Strange Character control bug

[Mastersurvivals]

I've got a strange and potentially specific issue. So I played Baldur's Gate for some time and upgraded my computer before I finished the game. Gave my old computer to a relative so we could play Baldur's Gate together. Transferred my steam account to new PC and wiped old one, but maybe not well enough.

We start a new campaign with my relative on my old PC being the host and die in the Nauticloid to Commander Zarhiel (rip), reload to the save right before. This is where the problem starts. For some reason, the game gives me control of his custom character (dark urge, drow bard) and he gets mine (dragonborn paladin). When he goes into the multiplayer options and gives me control of my avatar and I give him back his, the game freezes and crashes for him.

I am then unable to move or do anything other than shift the camera around. Eventually the game crashes for him. We found that (for some reason) even though we deleted the game off my old PC, when my relative a new steam account, Baldur's Gate downloaded or still had my old saves, possibly via cloud or local saves in the files.

Atm our campaign is borked. We can't play as our primary characters and validating game files shows no issues or problems. Anyone encounter this and know a fix?

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Mastersurvivals:

Strange Character control bug
I've got a strange and potentially specific issue. So I played Baldur's Gate for some time and upgraded my computer before I finished the game. Gave my old computer to a relative so we could play Baldur's Gate together. Transferred my steam account to new PC and wiped old one, but maybe not well enough.

We start a new campaign with my relative on my old PC being the host and die in the Nauticloid to Commander Zarhiel (rip), reload to the save right before. This is where the problem starts. For some reason, the game gives me control of his custom character (dark urge, drow bard) and he gets mine (dragonborn paladin). When he goes into the multiplayer options and gives me control of my avatar and I give him back his, the game freezes and crashes for him.

I am then unable to move or do anything other than shift the camera around. Eventually the game crashes for him. We found that (for some reason) even though we deleted the game off my old PC, when my relative a new steam account, Baldur's Gate downloaded or still had my old saves, possibly via cloud or local saves in the files.

Atm our campaign is borked. We can't play as our primary characters and validating game files shows no issues or problems. Anyone encounter this and know a fix?

Your initial thoughts on the matter, that the wipe of your old Steam account on the previous computer, is on the right track.

What you are experiencing is a very common UUID issue. It is hard to replicate because the affected people are not sharing enough information so far, but there are ways to deal with it.

1. Cleanup any remaining files which might have connected your previous Steam account with your old PC
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3018203217

2. Cleanup the same files on your new PC

3. Disable Steam Cloud Saves for the game

4. Skip the Larian Launcher on both PCs
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3015166965

5. Optional but helpful: add one more avatar for "troubleshooting matters" - it is optional because you can do that later, but I recommend it at the start of the game so it is easier to troubleshoot later on
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3015842445
(use that guide to launch an additional instance of have the host create all three characters offline (BEST approach))

Due to the lack of general information by affected players I can assure you that will highly reduce the occurance of the issue. I just cannot guarantee it to you: again - all the affected people - no - most of them, like 29/31 are not very elaborating on the matter even when offered this kind of assistance.

[Mastersurvivals]

Thanks for the suggestions アンジェル ! I'll see if I trying some of these works. <3

[Mastersurvivals]

Anyone know how to report this to Larian? Either sending save files or bug report. Would love to get their attention and help solve this because it sounds common based on the response

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Mastersurvivals:

Anyone know how to report this to Larian? Either sending save files or bug report. Would love to get their attention and help solve this because it sounds common based on the response

It's not a BG3 problem. It is how your two systems were configured and set up.

What you probably did not know at the time you 'cleaned' your system is that the critical information is actually kept in the "Larian Studios" directory located in 'AppData\Local'. That directory MUST be deleted for a clean install to succeed.

[Mastersurvivals]

Originally posted by Ironwu:

Originally posted by Mastersurvivals:

Anyone know how to report this to Larian? Either sending save files or bug report. Would love to get their attention and help solve this because it sounds common based on the response

It's no a BG3 problem. It is how your two systems were configured and set up.

What you probably did not know at the time you 'cleaned' your system is that the critical information is actually kept in the "Larian Studios" directory located in 'AppData\Local'. That directory MUST be deleted for a clean install to succeed.

Aah, that explains it. Thank you for the concise information! Hopefully between the problem steps and this we can get the game back to normal

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Mastersurvivals:

Originally posted by Ironwu:

It's not a BG3 problem. It is how your two systems were configured and set up.

What you probably did not know at the time you 'cleaned' your system is that the critical information is actually kept in the "Larian Studios" directory located in 'AppData\Local'. That directory MUST be deleted for a clean install to succeed.

Aah, that explains it. Thank you for the concise information! Hopefully between the problem steps and this we can get the game back to normal

I certainly hope so. Both systems should be cleaned and a brand new Campaign started. Do not attempt to use the old saves, if there are any.

Let us all know here how it goes, and we will try to help further if needed. ;)

Good Luck!

[Mastersurvivals]

Tried the steps above, cleared cache, disabled cloud saves, skipped Larian launcher and deleted temp files.

So far that seems to have fixed the issue. Thank you everyone!

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Mastersurvivals:

Tried the steps above, cleared cache, disabled cloud saves, skipped Larian launcher and deleted temp files.

So far that seems to have fixed the issue. Thank you everyone!

Outstanding! Happy to hear it is up and running again.

Have Fun. :)