It is fairly common for graphics card drivers to have problems with specific games. If you read the release notes on any new version of the drivers you will often find "Fixes issue X with game Y". You will also find post on support forums for games informing you that you need to use a specific version of a GPU driver to get the game working correctly - including using old versions.

I tend to go with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach to graphics card drivers. If I'm not having a problem then I wont go looking for new drivers or install them just because there is a new version available.

(Re)installing graphics card drivers is less of a nightmare these days. When I were a lad ...

You are probably right. I'm just always suspicious of change.
- Game works
- Install new drivers
- Game doesn't work
It also depends on how the error handling is done that generates that error - if it simply wraps up the starting of the exe and spits out a generic message if it fails, then it could still be the graphics drivers.

Anyone know if Steam spits out log files anywhere? There could be a clue in there.

With the newness of the game there's not a lot of info available other than seeing the issues reported on the forums as they crop up. If it is an issue with the driver I'm sure it'll be addressed in a future patch as this is a pretty common card. And LOL @ "When I was a lad..."

Oooooh - lots of log files.

Try this: do a windows search for all files named *.log in your Stem folder containing the text "AlanWake.exe".
Also look for any *.log file in any folder called "Alan Wake" inside the steam folder.
Finally, note the time then attempt to start the game - then look for log files with a changed time later than the time you noted.

Any files you come up with could have clues in them.

In most cases with PC games now that are on Steam, if there is a driver issue the game will start but then you get strange performance issues, stuttering and poor quality textures.

This appears to be a launch or first time activation issue with the game.

Just on a side note, just bought the bemine Indie Bundle from Groupees. Added the keys to Steam which have been added with no issues. However when it goes onto the download of the games I am getting a Steam error saying try again later and the downloads wont start.

This is definately looking more like the download / activation servers being hammered by the amount of download requests for MW3.

To recap the story thus far:

I bought Alan Wake upon release. This has been probably one of the singular most disappointing experiences in my gaming history. Well, except for that time I ran out and bought Superman for the N64... :( Anyway, here's the breakdown:

"This game is currently unavailable. Please try again at another time."

Above is the error message that get every time I try to run this game after downloading it from Steam.

Let me list what I have done so far and none of which has worked:

Verified
Changed servers
Updated blob
Reinstalled
-cleancloud

So, we have a giveaway!

Update: I will be picking a winner for the giveaway soon. So, if anyone has any suggestions or just wants in, now is the time to do it.

Giveaway!:

One copy of any one of these three: Age of Wonders I, II & III

If AoW doesn't tickle your fancy I'll hand over Steam key to [url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/10170 ]Wolfenstein (2009) [/url]

If neither of those options suit your tastes... Soulbringer

Winners choice.

One winner will be chosen at random today.!

This is sort of a "Nuke it form Orbit solution" but you could try refreshing the steam install:

1) Exit Steam
2) go to your Steam directory ("C:\Program Files\Steam")
3) Delete everything EXCEPT steam.exe and the SteamApps folder.
[url=http://home.comcast.net/~awhoz/myfilelocker/before.JPG]Steam Directory Before Deleting the files[/url]
[url=http://home.comcast.net/~awhoz/myfilelocker/after.JPG]Steam Directory After Deleting the files[/url]
4) Run steam.exe and wait for it to rebuild your steam install.
5) Log In and see if it works


This will not delete your installed games.

I did a complete reinstall of the client and games. Waiting for Alan Cunting Wake to finish downloading now so I can give it another try. Thanks for the suggestion.

There's your problem, you've been cursed.
I'm not so sure ... Especially wuth steamworks games.

Hahahahaha I remember we gathered around and kicked that game off. Superman whoohooo yeah baby! Here we go! What a HUGE fucking disappointment. I really couldn't believe it. I mean could they really release anything this bad? Well, here it is. LOL

Yes, sadly Superman was sporting his favorite pair of Kryptonite undercrackers that fateful day.

Alright folks. I'm sitting here drinking coffee and vodka, watching some Frasier, waiting for this download to finish. Once the game is reinstalled I am going to try again. A winner will be chosen at or around that time regardless of the outcome! So, good luck to everyone and thanks for all your help!



Some music while we wait. Enjoy!

Remember that not matter what, once your download is done, you SHOULD verify the game's cache, especially if the game is huge.

I had issues with game cache with DC Universe Online (which is now deleted, eventually I may reinstall but I am in no rush for that, goddamn huge thing) and Company of Heroes.

Particularly with company of heroes, had to select "verify game cache" like 3 times with that one for some reason.

.

Congrats SimonG and nice job community on helping the_bard regain his sanity!

You're awesome too the_bard for holding the contest.

GOG community FTW!