Game Not Even Starting

[Kerallibus]

I'm frustrated with this game. I open it, it loads, and it immediately closes, I havent altered any files and I still can't even play it. Does anyone else have this issue? I'm really bummed because I really want to play this

[Kritzburgh]

I have the same problem on my Windows 10. There's two solutions you can pick from in order to play the game. The option you pick depends on how important a vanilla experience is for you, with RealRTCW being a faithful fan-made remaster, and the ioRTCW sourceport being 100% vanilla.

Option A) For starters, I would recommend giving RealRTCW a try on Steam. It's an excellent fan-made remaster that's very faithful to the original game, heavily customizable, and allows you to play at a modern widescreen resolution. It's also got updated graphics, new weapons, achievements, and workshop content. If you play and complete the game through this mod, no one's gonna say you didn't beat the game as it doesn't change the level design or the core gameplay. The only changes from vanilla RTCW are some minor balance tweaks and the new weapons (which you can turn off if you want in the Game Options by switching the weapon arsenal to Classic). For those who want as close to a vanilla experience as possible, there's also the option of downloading the Vanilla Plus DLC for the mod, which mainly adds back the default weapon models, sounds, and textures while keeping the quality of life improvements like widescreen support. Here's the link:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1379630/RealRTCW/

Option B) However, if you're a total purist and want a 100% vanilla experience in its original form, then you're instead gonna want to download the sourceport for the game called ioRTCW.
You can basically think of ioRTCW as the GZDoom or Quakespasm equivalent for RTCW. This sourceport will also run even if your current Steam installation of RTCW doesn't. It will give you widescreen and native resolution support in the in-game options as well as a few other quality of life features, but absolutely zero gameplay changes.
https://github.com/iortcw/iortcw/releases/tag/1.51c
Instructions: Download the correct zip file for your system from the Github link above. For example, if your system is a 64-bit Windows, then download "iortcw-1.51c-win-x64.zip". Using a program like WinRAR or 7zip, extract the files into your C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Return to Castle Wolfenstein folder. When it asks you if you want to overwrite a readme file, just say Yes. Here is how your files should look in your Return to Castle Wolfenstein folder if you did everything right:
https://imgur.com/a/gMN3XdR
From there, you can simply doubleclick the "ioWolfSP" executable to open the game in the sourceport.

Again, both of these solutions will work even if your installation of Return to Castle Wolfenstein doesn't start up.

Let me know if you need any more help.

[Uzzo17]

I take it I would need to own the game if I wanted to run it on the source port like with gzdoom

[Kritzburgh]

Originally posted by Uzzo17:

I take it I would need to own the game if I wanted to run it on the source port like with gzdoom

Yes, source ports need the game files to work.

[[FGI] Lord Sky High]

I`ve had the same problem, none of the suggestions on Steam has helped me.
Check out this video: https://youtu.be/WxJNyQxSdk0?si=33hrfUMcTwYfLWHo
After I`ve installed this files into game`s folder it`s started working really fine.
Try it

[>M@tEo$<]

That guy could have forked the game source, so the difference could be easily seen...

Probably just added a custom 1920x1080 resolution, probably breaking some compatibility in the process

Seeing the alternative solution, the 'none of the suggestions on Steam' is so wrong lol