Game detected as virus

[FractalGaming]

It seems according to Windows Security that I'm no longer able to play this game, even though I was able to just fine some months ago.

When I tried opening the game, it gave me this message:
"An error occurred while launching this game : Missing game executable -
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Pools\POOLS.exe"

When I tried opening it a second time, it attempted to re-download the executable, where it then gave me this message:
"Failed to start process for this game : "Operation did not complete successfully
because the file contains a virus or potentially unwanted software." (0xE1)"

According to Windows Security protection history, it detected a "severe" threat:
Detected: Behavior:Win32/DefenseEvasion.A!ml
Status: Quarantined
Affected Items: file: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Pools\POOLS.exe

Also, these three things persisted even when I uninstalled and reinstalled the game, so I'm honestly at a loss of what to do.

[FractalGaming]

Small update:
I did get the game working by restoring it from quarantine. Not sure if this is a permanent fix, but hopefully this gets fixed nonetheless.

[x420187x]

Ill try the remove from quarantine. I got this one too.

[JSpartan117]

Originally posted by FractalGaming:

It seems according to Windows Security that I'm no longer able to play this game, even though I was able to just fine some months ago.

When I tried opening the game, it gave me this message:
"An error occurred while launching this game : Missing game executable -
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Pools\POOLS.exe"

When I tried opening it a second time, it attempted to re-download the executable, where it then gave me this message:
"Failed to start process for this game : "Operation did not complete successfully
because the file contains a virus or potentially unwanted software." (0xE1)"

According to Windows Security protection history, it detected a "severe" threat:
Detected: Behavior:Win32/DefenseEvasion.A!ml
Status: Quarantined
Affected Items: file: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Pools\POOLS.exe

Also, these three things persisted even when I uninstalled and reinstalled the game, so I'm honestly at a loss of what to do.

HUH strange this is the first time I've heard someone have their system detect this game as a virus. I'm not trying to brag at all but i haven't had this issue. I've just been able to start this game with no problems through Steam. Very odd. o-O

[Imon Spartan]

The exact same issue just happened to me, exactly as you described, with the same error message and the same file detected by my Windows Defender. Literally a 1:1 match with the problem you described.

I have no intention of lifting the file from quarantine and would like an official developer of the game to comment on this matter before I report it directly to Steam.

[Chris]

Aha... so "Windows defender"

Frankly, really, just disable this windows defender BS and install yourself some adaquate AV like Avast or Avira instead and don't blame the false-positives on the game or the devs. Of course all the 3000+ other people before you used windows defender as their primary and ONLY "system defense system", right? Just shaking my head

[Imon Spartan]

Can any dev confirm that they’ve read this? It would be reassuring to know that this error is being investigated.

[Tensori]

Ok we are investigating this.

Indeed windows defender or any antivirus can sometimes be too strict, as demonstrated in this old thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/2663530/discussions/0/4356745862494702883/

But what throws me off is this:

Originally posted by FractalGaming:

even though I was able to just fine some months ago.

You never had this happen before?

As a first thing I would recommend to Verify Integrity of Game Files

Anyway we are now on holidays and unfortunately might take few weeks but we'll investigate this, thank you for reporting.

[x420187x]

Appreciate you guys looking into this. Enjoy your downtime and eat lots of stuff you like!

[Imon Spartan]

Originally posted by Tensori:

Ok we are investigating this.

Indeed windows defender or any antivirus can sometimes be too strict, as demonstrated in this old thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/2663530/discussions/0/4356745862494702883/

But what throws me off is this:

Originally posted by FractalGaming:

even though I was able to just fine some months ago.

You never had this happen before?

As a first thing I would recommend to Verify Integrity of Game Files

Anyway we are now on holidays and unfortunately might take few weeks but we'll investigate this, thank you for reporting.

Thank you for responding, no worries, it’s understandable that you’re less available during the holidays. Just knowing that you’re aware of what’s happening is enough for me.

If it helps, when I verified the integrity of the files, the following message appeared: "1 file could not be validated and will be reacquired."

After that, I launched the game, and it worked correctly. I played for about 20 minutes, but then the game closed on its own again, and the error message reappeared.