Cannot launch game

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Has GC3 ever worked before on your system?

How exactly is the game not working? Does it crash to desktop or become unresponsive?

Also, please post the system specifications of your PC.

Thank you for your patience and patronage.

GC3 used to work on my previous PC.

However my motherboard died recently so I have new MB, CPU, GPU and RAM. I guess it is technically a new PC and this is first time I tried it on this setup.

Game crashes to desktop.

I press play in the launcher, the loading splash screen appears, screen flashes to black and the crash reporter is there.

Here are my specs:

MB: GIGABYTE B550M AORUS ELITE

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeon Graphics  3.80 GHz

RAM: Kingston DDR4 32GB 3200MHz FURY Beast

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060

OS: Windows 10 Home 21H1 Build 19043.1526

In:
\Documents\My Games\

Rename any GalCiv3 folders you have and try to run the game again.

Same crash, I think

Debug Message:  Current Time UTC: 02-17-2022 19:37
Debug Message:  Version 4.21, Build #10730, last updated on: 02-17-2022 15:29
Debug Message:  Product Version 27.3.6.66
Debug Message:  Steam Build
Debug Message:  Working Directory: d:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III
Debug Message:  Initializing DLC status. Online: 1
Debug Message:  DLC0_Founders Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC1_MapPack Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC1_5_Registration Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC2_MegaEvents Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC3_Snathi Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC4_PrecursorWorlds Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP1_Mercenaries Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC5_BuildersKit Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC6_RiseoftheTerrans Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC7_LostTreasures Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC8_AltarianProphecy Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP2_Crusade Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC10_MechKit Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP3_Intrigue Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC11_StarControlHeroes Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP4_Retribution Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC12_StarControlVillains Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC14_WorldsInCrisis Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  Finished initializing DLC status
Debug Message:  Personal folder located at C:\Users\Radek\Documents
Debug Message:  Personal folder located at C:\Users\Radek\Documents
Debug Message:  Initializing data directories
Debug Message:  Checking if data bins needs to be rebuilt.
Debug Message:  Loading options binary
Debug Message:  Attempting to login using persistent auth.
Debug Message:  No existing persistent auth credentials were found for automatic login.
Debug Message:  [EOS SDK] Login Failed - Error Code: EOS_InvalidAuth
Debug Message:  Disabling persisent auth.  User will need to login manually.
Debug Message:  No existing persistent auth credentials were found for automatic login.
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
Debug Message:  Social overlay is disabled due to overlay setup failure (EOS_UnexpectedError).
Debug Message:  [EOS SDK] Connect Login Complete - ProductUserId: 000297a2e1aa4d9482a955faf3490726
Debug Message:  Initialize Prefs
Debug Message:  Checking data binaries
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
Debug Message:  Loading core binary
Debug Message:  Core XML has been changed: Yes
Debug Message:  Setting core data
Debug Message:  Loading particles binary
Debug Message:  Setting particle data
Debug Message:  Registering types
Debug Message:  Setting data for assets
Debug Message:  Activation successful.
Debug Message:  Checking virtual memory
Debug Message:  Initializing event center
Debug Message:  Checking for valid working directory
Debug Message:  Entering WinMain
Debug Message:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message:  InitializeResources.
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
Debug Message:  Initializing Shell
Debug Message:  Initializing Fonts
Debug Message:  RegisterFont: Font with file: BankGthd.ttf, face index: 0, size 18 ALREADY registered, ID of -245753110 with same properties will not be registered separately.
Debug Message:  Initializing Fonts - complete
Debug Message:  Initializing Direct3D
DebugMessage:  Particle Engine Created.
Debug Message:  Adding DXSAS clean up function
Debug Message:  Initializing device
Debug Message:  DrawManager InitializeDevice
Debug Message:  Creating renderer
Debug Message:  Initializing Direct3D 11 Renderer
Debug Message:  Creating FBX animation core
Debug Message:  Enumerating device settings
Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Preferred adapter is 0
Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Creating DXGI 1.1 factory
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0

Same as    I played this game 1 week ago,  Tried it today and it goes to a black screen after a couple of screens and freezes there.

Verified n reinstalled.  updated drivers. 

no luok.

