Game Won't Launch (Steam)

from GalCiv3 Forums

I'm having an issue launching the game.... specifically it won't launch at all via Steam.

I downloaded the game yesterday a few hours before release, but never started it.  Later, it went through the release updating.  However, when I try to start the game, it says 'Preparing to Launch - Step 1 of 1' in the Steam dialog box (normal behavior for most games I've played), and then that disappears and nothing happens.  If I try again, I get the spinning windows circle on my mouse tooltip that indicates the system is processing, but after a second that goes away, and nothing happens.

Steps I've take thus far...

- Restarted - didn't fix it

- Deleted local game content and reinstalled - didn't fix it, same behavior.

- Verified integrity of local game cache

 

Not sure what to try next, and I don't have any problems running any other game on my system.  Specs:

 

Time of this report: 5/15/2015, 13:56:54
Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit (6.3, Build 9600) (9600.winblue_r9.150322-1500)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: X58A-UD3R
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 960 @ 3.20GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 24576MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 24574MB RAM
Page File: 5156MB used, 23001MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.03.9600.17415 64bit Unicode

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 (two of em)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA

 

30,642 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

As an additional note - I don't see any GalCiv3 folders in (yes, i'm showing hidden files and folders)

 

%userprofile%\Documents\My Games


%programdata%\Stardock\


C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Galactic Civilizations III


Which seems to imply that the game isn't actually performing it's initial setup when I attempt to launch.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Galactic Civilizations III should be a 9.66 gig folder in Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common

 

in steam right click on Galactic Civilizations III / properties / local files and browse local files to see where it has being installed.

 

Roy

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

You should also have the desktop shortcut icon which is what I use to start the game.

 

If all else fails is there a chance your antivirus is effecting the install.... maybe deactivate the antivirus when you are installing and reactivate once installed. 

 

Roy

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks.  I mispoke and I do have the installation folder.  

 

I did create a desktop shortcut, and I have the same issue.  Steam acts like it is getting it ready for first time setup and launch, but nothing happens.

 

 

Also, no anti-virus.

 

I did go try and revalidate the DirectX install and did a fresh install, but no dice there either.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Sorry if you've experienced any crashes or issues. I would like to encourage you to visit this website: https://esupport.stardock.com/index.php?/default_import/Knowledgebase/Article/View/496/161/general-galactic-civilizations-iii-troubleshooting 
And then place a ticket(Instructions at the end with what files to send us) so support can assist you.

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks The Gear -

Did send in a ticket on Friday and received a response on Saturday evening, but the solutions didn't work. I still haven't received a response to my reply to support, which included some screenshots and a GIF of the non-launch in action.

I do notice there are a number of other folks having this same issue on the Steam.

Going through my 8th re-install right now... maybe that will do the trick  >_>

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I finally solved this world, with a little help from a Steam user.  Here is what I posted on the GalCiv3 forums in Steam:

 

WSS -

Thank you! You go my on the right track, and I suspect I had the same problem as you.

When I attempted to run the program from the GalCiv folderas an Admin, I received an error of 0xc000007b

What I did was download a program called Dependency Walker (http://www.dependencywalker.com/)... making sure to us the x64 version for 64 bit. Once I did that I opened the GalCiv3.exe file using the program.

From there, it listed a bunch of DLL's that GalCiv3 was referencing which I didn't have on my computer. Additionally and most importantly, it was referencing a DirectX11 DLL (maybe the same one you found) called 'dsdx11_43.dll'. I had this DLL on my computer, but it was versioned for 32 bit, rather than 64 bit.

What I did was systematically go through and added the missing DLLs and updated the 32 bit one to 64 bit by downloading each of them from: http://www.dll-files.com/

Once the DLL was downloaded, i copy/pasted it into the c:\Windows\System32 and c:\Windows\SysWOW64 folders. You must have admin access to do this, I don't take responsibility if one of you tries this and messes up your computer. Back your stuff up!

Linked below is a screenshot of the what the DLL looked like in the sys viewer. Notice how the highlighted DLL is listed as x86 under the CPU, not x64 like the rest

https://goo.gl/Y2w4gG

Once I made those corrections, the game booted right up!

+1 Loading…
Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

dionisus1123, thank you so much for posting the steps that fixed it for you. We are checking it out here at Stardock to see if there is something we can do to keep other users form running into this problem.

Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Happy to help!  Happier now that I can spend a few hours playing before I have to get my daughter from school :)