Stellaris - Stellaris [2.8.1 & 2.8.0][38d7] Paradox Launcher takes very long time to load

[MrApophenia]

Description
Stellaris [2.8.1][38d7] Paradox Launcher takes very long time to load

Game Version
2.8.1

What version do you use?
Steam

What expansions do you have installed?
Synthetic Dawn, Utopia, Leviathans Story Pack, Apocalypse, Megacorp, Distant Stars, Ancient Relics, Lithoids, Federations

Do you have mods enabled?
No

Please explain your issue is in as much detail as possible.
Since installing the Necroids DLC/2.8.1 branch, the launcher takes an extremely long time to load. For roughly 2-4 minutes, the launcher window opens, and it just has the spinning circle with the paradox logo in the center.

When it does eventually load, I am able to run the game, but it takes this long each time I attempt to load the launcher.

I have tried uninstalling the launcher and deleting the launcher folders, but the problem recurs even after a reinstall.

(EDIT - Removed the bit in the title about a perpetual 'downloading' message, that was caused by a defunct mod it was trying to get from the Steam workshop but could no longer find. However, I have verified that the long load time persists even after removing that mod.

Added v 2.8.0 based on comment from Draconas below.)

Steps to reproduce the issue.
Click 'Play' on Stellaris in the Steam library.

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[Draconas]

Also have this issue, identical symptoms, except am running 2.8.0

Interestingly does not look like network / online fetch as the tiles for online content at the bottom of the launcher continue to load for about 5 seconds after the main launcher has loaded.

Launcher version is 2020.14

 

[MrApophenia]

I just checked, the issue with the tiles loading a bit later after the main window does also occurs for me.

 

[MrApophenia]

Also I just ran it and got this error.

 

[Draconas]

(have edited my post to include my launcher version).

[B]MrApophenia[/B] can you edit the title to include 2.8.0 in the version descriptor, since that is the current non-beta version?

 

[hart30]

Currently there is this issue that the more mods u have actiated the longer the game needs to start.

 

[Alfray Stryke]

Hi folks, thanks for the reports, can you also post in the launcher thread since it might be an issue with the launcher.

New launcher version : 2020.14

Launcher time again - This time the release is 2020.14 and it's a bit of a maintenance release as we are hammering away at some design changes in the background. Changes Improvements to renewal of authentication tokens - In short, you'll stay...

forum.paradoxplaza.com

 

[Draconas]

Hi folks, thanks for the reports, can you also post in the launcher thread since it might be an issue with the launcher.

New launcher version : 2020.14

Launcher time again - This time the release is 2020.14 and it's a bit of a maintenance release as we are hammering away at some design changes in the background. Changes Improvements to renewal of authentication tokens - In short, you'll stay...

forum.paradoxplaza.com

Have done so.

 

[Deuterium Oxide]

I've created a specific bug hunt thread for this issue as we are finding it hard to get a solid reproduction of it. Please consolidate all reports here!