Can't start a new game - game crashes

cahels · October 2, 2020, 4:37pm

Hi!

I just bought the prerelease version from the Positech website.
I installed it, tried to start a new campaign/game and it almost instantly crashes during the loading screen.
I tried with different countries, but the same thing happens.

I have fairly new hardware so I don’t believe it to be hardware related issue.
What should I do? If there’s nothing to be done, can I have a refund?

cahels · October 2, 2020, 4:44pm

This is the contents of the debug/error.txt

02/10/2020 - 16:28 - ERROR: VectorEngine::CalculateSvgDimensions: : can not load file.
02/10/2020 - 16:30 - ERROR: VectorEngine::CalculateSvgDimensions: : can not load file.
02/10/2020 - 16:31 - ERROR: VectorEngine::CalculateSvgDimensions: : can not load file.
02/10/2020 - 16:39 - ERROR: VectorEngine::CalculateSvgDimensions: : can not load file.
02/10/2020 - 16:39 - ERROR: VectorEngine::CalculateSvgDimensions: : can not load file.
02/10/2020 - 16:41 - ERROR: VectorEngine::CalculateSvgDimensions: : can not load file.

cahels · October 2, 2020, 5:02pm

I have tried

Different resolutions
Dark and Light themes
Updated drivers

but no avail

cahels · October 2, 2020, 5:12pm

I’ll post my system information in case it helps to debug or pinpoint the issue.

HW:

CPU: Intel i7-9700K
RAM: 32GB, DDR4 3200MHz
GPU: GeForce RTX 2080, 8 GB
NVM: 1,5TB NVMe M.2

SW:

OS: Windows 10 64-bit
GPU driver version 27.21.14.5655, 24.9.2020

raxo2222 · October 2, 2020, 5:15pm

Paste debug log - error log reports graphical issues only.

cahels · October 2, 2020, 5:16pm

[16:57:38:352]- ----DEBUG FILE----
[16:57:38:352]- Windows 7 detected
[16:57:38:352]- Game version: 1.115
[16:57:38:353]- Failed to open file: data/dlc.txt : 2
[16:57:38:353]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [data/dlc.txt]
[16:57:38:353]- Failed to open file: C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/mod_status.ini : 2
[16:57:38:353]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/mod_status.ini]
[16:57:38:527]- Command Line: “C:\Program Files\Democracy 4\Democracy4.exe”
[16:57:38:527]- Command Line argument:[]
[16:57:38:527]- Desktop resolution is 3840 x 2160
[16:57:38:527]- Loaded Config: 3840x2160@0 [fullscreen]
[16:57:38:527]- GEngine::Init Engine mode: 3840x2160
[16:57:38:527]- GEngine::Desktop mode: 3840x2160
[16:57:38:527]- Matching desktop res
[16:57:38:527]- Calling SDL_CreateWindow: 3840x2160@0 [fullscreen]
[16:57:38:736]- Attempting to initialise steam
[16:57:38:832]- Steam initialisation failed
[16:57:38:832]- Initialising 3D Engine
[16:57:38:840]- OpenGL Vendor : NVIDIA Corporation
[16:57:38:840]- OpenGL Renderer: GeForce RTX 2080/PCIe/SSE2
[16:57:38:840]- OpenGL Version : 4.6.0 NVIDIA 456.55
[16:57:38:841]- Initialising global vertex buffer
[16:57:39:63]- Failed to open file: C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/stats.ini : 2
[16:57:39:63]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/stats.ini]
[16:57:39:313]- PANGO context font map font families:
[16:57:39:313]- Noto Sans
[16:57:39:313]- Noto Sans CJK SC
[16:57:39:313]- Sans
[16:57:39:313]- Serif
[16:57:39:313]- Monospace
[16:57:39:326]- Initialising Sound Engine
[16:57:39:372]- Finished Initialising Sound Engine
[16:57:39:373]- Failed to open file: C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/tut_seen.ini : 2
[16:57:39:373]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/tut_seen.ini]
[16:57:41:527]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/australia.txt : 2
[16:57:41:527]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/australia.txt]
[16:57:41:527]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/australia.txt : 2
[16:57:41:527]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/australia.txt]
[16:57:41:527]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/canada.txt : 2
[16:57:41:527]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/canada.txt]
[16:57:41:527]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/canada.txt : 2
[16:57:41:527]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/canada.txt]
[16:57:41:528]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/italy.txt : 2
[16:57:41:528]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/italy.txt]
[16:57:41:528]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/italy.txt : 2
[16:57:41:528]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/italy.txt]
[16:57:41:528]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/spain.txt : 2
[16:57:41:528]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/spain.txt]
[16:57:41:528]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/spain.txt : 2
[16:57:41:528]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/spain.txt]
[16:57:43:524]- Starting thread:[0][New Game]
[16:57:43:525]- Starting new game…
[16:57:43:525]- New Game thread created OK
[16:57:43:525]- SIM_GetSimulation()->Initialise()…
[16:57:43:525]- Debug: closing attack manager
[16:57:43:525]- Debug: attack manager closed
[16:57:43:548]- SIM_GetSimValueManager()->Initialise()…
[16:57:43:549]- SIM_GetVoterManager()->Initialise()…
[16:57:43:630]- SIM_GetPressureGroups()->Open()…
[16:57:43:630]- Debug: closing attack manager
[16:57:43:630]- Debug: attack manager closed
[16:57:43:630]- Debug: opening attack manager
[16:57:43:630]- Debug: closing attack manager
[16:57:43:630]- Debug: attack manager closed
[16:57:43:632]- SIM_Attacks loaded
[16:57:43:632]- Debug: attack manager opened
[16:57:43:632]- SIM_GetDilemmaManager()->Initialise()…
[16:57:43:654]- SIM_GetEventManager()->Initialise()…
[16:57:43:672]- SIM_GetPolicyGroupManager()->Initialise()…
[16:57:43:672]- Initialise Scenemnager
[16:57:43:672]- Initialised Scenemnager
[16:57:43:685]- SIM_GetPolicyManager()->Initialise()…
[16:57:43:925]- PreCalcCoreSimulation…
[16:57:43:925]- Starting PreCalcCoreSimulation…
[16:57:44:660]-

