Update 1.1.11 Now Available

[SteveMcClaire]

• Fixed case where disbanded unit might not reform at the start of a new Operation.
• Increased spotting ability against units with no cover at all.
• Slightly increased vehicle spotting ability.
• Fixed case where ‘unknown error’ might be improperly reported when logging into multi-player lobby.
• .50 caliber machineguns now prefer ball ammo vs. infantry instead of leaving AP loaded and ‘saving ammo.’
• Added support for a flamethrower firing animation, for use by mod makers.

[Tejszd]

Thank you for the continued support!

[Kirito0678]

Wait so the Steam one doesn't update anymore?

[SteveMcClaire]

The update is on all platforms (Matrix, Steam, GOG.)

[bergie]

I am unable to upgrade from 1.1.10 (where games run successfully) to 1.1.11.

When I run the 1.1.10 updater, I get the message "You already have the most recent version of Close Combat - The Bloody First installed on your system. Please click Close to exit.". If I manually download the update file (CloseCombatTheBloodyFirst-UpdateComp-v1.01.11.00.exe), it executes without apparent error, but throws an error dialog box when I try to start a game: "VS [style 0] Compile error: CORE/SHADERS/screenrgba.txt <unknown error>".

If I then try to run the updater with 1.1.11 installed, it says there is a newer version available and downgrades the installation back to 1.1.10.

[SteveMcClaire]

Hi bergie -- that's odd. I haven't heard of anyone else running into this issue.

I would recommend you completely uninstall The Bloody First, re-install the base version of the game, and then finally install the latest update. These files are all on the Matrix 'members' portal: https://www.matrixgames.com/member/down ... oody-first

[bergie]

Thanks, Steve, for taking an interest. Unfortunately, I have regressed somewhat after uninstalling 1.1.10, reinstalling the base 1.0.0 image, and then installing the 1.1.11 update. (I also rebooted between steps in case there were any files or objects that needed to be cleaned up before proceeding.)

After installing 1.0.0, I could successfully hit the "Play Game" button, but running the built-in updater ("Check for Update") resulted in an error dialog box: "Update Error. Error: Update information for Close Combat: The Bloody First could not be downloaded. Please contact Matrix Games for help." After installing the 1.1.11 update on 1.0.0 without any error messages, I received the error dialog previously reported ("VS [style 0] Compile error: CORE/SHADERS/screenrgba.txt <unknown error>") when trying to start a game (The Release Notes are successfully displayed. I get the error message after hitting "OK" on the Release Notes). If I try to use the built-in updater with 1.1.11, I get the "Error: Update information for Close Combat: The Bloody First could not be downloaded. Please contact Matrix Games for help." message.

Previously, before reverting back to 1.0.0, after I applied the 1.1.11 update to 1.1.10, the built-in 1.1.11 updater would take me back to 1.1.10. Now, it does not; I can only go all the way back to 1.0.0 by uninstalling and reinstalling.

Is there a crash file somewhere that I can upload? My system specifics are attached.

[SteveMcClaire]

Hi bergie -- thanks for letting me know.

Based on the error and the system info you provided, it looks like Windows itself is throwing the error (in the Windows Kernel) when The Bloody First is trying to compile that shader. Since this is the only report of this error that I've heard, I suspect it may be something specific to your system. I would recommend updating your video drivers and also (as a test) disabling any video-related software you may be using, such as screen utilities, video card monitors/utilities, etc. If the game works with those disabled you can re-enable them one at a time to try and pinpoint where the conflict is.

There should be a file 'error.log' in your Windows Documents folder under 'My Games\CloseCombatTheBloodyFirst' though I suspect the information in there probably won't be very useful for this problem. But do feel free to post it if the file is present.

[bergie]

Steve: Below is the error.log file. I will look into video drivers.

20240318_100057
VER:914 : 1010B
PLATFORM: WINDOWS
LANG:
WinVer:10.0.22621.3235
0: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU
Memory Load:25% TotalPhys:65255 FreePhys:48790
CPU String: GenuineIntel
Stepping ID = 1
Model = 13
Family = 6
Extended model = 8
CLFLUSH cache line size = 64
APIC Physical ID = 4
CPU Brand String: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz
Cache Size = 256K
UNKNOWN TAGS IN: CONFIG/SYSTEM.TXT
Unknown Tag: MOVIEMODE
Unknown Tag: DYNAMICENV
Unknown Tag: LAYOUTKILLSENEMYX,
END: CONFIG/SYSTEM.TXT
Found DirectX Version Number: 4.09.00.0904
PLATFORM: WINDOWS
Creating Device.....
MonkeyInitStart
MonkeyInitStart Is Windowed
MIS: Found DD
MIS: IsHW
MIS: SetCoop
MIS: Done Init 3D Device
MIS: Tex Enum
MIS: SDRS
MIS: Init Decal Render

[SteveMcClaire]

Hi bergie -- attached is the correct version of the shader file that's throwing the error, just on the off chance that there is a problem with the file itself. Please copy this file over the existing one in core\sharers\ under the game installer folder and overwrite the old file. This will at least eliminate a corrupted file as the possible cause.

[bergie]

Hi Steve. No luck here: neither the Windows nor Dell update utilities show newer drivers available for my system and replacing the screenrgba file did not change the thrown error message. I normally use this laptop with an external monitor, but tried running the CCTBF with the laptop disconnected from the docking station and using only its built-in screen, but had the same results.

Let me know if you come up with any other ideas, otherwise I will probably just test 1.1.11 with new MS and Dell updates as they become available, rather than try playing with version 1.0.0 (which appears to work without issue).

