CTD during game initialization

[zoleeeee28]

Hi

I just got back to the game after a few months, and i cant play it, because it keeps crashing during the loading page. I cant even provide a crash report, because no window shows up, i just get back to Steam. I have already tried verifying the game files, it didn't solve it.
I don't use any mods by the way.

Does anyone know how to solve this?

Thanks

[Alex]

1. Check if your specs are still up-to-date. If they were in the "minimum" range somewhere around 1.6, then they're no longer sufficient.
2. See if there any old saves on your PC, or in the steam cloud. Move them somewhere else, and sync them to remove them from the cloud.
3. Purge the shader cache in steam.
4. Try to purge the paradox launcher, completely.

[zoleeeee28]

Thank you for the answer.
These are my specs:

AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with Radeon Graphics 2.10 GHz
Win11
Ram: 16.0 GB

i have done number 2 and 3 too.
I am sorry, how to do number 4?

I found the crash files, which txt do i need to paste here? (debug, error, game or system)?

[Alex]

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with Radeon Graphics 2.10 GHz
Win11
Ram: 16.0 GB

Yep, that's barely within the minimum specs nowadays. Set all graphics to low, and make sure to keep at least 30GB free on your hard drive.

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

i have done number 2 and 3 too.
I am sorry, how to do number 4?

It's in steam settings, downloads, shader pre-caching. Disable, then re-enable it. Although, seeing your specs, it's unlikely the issue.

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

I found the crash files, which txt do i need to paste here? (debug, error, game or system)?

Just zip them up, and upload them to a file sharing site.

[zoleeeee28]

Okay, can you download this?

https://limewire.com/d/k4uqT#mnLchbM1ND

[Alex]

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

Okay, can you download this?

https://limewire.com/d/k4uqT#mnLchbM1ND

Wow, limewire is still there?

Anyway, the log says that your onboard video chip is insufficient to render the game. Set everything graphics-related to be as low as possible, and then try again.

It also says that the integrated GPU is unable to secure more RAM. Make sure that it is able/allowed to allocate at least 2GB of it. Even better, get a proper, dedicated video card. Or is it a laptop?

[zoleeeee28]

I have a laptop, and thanks for your answer, and i am sorry, i was pretty lame, i did not notice, that i have almost no free space on drive C lol

So i cleared it up and now i have 20 Gb of free space and the game loaded without CTD.

[Alex]

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

I have a laptop, and thanks for your answer, and i am sorry, i was pretty lame, i did not notice, that i have almost no free space on drive C lol

Without enough swap space, the game probably hogged all the RAM, leaving nothing for the onboard GPU (since that one lacks its own VRAM).

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

So i cleared it up and now i have 20 Gb of free space and the game loaded without CTD.

Yeah, the game is very hungry for RAM and swap space. If it lags (especially later in the game), then free up even more swap space. I had it eat up 30-plus-something after 191X.

If possible, or economically feasible, you might want to upgrade your RAM. Or, even better, get a stronger PC, preferrably with a dedicated GPU.

[zoleeeee28]

alright, thanks for your advise, i really appreciate it.
U seem to be pretty much familiar with the hardware and specs of PCs and laptops, what do you think about this laptop: Acer Nitro V 16

Its not that expensive (~$1.000 if i am right), but based on the descriptions and reviews it is still a decent gaming laptop. Would you agree with that?

[Alex]

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

alright, thanks for your advise, i really appreciate it.
U seem to be pretty much familiar with the hardware and specs of PCs and laptops, what do you think about this laptop: Acer Nitro V 16

Its not that expensive (~$1.000 if i am right), but based on the descriptions and reviews it is still a decent gaming laptop. Would you agree with that?

The Nitro line are usually wannabe gaming laptops stuffed with either "discount" or even "castrated" hardware. Made to look good, but there WILL be a catch. Or several. Not that Acer ever made good gaming laptops in the first place.

Let's see what this one is supposed to be:

The CPU, a Ryzen 8040 series? Well, long story short, they're a scam.
The GPU model varies wildly, and for a thousand bucks, it'll be a RTX 3050, right? That one is just barely enough for Vic3. Aim for a version with a RTX 4060 instead.
Now, the RAM will be usually 16GB, but the total size is capped at 32GB, which means that you will be limited if you want to upgrade it later.
Loud fans, a rather disappointing screen, and a crappy casing. Again, typical Acer.

Overall, this is pretty much what I expect from a Nitro. If you can get it for cheap, it might last you, hmm, about 3-4 years before it becomes obsolete or just plain croacks. For a better estimate regarding what counts as cheap, give me the exact model number.

[zoleeeee28]

Thanks for the breakdown.
What laptops can you recommend? I am not playing with the newest games, so i don't need the best one, a middle category is also fine for me. Lets say that's enough for a game like Vic3, because i don't play with more serious games.

[Alex]

I wouldn't recommend a gaming laptop in general. They are weaker then a PC with the same hardware, they are much more limited regarding upgrades, they have less reliable electronics, they heat up more, and you can't mix'n'match the components like with a PC.

If you still want a gaming laptop, tell me your budget range. Overall, for VIC3, I would suggest a good CPU, 32GB RAM and a medium-level video card.

[zoleeeee28]

Unfortunately because of my lifestyle the only option for me is a laptop, because i don't have a fixed location, lets say my budget for this purpose is 1000-1200$ maximum.

[Alex]

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

Unfortunately because of my lifestyle the only option for me is a laptop, because i don't have a fixed location, lets say my budget for this purpose is 1000-1200$ maximum.

That's going to be a bit tough, good laptops start from around 1500$

You could visit your local store, and see if they have some discounts on the previous gen laptops. This has also the advantage of checking the screen, since it's a weak point for many budget gaming laptops (like the Gigabyte G6 KF). Something around an intel gen13 i5 or i7, with a RTX4050 or 4060, and at least 16GB RAM should be good enough. Even that Nitro might be okay if you get a good deal on it (not more than a grand). Just stay away from the "ASUS TUF Gaming A16", since their RAM can't be upgraded.

Otherwise, have a look at this one:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-LOQ-15-review-The-FHD-gaming-laptop-with-an-RTX-4060-from-around-US-1-000.860325.0.html
You can even save some bucks if you buy it without Windows, and simply get linux instead. Vic3 runs natively on linux, by the way.

[zoleeeee28]

Originally posted by Alex:

Originally posted by zoleeeee28:

Unfortunately because of my lifestyle the only option for me is a laptop, because i don't have a fixed location, lets say my budget for this purpose is 1000-1200$ maximum.

That's going to be a bit tough, good laptops start from around 1500$

You could visit your local store, and see if they have some discounts on the previous gen laptops. This has also the advantage of checking the screen, since it's a weak point for many budget gaming laptops (like the Gigabyte G6 KF). Something around an intel gen13 i5 or i7, with a RTX4050 or 4060, and at least 16GB RAM should be good enough. Even that Nitro might be okay if you get a good deal on it (not more than a grand). Just stay away from the "ASUS TUF Gaming A16", since their RAM can't be upgraded.

Otherwise, have a look at this one:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-LOQ-15-review-The-FHD-gaming-laptop-with-an-RTX-4060-from-around-US-1-000.860325.0.html
You can even save some bucks if you buy it without Windows, and simply get linux instead. Vic3 runs natively on linux, by the way.

Thats great, thanks a lot, ill look around.