PreCalcCoreSimulation time: 0,73 seconds

[16:57:44:692]- Failed to find neuron:D:\programming\democracy 4\builds\Democracy4\src_all_operating_systems\sim\SIM_Neuron.cpp 468

cahels · October 2, 2020, 5:19pm

It seems like the good old mix of UNIX and DOS pathing added together so it can’t find the files.
The paths have both ‘\’ and ‘/’ mixed together.

cliffski · October 2, 2020, 6:12pm

NOne of those messages look unexpected to me. I’ll do some tests here…

cahels · October 2, 2020, 6:17pm

Good to hear.
Thanks.

cliffski · October 2, 2020, 6:20pm

I just tested the current build here and it seems ok, will try on another PC. Is the sound card driver definitely up to date? Does the game play music and make UI sounds at the main menu? Is it responding to you changing the volume control in the games options? (I suspect we may have a sound driver issue)

That Failed to find neuron error is strange though…

cahels · October 2, 2020, 6:33pm

Game does play music and UI sounds work. How ever it does crash when manipulating sound levels. I will check the sound drivers.

cahels · October 2, 2020, 6:38pm

I can’t seem to find newer audio drivers.

cliffski · October 2, 2020, 6:39pm

I’ve just uploaded a new version of the game. its EXACTLY the same, but gives me more debug information on that error:

Failed to find neuron:D:\programming\democracy 4\builds\Democracy4\src_all_operating_systems\sim\SIM_Neuron.cpp 468

Which is very suspicious. Any chance you could give that a try?

cahels · October 2, 2020, 6:41pm

Sure. Downloading.

cahels · October 2, 2020, 6:48pm

Seems quite similar.

