Since the 1.5 update the game has crashed when trying to start the game, I thought the hotfix might fix the issue but it has not.
I use RealTEK as my audio driver and I met the requirements to play the game since I have played it before the 1.5 patch.

That was an issue with the first hotfix, and it has been solved with the 1.5 Hotfix 2.
Have you downloaded and installed it? Is it still not working?

At this point, I'd suggest you contact tech support. It may take a while, but they will answer.

Exactly same for me.

First off, to get technical help, you need to list your system specifications. OS and motherboard minimum.

I haven't had this issue myself, but from what I read about it, it's a software / audio driver issue where 3rd party software is interfering.

I took a more keen interest to it when I ran Windows update on my otherwise offline file server today.
...Because with those updates, which I even pulled the network cable on before it was fully updated, was the FORCED installation of A-Volute and Sonic Radar 3, initially listed as "optional". And with it came the lately infamous Patriot M.2 SSD RGB software and Nahimic audio driver.

This is what I get for buying a (censoring) Asus motherboard and installing the (strong censoring) Asus (more censoring) Armoury Crate to get driver updates! >-<

It took some serious work to get rid of it all, and required changing file ownership and assigned permissions to even be allowed to delete associated files from System32 subfolders. DO NOT do this unless you know what you are doing!

Go to C:\Windows\System32 and search for "a-volute" and "nahimic". If you find any of it, that's most likely your problem right there (which is apparently what the.1.5 hotfixes was supposed to fix).

Some simpler things to try first though:
- Run the game in offline mode. Aka directly through the .exe in the install directory.
- Open Add or Remove Programs, and search for "patriot rgb" and delete that crap. It comes with Asus Armoury Crate.

Next is "Sonic Radar 3". Delete that crap too - all that an audio "tweaker" does, short of professional software, with various sound effects and settings, is reducing the overall volume capabilities.

Delete Sonic Studio 3 as well, unless you need it for some reason. Motherboard audio drivers for Realtek / SupremeFX is more than enough for basic functionality, aka producing sound through speakers.

Remove Asus Armoury Crate as well. It's not needed, other than for RGB control. Drivers can be downloaded directly from the Asus Support site for your motherboard and / or Intel, who got an easy tool - Intel DSA - to get updates for Intel components and products.