Before

Updated the guide, removed some steps and added better scripts.

While T3Aonline still doesn't work, I also recently got BFME I mods and BFME II working on Linux. I don't have guides up, but just know those are both possible following similar steps as in the instructions

NOTE:

For Windows, follow this guide here: https://forums.revor...allation-guide/

Mac Instructions (Doesn't work with Catalina): https://www.reddit.c...nline_play_t3a/

People in this thread have figured out how to run BFME II and RotWK as of 2020! That's out of the scope of this guide.

This guide now assumes you use >Wine 5.11, which brings great improvements and simplifications!

How this guide works:

At each step, there will be the basic instruction, and then a spoiler tag if you need more help. This is because some of you will know how to install it based on the synopsis above, and some of you won't know how to mount a disk from the command line. This guide will work for you both

Prerequisites:

If you're new, or not too comfortable with Linux, this guide may be a bit difficult (but not impossible) to follow. I recommend you get the help of a friend, Google, or just try, try and try again if you get stuck!

If you have not previously installed wine:

1. Install wine

If you have previously installed wine:

1. Make sure you're not on a 32-bit version of wine. You'll know if you are since it's hard to get there (guide previously required it).

In either case:

1. You need to install wget, cdrtools, libgnutls, and libmpg123.
   Spoiler

   
   If you're on Mint/Pop!_OS/Ubuntu/SteamOS & Debian derivatives, run this (NOTE: I do not run a Debian OS. I'm not 100% sure these are the correct package names):
   

   sudo apt install wget cdrtools lib32-gnutls lib32-mpg123

   If you're on Manjaro & Arch derivatives, run this:
   

   pamac install wget cdrtools lib32-gnutls lib32-mpg123 
   

   (Then reboot)
   
   

Installation Steps:

1. Download The Battle for Middle Earth (Click here)
   Spoiler

   Link not working? Try one of these. Mirror 1, Mirror 2
2. Go to the directory with tBfMe.iso
   Spoiler

   
   Open the terminal, and probably type something like:
   

   cd Downloads
   

3. Mount the iso
   Spoiler

   sudo mkdir -p /mnt/iso
   sudo mount -o loop tBfMe.iso /mnt/iso/

   Note: If it tells you it can't work with iso9660, make sure you installed cdrtools with the steps above. If you did, do a quick reboot and try again.
   
4. Enter your mount point
   Spoiler

   cd /mnt/iso
   

5. Run the AutoRun.exe

   Spoiler

   wine AutoRun.exe 

6. Install the game as you would normally

   Spoiler

   Need a CD key?

7. Patch Options.ini to avoid Exception Access Violation

   Spoiler

   
   This command will create a file called Options.ini in your Application Data folder and populate it with the needed fields:

   install -D /dev/null /home/$USER/.wine/drive_c/users/$USER/Application\ Data/My\ Battle\ for\ Middle-earth\ Files/Options.ini ;  wget -O /home/$USER/.wine/drive_c/users/$USER/Application\ Data/My\ Battle\ for\ Middle-earth\ Files/Options.ini https://gist.githubusercontent.com/dginovker/6e56955db21825a6548eecb991862eb0/raw/c69eb8f0a13ef3fb7b93e9ed99d9df5feb8202b1/Options.ini

   Note: This hardcodes 1920*1080 resolution. See "How to fix resolution" if this causes problems after exiting the game.
   

8. Download the v1.03 patch: https://www.gamefron...tegory/25-v1-03 

   Spoiler

   Look for the patch that has the language you selected in the install screen. Here's a link for English: https://www.gamefron...nglish/download

9. Download the v1.05, v1.06 and Online Installer: http://server.cnc-on...tch1.06_AIO.exe

   Spoiler

   This is also required to fix your "Please insert the correct CD/ROM".
   
   If you want to play on older patches, go find the patched game.dat and place that in your folder manually. Note that for multiplayer (network or online), you must have gotten the patches in the same fashion on all computers.

10. Launch the game!

    Spoiler

    Most desktop environments will put this in your launcher. Otherwise (and for debugging), run this or add it as shortcut:

    wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files\ \(x86\)/EA\ GAMES/The\ Battle\ for\ Middle-earth\ \(tm\)/lotrbfme.exe

How to fix "Download Failed: Success" for v1.05 patch

How to fix resolution:

How to kill unresponsive game:

How to make the game cooperate with Virtual Desktops:

How to get better performance:

Playing online:

Right now, the T3AOnline launcher creates a thread in some weird fashion to kick off the game.dat that's not currently supported by Wine. I have tested this fairly extensively on Wine 4.5 and was unable to make it work. If you're reading this in the future, or if T3AOnline receives another update, it may be worth trying again, but for now it's not easily possible.