Whenever I start my game, it kees going to the Stardock splash screen. I press play, and after a moment it comes back to the same screen. I tried going to the folder that the shortcut references (shortcut icon changed to what looks like a gift box instead of the usual III) - I see the same issue whether I start using Galciv3.exe (that my shortcut references) or GC3base.exe, or even by starting it from within Steam library. It seems that my app recently updated (exe files show 5/31/17). Am i being excluded because I don't have GC3Crusade?

GalCiv3.exe is v 1.0.0.2

GCBase.exe is 2.0.0.0

Invoking gc3_prefs_wipe.exe didn't change anything either

This is highly frustrating as my playtimes are few and far between. 

Please help!