diff --git a/cfg/converter/games/game_editions.toml b/cfg/converter/games/game_editions.toml
index 7b0331e81e..24628e8273 100644
--- a/cfg/converter/games/game_editions.toml
+++ b/cfg/converter/games/game_editions.toml
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ expansions      = []
     "C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Games/Age of Empires II",
   ]
 
+  [AOC.targetmods.aoe2_base]
+  version         = "0.5.1"
+  versionstr      = "1.0c"
+  min_api_version = "0.5.0"
+
 
 [AOCDEMO]
 name            = "Age of Empires 2: The Conqueror's Trial Version"
@@ -57,6 +62,12 @@ expansions      = []
   terrain   = ["data/Terrain.drs"]
   blend     = ["data/blendomatic.dat"]
 
+  [AOCDEMO.targetmods.trial_base]
+  version         = "0.5.1"
+  versionstr      = "Trial"
+  min_api_version = "0.5.0"
+
+
 [AOK]
 name            = "Age of Empires 2: Age of Kings"
 game_edition_id = "AOK"
@@ -90,6 +101,8 @@ expansions      = []
     "C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Games/Age of Empires II",
   ]
 
+  [AOK.targetmods]
+
 
 [AOE1DE]
 name            = "Age of Empires 1: Definitive Edition (Steam)"
@@ -131,6 +144,11 @@ expansions      = []
     "C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/AoEDE",
   ]
 
+  [AOE1DE.targetmods.de1_base]
+  version         = "0.5.1"
+  versionstr      = "1.0a"
+  min_api_version = "0.5.0"
+
 
 [ROR]
 name            = "Age of Empires 1: Rise of Rome"
@@ -166,6 +184,11 @@ expansions      = []
     "C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Games/Age of Empires",
   ]
 
+  [ROR.targetmods.aoe1_base]
+  version         = "0.5.1"
+  versionstr      = "1.0a"
+  min_api_version = "0.5.0"
+
 
 [HDEDITION]
 name            = "Age of Empires 2: HD Edition"
@@ -205,6 +228,11 @@ expansions      = []
     "C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/Age2HD",
   ]
 
+  [HDEDITION.targetmods.hd_base]
+  version         = "0.5.1"
+  versionstr      = "5.8"
+  min_api_version = "0.5.0"
+
 
 [AOE2DE]
 name            = "Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition"
@@ -249,6 +277,11 @@ expansions      = []
     "C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/AoE2DE",
   ]
 
+  [AOE2DE.targetmods.de2_base]
+  version         = "0.6.0"
+  versionstr      = "Update 118476+"
+  min_api_version = "0.5.0"
+
 
 [SWGB]
 name            = "Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds"
@@ -285,3 +318,8 @@ expansions      = ["SWGB_CC"]
     "C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/STAR WARS - Galactic Battlegrounds Saga",
     "C:/Program Files/Steam/steamapps/common/STAR WARS - Galactic Battlegrounds Saga",
   ]
+
+  [SWGB.targetmods.swgb_base]
+  version         = "0.5.1"
+  versionstr      = "1.1-gog4"
+  min_api_version = "0.5.0"
diff --git a/cfg/converter/games/game_expansions.toml b/cfg/converter/games/game_expansions.toml
index b3dd159c12..5aca31f780 100644
--- a/cfg/converter/games/game_expansions.toml
+++ b/cfg/converter/games/game_expansions.toml
@@ -3,31 +3,36 @@
 file_version = "1.0"
 
 [AFRI_KING]
-name = "African Kingdoms (HD)"
+name            = "African Kingdoms (HD)"
 game_edition_id = "AFRI_KING"
-subfolder = "hd_ak"
-support = "nope"
-targetmod = [ "aoe2-ak", "aoe2-ak-graphics" ]
+subfolder       = "hd_ak"
+support         = "nope"
+targetmod       = ["aoe2-ak", "aoe2-ak-graphics"]
 
   [AFRI_KING.mediapaths]
-  graphics = [ "resources/_common/slp/" ]
-  sounds = [ "resources/_common/sound/" ]
-  interface = [ "resources/_common/drs/interface/" ]
-  terrain = [ "resources/_common/terrain/" ]
+  graphics  = ["resources/_common/slp/"]
+  sounds    = ["resources/_common/sound/"]
+  interface = ["resources/_common/drs/interface/"]
+  terrain   = ["resources/_common/terrain/"]
+
+  [AFRI_KING.targetmods]
+
 
 [SWGB_CC]
-name = "Clone Campaigns"
+name            = "Clone Campaigns"
 game_edition_id = "SWGB_CC"
-subfolder = "swgb_cc"
-support = "yes"
-targetmod = [ "swgb-cc", "swgb-cc-graphics" ]
+subfolder       = "swgb_cc"
+support         = "yes"
+targetmod       = ["swgb-cc", "swgb-cc-graphics"]
 
