Game returns to the main menu when trying to start a new game

[CallumAKR]

I have attempted solutions to common problems

Yes

I have checked that my game version is supported

Yes

OS

Windows 11

Platform

Steam

Description

When clicking new game on the main menu, the intro cutscene never plays and the loading screen gets to 100%, then starts again at 0%. It gets to somewhere between 17% and 50% of this "second load" before returning me to the "Press any key to continue" screen before the main menu

Indications

Deleting all script extender reliant kods and removing Dwrite.dll from my bin folder fixes the game and it works fine. I have also seen posts here with the same issue when trying to load saves. Worth noting that I have no saves, this is a fresh install trying to start a first new game. I also have found no working soloution in any of those posts

Diagnostic Files

BG3 Diagnostic Data.txt

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install script extender
2. Load BG3
3. Press New Game

Expected Behavior

The intro cutscene should play and the game should proceed to the character creation menu

Actual Behavior

The game loads 100%, then starts again at 0% before returning the player to the main menu

[ADPhoenix]

Quick question: In your Indications section of the issue you said that you can resolve the problem by deleting all SE-reliant mods and SE itself... have you tried just removing the mods only while leaving SE in place? I ask, because I have had a similar issue in the past, back when Patch 5 had just come out (last November?), and it was a problem with a specific mod (although I don't remember which mod).

If you have not tried this, then let me suggest that you do so, and if it does, in fact, resolve the issue, then re-install those SE-reliant mods one at a time and re-check (unless you have quite a lot of them, in which case, you could use the equivalent of a binary search algorithm instead; it would be faster). The point, of course, would be to determine if it is a problem with SE, or if it is a problem with one or more of the mods themselves.

[VictorAlfonsoMarti]

I could resolve the problem just deleting the DWrite.dll file from the bin folder. Just have to delete the file, not any mods. Then, the game will say that there's a problem with the mods, if you have any, but you go further anyway. Just start or load the game, then save as soon as you can, reinstall the script (DWrite.dll) and load the save file. It work for me and i have plenty of mods requiring Script Extender.

[CallumAKR]

An update to this after trying out what people have commented

I can play the game with just the script extender installed and no mods

I can play the game with non-reliant mods and no script extender

However, if i install any singular script extender mod have the script extender, then I encounter the issue.

I've tried deleted and reinstalling everything; game, script extender, mods. I've tried installing mods through bg3mm or manually. Nothing seems to fix it