AoW: Planetfall - Can't launch Planetfall

[BioTide]

One line summary of your issue
Can't launch Planetfall

What platform are you running the game on?
Steam

What operating system do you use?
Windows 10 Professional

Which version of the game are you running?
Unsure, can't launch. Launcher version is 2023.4.1

What expansions do you have installed?
Revelations, Invasions, Star King

Please explain your issue is in as much detail as possible.
When I press play in the launcher I get the attached error message. I have reinstalled .Net framework and the C++ redistributable to no avail. I have also tried verifying the files, launching as admin, launching directly, launching in debug mode, deleting save files, and other random solutions.

Before this year the game ran perfectly.

Have you tried verifying your files?
Yes

Steps to reproduce the issue
Press 'Play' in the Launcher.

Attach DxDiag (PC) or System Info log (Mac)
File(s) attached

Attach screenshot / video
File(s) attached

 

[AndrewT]

As that message says, this seems to be a game problem not a launcher issue. So I'm afraid those launcher logs don't tell us anything useful on this issue.


Please go to .../Steam/steamapps/common/Age of Wonders Planetfall/ and run AowPF_debug.exe

Then go to C:/users/<UserName>/Documents/Paradox Interactive/Age of Wonders Planetfall/logs/ and attach here the latest game log file.

 

[BioTide]

As that message says, this seems to be a game problem not a launcher issue. So I'm afraid those launcher logs don't tell us anything useful on this issue.


Please go to .../Steam/steamapps/common/Age of Wonders Planetfall/ and run AowPF_debug.exe

Then go to C:/users/<UserName>/Documents/Paradox Interactive/Age of Wonders Planetfall/logs/ and attach here the latest game log file.

 

[AndrewT]

I take it the game has never worked on this machine,is that right?

That game log stops at the point where, on mine, it puts out the DirectX version in use (11) and the system info (Windows version, memory, CPU etc). I'm really not sure what could cause that at that point! There are some Windows errors in that dxdiag but no mention of this game, which generally points to a cause outside the game.

Please try these Windows repair tools:

.NET

Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support

Describes the .NET Framework Repair Tool and how to obtain it.

support.microsoft.com

SCANNOW:

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files - Microsoft Support

Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista.

support.microsoft.com

Then run the Windows UPdate utility, apply anything it finds to install, and reboot.


If none of those help, make a new Windows user on this computer and log into it with that - do you get the same problem there?

 

[BioTide]

The game worked last year, on this machine, as of October. I will attempt your suggested fixes and see what we get! Thank you.

 

[BioTide]

So there were corrupt files fixed by the sfc cmd. After updating and rebooting, when I launch it is a 'Null' error instead of that other code. I attached another log.

IT DID WORK ON A DIFFERENT WINDOWS LOCAL USER!

 

[AndrewT]

Then either there is some app or utility running in the original user profile which is causing this to the game, or that profile is corrupted.

You could go into Startup Apps in that problem profile and turn off everything you can and try it then. Or if you are okay using that new profile, just do that!

 

[BioTide]

Then either there is some app or utility running in the original user profile which is causing this to the game, or that profile is corrupted.

You could go into Startup Apps in that problem profile and turn off everything you can and try it then. Or if you are okay using that new profile, just do that!

I tried starting up with nothing running to no avail

Just ended up copying my user profile to a new account and that worked. Annoying, but oh well.