debug.txt

[18:45:27:341]- ----DEBUG FILE----
[18:45:27:341]- Windows 7 detected
[18:45:27:341]- Game version: 1.1151
[18:45:27:342]- Failed to open file: data/dlc.txt : 2
[18:45:27:342]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [data/dlc.txt]
[18:45:27:342]- Failed to open file: C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/mod_status.ini : 2
[18:45:27:342]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/mod_status.ini]
[18:45:27:941]- Command Line: “C:\Program Files\Democracy 4\Democracy4.exe”
[18:45:27:941]- Command Line argument:
[18:45:27:941]- Desktop resolution is 3840 x 2160
[18:45:27:941]- Loaded Config: 3840x2160@0 [windowed]
[18:45:27:941]- GEngine::Init Engine mode: 3840x2160
[18:45:27:942]- GEngine::Desktop mode: 3840x2160
[18:45:27:942]- Matching desktop res
[18:45:27:942]- Calling SDL_CreateWindow: 3840x2160@0 [fullscreen]
[18:45:28:154]- Attempting to initialise steam
[18:45:28:317]- Steam initialisation failed
[18:45:28:317]- Initialising 3D Engine
[18:45:28:323]- OpenGL Vendor : NVIDIA Corporation
[18:45:28:323]- OpenGL Renderer: GeForce RTX 2080/PCIe/SSE2
[18:45:28:324]- OpenGL Version : 4.6.0 NVIDIA 456.55
[18:45:28:324]- Initialising global vertex buffer
[18:45:28:472]- Failed to open file: C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/stats.ini : 2
[18:45:28:472]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/stats.ini]
[18:45:29:466]- PANGO context font map font families:
[18:45:29:466]- Noto Sans
[18:45:29:466]- Noto Sans CJK SC
[18:45:29:466]- Sans
[18:45:29:466]- Serif
[18:45:29:466]- Monospace
[18:45:29:478]- Initialising Sound Engine
[18:45:29:534]- Finished Initialising Sound Engine
[18:45:29:535]- Failed to open file: C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/tut_seen.ini : 2
[18:45:29:535]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [C:\Users\username\Documents/My Games/democracy4/tut_seen.ini]
[18:45:33:25]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/australia.txt : 2
[18:45:33:25]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/australia.txt]
[18:45:33:25]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/australia.txt : 2
[18:45:33:25]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/australia.txt]
[18:45:33:28]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/italy.txt : 2
[18:45:33:28]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/italy.txt]
[18:45:33:28]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/italy.txt : 2
[18:45:33:28]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/italy.txt]
[18:45:33:28]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/spain.txt : 2
[18:45:33:28]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/spain.txt]
[18:45:33:28]- Failed to open file: translations/English/missions/spain.txt : 2
[18:45:33:28]- GBufferedFile failed to open file [translations/English/missions/spain.txt]
[18:45:35:564]- Starting thread:[0][New Game]
[18:45:35:565]- Starting new game…
[18:45:35:565]- New Game thread created OK
[18:45:35:565]- SIM_GetSimulation()->Initialise()…
[18:45:35:565]- Debug: closing attack manager
[18:45:35:565]- Debug: attack manager closed
[18:45:35:598]- SIM_GetSimValueManager()->Initialise()…
[18:45:35:600]- SIM_GetVoterManager()->Initialise()…
[18:45:35:732]- SIM_GetPressureGroups()->Open()…
[18:45:35:732]- Debug: closing attack manager
[18:45:35:732]- Debug: attack manager closed
[18:45:35:733]- Debug: opening attack manager
[18:45:35:733]- Debug: closing attack manager
[18:45:35:733]- Debug: attack manager closed
[18:45:35:737]- SIM_Attacks loaded
[18:45:35:737]- Debug: attack manager opened
[18:45:35:737]- SIM_GetDilemmaManager()->Initialise()…
[18:45:35:776]- SIM_GetEventManager()->Initialise()…
[18:45:35:811]- SIM_GetPolicyGroupManager()->Initialise()…
[18:45:35:811]- Initialise Scenemnager
[18:45:35:811]- Initialised Scenemnager
[18:45:35:881]- SIM_GetPolicyManager()->Initialise()…
[18:45:36:412]- PreCalcCoreSimulation…
[18:45:36:412]- Starting PreCalcCoreSimulation…
[18:45:37:338]-

PreCalcCoreSimulation time: 0,93 seconds

[18:45:37:369]- Failed to find Neuron: [0,00]:D:\programming\democracy 4\builds\Democracy4\src_all_operating_systems\sim\SIM_Neuron.cpp 470

error.txt

02/10/2020 - 18:45 - ERROR: VectorEngine::CalculateSvgDimensions: : can not load file.

cliffski · October 2, 2020, 6:52pm

hmmm. This is so weird. I think 3 people have this, but I cannot reproduce it arrgghhh.
Is this starting the app, selecting the first country, then play, without any other options being changed or selected?

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Can't start a new game - game crashes

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