[Beta 1] Game is still completely unplayable due to blank UI

from GalCiv3 Forums

I reported this several Alpha builds ago.  It hasn't changed.  This is what the game looks like immediately after running Quick Start.  Completely useless because I can't see what any of the buttons do!

 

Seriously, guys, I love Stardock, I love your games, but this is *not* the experience I paid $100 for early access to, and if it doesn't get fixed very soon, I've got half a mind to ask for my money back.  It's just plain ridiculous at this point.

10,389 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

If I heard correctly yesterday, they are working on a font problem as quickly as they can.  This might fix your issue, not sure.  You can listen to the feed on youtube and see.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

What hardware do you have? What OS? Are your drivers up to date? Did you try the opt-in patch? Have you followed the instructions here?

SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Never had this issue before, but it must be a problem with certain system configurations.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Argh.  I made sure the graphics drivers were up to date when I first encountered this problem a few months ago.  I check now, and there's a new update, and now suddenly I have a working UI.

So... it works now.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting jorlass, reply 4

Argh.  I made sure the graphics drivers were up to date when I first encountered this problem a few months ago.  I check now, and there's a new update, and now suddenly I have a working UI.

So... it works now.
End of jorlass's quote

Glad to hear it, however your rant about wanting your money back was a bit much considering the game isn't due to be out until April. You got early access AND all expansion + DLC and some other perks. Worst case scenario, you wait until the game comes out. It isn't like you spent $100 to get a complete game now.

I hope the rest of your experiences will be positive. 

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I have the same problem.  The  video played fine.  Your loading screen did not like my video driver/memory; but Sony controls that  and  has stopped making computers. 

It's clear I get to  a start game screen, but there is no typing in any of the boxes.

So I've purchased a game, through Steam, which I can't play on my 64bit quad processor machine that has run every other version of  Civilization.

What is my recourse?

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting hroeder, reply 6

I have the same problem.  The  video played fine.  Your loading screen did not like my video driver/memory; but Sony controls that  and  has stopped making computers. 

It's clear I get to  a start game screen, but there is no typing in any of the boxes.

So I've purchased a game, through Steam, which I can't play on my 64bit quad processor machine that has run every other version of  Civilization.

What is my recourse?
End of hroeder's quote

Currently contact support and get their help in fixing the issue.

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting hroeder, reply 6

I have the same problem.  The  video played fine.  Your loading screen did not like my video driver/memory; but Sony controls that  and  has stopped making computers. 

It's clear I get to  a start game screen, but there is no typing in any of the boxes.

So I've purchased a game, through Steam, which I can't play on my 64bit quad processor machine that has run every other version of  Civilization.

What is my recourse?
End of hroeder's quote

Post the model of your computer and specs, perhaps as a community we can help.

Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I'm running a Sony Vaio  Intel quad core Q8400 @ 2.66 GHz.  8 gig of RAM Windows 7 64 bit professional.   GeoForce GT 330 M.  And that is a chip in the mother board so it can't be upgraded.

Reply #10 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

For the other poster here it was an issue with their graphic card driver in the end. If you have reported the issue and given details of your system all I can suggest is you wait and or try different drivers for your onboard graphics chip If available.

As the game was in alpha and is only recently in beta I doubt you will het your money back although if it still doesnt work at release then you have a good case.

This I'm afraid is the danger of buying into an alpha or beta, the are still seeking and dealing with bugs and if you have less common hardware bugs that effect a minority will be lower down the list.

 

That said I can see how frustrating this can be for you and do sympathise.

Reply #11 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting hroeder, reply 9

I'm running a Sony Vaio  Intel quad core Q8400 @ 2.66 GHz.  8 gig of RAM Windows 7 64 bit professional.   GeoForce GT 330 M.  And that is a chip in the mother board so it can't be upgraded.
End of hroeder's quote

I checked what I could find on the Intel web site about the Q8400 chip set and it looks like you do NOT have an integrated Graphics Processor Unit (GPU), which was at the root of the problem jorlass was having.

So the next step is to evaluate the status of the driver (software, therefor upgradable) that is driving your GeForce GT 330 M. Run DxDiag (as described in the "Support FAQ" and post the lines from the output from the start of the "Display Devices" section through the line "Driver Date/Size:" here. It would also be useful to post the "System Information section" as well. Once I have a look at this data I may be able to give some advice,

Reply #12 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I see no means of attaching either file.  I should note that there is no way to update the video driver.   Sony only has the original driver  on their site, and Nvidia supplies a generic upgrade  which will not install, reporting back that the driver update is not for this video chip. 

 

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/24/2014, 15:12:55
       Machine name: ADMIN-VAIO
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.140303-2144)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
       System Model: VPCL137FX
               BIOS: Default System BIOS
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q8400  @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
             Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8128MB RAM
          Page File: 3258MB used, 12994MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
System DPI Setting: 144 DPI (150 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
       Manufacturer: NVIDIA
          Chip type: GeForce GT 330M
           DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A29&SUBSYS_9060104D&REV_A2
     Display Memory: 4095 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 986 MB
      Shared Memory: 3109 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (59Hz)
       Monitor Name: Digital Flat Panel (1920x1080 60Hz)
      Monitor Model: Nvidia Defaul
         Monitor Id: MS_0025
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (59.940Hz)
        Output Type: Internal
        Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.16.0011.8950 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.16.11.8950
        DDI Version: 10.1
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 3/24/2010 18:36:13, 9621608 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:

Reply #13 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

@hroeder

Your drivers are WAY out of date

You're literally 4 years behind in drivers

http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/77228

Reply #14 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Exactly which generic driver did you try to install are you absolutley sure you had the right one. 

 

 

Reply #16 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

As I indicated I am unable to load any other drivers.  I have gone to the Nvidia site and entered the  appropriate information.   It provides a "generic driver" with this disclaimer: "this driver is a generic driver, it may or may not work with your compatible card.  The only driver you  should really  trust is from your manufacturer."

 

Nevertheless, I downloaded the  generic driver and tried to install it.  Worked at installing for a while then reported back: This driver is not compatible with your video card."

Just for the information of those of you who say it is way  out of date, apparently many of the socalled NVidia adaptors out there are not really NVidia.  They are NVidia compatible structures that have been sold to manufacturers who then create their own video chip which is hard wired into the mother board. It is just a chip.  Not what we are used to as a  video card.  And it cannot be replaced. 

This is an all in one computer with a 25" HD compatible touch screen. 

Not the first time I've had this problem.  But I'm getting tired of the attitude of companies that we can just spend $50 for a game and hope it works. This one told me I only had 256 meg of video RAM and that's ;why it didn't work.  As the SysInfo indicates.

The last company I  dealt with through support told me to buy a new computer. 

I've only been computing since 1980.