Found a fix to Episodic engine error!

[SoloGamerGirl]

When attempting to start up the game after the anniversary update I got an error that stated "engine error: cannot run episodic". Steam support just got back with me and the fix is so simple I feel very silly. Simply go to your library, then tools, then install episode 1 and 2, then launch the game. For some reason even though they're in the same launcher they don't download together, which is totally wild.

[SoloGamerGirl]

okay thank you! Been using steam for 18 years now and I still am stumped by problems like this lol

[SickAnnie]

i'm facing tthe same problem =( any other idea?

[Titanic4]

Originally posted by SoloGamerGirl:

When I try to boot up the 20th anniversary update the game crashes and I get an engine error that says "no permission to run episodic" I tried uninstalling and downgrading then upgrading my versions, nothing seems to be working. Anyone have any fixes?

One workaround is to modify config.cfg file for hl2_complete game, so hl2_expansion variable has value of "hl2".

[Cat]

I can start the game via game directory by running the hl2.exe but this version doesn't have the "extras" or the episodes option. Launching via desktop shortcut or the steam library gave me this same error as well. It was working yesterday.

[76561197963557148]

Same problem here. At first HL2 would load and play, but when I attempted to run EP1 or EP2 i received the error "Unable to load manifest file 'scripts/surfaceproperties_manifest.txt'. Now I can't even get HL to load as I'm getting the 'No permissions to urn 'episodic' error. HL has become a brick after the 20yr anniversary update. I've tried all the suggestions I could find to fix online but nothing works.

[Titanic4]

Originally posted by aardvark:

Same problem here. At first HL2 would load and play, but when I attempted to run EP1 or EP2 i received the error "Unable to load manifest file 'scripts/surfaceproperties_manifest.txt'. Now I can't even get HL to load as I'm getting the 'No permissions to urn 'episodic' error. HL has become a brick after the 20yr anniversary update. I've tried all the suggestions I could find to fix online but nothing works.

Both episodes are part of base game. Since the promotion isn't active, you may ask the support for help. They might give you the needed licenses on the account on both episodes.

I had EP1 partially working(no background, no maps will load), with EP2 crashing the game before using the HL2 promotion link, with no permission to run "episodic" launch problem as well.

[spaceOutlaw]

I'm having the exact same problem and pretty new to PC gaming. Can someone give me a step by step walk thru to get the episodes to run

[|NDW|[-NaAaF-]]

Next time use the search function. There's already a thread about this issue and
it isn't exactly helpful to spread a topic over multiple threads.

I haven't heard back from support yet.
I'm assuming this is a general licensing issue. The original standalone versions of the Episodes and the ones bundled in the 'Orange Box' are probably already different licenses, now they've added this new all-in-one edition into the mix that also affects people who only have a license for the base game.
I'm surprised they didn't see this coming. They should've simply upgraded all existing licenses to the 20th ann. edition and be done with it.
It may only cost a few bucks right now, but I for one am not going to buy a second copy of a twenty year old game to fix the problem from my end.

[BlueShark]

Here is another thread discussing this topic
https://steamcommunity.com/app/220/discussions/0/6955341348098543184/

[spaceOutlaw]

Thank you

[BlueShark]

An update is now available that fixes the problem.
I can play HL2:Episode 1 now.