Debug Message:  Current Time UTC: 02-17-2022 20:37

Debug Message:  Version 4.21, Build #10730, last updated on: 02-17-2022 19:53

Debug Message:  Product Version 27.3.6.66

Debug Message:  Steam Build

Debug Message:  Working Directory: d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III

Debug Message:  Initializing DLC status. Online: 1

Debug Message:  DLC0_Founders Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC1_MapPack Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC1_5_Registration Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC2_MegaEvents Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC3_Snathi Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC4_PrecursorWorlds Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  EXP1_Mercenaries Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC5_BuildersKit Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC6_RiseoftheTerrans Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC7_LostTreasures Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC8_AltarianProphecy Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  EXP2_Crusade Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC10_MechKit Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  EXP3_Intrigue Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC11_StarControlHeroes Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  EXP4_Retribution Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC12_StarControlVillains Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  DLC14_WorldsInCrisis Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1

Debug Message:  Finished initializing DLC status

Debug Message:  Personal folder located at C:\Users\Altak\OneDrive\Documents

Debug Message:  Personal folder located at C:\Users\Altak\OneDrive\Documents

Debug Message:  Initializing data directories

Debug Message:  Checking if data bins needs to be rebuilt.

Debug Message:  Loading options binary

Debug Message:  Initialize Prefs

Debug Message:  Attempting to login using persistent auth.

Debug Message:  No existing persistent auth credentials were found for automatic login.

Debug Message:  [EOS SDK] Login Failed - Error Code: EOS_InvalidAuth

Debug Message:  Disabling persisent auth.  User will need to login manually.

Debug Message:  No existing persistent auth credentials were found for automatic login.

Debug Message:  Checking data binaries

Debug Message:  Loading core binary

Debug Message:  Core XML has been changed: Yes

Debug Message:  Setting core data

Debug Message:  Loading particles binary

Debug Message:  Setting particle data

Debug Message:  Registering types

Debug Message:  Setting data for assets

Debug Message:  Activation successful.

Debug Message:  Checking virtual memory

Debug Message:  Initializing event center

Debug Message:  Checking for valid working directory

Debug Message:  Entering WinMain

Debug Message:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******

Debug Message:  InitializeResources.

Debug Message:  Initializing Shell

Debug Message:  Initializing Fonts

Debug Message:  RegisterFont: Font with file: BankGthd.ttf, face index: 0, size 18 ALREADY registered, ID of -245753110 with same properties will not be registered separately.

Debug Message:  Initializing Fonts - complete

Debug Message:  Initializing Direct3D

DebugMessage:  Particle Engine Created.

Debug Message:  Adding DXSAS clean up function

Debug Message:  Initializing device

Debug Message:  DrawManager InitializeDevice

Debug Message:  Creating renderer

Debug Message:  Initializing Direct3D 11 Renderer

Debug Message:  Creating FBX animation core

Debug Message:  Enumerating device settings

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Preferred adapter is 0

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Creating DXGI 1.1 factory

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Enumerating adapters

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: adapter enumerated

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Adapter 0

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Description: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Vender ID: 0x10de (4318)

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Device ID: 0x2208 (8712)

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: SettingsLevel: 3

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Dedicated Video Mem: 12696158208 bytes

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Dedicated System Mem: 0 bytes

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Enumerating outputs for adapter 0

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: 104 display modes found for adapter 0, output 0

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: 27 display modes found for adapter 0, output 1

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: adapter enumerated

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Adapter 1

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Description: Microsoft Basic Render Driver

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Vender ID: 0x1414 (5140)

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Device ID: 0x8c (140)

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: SettingsLevel: 3

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Dedicated Video Mem: 0 bytes

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Dedicated System Mem: 0 bytes

Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Enumerating outputs for adapter 1

Debug Message:  Selected Adapter Description:

Debug Message:  Description: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

Debug Message:  Vender ID: 10de (4318)

Debug Message:  Device ID: 2208 (8712)

Debug Message:  Choosing initial renderer settings

Debug Message:  Setting resolution to 1920 x 1080

Debug Message:  Initializing Renderer APIs

Debug Message:  (CD3D11Renderer) Initializing driver

Debug Message:  CreateDeviceAndSwapChain

Debug Message:  DirectX Feature Level: DirectX 11.0

Debug Message:  Device SUPPORTS raw and structured buffers

Debug Message:  Initializing 2d screen space effect

Debug Message:  Device is now ready

Debug Message:  Registering text renderer icons

Debug Message:  Creating SDF animation core

Debug Message:  FXManager, FXElement size: 720 bytes

Debug Message:  Shell initialization complete

Debug Message:  Shell Initialized

Debug Message:  CGalCiv3Shell::RequestInitializationState from: Invalid to: Uninitialized

Debug Message:  Loading texture atlas 0

Debug Message:  Purchase flow is disabled due to overlay setup failure (EOS_NotConfigured).

