The Walking Dead won't launch on Windows 8 Pro 64-bit

neildittmar

Hi all,

I just upgraded to Windows 8 Pro 64-bit from Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and am having a problem launching The Walking Dead through Steam. Game functioned perfectly before in Windows 7. Now when I click the Play button, I get the "Preparing to launch The Walking Dead" prompt through Steam, but nothing happens. Prompt goes away, but the game does not launch.

Subsequent tries result in the same behavior. I also tried verifying the integrity of the game cache to no avail. Steam comes back that "all files successfully validated" and none are redownloaded.

Is The Walking Dead compatible with Windows 8 through Steam? Should I try the standalone game download instead? Any help from TellTale or others would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

ADDED: I just gave Back To The Future (standalone, not through Steam) a try as well and am seeing the same problem. A look at the event viewer in Windows yields the following errors. First one is for TWD, second is for BttF. Both are pretty much identical:

Faulting application name: WalkingDead101.exe, version: 2012.4.23.11289, time stamp: 0x4f95e3ff
Faulting module name: DINPUT8.dll, version: 6.2.9200.16384, time stamp: 0x5010a805
Exception code: 0xc0000005

Faulting application name: BackToTheFuture101.exe, version: 2010.12.21.51872, time stamp: 0x4d116b3b
Faulting module name: DINPUT8.dll, version: 6.2.9200.16384, time stamp: 0x5010a805
Exception code: 0xc0000005

DINPUT8.dll is likely "Direct Input 8." I'm wondering if an install of the latest DirectX runtime will solve the issue...

ADDED AGAIN: Running the DirectX Web Installer yields that my computer already contains the current or more up to date release of DirectX. Running the full installer does update some files, but the error with TWD and BttF still persists. The error in the application log of Event Viewer is a bit different this time, but ultimately makes the same reference to DINPUT8.dll as prior. For what it's worth:

Faulting application name: WalkingDead101.exe, version: 2012.4.23.11289, time stamp: 0x4f95e3ff
Faulting module name: DINPUT8.dll, version: 6.2.9200.16384, time stamp: 0x5010a805
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0000ff0e
Faulting process id: 0x984
Faulting application start time: 0x01cdb432f9ad9792
Faulting application path: \Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Walking Dead\WalkingDead101.exe
Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DINPUT8.dll
Report Id: 38f12c22-2026-11e2-be6c-a2cb7f5d9281
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

UPDATE: So a little more research yields that unplugging my Xbox 360 controller will get TWD to run. I did see some workarounds online for the issue, but will TellTale be providing an official fix?

Also, it appears that all 3 of my TWD save game files have been lost. Bummer :-(

Any assistance or information would be appreciated. Thanks.

andymoogle

I have the standalone version, and it's the same for me. Nothing happens when I try to start the game.

EDIT: I've tried BttF, Wallace and Gromit, and Hector as well. Same thing there; absolutely nothing happens.

Right, removing the 360 controller did the trick. Perhaps I shouldn't have glanced over the last part.

PsychoRaven

It's sad that this hasn't been fixed yet with Windows 8 retail. :mad:

WebGuyMike

Having the same issue. Neither the stand alone game or the steam version work.

Mixtape

Thought I'd add my experience to this list. Like a lot of people I've decided to give Windows 8 a spin and Walking Dead is an awful experience right now.

I'm using the Steam version on Windows 8 Pro 64bit, the game simply does not launch with the X-Box 360 controller installed, once the controller is unplugged the game loads up in a smallish Window with a very low resolution. Each time I make the game full screen and up the resolution, it kinda of works, but I have noticed my save files disappearing, and if I exit the game to go back to Windows next time I return all my settings are messed up again and I get the game in a tiny low res window...again.

It's an unplayable mess right now, it was working perfectly on my same laptop last week when I was playing this on Win 7 64bit. I've done a clean installation of the Steam client and then reinstalled the game from scratch but again there's no difference.

I've got a retail copy of The Tales of Monkey Island and that no longer works too, pretty much the same issues arise, X-Box pad needs to unplugged and it crashes like hell

WEB_War4

This other thread at post #15 solved it for me, controller works. http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=697804
Edit: #16 says don't let the site run their scan software.

Mixtape

Also my Steam version of Back To The Future is affected by this same bug. It's unbelievable how Telltale games have all these bugs, save game issues etc on Windows 8 Pro 64bit, yet I can run ancient games like Tomb Raider Anniversary without messing around with anything at all (yep Steam weekend sales lol).
Being recommended to go on to sites like Topdll should not even be an option, you're potentially putting a customers computer at risk of malware, the whole point of paying for games is we get a good product backed up with decent customer service.

