GC4 Game Loading Issues

Verifying Game Files

Steam

If the game was delivered via Steam, please see the follow link for verifying your Steam files:

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0c48-fcbd-da71-93eb

Epic

If the game was delivered via Epic, please see the follow link for verifying your Epic files:

https://www.epicgames.com/help/en-US/technical-support-c5719357686683/general-support-c5719341627163/how-do-i-verify-game-files-in-the-epic-games-launcher-a5720337301659

Update Video Drivers

Please make sure your video drivers are up-to-date. Even if they are current, a full remove, and reinstall, would be prudent; especially if you have recently installed Windows 10. 

Nvidia

https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

For Nvidia driver uninstalling/clean installing. The below screenshots will help with how to do that:

http://screencast.com/t/Zxuoznqdg8LN http://screencast.com/t/upWIXNbcW9

ATI \ AMD

https://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx

For ATI \ AMD driver uninstalling:

https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/GPU57RemoveOldGraphicsDrivers.aspx

Intel

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html

Reinstall VCRedist and DXSetup

Steam

In the following location:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared_CommonRedist\vcredist\2019

Run: vcredist_x64.exe ('Repair' option when prompted)

In the following location:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\DirectX\Jun2010

Run: DXSetup.exe

Reboot and try to run the game again.

Epic

Naviate to the installation directory for the game. Example:

Run the RedistInstall file and allow it to finish.

Reboot and try to run the game again.

Renaming Stardock Local Files

For almost all Stardock games, there are user-specific files saved (settings, saves, etc) in your Documents folder. This is an example of one of our games, Star Control:

\Documents\My Games\Star Control

Rename that game directory to Game_OLD (using the example above it would be Star Control_OLD)

Try to run the game again. If the game then runs, there is a setting, MOD, or an issue with the save (if loading from one prior). You can copy the save from Game_OLD\Saves to the newly created directory Game\Saves and load try loading it. If it runs as expected, then its a settings issue. If not, there might be something wrong that we need to look at. Please go to the Stardock forums, find the game location, an create a new thread for it.

Check for Windows Updates

At times it is important to make sure your Windows environment is up to date. Please run Windows Update to make sure you have the most recent version of your OS and additional updates that Microsoft may send through Windows Update.

Create New Windows Administrator Account

As a test, create a new Windows Administrator (<--important) account and try to run the game again:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-a-local-user-or-administrator-account-in-windows-20de74e0-ac7f-3502-a866-32915af2a34d

If that works, for some, we have seen that permissions for the 'My Games' directory have changed after a Windows 10\11 upgrade.  If you have recently upgraded to Windows 10\11 and the game will not load \ save \ save your settings changes, please see:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/allow-an-app-to-access-controlled-folders-b5b6627a-b008-2ca2-7931-7e51e912b034#:~:text=Select%20Start%20%3E%20Settings%20%3E%20Update%20%26%20Security,Controlled%20folder%20access%20setting%20to%20On%20or%20Off.

Virtual Memory

Please turn on the following Virtual Memory option (See picture below): 

Control Panel -> Advanced System Settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Advanced -> Change -> Automatically manage paging file size for all drives  -> System Managed -> Ok

Example: https://sd.stardock.com/acole/Images/Jing/2016-04-06_1119.png

Crashes When Games is Fullscreen

If you are experiencing crashes playing the game in full-screen mode, please go to your game options, select "video", and set "mode" to either "borderless windowed" or "windowed" to improve stability.

If you are having trouble running the game at all, you can edit the settings for the game manually.

3rd Party products:

Of primary concern are programs that inject themselves into the video process, like video capture programs and overclockers, that can cause DirectX (both 11 and 12) programs to crash. In addition to the ones mentioned below, look in your system tray and disable programs that might inject themselves into the game process. Some common examples are:

Disable UPlay

Open Task Manager and make sure no entries for UPlay are present or running in the Applications/Processes tab.

Disable ATIs 'Gaming Evolved (Raptr)

http://support.raptr.com/support/solutions/articles/5000541598-how-do-i-uninstall-raptr-amd-gaming-evolved-

Disable PrecisionX

If you run EVGA's PrecisionX, please disable it making sure to set your video card for factory specs prior. 

Disable RivaTuner

If you run RivaTuner software, please disable or close it completely before running Ashes. 

Broadcasting \ Recording Software

Turn off any game broadcasting \ recording software. Some common examples are:

NVidia ShadowPlay (Now NVidia Share) 

https://sd.stardock.com/acole/Images/Jing/2016-04-06_1145.png

XSplit Gamecaster

https://sd.stardock.com/acole/Images/Jing/2016-04-06_1211.png

Open Broadcast Software (OBS)

https://sd.stardock.com/acole/Images/Jing/2016-04-06_1230.png

Overclocking & Power Consumption

Overclocking a CPU \ GPU increases the temperature and power consumption of a PC. With that, it's possible your PC will lack the power or cooling to properly run the game. 

Signs that this is the case are if the PC itself totally shuts down or fails after a consistent allotment of time, rather than a specific event, while playing the game.  If you are overclocking your CPU \ GPU, please return them to factory specs for testing purposes. 

Also, if you have added a high-end video card, the requirements of the game may expose an inadequate power supply.  When testing to ensure that the power supply is adequate, there are 3rd party products that will allow you to restrict the amount of power the video card uses.  If when you cap the power, the game runs as expected, it would be prudent to consider investigating power consumption or the power supply itself.

Apps that can help return factory overclocked cards to stock speeds and report on power consumption:

EVGA PrecisionX:

https://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2016-08-30_1602.png

MSI Afterburner:

https://sd.stardock.com/acole/Images/Jing/2016-04-04_0951.png

Nvidia Control Panel

Debug Mode will reset your card to stock speeds:

http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2017-04-20_1439.png

Perhaps try turning the power to 100% or lower to expose any power consumption issues. If you need to verify stock speeds, you will need to check with your manufacturer.

Example: 

Nvidia: http://www.geforce.com/hardware/10series/geforce-gtx-1080 (Click Specs)

AMD: http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/desktop/r9 (Scroll down for Specs)