I found it really annoying that there is no straight forward guide to install everything on Linux. Especially not with mods and unlocked decorative buildings.

So here you go, the (hopefully) most straight forward way to put tiny houses on some island while running Linux.

I did not try this guide with the Anno 1404: History Edition. But the steps should be the same.
The only exception might be the mod manager part. But you can try your luck.

---

Install Anno 1404 Venice (only the addon is enough) or the History Edition.

When you start it you will very likely get a black screen.
To fix it follow this guide to make the game use DirectX 9:

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2676959602

Make sure you use the wineprefix for the addon when following the guide (game id: 33350).
And make sure you set BOTH `DirectXVersion` values in `Anno1404Addon/Config/Engine.ini` and if present `Anno1404/Config/Engine.ini` to `9`.


Then right click on Anno 1404 in Steam and enforce Proton 8.0-5. Newer version might not work with the I.A.A.M installer. But you you can of course try.

If you want to play without mods, you can also use a newer version instead.

Now start Anno 1404 Venice once to see if it works. If not (black screen) you can ignore it for now. You can still fix it after you have installed I.A.A.M.

Otherwise see the section about possible fixes.

Download the I.A.A.M v3 from here: https://iaam1404.projectanno.de/start_eng.htm
(Download at: https://www.nemos-inis.de/suite/filebase/index.php?file/7-i-a-a-m-1404-inoffizeller-anno-addon-mod-f%C3%BCr-anno-1404/#versions )

Do not download the version for the History Edition. This version won't work if you have the normal Anno 1404: Venice installed.

If you installed the History edition use the v4 installer of course, but I could not try this one.

Then install Protontricks.
Seems like they only have a flathub package. So here you go:

https://flathub.org/en/apps/com.github.Matoking.protontricks

Run `protontricks` and select `Anno 1404 Venice` -> `Select default wineprefix` -> `Run arbitrary executable` -> Select the setup of I.A.A.M

Install it into the Anno 1404 directory from Steam (should be `I:\\<USERNAME>\.steam\debian-installation\steamapps\common\Anno 1404`).

Then start the game and see if it works.

If you you still get a black screen, try out different Proton versions.

You can also experiment and install the DirectX the game contains:


Also, in case you did other things with the wineprefix (e.g. used your system wine on it during this guide) you might get a black screen because the prefix is configured for the the wrong wine version.
Just run the commands from above to install the `DXSETUP.EXE` and it should be properly configured again.

Still a black screen? Sorry mate, figure it out yourself. I am sure you got this.

The by far simplest way is to use an unlocked profile.
Here is one: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/app/33350/discussions/0/846958724641099322/
In case the link is done, here the backup: https://archive.org/details/540410329

Copy the profile into:


and play.

---

In case you are paranoid, try to patch the game yourself or just want to have no achievements unlocked you can try and use the Anno Mod Manager (for Anno 1404).

It patches the RDA game files so the buildings are for free and code of arms cost -1 gems.

This one is a little tricky and takes some work.

I won't go into detail because it is annoying, but here are the basics and some links:

You are a Linux user. I am sure you are going to make it.

Download the Anno 1404 mod manager from Sourceforge or from the Web Archive
(the Web Archive link has more useful information how to get it running on Linux):

https://sourceforge.net/projects/a1404mm/files/
https://archive.org/details/amm_20250915

One of the modifications in there is called You can install it with the Mod Manager to unlock all decorative buildings.

I would recommend to just install it with Lutris and run it in its own wine prefix.
Since the tool just patches the RDA files, it doesn't need access to the Anno user data or anything.