Debug Message:  Social overlay is disabled due to overlay setup failure (EOS_UnexpectedError).

Debug Message:  [EOS SDK] Connect Login Complete - ProductUserId: 000277ab95e34178b924e302e964a44e

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: LOADING TEXTURE ATLAS FILE: d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Screens\Atlas\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: SUCCESSFULLY LOADED d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Screens\Atlas\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  Finished loading texture atlas 0

Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****

Debug Message:  Timer Frequency is 0 989680

Debug Message:  CGalCiv3Shell::RequestInitializationState from: Uninitialized to: Initialized

Debug Message:  Creating anchor win

Debug Message:  Create popup manager

Debug Message:  Initializing Sound

Debug Message:  Initializing bink

Debug Message:  Initializing bink threads

Debug Message:  Initializing bink sound

Debug Message:  Initializing bink resources

Debug Message:  Initializing bink effect

Debug Message:  CInfluenceSystem::CInfluenceSystem size_influenceMapActual 5308416 size_influenceMapCache 5308416 size_lastTurnOwningPlayerIndex 1327104 size_prevOwningPlayerIndex 1327104 size_owningPlayerIndex 1327104 size_isSectorChanged 20736 size_numOwnedTiles 480 size_influnceMapAll

Debug Message:  Game XML has been changed: Yes

Debug Message:  CGalCiv3Shell::RequestInitializationState from: Initialized to: LoadingContinentTextures

Debug Message:  Creating initial screens

Debug Message:  Create setup screens.

Debug Message:  Creating remaining screens

Debug Message:  Set mouse

Debug Message:  Set update timer

Debug Message:  TachyonSystem: Starting initialization

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: LOADING TEXTURE ATLAS FILE: d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Gfx\planets\generic_heightmaps\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: SUCCESSFULLY LOADED d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Gfx\planets\generic_heightmaps\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: LOADING TEXTURE ATLAS FILE: d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Gfx\planets\custom_heightmaps\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: SUCCESSFULLY LOADED d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Gfx\planets\custom_heightmaps\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: LOADING TEXTURE ATLAS FILE: d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Gfx\planets\custom_base_heightmaps\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  LoadTextureAtlasIndexFromMem: SUCCESSFULLY LOADED d:\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\Gfx\planets\custom_base_heightmaps\Atlas.dxatlas

Debug Message:  CInitializationGfxListener::OnLoadContinentsTextureTailA

Debug Message:  CInitializationGfxListener::OnLoadContinentsTextureTailB - All continent per-pixel data is now available

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Its a lot to review but we need to ensure you have tried the solutions here:

https://forums.galciv3.com/486732/galactic-civilizations-iii-support-faq

Let us know either way, please.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Okay I have reinstalled my Video drivers, redistributables and DirectX.

I have purged the game, reinstalled and the debug log is still the same thing.