   [SWGB_CC.mediapaths]
-  datfile = [ "Game/Data/genie_x1.dat" ]
-  gamedata = [ "Game/Data/genie_x1.dat" ]
-  graphics = [ "Game/Data/graphics_x1.drs" ]
-  language = [ "Game/language_x1.dll" ]
-  palettes = [ "Game/Data/interfac_x1.drs" ]
-  sounds = [ "Game/Data/sounds_x1.drs" ]
-  interface = [ "Game/Data/interfac_x1.drs" ]
-  terrain = [ "Game/Data/terrain_x1.drs" ]
+  datfile   = ["Game/Data/genie_x1.dat"]
+  gamedata  = ["Game/Data/genie_x1.dat"]
+  graphics  = ["Game/Data/graphics_x1.drs"]
+  language  = ["Game/language_x1.dll"]
+  palettes  = ["Game/Data/interfac_x1.drs"]
+  sounds    = ["Game/Data/sounds_x1.drs"]
+  interface = ["Game/Data/interfac_x1.drs"]
+  terrain   = ["Game/Data/terrain_x1.drs"]
+
+  [SWGB_CC.targetmods]
diff --git a/openage/convert/main.py b/openage/convert/main.py
index f89356402f..cefa06d44e 100644
--- a/openage/convert/main.py
+++ b/openage/convert/main.py
@@ -15,11 +15,13 @@
 from ..util.fslike.wrapper import (DirectoryCreator,
                                    Synchronizer as AccessSynchronizer)
 from .service.debug_info import debug_cli_args, debug_game_version, debug_mounts
-from .service.init.conversion_required import conversion_required
+from .service.init.changelog import check_updates
+from .service.init.modpack_search import enumerate_modpacks
 from .service.init.mount_asset_dirs import mount_asset_dirs
 from .service.init.version_detect import create_version_objects
 from .tool.interactive import interactive_browser
-from .tool.subtool.acquire_sourcedir import acquire_conversion_source_dir, wanna_convert
+from .tool.subtool.acquire_sourcedir import acquire_conversion_source_dir, wanna_convert, \
+    wanna_check_updates
 from .tool.subtool.version_select import get_game_version
 
 if typing.TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -238,6 +240,16 @@ def init_subparser(cli: ArgumentParser):
         "--export-api", action='store_true',
         help="Export the openage nyan API definition as a modpack")
 
+    cli.add_argument(
+        "--check-updates", action='store_true',
+        help="Check if the assets are up to date"
+    )
+
+    cli.add_argument(
+        "--no-prompts", action='store_false', dest='show_prompts',
+        help="Disable user prompts"
+    )
+
 
 def main(args, error):
     """ CLI entry point """
@@ -268,11 +280,16 @@ def main(args, error):
     from ..assets import get_asset_path
     outdir = get_asset_path(args.output_dir)
 
-    if args.force or wanna_convert() or conversion_required(outdir):
+    if args.force or (args.show_prompts and wanna_convert()):
         convert_assets(outdir, args, srcdir)
 
-    else:
-        print("assets are up to date; no conversion is required.")
-        print("override with --force.")
+    if args.check_updates or (args.show_prompts and wanna_check_updates()):
+        # check if the assets are up to date
+        modpack_dir = outdir / "converted"
+        available_modpacks = enumerate_modpacks(modpack_dir, exclude={"engine"})
+
+        game_info_dir = args.cfg_dir / "converter" / "games"
+
+        check_updates(available_modpacks, game_info_dir)
 
     return 0
diff --git a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc/modpack_subprocessor.py b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc/modpack_subprocessor.py
index 4f7628751e..b842fc74c2 100644
--- a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc/modpack_subprocessor.py
+++ b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc/modpack_subprocessor.py
@@ -44,7 +44,10 @@ def _get_aoe2_base(cls, full_data_set: GenieObjectContainer) -> Modpack:
 
         mod_def = modpack.get_info()
 
-        mod_def.set_info("aoe2_base", "0.5.1", versionstr="1.0c", repo="openage")
+        targetmod_info = full_data_set.game_version.edition.target_modpacks["aoe2_base"]
+        version = targetmod_info["version"]
+        versionstr = targetmod_info["versionstr"]
+        mod_def.set_info("aoe2_base", version, versionstr=versionstr, repo="openage")
 
         mod_def.add_include("data/**")
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc_demo/modpack_subprocessor.py b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc_demo/modpack_subprocessor.py
index 8ae5c83705..0759ed9127 100644
--- a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc_demo/modpack_subprocessor.py
+++ b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/aoc_demo/modpack_subprocessor.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2023-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2023-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
 
