AC1 Does NOT launch on steam.

[Mike300697]

Hi all. I've recently bought the whole AC bundle and wanted to start playing form the beginning starting with AC1. Unfortunately the game doesn't launch at all. I tried every option that I'm aware of to hopefully fix this but nothing has worked. I am on a high end laptop I would say a Asus ROG Strix 2023 with a Ryzen9 and a 4080 If that matters at all I don't know. When I installed the game for the first time, It did pop up with the old version of Uplay but I've selected an option I don't remember which one, and nothing happened after that. I downloaded the latest version of Ubisoft connect and after pressing play, absolutely nothing happens. Could there be an Issue with the game trying to connect to an old Uplay version or what? I'm not sure what the issue is and need help as it's a shame that I can't play a game I paid for. I did send a message to ubisoft about this but still waiting for a reply and not sure if they will ever reply in the first place as looking online, seems ubisoft doesn't really want to help or fix anything.

Has anyone had the same issue and if yes, does anyone have a solution. Thanks.

[Deathincarnates]

go to the local file and see there are 3 exe launchers use either one of the direct x 9 or 10 works for me

[Drac_with_darkness]

install ubisoft connect and then try launching all the sales old games they will work

[Mike300697]

Thanks guys will try that later.

[Mike300697]

Unfortunately not been able to launch the game once again. Installed it again, tried uninstalling Ubisoft connect then reinstalled it... Game still doesn't launch. Like I said not sure if the Unisoft app has anything to do with the game.

Tried changing compatibility to windows 7/8 still doesn't work. Tried launching through DX9 and 10. Non of those work it's frustrating. I wish to play the game through steam like any other game.

Not sure what else to do. Maybe should just forget about it and move on.

[✌☠H₂O☠✌ ELeCtRiC]

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Assassin%27s_Creed
Check here.

[Smohxee]

I am in the exact same spot. I have tried quite a few things. I first tried running game in Admin, then compatibility mode for every Windows version ever made, tried launching the Dx9/Dx10 Files, and finally tried replacing the Dx9 file with Dx10 files.. blah blah blah. NADA. I did some more digging and thought it might have had something to do with my CPU cores. I tried using AMD Ryzen Master Legacy gaming mode which limits my cores to 8. I also tried limiting cores on MSCONFIG in Windows 11. Again, nothing. I would love some help aswell.

rough specs:
3950x on ASUS ROG Strix B550-F
EVGA RTX 2080 Hybrid
32 GB 2400 MHz DDR3
2 TB m.2
800W PSU
Win 11 (Also tried Windows 10)

I tried this on my other PC which has identical internals except the CPU is an Intel 10950x CPU. Same results.

[Smohxee]

Annnnnd I found the fix.

First, Disable any and all compatibility modes you may have applied.
Limit your cores using either AMD Ryzen Master or MSConfig.
Install AC1 Eagle Patch

Enjoy!

Here's a link if you need one.
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/15kuovr/assassins_creed_1_and_2_eagle_patch_solution/

[Mike300697]

Will try this tomorrow. Thank you. Let's hope this works.

[Mike300697]

Anyway i've tried the fix but still no luck. I'm giving up on this. I shouldn't have to do all this ... devs should keep the game maintained and playable if it's on sale and i shouldn't have to go to bottom of the earth to make this game work... it's sad and frustrating but i appreciate your help.

[NotSafeForWork]

1. Install the DirectX End-User Runtime (D3DX9, D3DX10, D3DX11)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
2. In Start menu type Notepad, and on the Notepad entry right click and select Run As Administrator, open hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) and copy the following at the bottom:
203.132.26.155 127.0.0.1
3. Go to SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Assassins Creed\DirectX
4. Right click DXSETUP.exe, go to Properties, go to Compatibility tab, click "Change settings for all users" button, check "Run this program in compatability mode", and select Windows XP (Service Pack 3)
5. Run DXSETUP.exe and install. When you click finish it will reboot the computer.
6. Reboot
7. Go to SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Assassins Creed, and for AssassinsCreed_Dx9.exe and AssassinsCreed_Dx10.exe, right click, properties, go to Compatibility tab, Click "Change settings for all users", and set compatibility mode to Windows XP Service Pack 3
8. Delete all the videos (.bik files) in SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Assassins Creed\Videos
9. Disable your wifi/internet. Make sure you disable your internet/wifi every time before starting the game using the instructions below. (Or if you're fancy, go into Windows Firewall and disable outgoing connections from these exe's.
10. Go to Start Menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and click Run as Administrator
11. You'll need to change directory into your AC dir, and run a command in the form "start /i /affinity 0xFF /machine x86 AssassinsCreed_Dx9.exe" or 10 one of them should work
For example if it's on your C drive, the commands could look like:
c:
cd "\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Assassins Creed\"
start /i /affinity 0xFF /machine x86 AssassinsCreed_Dx9.exe
start /i /affinity 0xFF /machine x86 AssassinsCreed_Dx10.exe
Or for example, if it's on your D drive at Steam's default directory:
d:
cd "\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Assassins Creed\"
start /i /affinity 0xFF /machine x86 AssassinsCreed_Dx9.exe
start /i /affinity 0xFF /machine x86 AssassinsCreed_Dx10.exe
12. Remember to turn Vsync on in settings or force it in your Nvidia/AMD app so you don't glitch and die during leaps of faith

[Mike300697]

Thanks "NotSafeForWork". It worked and the game lunches fine with no issues. I can't believe it works... I never thought it was possible.

I do have a question though. Is there any way to play it with the internet active so that the play time registers on steam. I appreciate your help.

[NotSafeForWork]

I haven't tried this, but you can set the Windows Firewall to block outgoing connections from AssassinsCreed_Dx9.exe and/or AssassinsCreed_Dx10.exe. I'm still not sure if play time would register on Steam

[Mike300697]

I see. No worries main thing is that the game works now. Much appreciated.

[FatalNova]

Originally posted by NotSafeForWork:

I haven't tried this, but you can set the Windows Firewall to block outgoing connections from AssassinsCreed_Dx9.exe and/or AssassinsCreed_Dx10.exe. I'm still not sure if play time would register on Steam

@ NotSafeForWork, can i add you to a discord call and share my screen because i feel ive done everything correctly and still cant play

[Skydoeshalo]

Originally posted by BNP_Nova:

Originally posted by NotSafeForWork:

I haven't tried this, but you can set the Windows Firewall to block outgoing connections from AssassinsCreed_Dx9.exe and/or AssassinsCreed_Dx10.exe. I'm still not sure if play time would register on Steam

@ NotSafeForWork, can i add you to a discord call and share my screen because i feel ive done everything correctly and still cant play

Im having the same problem. Done everything and still crashes.