The votes are in. So, what game are we playing this time?
Time frame: Until May 2nd
This game is rather hard to find these days, but is available via digital distribution. This post will also talk about getting a disc version running, if you have one of those (they're worth a lot, but you might still find one). The easiest place to buy a copy digitally is on Steam,
at this URL If you find another source, please let me know so I can add it to the OP.
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Now, as with all Troika games, this was a buggy and broken mess of a game at release. It can be hard to get it working! As such, it seems as if a guide might be in order to getting the game working. If you want the game to run properly and without issue, you'll need to do the following:
1.) This step will talk about initially installing the game.
DISC VERSION - If you have a disc (or ISO, let's not judge), you will need to install somewhere where you don't need UAC administrator privilege. For example, you might make a folder under C:\Games\, and install there. Installing in Program Files will cause difficult issues to solve and will require fucking about with UAC to fix them and install patches, so don't do that. Set the game, in compatibility options, to disable visual themes and desktop composition. Run it once under XP compatibility mode (unless you're on XP, in which case just run the game). It may crash, but that's fine.
STEAM VERSION - Steam versions are fine installed where they are, but another process is needed: quit Steam, if it's open, and then run it
as Administrator. Then try running the game, from Steam. It may or may not crash; that's not important. Then, disable automatic updates and Steam community, as otherwise Steam may decide to overwrite fixes that you have applied without warning or reason. You can find these options by right-clicking the name of the game in steam and selecting properties. Afterwards, you can launch Steam normally, rather than as administrator, but
do not re-enable updates or community.
2.) Here we're going to apply the fan patch, so that all the bugs will be gone and the game will launch.
The fan patch is available at
this website in three languages: English, German, and Polish. Choose whichever is right for you. Though it is linked there, you do not need the 1.2 official patch; it is included in the fan patch. The Patch will offer either a Basic or Plus version: Basic is just bugfixes; Plus attempts to restore removed or dummied out content. Both work fine; choose whichever is right for you. The installer will also offer to run the resolution patch; if you need it later, it is in a new EXTRAS folder in your Vampire installation path.
Now, you should be fine just installing it to your chosen installation location, and at this point the game will run properly.
3.) Enjoy, and good luck.