You can't run Fallout 3? Here's the solution.

[Marctrabur]

I had the issue that Fallout 3 GOTY edition could not even start after hitting "Play" in the FO3 Launcher.
I have a completely new PC with WIN8 pro 64bit, however the issues are neither hardware nor software based. The (probable) reason that the game doesn't run is the lacking coorporation between Steam and the Games For Windows Live (GFWL) application, which is needed to run Fallout 3.

Solution (with credits to noxwyll):
- Install GFWL client (link: http://www.xbox.com/de-DE/live/pc/downloadclient ) --> now you should be able to continue to the game after hitting "Play" in the FO3 Launcher
- The steam version of FO3 GOTY is 1.5, however there's a up-to-date patch version 1.7 available via GFWL
- Hit "LIVE" in the main menu of the game. After you logged in into your GFWL account, you should receive the message there's a game update available
- Download and install the patch
- Close Fallout 3, after the game was automatically restartet (do not start the game again at first!)
- Go to the "...\steam\SteamApps\common\Fallout 3 goty" folder
- Move the files Fallout3.exe , Fallout3.exe.cat and Fallout3.exe.cfg to a destination of your choice (or simply delete them. If you're not sure, make a backup of these files)
- In the same folder are the files Fallout3ng.exe , Fallout3ng.exe.cat and Fallout3ng.exe.cfg --> rename them.
- Fallout3ng.exe > Fallout3.exe
- Fallout3ng.exe.cat > Fallout3.exe.cat
- Fallout3ng.exe.cfg > Fallout3.exe.cfg
- Start the game
- Check, if the patch was installed successfully. If it was not, just update via GFWL.
- Enjoy! :)

ATTENTION: If you use the steam function to "verify the integrity of your game cache" the GFWL patch will be overwritten. So take care you don't accidently do so.

[Haku]

There is an easier way you know, don't use G4WL!
- Download this http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/1086
- Extract it.
- Run it.
- Click "Disable G4WL".
- PLAY!

Reasons to keep G4WL, cloud based saves and the latest patch which Bethesda claims only adds achievements (it also fixes bugs "apparently").
Reasons to get rid of G4WL, faster loading and so you can actually play it!
Does anyone -actually- use G4WL? I don't but I'm curious, if you do, post a comment!

You can always download the patch from here if you want it though:
http://fallout.bethsoft.com/eng/downloads/updates.html

EN_UK direct link: http://download.zenimax.com/fallout/3/patches/1.7/Fallout3_1.7_English_UK.exe
EN_US direct link:
http://download.zenimax.com/fallout/3/patches/1.7/Fallout3_1.7_English_US.exe

Patch Notes:
http://fallout.bethsoft.com/eng/downloads/updates-v1.7updatesnotes-UK.html
Update 1.7 Notes (PC)
New Features

New achievements for Mothership Zeta

Update 1.6 Notes (PC and PlayStation 3)
New Features

New achievements for Point Lookout (PC)
New trophies for Operation: Anchorage, The Pitt, Broken Steel, Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta (Playstation 3)
Support for downloadable content (Playstation 3)

Bug Fixes

Optimized memory with multiple master files (Playstation 3)

[Profound Hound]

OH MY GOSH!!! THANK YOU!!! I have been hunting high and low... I have installed, uninstalled. Downloaded dll exe loaders deleted things. Looked really hard for ini files. SO EASY.

1. I clicked on the link http://fallout.bethsoft.com/eng/downloads/updates.html
2. download and run
3. play the game. NOTHING ELSE!!!

Windows 8 Pro; i7 Quad core

[EnGeeMoon]

I have just installed Games for Windows Live Marketplace and it works (after signing in with a new GFWL account)! I later installed the 1.7 update.

[IronPatriot]

Easier to just play on the steam deck

[Löthar Storm]

Originally posted by IronPatriot:

Easier to just play on the steam deck

cripes buddy, these folks have been dead for years now.

[WillieSea]

The Steam version is different anyway, the above instructions are most likely very outdated.

I had some trouble with the Steam version until I lowered the resolution to 1920x1080 and now it runs crash free, with mods.

[Marctrabur]

Originally posted by Menace to Sobriety:

Originally posted by IronPatriot:

Easier to just play on the steam deck

cripes buddy, these folks have been dead for years now.

I'm still alive

[Löthar Storm]

amazing.

[BuckWetnap]

anyone having problems still? anyone here to help me? my version doesn't have fallout3ng.exe