Fresh install but gets stuck in a loop of "1st time setup" and "preparing to launch"

[Carah]

I had uninstalled quite awhile ago after being fed up with the UE4 crash on launch, and decided today to give it another shot with Worldslayer releasing. Now I can't even get to launching the game. It just goes back and forth between the first time setup and preparing to launch Outriders...

I've tried verifying files, running as admin, reinstalling fully, and clearing my Steam download cache. Nothing has made any difference. Multiple other games did their first time setups no problem today so it isn't a global issue. It's something specific to this cursed game.

[Cato Sicarius]

yup I've been getting crash reports for at least 2 months now... kinda pathetic tbh

[Carah]

Found a fix for this issue on Reddit. The first time setup for some reason required me to run Steam as admin. No other game needs this. Not sure what it installed even since it blinked by so fast but there you have it.