For what it's worth, I can confirm that un-installing and then re-installing Microsoft's C++ Redistributables (2012, 2013 & 2015) works on my Surface Pro 4 running Windows 10 version 1803 with all current updates.

For anyone having the same issue, this thread rocks! I can confirm installing MS VC++ 2012 64-bit fixed the issue immediately on my PC. I didn't have to run as admin, run in compatibility mode or disable FS optimisation (suggestions from GOG support). Just installed the one VC++ run-time and it launches fine.

Simple installation of VC 2012 didn't work for me, but after adding VC 2013 and VC 2015 (only x64 versions) game finally launches. I skipped uninstallation step though, so it is unnecessary.

I solved this by installing VC++ redistributable 2010. GOG Galaxy broke, but after reinstalling GOG Galaxy everything worked.

Similar issues with DOK with crashing immediately'ish after launching, only appears on the task bar then closes.
Tried compatibility settings and GOG Galaxy & Offline Installers but nothing

Installed: Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 Update 4
and everything ran fine. Did not need to use any compatibility settings

Win10
No GOG Galaxy, Downloaded Offline Backup Game Installers

This worked well thank you!

This corrected my issue. I had to "Repair" the installation of these files. Nothing else worked.

Thank you.

out of everything I tried this is the only thing that actually worked.
thanks, saved me from a lot of headaches

Confirmed this works, looking at the logs though I see the game is trying to load up steam libraries which may be causing this dependency.

Unfortunately uninstall, reinstalling, repairing the Visual C++ runtimes did not work for me.

I have tried it with these:
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable (x64)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.6161
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.6161
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x64 Redistributable - 10.0.40219
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable - 10.0.40219
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (x64) - 11.0.61030
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (x86) - 11.0.61030
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x64) - 12.0.40664
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86) - 12.0.40664
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64) - 14.38.33130
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86) - 14.38.33130

I use the GOG offline installer of the game version 1.3.0 on Windows 7 x64. I have tried it on 3 different PCs, some with AMD graphic cards, some with an Intel onboard graphic chip.

On every PC the game starts very briefly (about 1-2 seconds) with a black scsreen and then crashes to the desktop without displaying an error message. However there is an error in the log file.

I also got Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak from the Epic Game Store when it was a giveaway, and I can start this one with version 1.4.0 on every PC. Unfortunately it is not DRM-free so I can only access the main menu but not start a new game. So one possible solution would be if GOG updates his version from 1.3.0 to 1.4.0.


DesertsOfKharak_Data\output_log.txt
[i]ApplicationException: Exception: Default: System.Exception: Exception loading '/Plugins/x86_64/bbicorenative.dll' (error code 126): System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: The specified module was not found.

at BBI.Core.Utility.NativePlatform.LoadCoreNativeLibraries (System.String pluginFolder) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0

at BBI.Unity.Game.ShipbreakersMain.Awake () [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0

UnityEngine.Debug:Internal_LogException(Exception, Object)
UnityEngine.Debug:LogException(Exception, Object)
BBI.Unity.Game.Utility.LoggingHelper:OnLogToUnity(Object, Severity, Channel, String)
BBI.Core.Utility.Log:LogMessage(Object, Severity, Channel, String, Object[])
BBI.Core.Utility.Log:Exception(Channel, Exception)
BBI.Unity.Game.ShipbreakersMain:Awake()[/i]

Yes, that was among the solutions I approached. Since been through introduction, the expedition intel, & starting missions. Unsure about your rig specs but mine exceed the recommended reqs although seems those Visual C environment are essential.