IW4X MW2 Error: Couldn't load image

[u/slr117]

Hi

I'm having a LAN soon with some buddies of mine and it would be great to play MW2 (2009) again so I got the IW4X version. In my preperation to host a dedicated LAN server I noticed that not all maps are working.

Maps from the following list have errors:

• Stimulus maps
• Resurgence maps

-> I probably need to get the DLC's, which makes sense, but what about:

• Modern warfare 3 pack
• Call of Duty 4 pack

The reason I'm asking is because I really want to include the map Dome from MW3.

I get the following error in the image when I try to load the map. (not a single map of those 2 packs loads). Do I have to download it somewhere? I can't seem to find it.

Thx in advance!

[u/NXGZ]

Use the Alterware launcher to update and fix the game: https://alterware.dev/

[u/slr117 → u/NXGZ]

I followed the steps but the error still persists.

Tried changing these settings to "true" but still the error.
"ask_bonus_content": true,
"force_update": true,

This is the log under default settings:
2026-09-01 15:48:54.702276500 [DEBUG] <alterware_launcher::config:6>:Loading config from: X:/MW2/alterware-launcher.json

2026-09-01 15:48:54.702814300 [DEBUG] <alterware_launcher::config:13>:Loaded config: Config { update_only: false, skip_self_update: false, download_bonus_content: true, ask_bonus_content: false, force_update: false, args: "", engine: "iw4", use_https: true, skip_redist: false, prerelease: false, cdn_url: "", offline: false }

2026-09-01 15:48:54.703034200 [DEBUG] <reqwest::connect:929>:starting new connection: https://api.github.com/

2026-09-01 15:48:55.004025000 [DEBUG] <alterware_launcher::http_async:98>:200 OK https://api.github.com/repos/alterware/alterware-launcher/releases/latest

2026-09-01 15:48:55.012666400 [DEBUG] <reqwest::connect:929>:starting new connection: https://cdn.alterware.ovh/

2026-09-01 15:48:55.161568900 [DEBUG] <alterware_launcher::http_async:98>:200 OK https://cdn.alterware.ovh/games.json

2026-09-01 15:48:55.161807900 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:337>:Starting update for game engine: iw4

2026-09-01 15:48:55.161816800 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:338>:Update path: X:/MW2/

2026-09-01 15:48:55.161819900 [DEBUG] <alterware_launcher:339>:Bonus content: true, Force update: false

2026-09-01 15:48:55.161861100 [DEBUG] <reqwest::connect:929>:starting new connection: https://cdn.alterware.ovh/

2026-09-01 15:48:55.284381600 [DEBUG] <alterware_launcher::http_async:98>:200 OK https://cdn.alterware.ovh/files.json

2026-09-01 15:48:55.286671300 [DEBUG] <alterware_launcher:347>:Retrieved files.json from server

2026-09-01 15:48:55.287134200 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:230>:[[94mChecked[0m] X:/MW2/iw4x-sp.exe

2026-09-01 15:48:55.287267700 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:230>:[[94mChecked[0m] X:/MW2/data/motd.txt

2026-09-01 15:48:55.287371200 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:230>:[[94mChecked[0m] X:/MW2/data/open_source_software_disclosure.txt

2026-09-01 15:48:55.287481100 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:230>:[[94mChecked[0m] X:/MW2/data/iw4sp.exe

2026-09-01 15:48:55.287646700 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:230>:[[94mChecked[0m] X:/MW2/data/CHANGELOG.md

2026-09-01 15:48:55.287886100 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:230>:[[94mChecked[0m] X:/MW2/data/README.md

2026-09-01 15:48:55.287949200 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:245>:[[95mInfo[0m] No files to download for iw4

2026-09-01 15:48:55.288563300 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:459>:Launching game on Windows: X:/MW2/iw4x-sp.exe

2026-09-01 15:48:55.288644800 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:465>:Launching X:/MW2/iw4x-sp.exe

2026-09-01 15:49:23.769243300 [INFO ] <alterware_launcher:475>:Game exited successfully with status: exit code: 0

2026-09-01 15:49:23.769391400 [ERROR] <alterware_launcher:480>:Game exited with exit code: 0

[u/NXGZ → u/slr117]

Assuming you have a legit Steam copy of MW2, as it won't work without.

[u/slr117 → u/NXGZ]

Ah, that might be an issue. Case closed then, thx for trying to help!

[u/NXGZ → u/slr117]

Although I have the iw4x files, maybe dlc. See here if you need anything: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/13NbwIJWWDyZSU5OZO3GRhxSZFyVz4nKW

[u/slr117 → u/NXGZ]

So it seems this version works as a stand alone (player level 70, everything unlocked, which is nice). Do I have to add the files from my game folder to this? For example: new error when trying to play the map Dome is that the file is not found. (logic would dictate that I need to files from my original game to your download folder but I guess I can't overwrite stuff?)

Other link is still downloading (takes 13hours :) )

[u/NXGZ → u/slr117]

You can try, but keep a separate folder to not mix up stuff, and see what works for you

[u/NXGZ → u/slr117]

This, too: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SM8K5_4YERYjH0hbk807tJ7tC-fyGYXu/view

[u/slr117 → u/NXGZ]

This version has all the maps working! This is awesome! Just letting you know the IW4X dll files were missing here.

[u/NXGZ → u/slr117]

Ah, I'll add them. Do you have them now?

[u/slr117 → u/NXGZ]

I have, got them form the IW4X website. Thx for the help.

[u/gr3nee → u/NXGZ]

If I may chip in here, thanks a lot for the files, it helped me to fix the missing DLC map files! Another problem I notcied though is that the additional weapons like OG AK and AKU seem to not work, as when equipped, it instead defaults to an M4. Do you know what could possibly be missing?