
To summarise: launch PlayOnLinux, install steam, install Cold Waters from Steam.
I solved my lack of text problem in
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=233412
The problem was the lack of Microsoft Fonts in the PlayOnLinux installation. I installed the corefonts package and now all is well.
Note that if you have difficulties installing the fonts, you can:
- use winetricks (you might need to install it) to install the fonts
- copy them from the default location (~/.wine/(various folders)..../Fonts/* to the relevant Fonts directory of your PlayOnLinux directory.