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@ def _get_demo_base(cls, full_data_set: GenieObjectContainer) -> Modpack:
 
         mod_def = modpack.get_info()
 
-        mod_def.set_info("trial_base", "0.5.1", versionstr="Trial", repo="openage")
+        targetmod_info = full_data_set.game_version.edition.target_modpacks["trial_base"]
+        version = targetmod_info["version"]
+        versionstr = targetmod_info["versionstr"]
+        mod_def.set_info("trial_base", version, versionstr=versionstr, repo="openage")
 
         mod_def.add_include("data/**")
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de1/modpack_subprocessor.py b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de1/modpack_subprocessor.py
index 1a431e81d2..55c143ee83 100644
--- a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de1/modpack_subprocessor.py
+++ b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de1/modpack_subprocessor.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2023-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2023-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
 
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@ def _get_aoe1_base(cls, full_data_set: GenieObjectContainer) -> Modpack:
 
         mod_def = modpack.get_info()
 
-        mod_def.set_info("de1_base", "0.5.1", versionstr="1.0a", repo="openage")
+        targetmod_info = full_data_set.game_version.edition.target_modpacks["de1_base"]
+        version = targetmod_info["version"]
+        versionstr = targetmod_info["versionstr"]
+        mod_def.set_info("de1_base", version, versionstr=versionstr, repo="openage")
 
         mod_def.add_include("data/**")
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de2/modpack_subprocessor.py b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de2/modpack_subprocessor.py
index 5af6fdf8b5..ab09c233a6 100644
--- a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de2/modpack_subprocessor.py
+++ b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/de2/modpack_subprocessor.py
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@ def _get_aoe2_base(cls, full_data_set: GenieObjectContainer) -> Modpack:
 
         mod_def = modpack.get_info()
 
-        mod_def.set_info("de2_base", "0.6.0", versionstr="Update 118476+", repo="openage")
+        targetmod_info = full_data_set.game_version.edition.target_modpacks["de2_base"]
+        version = targetmod_info["version"]
+        versionstr = targetmod_info["versionstr"]
+        mod_def.set_info("de2_base", version, versionstr=versionstr, repo="openage")
 
         mod_def.add_include("data/**")
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/hd/modpack_subprocessor.py b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/hd/modpack_subprocessor.py
index 8be52ac744..536c451ae1 100644
--- a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/hd/modpack_subprocessor.py
+++ b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/hd/modpack_subprocessor.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2021-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2021-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
 
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@ def _get_aoe2_base(cls, full_data_set: GenieObjectContainer) -> Modpack:
 
         mod_def = modpack.get_info()
 
-        mod_def.set_info("hd_base", "0.5.1", versionstr="5.8", repo="openage")
+        targetmod_info = full_data_set.game_version.edition.target_modpacks["hd_base"]
+        version = targetmod_info["version"]
+        versionstr = targetmod_info["versionstr"]
+        mod_def.set_info("hd_base", version, versionstr=versionstr, repo="openage")
 
         mod_def.add_include("data/**")
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/ror/modpack_subprocessor.py b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/ror/modpack_subprocessor.py
index ff7746e861..b0022c601e 100644
--- a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/ror/modpack_subprocessor.py
+++ b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/ror/modpack_subprocessor.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2020-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2020-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
 
@@ -41,7 +41,10 @@ def _get_aoe1_base(cls, full_data_set: GenieObjectContainer) -> Modpack:
 
         mod_def = modpack.get_info()
 
-        mod_def.set_info("aoe1_base", "0.5.1", versionstr="1.0a", repo="openage")
+        targetmod_info = full_data_set.game_version.edition.target_modpacks["aoe1_base"]
+        version = targetmod_info["version"]
+        versionstr = targetmod_info["versionstr"]
+        mod_def.set_info("aoe1_base", version, versionstr=versionstr, repo="openage")
 
         mod_def.add_include("data/**")
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/swgbcc/modpack_subprocessor.py b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/swgbcc/modpack_subprocessor.py
index 5a69a47516..262926b919 100644
--- a/openage/convert/processor/conversion/swgbcc/modpack_subprocessor.py
+++ b/openage/convert/processor/conversion/swgbcc/modpack_subprocessor.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2020-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2020-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
 
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@ def _get_swgb_base(cls, full_data_set: GenieObjectContainer) -> Modpack:
 
         mod_def = modpack.get_info()
 
