updated drivers and attempted to run. nada

deleted screens from program data and program files: ran update to reload. nada

deleted family tree files as some above have had success with. nada.

I have never gotten past title screen yet.

also I do have an open connection to the internet. there should be no firewall issues. Is there a way to test that? AFAIK everything should be working right on that front.

deleting the data in Screens allowed me to see the into video. but then it froze on a black screen as I assume the screens data is somewhat important

Have you tried to keep the files in the screens directory but remove all files in the movies one?

I have this bug as well and the familytree removing does the work but then i have some flickering screen problem...

Well, we're here to spot the bugs aren't we

Hangs or crashes at splash/intro screen.
If not due to firewall apps, this issue can be resolved for some by clearing the screens folder so that it is redownloaded.

The suggested fix does nothing for me.  I clear the contents of the folder and the game downloads the files again and CTD.  If I restart the game CTD at the splash screen.

Here's my debug.err data:

DebugMessage:  Version 0.22 last updated on: Thu Sep 17 11:59:54 2009
DebugMessage:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/21/2009, 17:31:13
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Machine Name: ARCHANGEL
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
System Model: 87445BU
BIOS: Phoenix FirstBIOS(tm) Notebook Pro Version 2.0 for ThinkPad
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU         T7200  @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 964MB used, 3128MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7145)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7145&SUBSYS_200617AA&REV_00
Display Memory: 894 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ThinkPad Display 1680x1050
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atitmmxx.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0630
Driver Date: 12/1/2008 20:29:34
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_1981&SUBSYS_17AA2025&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Provider: AnalogDevices
Driver Version: 6.10.0001.5510
Driver Date: 10/4/2007 16:14:44
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_1981&SUBSYS_17AA2025&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Provider: AnalogDevices
Driver Version: 6.10.0001.5510
Driver Date: 10/4/2007 16:14:44
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 


DebugMessage:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
DebugMessage:  Entering WinMain
DebugMessage:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
DebugMessage:  Using 4 samples for multisampling.
DebugMessage:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (windowed mode)
DebugMessage:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI Mobility Radeon X1400
DebugMessage:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
DebugMessage:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
DebugMessage:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
DebugMessage:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
DebugMessage:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
DebugMessage:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  Device is now ready
Debug Message:  GFX-THREAD: DISABLED
DebugMessage:  Border size reported as 6 by 30
DebugMessage:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
DebugMessage:  Shell initialization complete
DebugMessage:  Elemental: War of Magic is activated.
DebugMessage:  ***** Initializing Game *****
DebugMessage:  No string tables in C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental\Data\English/*.tips
DebugMessage:  Timer Frequency is 0 1dba96
DebugMessage:  Initializing sound card.
DebugMessage:  initailizing bink
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Event Music\*.mp3

Tried deleting the movie files to see if that would help, nada.

So other then trying to delete one file at a time in the screens folders until I get it to work I have no clue how to proceed.

family tree file doesn't seem to be the culprit for me.

Was wondering if the developers could provide some feedback on this issue.  Mainly, was there anything in the recent patch that was designed to address not being able to get past title screen. I experienced the same crash after patch.

(I ask for two reasons, one purely selfish in that I can't play game and would like to, but from a beta test point of view should we do another round of trying and submitting or just wait)

There's a 0.23 patch available now. It might help some folks with crashes after the title screen, but it didn't help me. Deleting the FamilyTree files in the Screens folders does still get me going, more or less.

Edit: Still need to start the game up to the main menu and then restore the deleted FamilyTree files to get access to the Kindom menu.

Same here.  Things seem to work somewhat better in game once it actually boots up, but it continues to crash for me unless the family tree file is taken out before launch.

Debug.err http://pastebin.com/f583f65a5

Dxdiag.txt http://pastebin.com/m180f59e8

NEW crash! When I updated and ran game I get a popup saying that the display failed to initialize. didn't even get to the splash screen this time.

to note it did not do this the second time I ran the game... still goes to splash screen and then CTD

I had the same problem as the OP and this fixed it for me too.

The Alt-Tab/Restore Files method is not working for me. The title screen stays black even after I restore the files.

did you delete all the files or just the family tree ones?

This also solved the CTD from the Title Screen for me!

I had this crash after Spybot SD resident killed the DXAtlasWin.exe file but deleting that file from the main game folder and then pasting it back in when the menu shows up gets me into the game