Game Start Load Screen Issue

https://imgur.com/a/iCrlBbh
from GalCiv3 Forums

No matter what size map or the settings I choose my game will not progress past the setting up players point. I did get the game to work when I initially purchased my laptop on the Huge map size and 4k graphics on the 3rd of January 2021. I am playing on a Dell Inspiron 2 in 1 7506 with an 11th gen i7 4 Core and 8 Thread with16GB RAM and an Intel iRISxe MAX graphics card.

When I look at the performance tab of the task manager while in this state is CPU usage around 30, RAM usage around 10GB on tiny map, and next to no GPU usage.

I have attempted to uninstall the game a few times I have reinstalled, verified drivers are updated, and I have even reset the computer with the keep my files portion. I am at a loss for what the issue might be. I run the game through Steam and have "Verified the integrity of game files" on numerous occasions sometimes it states I have 3 files failed and it reacquires them however it still does not load past that earlier stated point. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

18,492 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Have you tried any of the other recommendations in the Support FAQ? I recommend to whitelist Steam and GC3 with any anti-virus you may have installed, verify Page File Size, Run Steam as Administrator, Re-Installing Redistributables, Re-Install DirectX.

https://forums.galciv3.com/486732/galactic-civilizations-iii-support-faq 

Thank you for your patience and patronage.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I whitelisted steam and GC3, I verified the Page File Size, I attempted to run it as an Administrator, I had already reinstalled the Redistributables, and I Re-Installed DirectX.

I continue to get an error when I use Steam to validate files it states that anywhere from 3 to 5 files failed to validate and will be reacquired.

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

That's normal, some files are modified based on a user's system and when Steam validates them they appear different.

More importantly, after you did the above is the game working?

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

No it did not fix the issue. It still stops loading at the same spot as before. I attempted to uncheck all DLC to make sure it wasn't an issue with the DLC files too.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Go to the folder \Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade and delete the prefs.ini file and try to run the game again. Might also be best to disable Steam cloud before trying this.

If that doesn't work, rename the entire GC3Crusade to something else, like GC3CrusadeOld.

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Okay I deleted the prefs.ini loaded up game and it failed in the same spot again. I then disabled the cloud Steam Cloud found in the general portion of the game properties tab. I renamed the GC3Crusade to GC3CrusadeOld and ran it with the cloud disabled still and a new GC3Crusade showed up in the folder after I ran the game, it also failed at the same point again.

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Go to where the game is installed, default is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III, right-click on GalCiv3.exe and select Properties, then Compatibility tab, there turn on Disable fullscreen optimization.

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Okay done same issue.

So I do have to wonder if a driver update that came out for the computer might have something to do with it?

It is the Dell driver update it came out on January 6th 2021. Version 2044.15.0.1941, A02 is what it appears to be when I google dell driver update and find the ones for my PC.

 

Oh and I do want to say Thank You so much for helping me with this so far!