Black screen Toonstruck/Beneath steel sky

[fil2fr]

The game Toonstruck doesn't work after the intro with the last version 2.1.0. The screen stay black but game is running (audio playing). I have tested with older version 2.0.0 and the game play fine.

Beneath steel sky doesn't play the intro (initial logo only). Error with both version 2.1.0 & 2.0.0

I do not have those errors with the scummvm application.

[PantherTS]

Yep, same issue here. Log follows:

[INFO] Updating firmware status for: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\cores\scummvm_libretro.dll on F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\system [INFO] Using content: F:\Emulation\Games\ScummVM\Roms\sky\sky.scummvm. [INFO] arg #0: retroarch [INFO] arg #1: F:\Emulation\Games\ScummVM\Roms\sky\sky.scummvm [INFO] arg #2: -s [INFO] arg #3: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\saves [INFO] arg #4: -S [INFO] arg #5: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\states [INFO] arg #6: -c [INFO] arg #7: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\retroarch.cfg [INFO] arg #8: -L [INFO] arg #9: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\cores\scummvm_libretro.dll [INFO] arg #10: -v [INFO] Content ran for a total of: 00 hours, 00 minutes, 00 seconds. [INFO] Unloading game.. [INFO] Unloading core.. [INFO] Unloading core symbols.. [INFO] [Video]: Does not have enough samples for monitor refresh rate estimation. Requires to run for at least 4096 frames. [INFO] Set config file to : F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\retroarch.cfg [INFO] RetroArch 1.8.4 (Git f425d8dc8b) [INFO] Redirecting save file to "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\saves\sky.srm". [INFO] Redirecting savestate to "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\states\sky.state". [INFO] === Build ======================================= [INFO] CPU Model Name: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU X5690 @ 3.47GHz [INFO] Capabilities: MMX MMXEXT SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4 SSE4.2 AES [INFO] Built: Jan 15 2020 [INFO] Version: 1.8.4 [INFO] Git: f425d8dc8b [INFO] ================================================= [INFO] Loading dynamic libretro core from: "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\cores\scummvm_libretro.dll" [INFO] [Overrides] no core-specific overrides found at F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\config\scummvm\scummvm.cfg. [INFO] [Overrides] no content-dir-specific overrides found at F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\config\scummvm\sky.cfg. [INFO] [Overrides] no game-specific overrides found at F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\config\scummvm\sky.cfg. [INFO] [Environ]: SET_SUPPORT_NO_GAME: yes. [INFO] [Environ]: GET_LANGUAGE: "0".

[INFO] [Remaps]: remap directory: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\config\remaps [INFO] Redirecting save file to "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\saves\sky.srm". [INFO] Redirecting savestate to "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\states\sky.state".

[INFO] Content loading skipped. Implementation will load it on its own.

[INFO] [Environ]: SET_PIXEL_FORMAT: RGB565.

[INFO] [Environ]: SYSTEM_DIRECTORY: "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\system". [INFO] [RCHEEVOS]: ext_hash 879a75ed ('scummvm') [INFO] Version of libretro API: 1 [INFO] Compiled against API: 1 [INFO] [RCHEEVOS]: Load task finished [INFO] [Cheats]: Load game-specific cheatfile: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\cheats\scummvm\sky.cht [INFO] [Audio]: Set audio input rate to: 44100.00 Hz. [INFO] [Video]: Video @ 1920x1080 [INFO] Vulkan dynamic library loaded. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Found vulkan context: wgl [INFO] [Vulkan]: Detecting screen resolution 1920x1080. [INFO] Setting fullscreen to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz on device \.\DISPLAY1. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Found GPU at index 0: AMD Radeon R9 200 / HD 7900 Series [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using GPU index 0. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using GPU: AMD Radeon R9 200 / HD 7900 Series [INFO] [Vulkan]: Queue family 0 supports 1 sub-queues. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Swapchain supports present mode: 0. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Swapchain supports present mode: 2. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Swapchain supports present mode: 3. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Creating swapchain with present mode: 2 [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using swapchain size 1920 x 1080. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Got 3 swapchain images. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using resolution 1920x1080 [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using RGB565 format. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Shaders]: preset directory: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\shaders\presets [INFO] [Vulkan]: Loading stock shader. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A)

[INFO] [slang]: [INFO] [slang]: Uniforms (Vertex: yes, Fragment: no): [INFO] [slang]: Push Constants (Vertex: no, Fragment: no):

[INFO] [slang]:

[INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] [DINPUT]: Enumerating joypads ... [INFO] [DINPUT]: Done enumerating joypads ... [INFO] [Joypad]: Found joypad driver: "dinput". [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Video]: Found display server: win32 [INFO] [XAudio2]: Requesting 64 ms latency, using 64 ms latency. [INFO] [Menu]: Found menu display driver: "vulkan". [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [LED]: LED driver = 'null' 0000000000B8F580 [INFO] [MIDI]: Initializing ... [INFO] [MIDI]: Input disabled. [INFO] [MIDI]: Output disabled. [INFO] [MIDI]: Initialized "winmm" driver. [WARN] Input device ID 517 is unknown to this libretro implementation. Using RETRO_DEVICE_JOYPAD. [INFO] SRAM will not be saved. [INFO] Loading history file: [F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\content_history.lpl]. [INFO] Loading history file: [F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\content_music_history.lpl]. [INFO] Loading history file: [F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\content_video_history.lpl]. [INFO] Loading history file: [F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\content_image_history.lpl]. [INFO] Loading favorites file: [F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\content_favorites.lpl]. [INFO] [Vulkan]: VSync => on [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A)

[INFO] [slang]: [INFO] [slang]: Uniforms (Vertex: yes, Fragment: no): [INFO] [slang]: Push Constants (Vertex: no, Fragment: no):

[INFO] [slang]:

[INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] Written to playlist file: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\content_history.lpl [INFO] [Vulkan]: Do not need to re-create swapchain. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A)

[INFO] [slang]: [INFO] [slang]: Uniforms (Vertex: yes, Fragment: no): [INFO] [slang]: Push Constants (Vertex: no, Fragment: no):

[INFO] [slang]:

[INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] [Vulkan]: VSync => off [INFO] [Vulkan]: Do not need to re-create swapchain. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A)

[INFO] [slang]: [INFO] [slang]: Uniforms (Vertex: yes, Fragment: no): [INFO] [slang]: Push Constants (Vertex: no, Fragment: no):

[INFO] [slang]:

[INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] [Vulkan]: VSync => on [INFO] [Vulkan]: Do not need to re-create swapchain. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A)

[INFO] [slang]: [INFO] [slang]: Uniforms (Vertex: yes, Fragment: no): [INFO] [slang]: Push Constants (Vertex: no, Fragment: no):

[INFO] [slang]:

[INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] [config] Saved new config to "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\retroarch.cfg". [INFO] [Cheats]: Save game-specific cheatfile: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\cheats\scummvm\sky.cht [INFO] Content ran for a total of: 00 hours, 00 minutes, 56 seconds. [INFO] Saving runtime log file: F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\playlists\logs\ScummVM\sky.lrtl [INFO] Unloading game.. [INFO] Unloading core.. [INFO] Unloading core symbols.. [INFO] [Core Options]: Saved core options file to "F:\Emulation\Emulators\RetroArch\retroarch-core-options.cfg" [INFO] [Video]: Does not have enough samples for monitor refresh rate estimation. Requires to run for at least 4096 frames. [INFO] [Video]: Does not have enough samples for monitor refresh rate estimation. Requires to run for at least 4096 frames.

[spleen1981]

Other than that, for Beneath a steel sky, screen turns black accessing the second scene (exit through the door on the right). After that, screen keeps being black even returning to first scene. Text and cursor only are visible.

[spleen1981]

Other than that, for Beneath a steel sky, screen turns black accessing the second scene (exit through the door on the right). After that, screen keeps being black even returning to first scene. Text and cursor only are visible.

Update: running the game with "retroarch_debug.exe", everything is working properly.

[PoloniumRain]

Exact same problem here, and just as above, running retroarch_debug.exe also fixes it for me.

What does debug do differently that could possibly fix it? I've tried messing around with Retro Arch video settings and nothing makes a difference. Only launching with debug works.

[PoloniumRain]

Here's a log for Toonstruck:

[INFO] [CORE]: Using content: E:\Emulators\ROMs\DOS\Toonstruck (1995)\TOONSTRK\Toonstruck.scummvm. [INFO] Content ran for a total of: 00 hours, 00 minutes, 00 seconds. [INFO] [CORE]: Unloading core.. [INFO] [CORE]: Unloading core symbols.. [INFO] [Video]: Does not have enough samples for monitor refresh rate estimation. Requires to run for at least 4096 frames. [INFO] RetroArch 1.9.0 (Git 5e551dd92b) [INFO] [Overrides]: Redirecting save file to "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\saves\Toonstruck.srm". [INFO] [Overrides]: Redirecting save state to "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\states\Toonstruck.state". [INFO] === Build ======================================= [INFO] CPU Model Name: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 24-Core Processor [INFO] Capabilities: MMX MMXEXT SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4 SSE4.2 AES AVX [INFO] Built: Aug 7 2020 [INFO] Version: 1.9.0 [INFO] Git: 5e551dd92b [INFO] ================================================= [INFO] [CORE]: Loading dynamic libretro core from: "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\cores\scummvm_libretro.dll" [INFO] [Overrides]: No core-specific overrides found at E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\config\scummvm\scummvm.cfg. [INFO] [Overrides]: No content-dir-specific overrides found at E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\config\scummvm\TOONSTRK.cfg. [INFO] [Overrides]: No game-specific overrides found at E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\config\scummvm\Toonstruck.cfg. [INFO] [Environ]: SET_SUPPORT_NO_GAME: yes.

