Big Ambitions: when the game crashes
Launch options · system requirements · dealing with crashes
Two things to try first
- Save and reload — see whether the symptom survives.
- Verify the game files — Steam library → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
When it will not launch at all
The graphics overhaul in EA 0.6 causes launch problems on lower-spec PCs. Right-click Big Ambitions in your Steam library → Properties → the General tab → Launch options, and try this:
-screen-quality Low -screen-fullscreen 0 -screen-width 1024 -screen-height 768
If that does nothing, remove it and put in this instead:
-force-vulkan
On a Mac, where fullscreen flicker blocks the launch, use -windowed.
System requirements
A discrete GPU is required. The game does not run properly on integrated graphics.
Windows
| Item | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel i5 equivalent | Intel i7 equivalent |
| Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics | GTX 960 equivalent · 2 GB VRAM | RTX 2060 equivalent · 8 GB VRAM |
| Storage | 12 GB | 12 GB |
macOS
| Item | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | macOS Catalina or later (64-bit) | macOS Catalina or later (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel i5 equivalent | Intel i7 equivalent |
| Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics | GTX 960 equivalent · 2 GB VRAM | RTX 2060 equivalent · 8 GB VRAM |
| Storage | 12 GB | 12 GB |
By symptom
The fans roar, GPU and CPU load spike, and it crashes
This is usually heat. Try capping FPS at 60 in game. With no frame cap the GPU and CPU keep pushing to their limit.
A blue screen, and the whole PC freezes
- Cap FPS at 60.
- If you have over- or under-clocked the CPU or GPU, put it back to stock.
- On Windows, go to Power options → Change plan settings and set power management to High performance.
- Uninstall and reinstall the GPU driver.
- On Windows 10 or later, repair the system image from a command prompt:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
When you have lost a save
Even if the crash beat you to saving, it is usually recoverable. In Load game on the main menu, turn on Show recover saves in the top right. A recovery save is written every 5 minutes of play time and 3 of them are kept.