Could not init steam

**ikrananka** · 10-31-2016, 09:51 PM

(07-13-2016, 04:16 PM)Mudbill Wrote: Yes, that is normal. You can't start it with the executable currently. The Steam copy can only be started with Steam as it is right now.

So is this something that changed this year? I read of people who claimed this game was DRM free and could be run independently of Steam. Based on my experience, and you r statement above, that this is no longer the case.

**Mudbill** · 10-31-2016, 11:58 PM

I believe it was a mistake which caused this to happen, however the Steam version of Amnesia is not completely DRM-free. There was an update this month that fixed the "Could not init Steam" error though, so you're now again able to run the game by starting the Amnesia.exe file in the install directory. This was done to fix the launching of mods for the Steam copy.

But like I said with the DRM-free stuff, I think the Steam client still needs to be running for it to start, but you don't have to launch it via the Steam client. At least I suspect this, but I'm not certain. I could be wrong.

**ikrananka** · 11-01-2016, 03:04 PM

(10-31-2016, 11:58 PM)Mudbill Wrote: There was an update this month that fixed the "Could not init Steam" error ...
But like I said with the DRM-free stuff, I think the Steam client still needs to be running for it to start, but you don't have to launch it via the Steam client. At least I suspect this, but I'm not certain. I could be wrong.

Well, I downloaded the game yesterday and tried running it with the Steam client shutdown and I got the "Could not init Steam" error. Didn't try it with the Steam client running so don't know if that would have worked but I don;t want to have to run it that way anyway - so for now the game is uninstalled again.

This is exactly why I buy all of my games on GOG. I hate this DRM crap and will not support it. The only reason I have Amnesia on Steam is because I received it as a gift. But if I can't play it without the Steam client then I'm not playing it at all. I'd rather pick it up on GOG in a sale.

**Romulator** · 11-01-2016, 08:19 PM

Having the steam_appid.txt paired with your executable might be enough to run it outside of the steam folder. I don't know if that'll run without the client running either, however.

**ikrananka** · 11-01-2016, 08:25 PM

(11-01-2016, 08:25 PM)ikrananka Wrote:
(11-01-2016, 08:19 PM)Romulator Wrote: Having the steam_appid.txt paired with your executable might be enough to run it outside of the steam folder. I don't know if that'll run without the client running either, however.

Hey, thanks for the suggestion. Okay I'll give it a whirl and will let you know if I have any success.

Nope doesn't work. I downloaded the game, shutdown the Steam client, tried to run the game and got the error message. Started the Steam client and then the game ran fine. So, definitely no longer "DRM" free.

**Mudbill** · 11-01-2016, 11:00 PM

Perhaps it never was DRM-free on the Steam platform but that the 1.3 update accidentally removed steam_appid.txt and was restored for 1.311. I always have Steam running so I wouldn't notice.

**Romulator** · 11-02-2016, 04:31 AM

Sorry to hear then mate. Like Mudbill, I always have Steam running, and have been using retail for any mods or modding needing doing. Sorry I couldn't be much more help!

**ikrananka** · 11-02-2016, 01:56 PM

(11-02-2016, 04:31 AM)Romulator Wrote: Sorry to hear then mate. Like Mudbill, I always have Steam running, and have been using retail for any mods or modding needing doing. Sorry I couldn't be much more help!

No problem and thanks for trying to help - much appreciated Smile

**Mudbill** · 11-03-2016, 03:31 AM

One thing I guess I could mention is that if you manually replace the Amnesia.exe file with one from a retail copy, you will be able to run the game without the Steam client. I know some people did this in the time when the Steam copy was especially problematic. I think some even uploaded the Amnesia.exe file for others to use. Exactly how legal that is I'm not sure though.