Foundation requires an OpenGL 4.3 compatible graphics card (GPU).

If your GPU supports OpenGL 4.3 and you are seeing this error, it is usually due to outdated GPU drivers. Update or reinstall the most recent drivers for your GPU to fix this.

• Please perform a Clean Install of the GPU drivers as they can often become corrupt and a standard install will not fix broken drivers.

Note: If you have both an integrated GPU as well as a dedicated GPU you might need to update both sets of drivers.

If you are seeing this as part of the message “Graphic Card not supported: GDI Generic” then either:

1. Your GPU driver is not installed (install up-to-date drivers)
2. Windows or some other system config is blocking Foundation using your GPU
   This can happen when you are using a VM, sandbox, docker or other similar services. Please refer to the services documentation or support.

If you have dual GPUs:

Gaming laptops often have both integrated and dedicated GPUs, you might need to force the dedicated GPU to be used for the game.

• This can usually be done from within the driver properties. Please refer to the GPU manufacturer documentation.

Some desktop PC CPUs come with integrated graphics solutions alongside having a dedicated GPU.

• Ensure your monitor(s) is plugged into your dedicated GPU and not the motherboard integrated GPU port.

Another possible OpenGL issue could arise if you have your Windows color depth set below 32-bit.

When loading the game, the first thing to happen is the foundation.log file is created in the games user files. If the game won't start or you are seeing this error then something is likely blocking the access and creation of the log file.

This is often due to Microsoft OneDrive but can also be caused by other 3rd party software such as Antivirus software.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Open Steam
2. Right-click on Foundation
3. Click Properties
4. Under Launch Options, type this command: -userpath C:\foundationdata
5. Relaunch the game

Where C: is the new drive path and foundationdata the folder path

Please note this manipulation requires you to transfer old saves to the newly specified folder or start over.

There are a few reasons why this might happen. Make sure you have a system that meets the minimum requirements to run the game and (re)install the latest drivers for your graphics card (GPU) with a clean install. 

NVIDIA

1. Open the Nvidia App
2. Check for Updates and download the latest driver package
3. Select Custom installation
4. Ensure Perform a clean installation option is ticked
5. Proceed with the installation
6. Relaunch the game

AMD

1. Download the latest driver package from the AMD support site
2. Download and run the AMD cleanup utility (or DDU) to remove the old drivers
3. Proceed with the installation
4. Relaunch the game

Additionally, your antivirus might block the visual component of the game, as Foundation.exe is modified with each update. Add Foundation and its installation folder to your whitelist.

Verify the integrity of your game files

Steam

1. Open Steam
2. Right-click on Foundation from your game library
3. Click Properties
4. Click Local Files
5. Click Verify integrity of game files…

GOG

1. Open GOG Galaxy
2. Right-click on Foundation from your list of owned games
3. Click Manage Installation - Verify / Repair

Reinstall the latest drivers for your graphics card (GPU) with a clean install. 

NVIDIA

1. Open the Nvidia App
2. Check for Updates and download the latest driver package
3. Select Custom installation
4. Ensure Perform a clean installation option is ticked
5. Proceed with the installation
6. Relaunch the game

AMD

1. Download the latest driver package from the AMD support site
2. Download and run the AMD cleanup utility (or DDU) to remove the old drivers
3. Proceed with the installation
4. Relaunch the game

Running the game as Administrator may reveal missing/corrupt DLL files on your PC (mfc140u.dll, msvcp140.dll).

A possible cause is missing C++ files. Usually, Valve packages C++ Redistributable files required to run the game on Steam. In some cases though, it’s possible you need to download and install them manually.
They can be found here (choose x64): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170

If you want to test running the game as administrator for potential issues, here’s how:

1. Locate Foundation.exe on your computer. You can always do this through the browse option in the game's properties 
2. Right-click on Foundation.exe, then click Run as Administrator
3. If you get a missing DLL error use the above link to download the vcredist package

The most important thing to do in this case is to submit a crash report with more details so we can investigate. If you see the crash report prompt, click on Provide additional details, enter your email, and give a description of what happened before your crash.

You can get in touch with us on Discord or via email to support@polymorph.games. To speed up the processing of your request, please submit the following files:

Dxdiag Report

1. Windows key+R
2. Type DXDIAG, then press Enter
3. Click on Save all information
4. Attach the .txt file in your email

Foundation.log

1. Default path: C:\Users\YOUR USERNAME\Documents\Polymorph Games\Foundation\foundation.log (replace YOUR USERNAME with your PC username)
2. Attach the .txt file in your email

Note: The number one cause of crashes are old or broken GPU drivers. Reinstall the latest drivers for your graphics card (GPU) with a clean install. 