-        mod_def.set_info("swgb_base", "0.5.1", versionstr="1.1-gog4", repo="openage")
+        targetmod_info = full_data_set.game_version.edition.target_modpacks["swgb_base"]
+        version = targetmod_info["version"]
+        versionstr = targetmod_info["versionstr"]
+        mod_def.set_info("swgb_base", version, versionstr=versionstr, repo="openage")
 
         mod_def.add_include("data/**")
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/service/init/CMakeLists.txt b/openage/convert/service/init/CMakeLists.txt
index aa588dcb29..1d09b906d9 100644
--- a/openage/convert/service/init/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/openage/convert/service/init/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 add_py_modules(
 	__init__.py
 	api_export_required.py
-	conversion_required.py
+	changelog.py
 	modpack_search.py
 	mount_asset_dirs.py
 	version_detect.py
diff --git a/openage/convert/service/init/changelog.py b/openage/convert/service/init/changelog.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..20877664e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openage/convert/service/init/changelog.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# Copyright 2024-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+
+"""
+Check for updates in the openage converter modpacks.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+import typing
+
+from itertools import chain
+
+from openage.util.version import SemanticVersion
+
+from ....log import info
+
+from ..init.version_detect import create_version_objects
+
+
+if typing.TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from openage.util.fslike.union import UnionPath
+
+
+def check_updates(available_modpacks: dict[str, str], game_info_dir: UnionPath):
+    """
+    Check if there are updates available for the openage converter modpacks.
+
+    :param available_modpacks: Available modpacks and their versions. Modpack names are keys,
+                               versions are values.
+    :param game_info_dir: The directory containing the game information.
+    """
+    game_editions, game_expansions = create_version_objects(game_info_dir)
+    for game_def in chain(game_editions, game_expansions):
+        for targetmod_name, targetmod_def in game_def.target_modpacks.items():
+            if targetmod_name in available_modpacks:
+                converter_version = SemanticVersion(targetmod_def["version"])
+                try:
+                    modpack_version = SemanticVersion(available_modpacks[targetmod_name])
+
+                except ValueError:
+                    # Some really old converted modpacks don't use semantic versioning
+                    # these should always be updated
+                    modpack_version = SemanticVersion("0.0.0")
+
+                if converter_version > modpack_version:
+                    info(("Modpack %s v%s is outdated: "
+                          "newer version v%s is available"),
+                         targetmod_name, modpack_version, converter_version)
+
+                else:
+                    info("Modpack %s v%s is up-to-date", targetmod_name, modpack_version)
diff --git a/openage/convert/service/init/conversion_required.py b/openage/convert/service/init/conversion_required.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 1c13a33142..0000000000
--- a/openage/convert/service/init/conversion_required.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2020-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
-
-"""
-Test whether there already are converted modpacks present.
-"""
-from __future__ import annotations
-import typing
-
-from ....log import info
-
-from .modpack_search import enumerate_modpacks
-
-if typing.TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from openage.util.fslike.union import UnionPath
-
-
-def conversion_required(asset_dir: UnionPath) -> bool:
-    """
-    Check if an asset conversion is required to run the game.
-
-    Asset conversions are required if:
-        - the modpack folder does not exist
-        - no modpacks inside the modpack folder exist
-        - the converted assets are outdated
-
-    :param asset_dir: The asset directory to check.
-    :type asset_dir: UnionPath
-    :return: True if an asset conversion is required, else False.
-    """
-    try:
-        # TODO: Do not use hardcoded path to "converted" directory.
-        #       The mod directory should be its own configurable path
-        modpacks = enumerate_modpacks(asset_dir / "converted")
-
-    except FileNotFoundError:
-        # modpack folder not created yet
-        modpacks = set()
-
-    if not modpacks or \
-            len(modpacks) == 1 and "engine" in modpacks:  # engine is not usable on its own
-        info("No converted assets have been found")
-        return True
-
-    # TODO: Check if modpack version of converted assets are up to date
-    # if not changes:
-    #     dbg("Converted assets are up to date")
-    #     return False
-
-    # if asset_version >= 0 and asset_version != changelog.ASSET_VERSION:
-    #     info("Found converted assets with version %d, "
-    #          "but need version %d", asset_version, changelog.ASSET_VERSION)
-
-    return False
diff --git a/openage/convert/service/init/modpack_search.py b/openage/convert/service/init/modpack_search.py
index 8d89b73da1..aa6a814004 100644
--- a/openage/convert/service/init/modpack_search.py
+++ b/openage/convert/service/init/modpack_search.py
@@ -14,27 +14,35 @@
     from openage.util.fslike.union import UnionPath
 
 
-def enumerate_modpacks(modpacks_dir: UnionPath) -> set[str]:
+def enumerate_modpacks(modpacks_dir: UnionPath, exclude: set[str] = None) -> dict[str, str]:
     """
     Enumerate openage modpacks in a directory.
 
