Most startup problems seem to be an issue with older hardware trying to use OpenCL (a method for doing math really fast) and failing...
Try each of these steps in turn:
1 - Force CPU Mode (turn off OpenCL)
- In Steam, Right-click on the game title under the 'Library' and select 'Properties'.
- Under the General tab click the 'Set launch options...' button.
- Enter
-forcecpu into the launch options (note the dash) and click 'OK'.
- Close the game's 'Properties' window and launch the game.
2 - Set Graphics to Lowest Settings
- In Steam, Right-click on the game title under the 'Library' and select 'Properties'.
- Under the General tab click the 'Set launch options...' button.
- Enter
-safemode (or
-forcecpu -safemode if you want both options on) into the launch options and click 'OK'.
- Close the game's 'Properties' window and launch the game.
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Setting Game Launch Options on Steam
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1040-JWMT-2947---
Other things to try:
3 - Re-installation and Verification. Sometimes a problem can be caused by an improper installation, or corrupted files from an update. To make sure your files are up to date, and intact, you can try a clean install.
- On Steam - Go to Universe Sandbox ² in your Steam Library, Right click it, and select Properties, Local Files. In there you'll find two important options:
- (Try this first) Verify Integrity of Game Cache - Verifies and re-downloads any files that are incorrect.
- (Try this if the previous option doesn't work) Delete Local Game Content - This will completely remove the installation of the game. You'll need to re-download it from your steam library once the process finishes.
4 - Temporarily shut down or disable your anti-virus software. There are some anti-virus programs that will interfere with the Unity Player. If your anti-virus has a "Game-Mode" try enabling that before you launch Universe Sandbox ².