<t> The first one seems to be saying it couldn't find Directx (at least not the version it was looking for). Maybe a dxdiag might show some issues. Presumably you've got the latest version installed so it could be broken in some way.<br/>
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The second one is all the Steam AppId returning Null ...

<t> @ Drantos: You can also "roll-back" (revert to the previously installed driver) via the device manager. Right clicking on your device in there will bring up it's properties window and in the "Drivers" tab there should be an option to Roll-Back. <br/>
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If you do it (roll-back) I strongly ...

@ vmxa: I was just trying to help.

<t> It definitely does run on Win 8.0, I'm playing it now.<br/>
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Is the XNA framwork showing up in Programs and Features? It should be at the bottom of that clump of MS stuff.<br/>
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If it is I 'd suggest uninstalling and reinstalling it.<br/>
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If it's not there, that could be ...

<t> I had a similar issue. I'd launch the game and get a splash screen for a second or two and then it would just stop.<br/>
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My situation may be different to yours because I installed off a disc, not via a download.<br/>
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Anyway, I got mine running by manually installing the xna 4.0 ...

Hollmt I got mine running by manually installing the xnafx40_redist.msi

Since we had the same behaviour when trying to start it maybe that could work for you to.

<t> I got it sorted. It was the xna 4.0 framework installation. It just wasn't installing properly off the disk. (Just hung around as a Notepad file).<br/>
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What I did was.<br/>
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Downloaded the xnafx40_redist.msi from the Microsoft download pages.<br/>
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Installed it manually ...

<t> Hi there,<br/>
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I have exactly the same symptoms with mine which I installed from disc today. I'm running 8.0 so I might not be just an 8.1 issue.<br/>
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I think my problem might have something to do with steam because I didn't go through steam. With the physical disk installation I ...

<t> Just an update. I didn't download the program from anywhere. I simply installed it from the disk so it looks as though I have completely by-passed Steam. I don't have a \DistantWorlds folder in my Program Files(x86)Steam\SteamApps\Common folder tree. Both times I installed it the xnafx40_redist ...

<t> I bought the DVD and installed it today. The game won't start. I get a small splash screen for a nano-second and then nothing at all. Nothing showing up in the task manager so I guess she ain't running.<br/>
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I got the updated exe (1.9.5.8 I think) and installed it then came to these ...