Flickering

[dopedwizard]

Hi
I am currently unable to play the game because the image flickers black randomly. Sometimes the whole screen goes black till i move the map with the cursor keys or with the mouse. I am using a display with 3860*1600 resolution but have tried several other resolutions as well, which still cause the same issue. Also the game seems to be very sluggish.
I have updated the AMD drivers for the GPU and reinstalled the game as well. The Steam Overlay is disabled. I own the dlc. The game does not crash except twice it completely froze up the PC. I have the base game also on GOG and that version runs fine. So I guess it has either something to do with the DLC or Steam? Both games run off the same hdd.

Games Version Steam:1.25.00
Games Version GOG:1.25.00

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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/13/2024, 08:38:16
Machine name: MONKEY
Machine Id:
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro 64-bit (10.0, Build 22621) (22621.ni_release.220506-1250)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: X570 AORUS PRO
BIOS: F35c (type: UEFI)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-Core Processor (24 CPUs), ~3.8GHz
Memory: 32768MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 32692MB RAM
Page File: 14153MB used, 20586MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 12
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
Miracast: Available, with HDCP
Microsoft Graphics Hybrid: Not Supported
DirectX Database Version: 1.4.7
DxDiag Version: 10.00.22621.0001 64bit Unicode

[Vic]

Well thats a first.

Can you tell me when the flickering starts? already during the intro sequence with the sepia fullscreen images, during the main menu or only when you are in-game and scrolling the map?

Also it would be interesting to check what happens if you turn off GPU acceleration in windows, and restart the game, is behaviour still there?

best wishes,
Vic

[Vic]

It might also be worth testing editing the "direct2d.txt" file (in same dir as the .exe) to
false
false

instead of:
true
true

[dopedwizard]

Flickers in the Main Menu, latest when I click on load game.

It might also be worth testing editing the "direct2d.txt" file (in same dir as the .exe) to
false
false

instead of:
true
true

Tried this no difference

Also it would be interesting to check what happens if you turn off GPU acceleration in windows, and restart the game, is behaviour still there?

I did this yeah?

Press Win + I to bring up the Settings menu.
Go to System > Display.
From the Related settings list, click on Graphics.
Click Change default graphics settings.
At the top of the page, turn off the toggle for Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
Reboot your system

Also no difference.

[Vic]

Okay thanks for testing. It is difficult to find the culprit here as you are the first one to report this issue (out of 10.000s of players). So there is something specific to your system that is quite special... but what?

1. Do you have multiple monitors? did you try to play with only one monitor? (and launch game to see if there is a difference)

2. Whats your screen refresh rate? did you try to put it really low like 60 Hz (win>settings>display>advanced display settings) (and launch game to see if there is a difference)

3. As for trying to run it without hardware acceleration, thats not what you actually tested yet. Try method 1 in the link below:
https://droidwin.com/how-to-disable-har ... y_Settings
(and launch game to see if there is a difference)

Let me know how these 3 tests go for you please. Hang in there.

best wishes,
Vic

[dopedwizard]

1. Do you have multiple monitors? did you try to play with only one monitor? (and launch game to see if there is a difference)

1. I only have one Monitor attached to my PC. An Alienware model that is basically a AW3821DW. Resolution 3840x1600.

2. Whats your screen refresh rate? did you try to put it really low like 60 Hz (win>settings>display>advanced display settings) (and launch game to see if there is a difference)

2. Refreshrate is at 120HZ changed it and it did the trick. Its still clunky but the flickering stopped. As said its weird cause the GOG version works without these issues?!

3. As for trying to run it without hardware acceleration, thats not what you actually tested yet. Try method 1 in the link below:
https://droidwin.com/how-to-disable-har ... y_Settings
(and launch game to see if there is a difference)

None of these worked by the way... Step 1 I was missing the troubleshoot button that is asked for and for the two registry options I Was acutally missing the file they wanted me to edit?! Maybe this guide is outdated or just for certain gpus?

[Vic]

Hi,

Thanks for reporting back

At least a workaround :/

Really weird the exact same game version at GOG does not give the issue...
-Do you have the Matrix version too by any chance?
-Did you try launching the steam version shadowEmpire.exe directly through windows file explorer to bypass any possible steam launching stuff?

Lowering the DPI or screen res in Prefs Tab will probably make the game a bit less clunky for you. The less pixels to render the faster it should get. The thing is you have 24 CPUs .. together they are really strong, but the game's graphics run on only 1 of your CPUs. Individually they might actually be less performant than those of lower CPU count systems. (conjecture on my part)

Also make sure High Spd Gfx is flagged in your Prefs Tab. It probably is, but just make double sure.

Best wishes,
Vic

[dopedwizard]

Thanx. Well it feels a lot less clunky in the gog version same PC same hdd.

I actually did try launching it direclty but it still started up steam?!

No I do not have a Matrix code unfortunately.

Regards