Initialization failed

[markradaba]

When I try loading the game, I"m getting an "Initialization failed" error just after the splash screen comes up. The game used to work, but it's not now.

[Eaglemut]

Originally posted by Erik Taurus:

So the box should be ticked or not?
i.e. Should I disable or enable DirectPlay?

Enable.

[Athynas]

Originally posted by collinwestphal:

I had the same issue just now too... I found this in an old thread...

Here's how I fixed it...
-Click Control Panel
- Programs
- "Turn Windows features on or off"
- Open folder called Legacy
- Select DirectPlay

Play game.

Thanks :)

[Tex]

Got the same problem, except the "legacy" file does not exist. Help!

[=|Lexx|=]

Maybe your windows language is not english and legacy is written different. Look in every option of the windows features and search vor "DirectPlay".

[Tex]

That is true, I found the file - which was in my language - and fixed it. Thanks!

[Ellezson]

Originally posted by collinwestphal:

I had the same issue just now too... I found this in an old thread...

Here's how I fixed it...
-Click Control Panel
- Programs
- "Turn Windows features on or off"
- Open folder called Legacy
- Select DirectPlay

Play game.

ty worked.

[Tex]

Thank you

[Astrogeek1]

Originally posted by EL OTMANI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkjkeF6qXbA

this video can help you
:)

_________________

It did NOT help. Here's what fixed it for me.

1) Go into the "steamapps\common\Age Of Empires 3\bin"
2) Find ALL of the files that say "age3xx.exe". If you have AOE: III Complete like I do from Steam then there are about 5 executables.
3) Right-click on each of them then select compatibility mode> Windows 7, then select the run as administrator box. Leave the "autopatch.exe" files alone.
4) Now do the DirectPlay fix:
-Click Control Panel
- Programs
- "(On the top left-side) Turn Windows features on or off"
- Open folder called Legacy
- Select DirectPlay

This should work! I have an MSI, Kaby Lake rig, Win10 Pro box (a beast) that I bought in March... Love the dang thing :-)

[VikingStone]

None of these things helped me with my windows 10. I guess we have to recode the game to play it? I just wanted to play. There in no folder on my computer that says legacy.

[Eaglemut]

Originally posted by VikingStone:

None of these things helped me with my windows 10. I guess we have to recode the game to play it? I just wanted to play. There in no folder on my computer that says legacy.

The full name is Legacy Components.

[=|Lexx|=]

It depends on the language you use. Non-English windows might have other names for it.

[💀SoulKiller]

Originally posted by collinwestphal:

I had the same issue just now too... I found this in an old thread...

Here's how I fixed it...
-Click Control Panel
- Programs
- "Turn Windows features on or off"
- Open folder called Legacy
- Select DirectPlay

Play game.

it's really worked ty!

[jeibous]

Originally posted by collinwestphal:

I had the same issue just now too... I found this in an old thread...

Here's how I fixed it...
-Click Control Panel
- Programs
- "Turn Windows features on or off"
- Open folder called Legacy
- Select DirectPlay

Play game.

It worked here in win 10 x64 too! ty bro

[Allstar1905]

i don't have this folder called Legacy...

[Jurrilicious]

Originally posted by collinwestphal:

I had the same issue just now too... I found this in an old thread...

Here's how I fixed it...
-Click Control Panel
- Programs
- "Turn Windows features on or off"
- Open folder called Legacy
- Select DirectPlay

Play game.

It dit also work for me, but i need it on for other games. and i don't want to switch all the time.
is there another fix?(i also tried setting every compatibility mode to Windows 7 without DirectPlay turned off)