Game launches from launcher, music plays, but black screen.

[_etrash]

attached, requested files

 

[AndrewT]

I see no reason for this in those files. Has the game ever worked on this computer, or never yet?

Does Safe Mode work?

 

[_etrash]

OK - so - how does one launch in safe mode? it's not an option for me, that I can see

 

[_etrash]

(this is a new computer, it has never worked on this computer)

 

[AndrewT]

OK - so - how does one launch in safe mode? it's not an option for me, that I can see

When you hit PLAY in your Steam Library, it is an option in the mini-menu shown there.

 

[_etrash]

When you hit PLAY in your Steam Library, it is an option in the mini-menu shown there.

That is not an option offered to me - pressing play on the launcher directly attempts to launch the game.

 

[_etrash]

OK - I found a "Safe mode" option on "Properties>General", but that has no effect, other than to bypass the launcher; the game starts, but the window is not rendered.

 

[AndrewT]

pressing play on the launcher directly attempts to launch the game.

You mean our launcher? Because I'm talking about the step before that, when you hit PLAY in Steam.

 

[AndrewT]

In any case, I still see no reason why this game is not working on this machine. There must be something preventing it, but I can't see what yet.

If GeForce Experience is loaded, unload that before starting the game.

Install this MS update:

Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads

This article lists the download links for the latest versions of Visual C++ Redistributable packages.

support.microsoft.com

And run the x86 and x64 installers there.


If still no good, 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

Good luck!

 

[_etrash]

I have re-enabled the "ask" option - and safe mode makes no difference to the outcome.

Interestingly that if I "signup" for the "beta" (from Dec 2018, pre-paradox) it does start.

GeForce exp and drivers up to date. Redist installed, scan done.

No joy.

I guess my "Prison Architect" days are over? Shame

 

[AndrewT]

I'm still puzzled by you seeing a different interface than I and others do st the start.

What if you make a new Windows user and log into it with that, any different?

 

[_etrash]

Well, I changed the properties back to "Ask when starting the game"

and now I do see this option

If I choose "Play Prison Architect", it starts the Paradox Launcher - and if I hit play from there, I get the blank screen of the app running.

If I choose "Launch in SAFE MODE", it directly starts Prison Architect game (no paradox launcher), in a window, with the black screen again.

It is a mystery alright.

 

[AndrewT]

What if you make a new Windows user and log into it with that, any different?

 

[_etrash]

What if you make a new Windows user and log into it with that, any different?

Yep, OK - that works. How weird is that?

 

[AndrewT]

Indeed! That means that either there is some app or utility running under the default Windows user causing this to the game, OR that user profile is corrupted in some way.

For the former possibility you can try turning off everything in the run-at-boot-time menu; for the latter possibility I don't know what to suggest, sorry - out of my area of expertise!