Right now every Telltale game is a mess on Windows 8

PsychoRaven

Yup. The dll trick didn't work anyway. Not completely anyway. It works but the left stick doesn't work. So that's only a partial fix.

MattP

Unfortunately Windows 8 is not currently a supported platform, however all games have been shown to run without a controller plugged in. The workaround listed in the other thread should be able to assist anyone who needs a controller to play any of our games.

We do want to investigate this further, so if anyone can specify whether they have Win 8 32-bit or 64-bit, that would be helpful. Thanks.

neildittmar

MattP wrote: »

Unfortunately Windows 8 is not currently a supported platform, however all games have been shown to run without a controller plugged in. The workaround listed in the other thread should be able to assist anyone who needs a controller to play any of our games.

We do want to investigate this further, so if anyone can specify whether they have Win 8 32-bit or 64-bit, that would be helpful. Thanks.

Hi Matt,

Thank you for an "official" TellTale response. Although my post-count and general forum activity certainly won't show it, I've been a fan of your games for quite awhile, starting with the Sam & Max revamp actually. Your support and interaction with the community have always been top notch and I've been a strong advocate for the way your company does business in an industry that continually eschews good support for a higher profit margin.

However, I would ask that your company please not drop the ball on the incredibly important aspect of making all your games, not just TWD, 100% feature compliant with Windows 8. In my opinion, this is an outright necessity.

As a developer (not games), I understand that there are many ways to solve the problem outlined in my OP. The first you already alluded to in that none of your games list Windows 8 as a supported OS in the system requirements. This is all fine and good, but Windows 8 isn't going away anytime in the near future. Even certified "duds" like Windows ME and Vista lasted a number of years before they were supplanted by something more widely adopted. That said, nearly all consumer class PC's from major brands such as Dell, HP, Acer, et. al. are now shipping with some variant of Windows 8 pre-installed. Taking what I would consider the lowest road (i.e.; "our games aren't compatible") would be tantamount to shooting yourselves in the foot as far as further sales of your titles go.

Of course since the games run fine on Windows 8 other than the controller support, you could simply add a line to the requirements that gamepads are not supported on the latest OS. Again, I think this would be a mistake... both for new Windows 8 PC buyers as well as upgraders like myself. Anyone who attempts to play one of your games with a controller plugged in will be greeted with absolutely nothing when attempting to run TWD, BttF, or generally any other TellTale game I'd surmise. With no error message to go on or feedback other than slogging through the event log for "hints", the user will likely be left with the feeling that their game simply "doesn't work." I'm sure that's not the impression your company wants to make. Again, Windows 8 isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

At a minimum, I feel that either a message on runtime that "controllers are not supported on Windows 8" if one is plugged in or an update that effectively removes controller support and allows the game to run would be necessary. This is one of those kinds of issues where I think you need to do something. You can't just leave the situation to chance and hope that the user reads what you've wrote and/or fully understands what you're trying to convey.

Bottom line is that I feel this problem needs to be actively addressed one way or the other. Definitely in the here and now, since Windows 8 will only become more prolific and Telltale games affected are actively sold on your website as well as other digital distribution channels. Also, what of the future with TWD season 2, Fables, and other Telltale games? The problem will need to rectified eventually. Why not do it the "right way" and put in the work to add controller support back to the games/engine for Windows 8 without workarounds that involve downloading core components from what may be questionable sources?

With that, I've effectively said my peace. Given your track record, I trust the TellTale team will do the right thing here. Thanks for hearing me out.

bacobug

i have the same problem and i have windows 8 pro 64Bit.

Julimore

I've bought the The Walking Dead Game from your Store and I can't launch the setup file on Windows 8. Every time I try to open the setup it doesn't do anything. So I can't even install The Walking Dead on Windows 8, 32 Bit.

Romaniiito

Same problem here, on Windows 8 Pro 64 bits, french version.
I purchased The Walking Dead on Steam when I had Windows 7 64 bits Home Edition, played a few hours. Then I upgraded to Windows 8 Pro 64 bits and the game stopped working. I disconnected the X360 controller and could launch it again, but it opened in windowed mode, and my saved game were gone.
Even though I changed the display settings, every time I launch the game it goes back to windowed mode.
I'm waiting for a fix before I play again, don't want to lose my saved game once more.