[PipFromSlitherine]

Can you check that TBF is set to use your dedicated GPU:

https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/ho ... -gpu/#Fix4

You can also do this via your video card system app, if you have it installed.

Cheers

Pip

[bergie]

Hi, Pip

New data point (and hopefully helpful)... my Dell XPS 15 has two GPUs: an integrated Intel UHD and a discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. When I manually set CC_TBF.exe to "performance" graphics (ie, NVIDIA), I get the app crash and shader error thrown as before. But when I manually set to "power saving" graphics (UHD), the app crashes but no shader error.

[PipFromSlitherine]

Can you post the full error logs after each of the crashes you describe above please.

Cheers

Pip

[bergie]

Pip, I am not sure if I should be posting something other than ERROR.log.

"High performance" NVIDIA selected from Setting --> System --> Display --> Graphics for CC_TBF.exe. Shader error thrown after app crash.
20240322_105757
VER:914 : 1010B
PLATFORM: WINDOWS
LANG:
WinVer:10.0.22621.3235
0: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU
Memory Load:44% TotalPhys:65255 FreePhys:36209
CPU String: GenuineIntel
Stepping ID = 1
Model = 13
Family = 6
Extended model = 8
CLFLUSH cache line size = 64
APIC Physical ID = 2
CPU Brand String: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz
Cache Size = 256K
UNKNOWN TAGS IN: CONFIG/SYSTEM.TXT
Unknown Tag: MOVIEMODE
Unknown Tag: DYNAMICENV
Unknown Tag: LAYOUTKILLSENEMYX,
END: CONFIG/SYSTEM.TXT
Found DirectX Version Number: 4.09.00.0904
PLATFORM: WINDOWS
Creating Device.....
MonkeyInitStart
MonkeyInitStart Is Windowed
MIS: Found DD
MIS: IsHW
MIS: SetCoop
MIS: Done Init 3D Device
MIS: Tex Enum
MIS: SDRS
MIS: Init Decal Render

"Power saving" UHD selected from Setting --> System --> Display --> Graphics for CC_TBF.exe. No shader error thrown after app crash.
20240322_110242
VER:914 : 1010B
PLATFORM: WINDOWS
LANG:
WinVer:10.0.22621.3235
0: Intel(R) UHD Graphics
Memory Load:45% TotalPhys:65255 FreePhys:35380
CPU String: GenuineIntel
Stepping ID = 1
Model = 13
Family = 6
Extended model = 8
CLFLUSH cache line size = 64
APIC Physical ID = 11
CPU Brand String: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz
Cache Size = 256K
UNKNOWN TAGS IN: CONFIG/SYSTEM.TXT
Unknown Tag: MOVIEMODE
Unknown Tag: DYNAMICENV
Unknown Tag: LAYOUTKILLSENEMYX,
END: CONFIG/SYSTEM.TXT
Found DirectX Version Number: 4.09.00.0904
PLATFORM: WINDOWS
Creating Device.....
MonkeyInitStart
MonkeyInitStart Is Windowed
MIS: Found DD
MIS: IsHW
MIS: SetCoop
MIS: Done Init 3D Device
MIS: Tex Enum
MIS: SDRS
MIS: Init Decal Render

[PipFromSlitherine]

This is really very strange. Can you please post the contents of you CORE/SHADERS/screenrgba.txt file, just so I can sanity check it.

Cheers

Pip

[bergie]

c:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Games\Close Combat The Bloody First\Core\SHADERS>type screenrgba.txt
NAME rgbascreen

[DEF]
SCREEN
COLOUR
TEX2

[VS].BLOB
float4 gScreenHalf : register(c0);

struct VS_IN
{
float4 objPos : POSITION; // Object space position
float4 colour : COLOR; // Vertex color
float2 tex0 : TEXCOORD0;
};

struct VS_OUT
{
float4 projPos : POSITION; // Projected space position
float4 colour : COLOR;
float2 tex0 : TEXCOORD0 ;
};

VS_OUT main( VS_IN In )
{
VS_OUT Out;
Out.projPos = In.objPos; //mul( matP, In.objPos ); // Transform vertex into
Out.projPos.x = (In.objPos.x-gScreenHalf.x)/gScreenHalf.x ;
Out.projPos.y = -(In.objPos.y-gScreenHalf.y)/gScreenHalf.y ;
Out.colour = In.colour; // Projected space and
Out.tex0 = In.tex0 ;
return Out; // Transfer color
}


[PS].BLOB
sampler2D ColorTexture : register(s0);
struct PS_IN
{
float4 colour : COLOR; // Interpolated color from
float2 tex0 : TEXCOORD0 ;
}; // the vertex shader

float4 main( PS_IN In ) : COLOR
{
return In.colour * tex2D( ColorTexture, In.tex0) ; // Output color
}
c:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Games\Close Combat The Bloody First\Core\SHADERS>

[PipFromSlitherine]

That is indeed the correct file.

I think you said that you did a reinstall of the latest version, using the full installer for 1.1.11? Is that correct?

Cheers

Pip

[bergie]

Pip, I believe I now have a 1.0.0 installation (CloseCombatTheBloodyFirst-SetupRelease-v1.00.00.exe) with 1.1.11 update (CloseCombatTheBloodyFirst-UpdateComp-v1.01.11.00.exe) on top of it.

Is there a 1.1.11 full installation file available for me to grab?

[PipFromSlitherine]

It looks like the updater is the only available option. Ugh.

Can you go to your install folder and give me a screenshot of the files in there, so I can check that all the DLLs that should be there are available.

Cheers

Pip