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Mass Effect™ 3 N7 Digital Deluxe Edition (2012)

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Can't get ME3 to play - here is how I fixed mine -

By michael_smith25

I have read and read about ways to get Mass Effect 3 to run quickly and easily every time when buying it on Steam - and admittedly that was me also - but then out of sleepy desperation - I tried something odd - and it worked. I am not a mod-maker, or code script guy but sometimes I just figure things out. (Maybe higher than average luck ratio .... [shrug] I have no idea).
What I did that works every time since I tried it - and has helped get the impossible games to work in impossible situations is to:

1) Run a complete validation of the game and let it reinstall if there are files missing.
2) Create a desktop shortcut.
3) Using the shortcut as the point for booting a game - set it to disable full screen services and run as an administrator.
4) Go into Steam and pull up the preferences and getting to the boot application for the game [] - set its compatibility to disable full screen starting as a borderless window at the same resolution as my screen.
For some reason it works - let me know - oh - and once the game starts set the in-game preferences to what ever you want, and it might flicker when you launch - but the point is it WILL launch.

As of 4\05\2021:
1) You need to update your version of Microsoft C++, for my system it was both the (x86) and the (x64) which you can find at http:// support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads-2647da03-1eea-4433-9aff-95f26a218cc0 , and download the vc_redist.x86.exe and vc_redist.x64.exe and then run them.
1.1) You then need to do a clean boot - and the easy way is the hit the windows key + r and type in msconfig and hit the return key. Go to the services tab and hide all microsoft services - then disable all others. Exit and restart.

2) Then you need to hit the windows key + r and type in %ProgramData% and hit the return key. Go to Bioware then to Licences and delete the content contained therein. Exit and Restart normally.

TADAAH!!! You can now play Mass Effect 3. Yay!!!

*Sigh - why does Origin/EA always have to make it so &*#$ difficult to play their games....

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Created by

michael_smith25
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Category: Gameplay Basics

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

8 Dec, 2020 @ 7:02pm

5 Apr, 2021 @ 1:22pm

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0-1 My explanation

15 Comments

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Skullface 18 Dec, 2022 @ 11:20am

I've also had issues but mine was with "C:\Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect 3\BIOGame" file.

When I launched the game the main screen would have a black texture glitch and any attempt to load the multiplayer would cause the entire game to freeze, after moving/deleting the BIOGame file and then loading the game back up it worked fine.

If anyone else is still having issues try this fix.

buchanant 13 Jan, 2022 @ 8:04pm

I've had similar issues. My method is a bit simpler, but about the same. Windows 10:

"I was able to fix this by deleting my licenses in %PROGRAMDATA%\Electronic Arts\EA Services\License and then launching the game. This is a hidden folder, so you may need to enable visibility to see it."

C:\ProgramData\Electronic Arts\EA Services\License

Then verify game integrity.
Run game, allow it to do full set up.
Play game.

Hope this helps!