     :param asset_dir: The asset directory to search in.
     :type asset_dir: UnionPath
-    :returns: A list of modpack names that were found.
-    :rtype: set[str]
+    :param exclude: Modpack names to exclude from the enumeration.
+    :type exclude: set[str]
+    :returns: Modpacks that were found. Names are keys, versions are values.
+    :rtype: dict[str, str]
     """
     if not modpacks_dir.exists():
         info("openage modpack directory has not been created yet")
         raise FileNotFoundError("openage modpack directory not found")
 
-    modpacks: set[str] = set()
+    modpacks: dict[str] = {}
     for check_dir in modpacks_dir.iterdir():
         if check_dir.is_dir():
             try:
                 modpack_info = get_modpack_info(check_dir)
                 modpack_name = modpack_info["info"]["name"]
-                info("Found modpack %s", modpack_name)
-                modpacks.add(modpack_name)
+                modpack_version = modpack_info["info"]["version"]
+                info("Found modpack %s v%s", modpack_name, modpack_version)
+
+                if exclude is not None and modpack_name in exclude:
+                    dbg("Excluding modpack %s from enumeration", modpack_name)
+                    continue
+
+                modpacks.update({modpack_name: modpack_version})
 
             except (FileNotFoundError, TypeError, toml.TomlDecodeError):
                 dbg("No modpack found in directory: %s", check_dir)
@@ -81,7 +89,7 @@ def get_modpack_info(modpack_dir: UnionPath) -> dict[str, typing.Any]:
         raise err
 
 
-def query_modpack(proposals: set[str]) -> str:
+def query_modpack(proposals: list[str]) -> str:
     """
     Query interactively for a modpack from a selection of proposals.
     """
diff --git a/openage/convert/service/init/version_detect.py b/openage/convert/service/init/version_detect.py
index 792ce9708b..58cec8925a 100644
--- a/openage/convert/service/init/version_detect.py
+++ b/openage/convert/service/init/version_detect.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2020-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2020-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments,too-many-locals,too-many-branches
 """
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ def create_game_obj(
     game_name = game_info['name']
     game_id = game_info['game_edition_id']
     support = game_info['support']
-    modpacks = game_info['targetmod']
+    modpacks = game_info['targetmods']
     if not expansion:
         expansions = game_info['expansions']
 
diff --git a/openage/convert/service/read/gamedata.py b/openage/convert/service/read/gamedata.py
index 522d959b8e..0d50c81d03 100644
--- a/openage/convert/service/read/gamedata.py
+++ b/openage/convert/service/read/gamedata.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2020-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2020-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 
 """
 Module for reading .dat files.
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ def load_gamespec(
                 # pickle.load() can fail in many ways, we need to catch all.
                 # pylint: disable=broad-except
                 try:
-                    gamespec = pickle.load(cachefile)
                     info("using cached wrapper: %s", cachefile_name)
+                    gamespec = pickle.load(cachefile)
                     return gamespec
                 except Exception:
                     warn("could not use cached wrapper:")
diff --git a/openage/convert/tool/driver.py b/openage/convert/tool/driver.py
index cdd1ed04a3..61d53b0082 100644
--- a/openage/convert/tool/driver.py
+++ b/openage/convert/tool/driver.py
@@ -63,9 +63,11 @@ def convert_metadata(args: Namespace) -> None:
     if gamedata_path.exists():
         gamedata_path.removerecursive()
 
-    read_start = timeit.default_timer()
+    # Record time taken for each stage
+    stages_time = {}
 
     # Read .dat
+    stage_start = timeit.default_timer()
     debug_gamedata_format(args.debugdir, args.debug_info, args.game_version)
     gamespec = get_gamespec(args.srcdir, args.game_version, not args.flag("no_pickle_cache"))
 
@@ -84,35 +86,38 @@ def convert_metadata(args: Namespace) -> None:
     existing_graphics = get_existing_graphics(args)
     debug_registered_graphics(args.debugdir, args.debug_info, existing_graphics)
 
-    read_end = timeit.default_timer()
-    info("Finished metadata read (%.2f seconds)", read_end - read_start)
+    stage_end = timeit.default_timer()
+    info("Finished metadata read (%.2f seconds)", stage_end - stage_start)
+    stages_time.update({"read": stage_end - stage_start})
 
-    conversion_start = timeit.default_timer()
-    # Convert
+    # nyan conversion
+    stage_start = timeit.default_timer()
     modpacks = args.converter.convert(gamespec,
                                       args,
                                       string_resources,
                                       existing_graphics)
 
-    conversion_end = timeit.default_timer()
-    info("Finished data conversion (%.2f seconds)", conversion_end - conversion_start)
+    stage_end = timeit.default_timer()
+    info("Finished data conversion (%.2f seconds)", stage_end - stage_start)
+    stages_time.update({"convert": stage_end - stage_start})
 
