Launch problem

[Eri :3]

I'm on Windows 7, and I have a problem with the launching, or something.
Basically the only response from the system when I boot the game is changing the colour scheme, or whatever. Steam says the game is running, but the Task Manager doesn't see it in any way. I can't close it as well, that requires restarting the entire system.
Verifying game files doesn't work, I tried that a few times. Neither does reinstalling the game. Steam Support told me it won't help with a game that they didn't produce.
I'd be grateful if someone could help me here.

[avglhf]

Same problem on Win7. If u keep trying to restart the game you will see a message "Initialization Error. Unable to initialize DirectX. View the readme file for possible solutions to this error."

In Readme file said.
"Possible solutions to this problem include:
Make sure you have DirectX 9.0C or greater and that it is working properly.
Make sure you have the latest video drivers for your video card.
Try running Pirates! in Safe Mode (use the Pirates! - Safe Mode shortcut on the start menu)."

[avglhf]

Not the best but helps sometimes
https://steamcommunity.com/app/3920/discussions/0/38596747762161503/

In my case works one combination.
The best resolution in game 1152x864 to avoid glitches with mouse point in higher resolutions. Not worked fullscreen, just windowed.

Make new "Config.ini" file
1: Open the notepad app on your computer. I'm pretty sure most PCs come with it, cause mine did.
2: Paste the text into a new file (see below).
3: Click "save as" and save it in the game folder. For me, to get to the folder I clicked: This PC/Documents/My Games/Sid Meier's Pirates!
4: Once you are at the "Sid Meier's Pirates!" folder save it as "config.ini" do not forget the ".ini" at the end or it won't work.
5: After that the game should open up.

The text to config.ini

[User Settings]
Gamma = 1.000000
KeypadStatus = 1
DisplayShadows = 1
TrilinearFiltering = 1
DisableShaders = 0
AdvancedLighting = 1
WindowWidth = 1152
WindowHeight = 864
WaterDetail = 3
WorldDetail = 5
ObjectDetail = 2
MasterVolume = 1.000000
MusicVolume = 1.000000
SFXVolume = 1.000000
DanceVolume = 1.000000
IsSlowMachine = 0
MyName = Please Work
3DAudioDriver = Creative Labs EAX (TM)
Fullscreen = 0
CustomSail =
CustomFlag =

[Eri :3]

Originally posted by avglhf:

Not the best but helps sometimes
https://steamcommunity.com/app/3920/discussions/0/38596747762161503/

In my case works one combination.
The best resolution in game 1152x864 to avoid glitches with mouse point in higher resolutions. Not worked fullscreen, just windowed.

Make new "Config.ini" file
1: Open the notepad app on your computer. I'm pretty sure most PCs come with it, cause mine did.
2: Paste the text into a new file (see below).
3: Click "save as" and save it in the game folder. For me, to get to the folder I clicked: This PC/Documents/My Games/Sid Meier's Pirates!
4: Once you are at the "Sid Meier's Pirates!" folder save it as "config.ini" do not forget the ".ini" at the end or it won't work.
5: After that the game should open up.

The text to config.ini

[User Settings]
Gamma = 1.000000
KeypadStatus = 1
DisplayShadows = 1
TrilinearFiltering = 1
DisableShaders = 0
AdvancedLighting = 1
WindowWidth = 1152
WindowHeight = 864
WaterDetail = 3
WorldDetail = 5
ObjectDetail = 2
MasterVolume = 1.000000
MusicVolume = 1.000000
SFXVolume = 1.000000
DanceVolume = 1.000000
IsSlowMachine = 0
MyName = Please Work
3DAudioDriver = Creative Labs EAX (TM)
Fullscreen = 0
CustomSail =
CustomFlag =

It worked, thank you!

[gregman_1]

I'm having this exact same problem. Win7 64 bit. Launch the game, Steam shows it as running, it changes the color scheme but never launches. Nothing in Event Viewer. Drivers and DirectX up to date. Same results running as admin, in compatibility mode or not. I did try the custom Config file and it did not help. This all worked fine a year ago and nothing changed on my PC, just one day it started doing this. Any help?

[Zeeberry]

this will get it running but will have to do it again after a pc restart

open the game it fails to launch open task manager go to processes end the pirates exe

open the game again and it launches

hope that helps

[pacati]

Originally posted by avglhf:

Not the best but helps sometimes
https://steamcommunity.com/app/3920/discussions/0/38596747762161503/

In my case works one combination.
The best resolution in game 1152x864 to avoid glitches with mouse point in higher resolutions. Not worked fullscreen, just windowed.

Make new "Config.ini" file
1: Open the notepad app on your computer. I'm pretty sure most PCs come with it, cause mine did.
2: Paste the text into a new file (see below).
3: Click "save as" and save it in the game folder. For me, to get to the folder I clicked: This PC/Documents/My Games/Sid Meier's Pirates!
4: Once you are at the "Sid Meier's Pirates!" folder save it as "config.ini" do not forget the ".ini" at the end or it won't work.
5: After that the game should open up.

The text to config.ini

[User Settings]
Gamma = 1.000000
KeypadStatus = 1
DisplayShadows = 1
TrilinearFiltering = 1
DisableShaders = 0
AdvancedLighting = 1
WindowWidth = 1152
WindowHeight = 864
WaterDetail = 3
WorldDetail = 5
ObjectDetail = 2
MasterVolume = 1.000000
MusicVolume = 1.000000
SFXVolume = 1.000000
DanceVolume = 1.000000
IsSlowMachine = 0
MyName = Please Work
3DAudioDriver = Creative Labs EAX (TM)
Fullscreen = 0
CustomSail =
CustomFlag =

It seems higher resolutions aren't the problem, but aspect ratios it's not familiar with are the source of the mouse trouble. It runs perfectly on a 4k system with:

WindowWidth = 2880
WindowHeight = 2160

But any resolution should work where the height is 75% of the width (in windowed mode, as you say, fullscreen is a no go).

And note: This isn't a blow-up of the graphics. It renders them at that resolution and they look as sharp as can be.