# New game starting error

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803>\
**Category:** The Garage\
**Created:** [August 5, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803 "2021-08-05T18:20:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![S\_Gray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/s_gray/32/7413_2.png) [@S\_Gray](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/S_Gray)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/1 "2021-08-05T18:20:39Z")

</div>

> DEBUG : Error: Json error: data/json/recipes/basecamps/fbmc\_fire\_lookout\_tower/recipe\_modular\_fire\_lookout\_tower\_migo\_resin.json:EOF: expected object or array
> 
> FUNCTION : bool main\_menu::new\_character\_tab()  
> FILE : src/main\_menu.cpp  
> LINE : 858  
> VERSION : c850e91

Just on creating new character. No mods, default settings  
windows-tiles-x64-2021-08-05-1036

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Valase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valase/32/6972_2.png) [@Valase](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valase)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/2 "2021-08-05T18:26:58Z")

</div>

Please add more details:  
What exactly were you doing, what mods, what operating system…  
See [How to Report Bugs Effectively](https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html) on why these things are important.

Edit: I see you’ve edited your post just now to add some more information.  
Let me ask a bit more precise: What character start did you choose?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![S\_Gray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/s_gray/32/7413_2.png) [@S\_Gray](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/S_Gray)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/3 "2021-08-05T18:30:02Z")

</div>

> [@Valase](#):
>
> Let me ask a bit more precise: What character start did you choose?

Any “New Game” option causes this error. Didn’t even moved to scenarios

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Valase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valase/32/6972_2.png) [@Valase](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valase)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:34pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/4 "2021-08-05T18:34:24Z")

</div>

> [@S\_Gray](#):
>
> Any “New Game” option causes this error.

Just tested this, could not reproduce with the following settings:

- OS: Windows 7 64-bit
- Game Version: c850e91 [64-bit]
- Graphics Version: Tiles
- Game Language: English [en]
- Mods loaded: [  
Dark Days Ahead [dda],  
Disable NPC Needs [no\_npc\_food],  
Bionic Professions [package\_bionic\_professions]  
]

I was able to start a random scenario as well as getting into custom character generation just fine.

You did not mention the launcher, so I have to assume you’ve downloaded it from the website/GitHub, right?  
I’d suggest you redownload and reinstall that version, it’s possible that something went wrong during the transfer/unzipping.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![S\_Gray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/s_gray/32/7413_2.png) [@S\_Gray](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/S_Gray)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:56pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/5 "2021-08-05T18:56:31Z")

</div>

Game downloaded from [Experimental Builds](https://cataclysmdda.org/experimental/)  
Unzipped by WinRar 5.70. All 4153 files, all 176 912 423 bytes are present  
OS Win 10 Pro, freshly rebooted  
No mods added or activated, no options changed, going directly to “New Game” → “New Character”… Ta-daam! Error

P.S. Stable 0.F is running perfectly

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Valase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valase/32/6972_2.png) [@Valase](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valase)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/6 "2021-08-05T20:47:51Z")

</div>

Well, I can’t reproduce it, so there’s not much I could help with.

Did the second download/install instance throw the same error?

How does your `data/json/recipes/basecamps/fbmc_fire_lookout_tower/recipe_modular_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin.json` file look like? Is it somehow cut off at the end?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![S\_Gray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/s_gray/32/7413_2.png) [@S\_Gray](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/S_Gray)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 1:04pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/7 "2021-08-06T13:04:46Z")

</div>

Tried all available experimental builds with the same result

> [@Valase](#):
>
> How does your `data/json/recipes/basecamps/fbmc_fire_lookout_tower/recipe_modular_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin.json` file look like? Is it somehow cut off at the end?

It looks something like this:

```auto
[
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_0",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the southern part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_0",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_0" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_0" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_0" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  },
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_1",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the southeastern part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_1",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_1" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_1" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_0" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  },
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_2",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the eastern part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_2",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_2" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_2" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_1" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  },
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_3",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the northeastern part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_3",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_3" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_3" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_2" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  },
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_4",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the northern part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_4",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_4" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_4" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_3" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  },
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_5",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the northwestern part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_5",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_5" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_5" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_4" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  },
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_6",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the western part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_6",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_6" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_6" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_5" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  },
  {
    "type": "recipe",
    "result": "faction_base_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_7",
    "description": "We need some shelter, so build a mi-go resin shack with a mi-go resin roof in the southwestern part of the camp.",
    "category": "CC_BUILDING",
    "subcategory": "CSC_BUILDING_BASES",
    "autolearn": false,
    "never_learn": true,
    "construction_blueprint": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin_shack_7",
    "blueprint_provides": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_7" }],
    "blueprint_excludes": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_7" }],
    "blueprint_requires": [{ "id": "fbmc_fire_lookout_tower_shack_6" }],
    "blueprint_name": "mi-go resin shack"
  }
]

```

Seems to be OK, but we have what we have  
Still, I have the stable build to play, so thanks for your help

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Valase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valase/32/6972_2.png) [@Valase](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valase)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/8 "2021-08-06T14:53:45Z")

</div>

It might be a shot into the dark, but…  
You could try to rename `recipe_modular_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin.json` to `recipe_modular_fire_lookout_tower_migo.json` (remove the “\_resin”).  
If it is what I think it is, it should then complain about `recipe_modular_fire_lookout_tower_rammed_earth.json` (with the same error).  
If it does, remove the “\_earth” of the second file name and see if it works without any more errors.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![S\_Gray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/s_gray/32/7413_2.png) [@S\_Gray](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/S_Gray)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/9 "2021-08-06T14:59:45Z")

</div>

> [@Valase](#):
>
> It might be a shot into the dark, but…

Your are a real sharpshooter. It works!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Valase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valase/32/6972_2.png) [@Valase](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valase)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 3:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/10 "2021-08-06T15:18:48Z")

</div>

> [@S\_Gray](#):
>
> It works!

😄 Ha, great!

As for what’s going on:  
It’s most likely that the path is too long for your system to comprehend.  
The base path length (including the file name) for `cdda-windows-tiles-x64-2021-08-05-1036/data/json/recipes/basecamps/fbmc_fire_lookout_tower/recipe_modular_fire_lookout_tower_migo_resin.json` is already 134 characters (assuming you did not rename the zip file) long. Having that folder installed somewhere deeper in the system might cause issues accessing it (at least for the software, as you were able to open it fine manually).  
Renaming either the base folder or the `fbmc_fire_lookout_tower` into something short probably would have fixed this issue as well.

I will have to look into this a bit more and see if this is a common issue, as well as if it’s fixable (or at least give a better error message).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![S\_Gray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/s_gray/32/7413_2.png) [@S\_Gray](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/S_Gray)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/new-game-starting-error/26803/11 "2021-08-06T15:36:13Z")

</div>

> [@Valase](#):
>
> It’s most likely that the path is too long for your system to comprehend.

True. For a sertain reason, I keep the game in the AppData folder. If I shrink the game folder name, it works with old file names.

Closed

PS maybe it should be added to Q&A