Preparing to launch loop - Fix included

[RestedPandy]

I noticed a few posts about the game getting stuck in a preparing to launch game loop.

Just came back to the game in the first time in years to give it a shot and I've had the same issue myself.

I think I've found a solution to it though.

If you try to launch the game via the .exe itself in the game folder it gives an actual error message.

It's to do with the DX11 drivers by the looks of things. There's two possible solutions:

1. Go to the game folder and locate the file "dxgi.dll" (if it's not there find it in C:\windows\system32 and take a copy of it from there to the game folder)
2. Rename the file (within the game folder) "dxgi.dll" to "d3d11.dll" (without the quotes) and try launching the game

The game will either launch or give a second error relating to an input dll but this time saying it's caused by the renamed file. If that's the case delete the file "d3d11.dll" from the game folder and try launching the game.

You can try skipping the first step and simply delete the "dxgi.dll" file in the first place.

You should now get to the game launcher screen.

You may need to repeat the above if you ever re-install or verify the files as steam will replace the "dxgi.dll" file if that's done.

Good luck :)

[georgetr1]

it kind of worked for me but still crashed a bit later so thank you but i will try looking for other fixes as well