Topic: BIT.TRIP BEAT on Steam not working

When I try to open it on Steam, I get this:

Any pointers?

I don't know exactly what the problem is, but try to install the latest drivers for your video card. Anyway, that's my solution to problems I always get when starting PC games.

I did and it didn't work. The developer says that my "video card doesn't support shaders." Do know where I should go from here? Also, he told me to check the system requirements on Steam, but nowhere can I find the same details on my computer. I think I should get a refund if I cannot make sure my PC is up to snuff, but does anyone know where I would find graphics details on Windows XP?

Try installing the latest version of DirectX
I use Blender 3D and the Unity game engine. I had to have the latest version of DirectX in order to get the shaders to work.

PS. Another idea you could try is installing a graphics driver for a newer, yet similar graphics card. I did that with the ATI Radeon card in my laptop, and it worked just fine.

Hope this helps.

Personally, I believe you'd get better controls out of the WiiWare version. I have it and I rather enjoy the Atari-like feel!

Are you using Windows XP? What graphics card do you have (if any)?

That's an OpenGL error. It's likely that your graphics card doesn't support Shader Model 3, which is necessary for BIT.TRIP BEAT.

Minimum:
o OS: Windows XP SP3
o Processor: 2.0+ GHz
o Memory: 512 MB
o Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 and shader model 3 with 128 MB of memory; ATI Radeon X1300 or nVidia GeForce 6000 series
o DirectX®: DirectX® 9.0c
o Hard Drive: 100 MB
o Sound: Any sound card capable of stereo output

Yeah, it is an OpenGL error. If you want to find what card, you should be able to find it in device manager. Mind is listed under display adapters. You should also be able to find device manager in control panel. Also, it is possible that you do not have a video card.

@shinesprite Thanks for your tips. I just tried downloading and installing DirectX but apparently I already have it, I don't know how to install a graphics driver, and I actually already have the WiiWare version but I'm a BIT.TRIP superfan so yeah.

@Mack Yes on Windows XP and I don't really know about my graphics card (if any). I've heard that I don't have any shaders, but do you know anything about SwiftShader or 3D Analyzer, apparently substitutes for one? Thanks for your help.

@Ravage I can't find that in the Control Panel. Thanks for the advice though.

@Odnetnin It's likely that you either don't have a graphics card in your computer or the graphics card is too old or not powerful enough for the game. The game requires some relatively advanced technology and if you don't have a graphics card that can handle it, then sadly you can't play it on that computer.

OK thanks, and I am under the impression that I should not get a refund because I should have known that my computer wasn't up to the task of BEAT (even though it can run Portal for some reason, lol). How would I have known this (not mad at you or anything, just wondering)?

Many computers can run Valve games like Half Life 2 and Portal because they run on a Source Engine, which is easy for most newer computers to run. Beat runs on a completely different and newer engine, so it will have higher requirements.

I see, thanks. Who would've thunk it though?

@Od - sadly I'm inclined to agree with Steam on this topic...you gotta do the research before buying a PC game to make sure your PC can handle it. I bought the GTA collection the other day (on sale) and both GTA 1 and GTA 3 are super-glitched--1 doesn't display at all and 3 has a giant pixelated transparent box in front of the display. Granted--Steam can be pretty nice, and I know some people who got refunds on Civilization 5 after complaining about it (granted, their issue was more with constant-glitching/broken game, not PC-side card issues, but they are a pretty nice company). Especially not having Shader 0....I'm pretty sure Shader 3 is the current standard. Sounds like you're either graphics card-less or integrated....either way you might wanna steer clear of PC games til you have a more modern rig.

The "Portal runs" comment confuses me though...I'm almost positive that the Source Engine runs Shader 2.0. Email Gaijin games--they're pretty kick-ass dudes and responded, within a day, to my question about the iPhone version of Bit.Trip Beat.

http://www.gaijingames.com/

@Swerd BIT.TRIP BEAT requires shader model 3.0, not 2.0. Big difference there.

@Odnetnin Is your computer a desktop or a laptop? Desktops are generally better suited for gaming. Also did you assemble your computer yourself or did you buy it pre-built? I'm assuming you didn't build it yourself if you don't know whether it has a graphics card or not.

By the way, Device Manager is found if you right-click on My Computer and choose properties. There's a button in there labelled "Device Manager", and then look under "Display adapters" to find your graphics card.

Desktop and pre-built, yup. And ohhhhhhh, that's what you mean by graphics card! I actually found that before and updated it like Gaijin said but it didn't work. Gaijin then concluded that my driver wasn't up to the task.