OpenRCT2\openrct2.exe" %command%

Copy that above line exactly as printed, with quotes and symbols.
If your directory for OpenRCT2 is not as above, change to where you installed it.

When saved, if you launch RCT2 through steam it will launch OpenRCT2 instead and track hours normally :)

dartingleopard 29 Nov, 2024 @ 10:35pm

But that doesn't count time on Steam, so if that is what you want it doesn't help.

dartingleopard 29 Nov, 2024 @ 7:29pm

You could also just use the "add a non-Steam game to my library" option. Just go to the top button that says Games, click it, then click on Add a non-Steam game to my library". Much less hassle than copying files between folders.

Foreground Eclipse 18 Apr, 2024 @ 6:22am

Comment below is a godsend, thanks for the help.

Yauboy 13 Jan, 2024 @ 1:33pm

I found a fix! You need to put all RCT2 contents in a new folder inside that folder, and just paste OpenRCT2 contents into that first folder (basically seperating the two)

First back up your saved rides and saved parks. Then uninstall RCT2 from steam, and go to steam games directory and delete the Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 folder. Reinstall RCT2 from steam, it will create a new Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 folder. Go in that folder and put all that content inside another new folder called Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 (so file path is steamapps/common/Rollercoaster Tycoon 2/Rollercoaster Tycoon 2). Go back one path and just paste OpenRCT2 content inside, and like before rename OpenRCT2.exe into RCT2.EXE. Launch it from steam, and OpenRCT2 will ask you to point to the RCT2 directory, just point it to the new Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 folder that you put everything inside earlier. Everything should be working now.

Yauboy 12 Jan, 2024 @ 4:17pm

I'm also getting duplicate tracks when merging OpenRCT2. Has anyone got a fix?

Saheilah 15 Nov, 2023 @ 11:25pm

I also have duplicate tracks in my ride categories: 2 of every ride. Has anyone figured out the cause/how to fix it?

VahidSlayerOfAll 1 May, 2023 @ 8:07am

does it work on the steam deck???

ЯavenStrykeR 12 Mar, 2023 @ 11:42pm

Did anyone ever figure out the duplicate track design issue when trying to run openrtc2 via steam? If I run openrct2 from the launcher or itself, there doesn't seem to be an issue, but as soon as I redirect steam to open it in place of RCT2.exe I get duplicate coaster designs just like @GosT did.

GosT 9 Sep, 2022 @ 6:44pm

Thought I merged down all my folders perfectly but I have 2x the tracks in all my ride categories. For example in wood coasters i have 60 total prefabs. 2 firetraps, 2 woodworms, 2 of legit every prefab in every ride category. Any help on what folder is causing this. Tried to just delete my Tracks folder figuring there was a dupe somewhere but then lost all my prefabs not just one set.

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