I’m investigating an Arabic localization for AoE4, Microsoft Store / Xbox PC package 16.3.11308.0. Support referred me to the modding community because they cannot assist with Content Editor issues.
Before translating thousands of strings, I need a minimal example that changes ONE existing base-game menu or campaign string, outside a mod’s own UI.
Tests with the installed official editor:
- Extension and Replacement mods load their own text, but duplicating base key 999692 does not override the base reference. Matching locale/en/cardinal.en.ucs does not change that result.
- Natural Arabic displays correctly in one mod description. That does not yet prove general RTL support or base-game localization.
- Rebuilding the unchanged original locale preserves both UCS paths and payloads byte for byte. The editor produces SGA 11 versus the original SGA 10. The only archive differences are the version byte and signature field. Replacing the base archive temporarily produces: Archive [LocaleEnglish] is [corrupt]! [Skipping.]. The original was restored and launches normally.
Has anyone implemented a supported full-game text override on Microsoft Store? If so, could you share the project type, internal path/namespace, activation steps and tested game version for a one-string example? Does it work in the main menu and official campaigns, or only inside a selected mod?
I’m looking for a workflow that does not bypass archive validation or patch executable code. A Steam-only example is still useful context, but please identify the platform and scope. Thank you.