-    export_start = timeit.default_timer()
+    # Export modpacks
+    stage_start = timeit.default_timer()
     for modpack in modpacks:
+        mod_export_start = timeit.default_timer()
         ModpackExporter.export(modpack, args)
         debug_modpack(args.debugdir, args.debug_info, modpack)
 
-        export_end = timeit.default_timer()
+        mod_export_end = timeit.default_timer()
         info("Finished export of modpack '%s' v%s (%.2f seconds)",
              modpack.info.packagename,
              modpack.info.version,
-             export_end - export_start)
+             mod_export_end - mod_export_start)
+
+    stage_end = timeit.default_timer()
+    info("Finished export (%.2f seconds)", stage_end - stage_start)
+    stages_time.update({"export": stage_end - stage_start})
 
-    stages_time = {
-        "read": read_end - read_start,
-        "convert": conversion_end - conversion_start,
-        "export": export_end - export_start,
-    }
     debug_execution_time(args.debugdir, args.debug_info, stages_time)
 
     # TODO: player palettes
diff --git a/openage/convert/tool/subtool/acquire_sourcedir.py b/openage/convert/tool/subtool/acquire_sourcedir.py
index 5d9368e526..fd070b7825 100644
--- a/openage/convert/tool/subtool/acquire_sourcedir.py
+++ b/openage/convert/tool/subtool/acquire_sourcedir.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2020-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2020-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-many-branches
 
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 from urllib.request import urlopen
 
 from ....log import warn, info, dbg
-from ....util.files import which
 from ....util.fslike.directory import CaseIgnoringDirectory, Directory
 
 if typing.TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -48,13 +47,15 @@ def expand_relative_path(path: str) -> AnyStr:
     return os.path.realpath(os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path)))
 
 
-def wanna_convert() -> bool:
+def prompt(msg: str, answer: typing.Union[bool, None] = None) -> bool:
     """
-    Ask the user if assets should be converted.
+    Ask the user a yes/no question.
+
+    :param msg: Message to display.
+    :param answer: Pre-determined answer (optional).
     """
-    answer = None
     while answer is None:
-        print("  Do you want to convert assets? [Y/n]")
+        print(f"  {msg} [Y/n]")
 
         user_selection = input("> ")
         if user_selection.lower() in {"yes", "y", ""}:
@@ -66,88 +67,25 @@ def wanna_convert() -> bool:
     return answer
 
 
-def wanna_download_trial() -> bool:
+def wanna_convert(answer: typing.Union[bool, None] = None) -> bool:
     """
-    Ask the user if the AoC trial should be downloaded.
+    Ask the user if assets should be converted.
     """
-    answer = None
-    while answer is None:
-        print("  Do you want to download the AoC trial version? [Y/n]")
-
-        user_selection = input("> ")
-        if user_selection.lower() in {"yes", "y", ""}:
-            answer = True
-
-        elif user_selection.lower() in {"no", "n"}:
-            answer = False
+    return prompt("Do you want to convert assets?", answer=answer)
 
-    return answer
 
-
-def wanna_use_wine() -> bool:
+def wanna_check_updates(answer: typing.Union[bool, None] = None) -> bool:
     """
-    Ask the user if wine should be used.
-    Wine is not used if user has no wine installed.
+    Ask the user if they want to check for updates.
     """
-
-    # TODO: a possibility to call different wine binaries
-    # (e.g. wine-devel from wine upstream debian repos)
-
-    if not which("wine"):
-        return False
-
-    answer = None
-    long_prompt = True
-    while answer is None:
-        if long_prompt:
-            print(
-                "  Should we call wine to determine an AOE installation? [Y/n]")
-            long_prompt = False
-        else:
-            # TODO: text-adventure here
-            print("  Don't know what you want. Use wine? [Y/n]")
-
-        user_selection = input("> ")
-        if user_selection.lower() in {"yes", "y", ""}:
-            answer = True
-
-        elif user_selection.lower() in {"no", "n"}:
-            answer = False
-
-    return answer
+    return prompt("Do you want to check for updates?", answer=answer)
 
 
-def set_custom_wineprefix() -> None:
+def wanna_download_trial(answer: typing.Union[bool, None] = None) -> bool:
     """
-    Allow the customization of the WINEPREFIX environment variable.
+    Ask the user if the AoC trial should be downloaded.
     """
-
-    print("The WINEPREFIX is a separate 'container' for windows "
-          "software installations.")
-
-    current_wineprefix = os.environ.get("WINEPREFIX")
-    if current_wineprefix:
-        print(f"Currently: WINEPREFIX='{current_wineprefix}'")
-
-    print("Enter a custom value or leave empty to keep it as-is:")
-    while True:
-        new_wineprefix = input("WINEPREFIX=")
-
-        if not new_wineprefix:
-            break
-
-        new_wineprefix = expand_relative_path(new_wineprefix)
-
-        # test if it probably is a wineprefix
-        if (Path(new_wineprefix) / "drive_c").is_dir():  # pylint: disable=no-member
-            break
-
-        print("This does not appear to be a valid WINEPREFIX.")
-        print("Enter a valid one, or leave it empty to skip.")
-
-    # store the updated env variable for the wine subprocess
-    if new_wineprefix:
-        os.environ["WINEPREFIX"] = new_wineprefix
+    return prompt("Do you want to download the AoC trial version?", answer=answer)
 
