On newer systems, AoW often crashes instantly at the first loading screen.
To prevent this, go through the following steps:


Should you perhaps run a system with an integrated graphics card, there
seems to be an easy workaround, discovered by Nightstalker682:

Originally posted by Nightstalker682 on 6 Oct, 2018 @ 12:11am:

ok, i just fixed mine, before downloading anything try this, if youre like me and running a laptop, open your display control panel (in my case Nvidia Control Panel, NOT GeForce) and go to where it lets you select what graphics you want to use (for me it was the second option, Manage 3d Settings) you should see a 'global settings' and 'program settings' tabs, select program settings, and open the menu to select the program and select Act of War, then in the next section (option 2) set the display adapter to intergrated graphics NOT THE GRAPHICS CARD and then hit apply, your copy of Act Of War should now be working

i dont know what the AMD/whatever else programs would be, but have a tinker, let me know how you go, i will be sharing this fix around to any other help pages

If this shouldn't suffice or apply to you, the following steps might be of interest to you:


1. First, you may want to use the DirectX fix by tomsons26, provided via ModDB.
-> http://www.moddb.com/downloads/proper-windows-7-fix-for-act-of-war

2. Run

• "ActOfWar.exe"
  and
  
• "EugLoadingBar.exe" (which is to be found in your game folder/EugLoadingBar)

in compatibility mode (WinXP Service Pack 2) by rightclicking the respective executable, opening up Properties and changing it accordingly under the compatibility tab.
While you're at it, you may also check the box next to Run as administrator, just to be on the safe side.

For some this suffices and Act of War can now be played without bigger issues - should you still be unable to start the game though, please continue with the following, but be advised that if you don't feel comfortable you shouldn't meddle with this:


1. Open your Windows Explorer, rightclick on Computer and select Properties.

2. Go to Advanced system settings.

3. Search for Advanced -> Performance / Settings.

4. Under Data Execution Prevention, add the main executable of Act of War to the exceptions, to be found in your Library ("steamapps/common/Act of War Direct Action/ActOfWar.exe").


This works for its successor, Act of War: High Treason, too.