[FIXED - solution inside] Game does not start

[PaulLFC]

Downloaded and tried to launch the game today, I get "Preparing to launch..." in Steam, and then nothing. The game doesn't even start.

Tried verifying integrity of game cache, all fine. Tried restarting Steam, same issue. Specs:

Core i5 2500k
GTX 460 1GB (drivers up to date)
4GB RAM
Windows 8.1 Pro x64 (Windows Update fully up to date)

Low-ish specs (need a new PC soon) but supported by the system requirements so there should not be an issue. Certainly a disappointing start (if it can be called a start, since, you know, it didn't...) from a game I was looking forward to playing this weekend.

-------------------------------

EDIT (Solution to fix this issue)
Here is the solution I found that worked for me, hopefully it works for anyone else having the same issue:

- Go into the folder where RoN is installed (mine was c:\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\rise of nations)
- Go into the _CommonRedist folder > DirectX > Jun 2010 and run DXSETUP.exe, let it finish
- Go back to the _CommonRedist folder and then to vcredist > 2012 - install one (or both) of those, I installed both
- You should be able to run the game now

This is supposed to be done automatically by Steam when you first launch the game - whether it is Steam's fault or the developers' fault that this isn't being done for Rise of Nations, I don't know, but this seems to be why the game won't run until these setups are completed.

[DudeGuyMcBro]

yes. go into the folder containing the .exe for patriots, and just boot from within that folder as admin and it SHOULD run properly. at least it has for me.

[AcidLex]

Thanks for the solution:
I have a 64-bit OS, but VC++ Redist x86 worked form me.

[St0rStjerna]

do i need 4 GB ram?
i have 2

[Ruinae Retroque Rursus]

I've tried everything I've read in these 33 comments and nothing has helped.
Something might be gleaned that the x64 executable in the vcredist folder failed to run, saying it'd only install on something above Windows XP SP1, despite the fact I'm running Win7.

[ignispericulum]

I bought this game yesterday, today i've tried to play it but nothing. it says to check if i've got the directx 10 or higher, but i've got the 11!! I followed all of yours hacks but nothing changed...

[Ultra Gentle]

I had the same trouble where the game would crash after the start-up screens. I tried all the ideas listed in the comments, but what finally worked for me was re-installing MSXML 4.0 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810209). The "repair" option didn't work for me; I had to uninstall and then re-install.

[Babacıınız]

The solution worked for me THANKS!

[SportingLisboa]

Hi all, wondering if anyone can help me!

Downloaded the game off of steam, installed successfully but then once I tried to load up the game an error pops up on screen saying 'BHG RTS run time FATAL - Could not initialize DirectX - please make sure your system supports DirectX 10 or higher.'

I have uninstalled the game several times to no avail, I have copied the exact steps too;

- Go into the folder where RoN is installed (mine was c:\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\rise of nations)
- Go into the _CommonRedist folder > DirectX > Jun 2010 and run DXSETUP.exe, let it finish
- Go back to the _CommonRedist folder and then to vcredist > 2012 - install one (or both) of those.

Still no luck...

Here are my system details...

Time of this report: 7/19/2015, 16:11:45
Machine name: DELL-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.150525-0603)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: OptiPlex GX620
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3574MB RAM
Page File: 2047MB used, 5098MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11


What's next? TIA

[Ander]

This great article Rise of Nations on Windows 8 has 6 possible solutions: http://kynosarges.org/RiseNations.html

And this config rise.ini and rise2.ini worked for me.

rise.ini

[RISE OF NATIONS]
ContentDir=Thrones and Patriots
AllowLogs=0
Dialog Error Level (0 - 3)=2
BreakOnGSCommandLineCheck=0
GraphicsDLL=d3dgl.dll
UseSSEDLLs=0
Sound Directory=.\sounds\
Default Sound Directory=..\
Number FX SoundPaths=0
Number VoiceOver SoundPaths=2
Number SoundTrack SoundPaths=3
IgnoreSoundWarning=0
ScriptIncludePath=.\scenario\scriptlibrary\
script_loc_file=scen_script_loc.xml
UseAutoSave=1
CheckSumDeep=0
CheckSumWindowSize=256
CheckSumFailureThreshold=2
Seed (0 for random)=0
InitialDump=0
Left Minimap=0
DEBUGROADS=0
AutoSaveLoad=0
Record Results=0

rise2.ini

[RISE OF NATIONS]
Windowed Width=1024
Windowed Height=768
FullScreen=1
VSync=0
AllowAllResolutions=1
IgnoreMinimizeOnTabOut=0
ConfigDatabase=BHGVidCardConfig.txt
ESCKeyGoesToMenu=1
ClickDragTiming=5
ClickDragLowSensitive=20
ClickDragHighSensitive=64
ClickDragRightSensitive=6
SkipIntroMovies=1
ForceHardwareCursor=0
ForceGDICursor=1
ForceBWCursor=0
ForceStaticCursor=0
ForceAGPVBs=0
Don't Allow Texture Compression=0
SYS_grade_override(A-F or AUTO)=AUTO
MEM_grade_override(A-F or AUTO)=AUTO
CPU_grade_override(A-F or AUTO)=AUTO
GPU_grade_override(A-F or AUTO)=AUTO
TEXTURE_grade_override(FULL, HALF, QUARTER, AUTO)=AUTO
UseAltColors=0
Console Coord Mode=0
Console Name Mode=2
Sound Enabled=1
BackVidAsSlideShow=0
UseVTUNEDLL=0
TestDelayRenderAMin=0
TestDelayRenderBMin=0
TestDelayRenderAMax=0
TestDelayRenderBMax=0
RebuildBalance=0
Force Profile Menu=0
ForceLowCPUBackgroundVid=0
EnableGraphicsToggles=0
TPModsDirectory=.\Mods
ScenarioDirectory=\Scenarios
StandaloneScriptsDirectory=Stand-alone Scripts
DefaultScenarioDirectory=.\scenario\Custom\
DefaultScriptDirectory=.\scenario\Scripts\
GameFrameTestDelayMin=0
GameFrameTestDelayMax=0
RenderMinimap=1
StartConsole=0
StartReveal=0
StartPaused=0

Greetings!

[jjmccool10]

I've just purchased this game and am having the same issue listed above and have tried the fix (installing the files in the commonredist folder) but i receive an error on trying to install the (x64) version stating it can only be installed on MS XP SP1 or higher, but i am currently running windows 7 can anyone help?

[CaveMan]

Many thanks!

[Shurtugal]

Thanks!!!!

[[AS]_Spyridon]

Thanks a lot!!

[sscamaro1967]

what worked for me was adding the exe to the data execution prevention. DEP
Click Start, right Click Computer, choose properties. Choose advanced system settings. Under performance choose settings box. then choose data execution prevention. Turn on DEP. browse for your game exe. then check box. Apply your new settings. Viola! Let me know if it helps anyone. ;)

Also, dont forget the latest US or EU Patch

[dragoonknight]

Kinda weird my copy stopped working from a was working, installing the direct redistributle from the ops instruction fixed mine. Weird...