Debug Message:  Current Time UTC: 02-18-2022 16:36
Debug Message:  Version 4.21, Build #10730, last updated on: 02-18-2022 16:47
Debug Message:  Product Version 27.3.6.66
Debug Message:  Steam Build
Debug Message:  Working Directory: d:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III
Debug Message:  Initializing DLC status. Online: 1
Debug Message:  DLC0_Founders Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC1_MapPack Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC1_5_Registration Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC2_MegaEvents Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC3_Snathi Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC4_PrecursorWorlds Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP1_Mercenaries Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC5_BuildersKit Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC6_RiseoftheTerrans Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC7_LostTreasures Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC8_AltarianProphecy Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP2_Crusade Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC10_MechKit Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP3_Intrigue Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC11_StarControlHeroes Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  EXP4_Retribution Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC12_StarControlVillains Owned: 0 Installed 0 PathExists: 0 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  DLC14_WorldsInCrisis Owned: 1 Installed 1 PathExists: 1 Enabled By Default 1
Debug Message:  Finished initializing DLC status
Debug Message:  Personal folder located at C:\Users\Radek\Documents
Debug Message:  Personal folder located at C:\Users\Radek\Documents
Debug Message:  Initializing data directories
Debug Message:  Checking if data bins needs to be rebuilt.
Debug Message:  Loading options binary
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
Debug Message:  Attempting to login using persistent auth.
Debug Message:  No existing persistent auth credentials were found for automatic login.
Debug Message:  [EOS SDK] Login Failed - Error Code: EOS_InvalidAuth
Debug Message:  Disabling persisent auth.  User will need to login manually.
Debug Message:  No existing persistent auth credentials were found for automatic login.
Debug Message:  Initialize Prefs
Debug Message:  Checking data binaries
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
Debug Message:  Social overlay is disabled due to overlay setup failure (EOS_UnexpectedError).
Debug Message:  [EOS SDK] Connect Login Complete - ProductUserId: 000297a2e1aa4d9482a955faf3490726
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
Debug Message:  Loading core binary
Debug Message:  Core XML has been changed: Yes
Debug Message:  Setting core data
Debug Message:  Loading particles binary
Debug Message:  Setting particle data
Debug Message:  Registering types
Debug Message:  Setting data for assets
Debug Message:  Activation successful.
Debug Message:  Checking virtual memory
Debug Message:  Initializing event center
Debug Message:  Checking for valid working directory
Debug Message:  Entering WinMain
Debug Message:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message:  InitializeResources.
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
Debug Message:  Initializing Shell
Debug Message:  Initializing Fonts
Debug Message:  RegisterFont: Font with file: BankGthd.ttf, face index: 0, size 18 ALREADY registered, ID of -245753110 with same properties will not be registered separately.
Debug Message:  Initializing Fonts - complete
Debug Message:  Initializing Direct3D
DebugMessage:  Particle Engine Created.
Debug Message:  Adding DXSAS clean up function
Debug Message:  Initializing device
Debug Message:  DrawManager InitializeDevice
Debug Message:  Creating renderer
Debug Message:  Initializing Direct3D 11 Renderer
Debug Message:  Creating FBX animation core
Debug Message:  Enumerating device settings
Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Preferred adapter is 0
Debug Message:  CD3D11RendererSettings::Enumerate: Creating DXGI 1.1 factory
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0
DebugMessage:  Force Clean generated files: 0

Have you tried whitelisting the game with any anti-virus software installed?

Or turning off Controlled folder access? On Windows 10, go to your 'Windows Defender Settings' --> 'Virus and threat protection --> Ransomware protection --> Turn off 'Controlled folder access'.

I've turned off my anti-virus. The Controlled folder access was off by default. The game still crashed.

Then I had the idea to try and run the game directly, without the launcher and it worked. Turned on the anti-virus and the game still worked.

Off course when I do this I don't have access to the multiplayer. There is a problem only when launching through the Stardock launcher. My guess would be some missing permissons.

I'm having the exact same issue. Launching from the .exe I have no issues (aside from Steam not recognizing I'm playing). Launching via Steam and then the Stardock launcher, something's going wrong.

Running Steam with admin privileges did not help; running the exe directly without admin is perfectly fine. The game itself is not the problem.

Just tried directly using the Stardock launcher, not via Steam. Same crashing problem - there's something on the Stardock launcher end that's causing the issue. This was while running it with admin privileges.

Question: One of the error log lines included an incorrected authorization. The launcher automatically logged me in with my Steam account, but I don't think I ever created a Stardock account for myself; could this cause an issue?

[EDIT]: Tried a little bit more, mainly the bypass options to skip launchers in steam - either the .exe location or the /nolauncher command. Both have the same crashing issue. Launching directly, the game apparently can't see that Steam is available; Multiplayer is grayed out and the option to reconnect to Steam doesn't do anything.

By any chance are your Steam profiles set to private?

Main settings are Public, with a Friends Only for some of the fields. Set everything to Public and no change.

If you add /nolauncher to Launch options (right click on the game in your Steam properties and select Properties) does the game still crash?

My profile is set to public, only my inventory is set to friends only.

Adding the /nolauncher did not help unfortunately.

Do you have any other launch options besides /nolauncher? Sometimes they can interfere with it working.

No I don't have any other launch options.

If you run StardockLauncher.exe from the install dir as I have here:

https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/explorer_2022-02-22_09-49-45sdrohan.mp4

Selecting GC3, does it works then?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

If that failed, and you do the purge from here, reinstall, does it then work?

https://forums.galciv3.com/486732/galactic-civilizations-iii-support-faq#purgegame

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Running the Stardock launcher directly didn't work even running it as an administrator.

Purging and reinstalling did not fix it either.

Hello everyone, little update on the issue. Reinstalling steam unfortunately did nothing. However after creating a new Admin account everything works as intended. Any idea which setting could be the issue?