MattP

There's a good chance Windows 8 uses a different directory for save games, but since it's not currently a supported platform, we can't speculate on this. Do a search for your prefs.prop file as it should be in your Documents\Telltale Games sub-directory. If you find a prefs file elsewhere, it's probably interfering with your older file and that's why your saves aren't loading. On Win 7 and older, you would simply need to remove this other file. It's probably the same on Windows 8.

drnorge

Thanks so much for the tip. This worked for me. I am not sure about my save games yet. Fingers crossed.

alexan1252

I download the file dinput8.dll, introduced after the file dinput8.dll into the main folder of the game and ready.

Now Im playing the walking dead, at windows 8

luna1102

alexan1252 wrote: »

I download the file dinput8.dll, introduced after the file dinput8.dll into the main folder of the game and ready.

Now Im playing the walking dead, at windows 8

Yeah, but there are so much dinput8.dll's and you need the correct one . The one which has worked for me was http://www.topdll.com/download/dinput8.dll?q=5e08ac958be05247ff1539e0d1ce7905
(found in a different thread for another game)

Now I have a fully updated windows8 with the newest drivers (tried everything) and the correct dinput8.dll in the folder ...\steamapps\common\The Walking Dead\

jwsg

Yep this work-around seems to get things going (W8 64). Lost the settings/progress first time round but more stable now.

alexan1252

ok, I have in my megafire the dinput8.dll I solve my problem, Please download on this link, and let me know if it works for you dinput8.dll for Alexan1252

This link will be active for 15 days, let me know when the link is disabled, to enable it again

sneakerz

alexan1252 wrote: »

ok, I have in my megafire the dinput8.dll I solve my problem, Please download on this link, and let me know if it works for you dinput8.dll for Alexan1252

This link will be active for 15 days, let me know when the link is disabled, to enable it again

This worked like a charm. Thank you so much and thanks for sharing the dll. The only thing you forgot to do is where to dump the dll, but luna1102 mentioned the location so I'm just going to repost the location. c:\program files (x86)\steamapps\common\The Walking Dead\. Just to let everyone know I'm using the wireless xbox 360 controller so not sure if this method was meant for wireless or wired but it definiteley works for wireless. Im using wireless receiver driver version 2.1.0.1349 Driver date: 8/13/2009 and I'm on win 8 64 bit. Now if we can get the save problem working :P

ManwithaFever

luna1102 wrote: »

Yeah, but there are so much dinput8.dll's and you need the correct one . The one which has worked for me was http://www.topdll.com/download/dinput8.dll?q=5e08ac958be05247ff1539e0d1ce7905
(found in a different thread for another game)

Now I have a fully updated windows8 with the newest drivers (tried everything) and the correct dinput8.dll in the folder ...\steamapps\common\The Walking Dead\

This worked like charm, thank you!

seraphx2

MattP wrote: »

There's a good chance Windows 8 uses a different directory for save games, but since it's not currently a supported platform, we can't speculate on this. Do a search for your prefs.prop file as it should be in your Documents\Telltale Games sub-directory. If you find a prefs file elsewhere, it's probably interfering with your older file and that's why your saves aren't loading. On Win 7 and older, you would simply need to remove this other file. It's probably the same on Windows 8.

Personally, as a developer, I find that to be a pretty weak excuse and also that you guys barely keep up with current technology if you don't even know that

1) the save files should be affected because the Documents folder has not changed
2) You aren't supposed to be putting program files in the folder. Windows recommends that files, per user, be kept in "Users/<username>/AppData/Roaming/". (Though, strangely enough, there is a default folder in Documents called "Saved Games" so why the hell you are putting files in the Documents and not in there, I don't know).

If, as developers, you don't know that, then you don't really even know how Windows is supposed to work. And if you don't know that, then maybe you programmed the game wrong.

On top of that, it's been like 9 months and I still can't play the game I purchased?

captmorg151

Yep in Windows 8 64bit it wouldn't launch. No error message seen. But after reading others needing to disconnect controllers I also needed to disconnect the Saitek joystick launches fine now.

adamstel

Same issue here. Getting the same error in my event log
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\DINPUT8.dll

I don't have a controller plugged in, so I went through device manager and the only thing it's showing that's even sort of a controller (even though it's not plugged in) is my Razer Nostromo. I uninstalled that device and TWD started right up.

dawnerd

Unplugging my Razer Nostromo did the trick. I hope they fix this. It's not like gamers don't have gaming devices plugged in or anything.

Side note: why the hell are you putting stuff in "My Documents"? That alone is a sign that your developers don't know what they're doing or are under such tight deadlines that they simply don't care.