<t> I got it working - I had to double click on the STARS.exe file in the game directory. The desktop icon was pointing to the autorun file but game wouldn't start that way. I'm playing gathering storm. I guess the update changes the start file to stars.exe so I just made a desktop shortcut to that ...

<t> Just bought game, installed it, and when trying to play I get two splash screens - matrixgames, and destroyer studios, then black screen then back to desktop. I have powerful enough machine and video card - AMD 64 FX-60, XP PRO, 2 GB ram, 500GB drive, 7900GT video card, 550 watt power supply ...