 
 def query_source_dir(proposals: set[str]) -> AnyStr:
diff --git a/openage/convert/value_object/init/game_version.py b/openage/convert/value_object/init/game_version.py
index e4364c3dde..2bffcbd3ed 100644
--- a/openage/convert/value_object/init/game_version.py
+++ b/openage/convert/value_object/init/game_version.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2020-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2020-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def __init__(
         support: Support,
         game_version_info: list[tuple[list[str], dict[str, str]]],
         media_paths: list[tuple[str, list[str]]],
-        modpacks: list[str],
+        modpacks: dict[str, dict[str, str]],
         **flags
     ):
         """
diff --git a/openage/game/main.py b/openage/game/main.py
index 15fb0a3962..0fdf007259 100644
--- a/openage/game/main.py
+++ b/openage/game/main.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2015-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2015-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 #
 # pylint: disable=too-many-locals
 
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 import typing
 
+
 from ..log import info
 
 if typing.TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -27,9 +28,14 @@ def init_subparser(cli: ArgumentParser) -> None:
         help="run without displaying graphics")
 
     cli.add_argument(
-        "--modpacks", nargs="+", required=True,
+        "--modpacks", nargs="+", required=True, type=str,
         help="list of modpacks to load")
 
+    cli.add_argument(
+        "--check-updates", action='store_true',
+        help="Check if the assets are up to date"
+    )
+
 
 def main(args, error):
     """
@@ -43,9 +49,10 @@ def main(args, error):
     from .main_cpp import run_game
     from .. import config
     from ..assets import get_asset_path
-    from ..convert.main import conversion_required, convert_assets
     from ..convert.tool.api_export import export_api
     from ..convert.service.init.api_export_required import api_export_required
+    from ..convert.service.init.changelog import check_updates
+    from ..convert.service.init.modpack_search import enumerate_modpacks
     from ..cppinterface.setup import setup as cpp_interface_setup
     from ..cvar.location import get_config_path
     from ..util.fslike.union import Union
@@ -77,16 +84,19 @@ def main(args, error):
         converted_path.mkdirs()
         export_api(converted_path)
 
-    # ensure that the assets have been converted
-    if conversion_required(asset_path):
-        convert_assets(asset_path, args)
-
-    # modpacks
-    mods = []
+    # ensure that modpacks are available
+    modpack_dir = asset_path / "converted"
+    available_modpacks = enumerate_modpacks(modpack_dir, exclude={"engine"})
     for modpack in args.modpacks:
-        mods.append(modpack.encode("utf-8"))
+        if modpack not in available_modpacks:
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Modpack '{modpack}' not found in {modpack_dir}")
+
+    # check if the converted modpacks are up to date
+    if args.check_updates:
+        check_updates(available_modpacks, args.cfg_dir / "converter" / "games")
 
-    args.modpacks = mods
+    # encode modpacks as bytes for the C++ interface
+    args.modpacks = [modpack.encode('utf-8') for modpack in args.modpacks]
 
     # start the game, continue in main_cpp.pyx!
     return run_game(args, root)
diff --git a/openage/main/main.py b/openage/main/main.py
index 685e5b6bc9..fbeb527ee4 100644
--- a/openage/main/main.py
+++ b/openage/main/main.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright 2015-2023 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+# Copyright 2015-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
 
 """
 Main engine entry point for openage.
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def init_subparser(cli: ArgumentParser):
         help="run without displaying graphics")
 
     cli.add_argument(
-        "--modpacks", nargs="+",
+        "--modpacks", nargs="+", type=str,
         help="list of modpacks to load")
 
 
@@ -42,8 +42,10 @@ def main(args, error):
     from .main_cpp import run_game
     from .. import config
     from ..assets import get_asset_path
-    from ..convert.main import conversion_required, convert_assets
+    from ..convert.main import convert_assets
     from ..convert.service.init.api_export_required import api_export_required
+    from ..convert.service.init.changelog import check_updates
+    from ..convert.service.init.modpack_search import enumerate_modpacks, query_modpack
     from ..convert.tool.api_export import export_api
     from ..convert.tool.subtool.acquire_sourcedir import wanna_convert
     from ..cppinterface.setup import setup as cpp_interface_setup
@@ -77,22 +79,32 @@ def main(args, error):
         converted_path.mkdirs()
         export_api(converted_path)
 
