Launcher starts Launcher, not the game itself

[schleckson]

When starting the game and choosing my DX Version, after clicking "PLAY", Steam then asks to start Civ VI with custom parameters "...steamapps\common\CivVI\Lauchpad\LaunchPad.exe"

Instead of starting the game properly, it restarts the Launcher.

The problem occured before, I then tried to use the legacy version - which works, but does not display "Gathering Storm". Measures I already tried:

- The full PSA (deleting the mods.sqlite, deinstalling all mods, deinstalling the entire game, deleting game files, reinstalling the game, validating the game.

The furthest I came to play Gathering Storm was starting the legacy version. I had the expansion background, intro and game option. But it was not displayed as additional content ingame. Neither could I choose ANY leader in the game settings and the game would crash if started. (I did repeatedly deleted the mods.sqlite and restarted steam several times).

I couldn't find any more fixes, hints or tipps, so I hope there is someone out there who has overcome this very same issue. With a little luck fixing the Launcher will fix the GS issues. Thanks alot.

Win 7
DX11


EDIT: I am able to successfully start the game in legacy versions, either with or without the Launcher (Launcher asks for same properties, but starts the game), yet the DLC is not properly displayed even after troubleshooting (see above)

[schleckson]

Just reinstalled the game on Steam (+prior steps).

Tried starting the game. The launchpad opened. After pressing "Play" the Launchpad closed, asked for permission again and then relaunched itself.
I verified the gamefiles. 3 files have been restored (same in all prior reinstalls).
Tried to launch again, but the launchpad keeps on relaunching.

Since there is no way to start without the legacy mode, I reinstalled legacy and started via Steam.
From the options with and without launcher, I chose to start via launcher. After pressing "PLAY" the launcher asked for permission again, I accepted and the game launched normally. I exit from the main menu without navigating through any menus. I verify the game files again. 3 files have yet again been restored. After relaunching the game the mod still shows as seen in the screen before.

[Prometheus]

Okay, I think I understand that. The important thing was to get the two mentioned folders deleted, so we can be sure there was NOTHING left of an old installation, mods, a corrupted file, whatever. So now we are sure.

I don't like the "can be allowed to have access" thing. It makes me wonder if you have any anti-virus going. If you do, disable them. If you have windows defender, make an exemption for the two folders I told you to delete previously. That should allow full access for the game for all of them.

[schleckson]

This is not an anti virus issue. It is the windows request to allow administrive access. I tried opening both the launcher and the civ.exe as an administrator (which i am) without any effect.

Since it both occurs on the launcher start with or without legacy mode and since it works in legacy, i am afraid this does not effect the assets or its recognation in any way.

I do appreciate your help very much still, thank you.

The one thing i cannot figure why, opposed to rise and fall, the game doesn't recognize the DLC properly. I uploaded this screenshot[imgur.com] of the mod list showing it as a community mod.

[Prometheus]

Okay then it most likely is a folder permissions problem. That could tie in, with official content not being displayed correctly, since a permission is also read, and not only write. We can fix this. I have no idea how that happened for you.

So here we go:

Do this for BOTH folders!

[drive]:\Users\[user name]\Documents\my games\

Right Click on the "Sid Meier's Civilization VI" folder
Select Properties
Navigate to Security tab
Press the Advanced button
Press the Change Permissions.. button
Give your Windows username full control
Make sure "Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object" is selected
Click Ok, Ok, and then Ok again to acknowledge.

[Steam Folder]\steamapps\common\

Right Click on the "Sid Meier's Civilization VI" folder
Select Properties
Navigate to Security tab
Press the Advanced button
Press the Change Permissions.. button
Give your Windows username full control
Make sure "Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object" is selected
Click Ok, Ok, and then Ok again to acknowledge.

If you have moved/copied one of these folders at some point in time (meaning not now but any time) from a different computer or windows account, you might also need to take ownership of the files first before the permissions be assigned correctly.

Edit: Fixed a delete that shouldn't be there from copy/paste.

[schleckson]

I followed your steps. I did have full control already, but checked the "Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object" for my user.

I will now reinstall GS and see if that resolves the problem right away.

[Prometheus]

If that adds files, you might have to do the same process again, since those files might not have gotten the permissions changed.

[schleckson]

It was of course installed when following your advice. I did a quick check, but nothing changed. Therefore I now reinstall and will reapply the permission changes before starting.

[Prometheus]

Understood.

[schleckson]

Unfortunately no difference at all. All symptoms still occur.

Normal game doesn't start still, the launcher just re-starts.

Under legacy mode the game files still appear as community mod. I also tried verifying the game files again, to no effect though.

I found out that the game launcher in legacy mode starts two executables (one being the civ6.exe, the other one being the launchpad.exe) and then starts the game, yet in normal mode it tries to execute the launchpad.exe twice (screen capture[imgur.com]) and thats when it restarts itself instead of loading the game (though: starting the civ6.exe resolves in starting the pad as well).

[Prometheus]

Well if you are 100% sure, that you do not have any anti-virus running, and you successfully took permissions of the files, then I don't see what would stop you from getting permission. But clearly, you are being stopped.

Are you running very high settings on the UAC or something (User Account control)? You can check by hitting the windows start button and typing UAC. Launch the function. In the menu that opens, the slider should NOT be at the top. You can make a note of where it is, and then set it at the lowest setting (remember to hit OK, to confirm!), and try to launch the game again. If it doesn't work, put the slider back to it's original position.

If you are lost by my description, try this one:

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/disable-user-account-control-uac-the-easy-way-on-windows-vista/

[schleckson]

Your description is easy to follow.

It is usually set to 3/4. Windows does not notify me with settings 1/4 - which is to be expected. This isn't what concerns me, since it doesn't make a difference (I followed the above steps with the 1/4 setting).

The fact that Steam asks for permission to let the launcher start both executables (see screencap) is odd, but i cannot make out the connection to the game being able to tell it has an official DLC installed, mainly because steam should not restrict its own installation.

[Prometheus]

I agree. But Steam doesn't really have the power to control access like this. That is windows, and anti-malware that does things like that.

I don't know of any other thing that would block access, apart from this not being your computer, and you are not the top admin, and the top admin has set restrictions on access to say, "Documents" for instance.

Are you the only user of the computer, you are running the admin account, and this is not a work computer or something, where permissions are set by remote from the IT department?

[schleckson]

I think malware protection can be ruled out as it was deactivated during system restarts. It also did not notify me, which it should and usually does in any case. (during earlier reinstalls)

This is my private machine with me being the only user with full admin access. No other users or administrive restictions.

[Prometheus]

Okay clear on that. Let's try the obvious, that should NOT work, but might work anyway. Exit steam. Find the executable or shortcut, and then launch it specifically in administrator mode. That is right click, select "run as administrator". Then try the launcher.

This is too stupid, but it might actually work. I know a long time ago, I decided always to run steam in administrator mode, because too many random issues.

[schleckson]

I really appreciate your help. But since this is the 7th hour into my early day off work to play some civ6, I will take a break here and try again tomorrow. If I find a way to resolve this problem I will post it in here.