NVIDIA

1. Open the Nvidia App
2. Check for Updates and download the latest driver package
3. Select Custom installation
4. Ensure Perform a clean installation option is ticked
5. Proceed with the installation
6. Relaunch the game

AMD

1. Download the latest driver package from the AMD support site
2. Download and run the AMD cleanup utility (or DDU) to remove the old drivers
3. Proceed with the installation
4. Relaunch the game

The majority of players reporting performance issues on our Discord server found that the cause was due to incorrectly setup hardware. Players noticed that:

• Their GPU was plugged into the incorrect PCIe slot on their motherboard.
  or
• Their PCIe slot was not setup correctly in the motherboard BIOS.

High-end GPUs generally require a Gen 4.0 x16 PCIe slot or better.

It is important, in most cases, to use slot 1 on your motherboard. Other PCIe slots will likely run at a slower speed due to bandwidth limitations with the Bus lanes or PCIe version.

You can confirm what type of PCIe your GPU requires as well the capacity of the current installation slot by downloading and running GPU-Z.

• Download and run GPU-Z
• Locate Bus Interface and click the ? to the right of the panel
• Run the Render test (or run Foundation)
• Hover your mouse over the Bus Interface panel to see more information

If your GPU is currently running below its supported PCIe specifications, check the following:

• Ensure your motherboard has a PCIe slot that supports your GPU maximum speeds (refer to manufacturer documentation).
• Ensure your GPU is plugged into the correct PCIe slot on your motherboard (usually slot 1).
• Ensure your PCIe slot is correctly set in the motherboard BIOS (setting to auto may not give the full PCIe speed).

Also see: Large FPS lag spikes/FPS stutter

If your game is drastically stuttering with large drops in FPS, then it is likely that third-party software is causing an issue. You might notice that the in-game FPS counter stays constant while the game lags.

One known issue is the Microsoft game recorder. This software will constantly capture in-game footage in the background and can often be defaulted to on. To check and disable this:

• In the Windows search bar type "Captures settings"
• Open the Captures menu
• Turn off "Record what happened"
• Relaunch the game

If you are experienceing low FPS on low or medium-end GPUs there are some things you can check:

• Check your screen resolution
  • Low-medium end GPUs might struggle at resolutions above 1080p.
• Reduce the game's graphics settings. The most GPU intensive settings are:
  • Shadows
  • SSGI
  • Grass Distance
  • SSAO

Additionally, switching anti-aliasing to FXAA or Off, as well as reducing other graphical settings, will reduce the GPU load.

Also see: Low FPS/performance issues on high-end GPUs

As with any game, it is designed to use the maximum performance of your hardware unless limited. With adequate cooling, your GPU will work fine at capacity. However, if you wish to reduce the load on your GPU, you can do so.

To limit the game's FPS you can either:

• Use the VSync/half VSync options in the game's graphics settings to limit the FPS to match/half of your monitor FPS.
• Set a limit with the frame limiter in the game's settings.
• Set a frame limit in your GPU drivers (refer to GPU documentation)

You can also reduce or switch off some graphics settings in game. The most GPU intensive settings are:

• Shadows
• SSGI
• Grass Distance
• SSAO

Additionally, switching anti-aliasing to FXAA or Off, as well as reducing other graphical settings, will reduce the GPU load.

In most cases a GPU driver update will fix this issue, however, we are aware of some older GPUs still having issues due to slower or ended driver support. We are investigating the issue.

We are aware there are some issues running the game on some Intel Arc dedicated GPUs. We are investigating the issue.

If you didn't find the answer to your problem, please don't hesitate to reach out via:

Discord - For the fastest response, join us on our Discord server, where we have dedicated support channels

Or alternatively

Email - Please include the following files with your email:

Dxdiag

• Windows key+R
• Type dxdiag, then press Enter
• Wait for the green bar to complete, then click on Save all information
• Attach the .txt file to your email

Foundation.log

• Default path: C:\Users\YOUR USERNAME\Documents\Polymorph Games\Foundation\foundation.log
  Note: replace YOUR USERNAME with your PC username
• Attach the .txt file to your email