-    # ensure that the assets have been converted
-    if wanna_convert() or conversion_required(asset_path):
+    # check if modpacks need to be converted
+    if wanna_convert():
         convert_assets(asset_path, args)
 
+    available_modpacks = enumerate_modpacks(asset_path / "converted", exclude={"engine"})
+    if len(available_modpacks) == 0:
+        info("No modpacks have been found")
+        if not args.modpacks:
+            info("Starting bare 'engine' mode")
+            args.modpacks = ["engine"]
+
+    # check if the converted modpacks are up to date
+    check_updates(available_modpacks, args.cfg_dir / "converter" / "games")
+
     # pass modpacks to engine
     if args.modpacks:
-        mods = []
+        # ensure that specified modpacks are available
         for modpack in args.modpacks:
-            mods.append(modpack.encode("utf-8"))
+            if modpack not in available_modpacks:
+                raise FileNotFoundError(
+                    f"Modpack '{modpack}' not found in {asset_path / 'converted'}")
 
-        args.modpacks = mods
+        args.modpacks = [modpack.encode("utf-8") for modpack in args.modpacks]
 
     else:
-        from ..convert.service.init.modpack_search import enumerate_modpacks, query_modpack
-        avail_modpacks = enumerate_modpacks(asset_path / "converted")
-        args.modpacks = [query_modpack(avail_modpacks).encode("utf-8")]
+        args.modpacks = [query_modpack(list(available_modpacks.keys())).encode("utf-8")]
 
     # start the game, continue in main_cpp.pyx!
     return run_game(args, root)
diff --git a/openage/util/CMakeLists.txt b/openage/util/CMakeLists.txt
index 79e7309cb3..cc31682da6 100644
--- a/openage/util/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/openage/util/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ add_py_modules(
 	struct.py
 	system.py
 	threading.py
+	version.py
 )
 
 add_subdirectory(filelike)
diff --git a/openage/util/version.py b/openage/util/version.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..712b04ec79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openage/util/version.py
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# Copyright 2024-2024 the openage authors. See copying.md for legal info.
+
+"""
+Handling of version information for openage.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+
+SEMVER_REGEX = re.compile(
+    (r"^(?P<major>0|[1-9]\d*)\.(?P<minor>0|[1-9]\d*)\.(?P<patch>0|[1-9]\d*)"
+     r"(?:-(?P<prerelease>(?:0|[1-9]\d*|\d*[a-zA-Z-][0-9a-zA-Z-]*)"
+     r"(?:\.(?:0|[1-9]\d*|\d*[a-zA-Z-][0-9a-zA-Z-]*))*))?"
+     r"(?:\+(?P<buildmetadata>[0-9a-zA-Z-]+(?:\.[0-9a-zA-Z-]+)*))?$"))
+
+
+class SemanticVersion:
+    """
+    Semantic versioning information.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, version: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Create a new semantic version object from a version string.
+
+        :param version: The version string to parse.
+        """
+        match = SEMVER_REGEX.match(version)
+        if not match:
+            raise ValueError(f"Invalid semantic version: {version}")
+
+        self.major = int(match.group("major"))
+        self.minor = int(match.group("minor"))
+        self.patch = int(match.group("patch"))
+        self.prerelease = match.group("prerelease")
+        self.buildmetadata = match.group("buildmetadata")
+
+    def __lt__(self, other: SemanticVersion) -> bool:
+        if self.major < other.major:
+            return True
+        if self.minor < other.minor:
+            return True
+        if self.patch < other.patch:
+            return True
+
+        return False
+
+    def __le__(self, other: SemanticVersion) -> bool:
+        if self.major <= other.major:
+            return True
+
+        if self.minor <= other.minor:
+            return True
+
+        if self.patch <= other.patch:
+            return True
+
+        return False
+
+    def __eq__(self, other: SemanticVersion) -> bool:
+        return (self.major == other.major and
+                self.minor == other.minor and
+                self.patch == other.patch)
+
+    def __ne__(self, other: SemanticVersion) -> bool:
+        return not self.__eq__(other)
+
+    def __gt__(self, other: SemanticVersion) -> bool:
+        return not self.__le__(other)
+
+    def __ge__(self, other: SemanticVersion) -> bool:
+        return not self.__lt__(other)
+
+    def __str__(self) -> str:
+        version = f"{self.major}.{self.minor}.{self.patch}"
+        if self.prerelease:
+            version += f"-{self.prerelease}"
+        if self.buildmetadata:
+            version += f"+{self.buildmetadata}"
+
+        return version
+
+    def __repr__(self) -> str:
+        return f"SemanticVersion('{str(self)}')"