[INFO] [Environ]: GET_LANGUAGE: "0".

[INFO] [Remaps]: remap directory: E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\config\remaps [INFO] [Overrides]: Redirecting save file to "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\saves\Toonstruck.srm". [INFO] [Overrides]: Redirecting save state to "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\states\Toonstruck.state".

[INFO] [CONTENT LOAD]: Content loading skipped. Implementation will load it on its own.

[INFO] [Environ]: SET_PIXEL_FORMAT: RGB565.

[INFO] [Environ]: SYSTEM_DIRECTORY: "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\system".

[INFO] Version of libretro API: 1 [INFO] Compiled against API: 1 [INFO] [Cheats]: Load game-specific cheatfile: E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\cheats\scummvm\Toonstruck.cht [INFO] [Audio]: Set audio input rate to: 44100.00 Hz. [INFO] [Video]: Video @ fullscreen [INFO] [Vulkan]: Vulkan dynamic library loaded. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Found vulkan context: vk_w [INFO] [Vulkan]: Detecting screen resolution 3840x2160. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Found GPU at index 0: GeForce GTX 980 Ti [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using GPU index 0. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using GPU: GeForce GTX 980 Ti [INFO] [Vulkan]: Queue family 0 supports 16 sub-queues. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Swapchain supports present mode: 2. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Swapchain supports present mode: 3. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Swapchain supports present mode: 1. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Swapchain supports present mode: 0. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Creating swapchain with present mode: 2 [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using swapchain size 3840 x 2160. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Got 3 swapchain images. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using resolution 3840x2160 [INFO] [Vulkan]: Using RGB565 format. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Loading stock shader. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A) [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] [Joypad]: Found joypad driver: "dinput". [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Video]: Found display server: win32 [INFO] [XAudio2]: Requesting 64 ms latency, using 64 ms latency. [INFO] [Display]: Found display driver: "vulkan". [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [Font]: Using font rendering backend: freetype. [INFO] [MIDI]: Input disabled. [INFO] [MIDI]: Output disabled. [INFO] [MIDI]: Initialized "winmm" driver. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 6. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 7. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 8. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 9. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 10. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 11. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 12. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 13. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 14. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 15. [INFO] Disconnecting device from port 16. [INFO] [SRAM]: SRAM will not be saved. [INFO] [Playlist]: Loading history file: [E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\content_history.lpl]. [INFO] [Playlist]: Loading history file: [E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\content_music_history.lpl]. [INFO] [Playlist]: Loading history file: [E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\content_video_history.lpl]. [INFO] [Playlist]: Loading history file: [E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\content_image_history.lpl]. [INFO] [Playlist]: Loading favorites file: [E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\content_favorites.lpl]. [INFO] [Vulkan]: VSync => on [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A) [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] [Vulkan]: Do not need to re-create swapchain. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [Vulkan]: GPU supports linear images as textures, but not DEVICE_LOCAL. Falling back to copy path. [INFO] [slang]: Building pass #0 (N/A) [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using frame history. [INFO] [Vulkan filter chain]: Not using framebuffer feedback. [INFO] [config] Saved new config to "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\retroarch.cfg". [INFO] [Cheats]: Save game-specific cheatfile: E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\cheats\scummvm\Toonstruck.cht [INFO] Content ran for a total of: 00 hours, 00 minutes, 32 seconds. [INFO] Saving runtime log file: E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\playlists\logs\ScummVM\Toonstruck.lrtl [INFO] [CORE]: Unloading game.. [INFO] [CORE]: Unloading core.. [INFO] [CORE]: Unloading core symbols.. [INFO] [Core Options]: Saved core options file to "E:\Emulators\Retro Arch\config\scummvm\scummvm.opt" [INFO] [Video]: Does not have enough samples for monitor refresh rate estimation. Requires to run for at least 4096 frames. [INFO] [Video]: Does not have enough samples for monitor refresh rate estimation. Requires to run for at least 4096 frames.

[ner00]

Same here also, on v1.9.0 and nightly builds, recurrent issues within the game with the screen going black in different scenarios, essentially making the game unplayable within the first minute.

All the instances in Beneath a Steel Sky where the screen goes permanently black are preceded by a fadeout transition effect.

For some reason running through retroarch_debug.exe works without any issues at all which would indicate that whatever the issue is it's probably easy to fix. Log file just shows additional info on supported extensions for the video driver and that's pretty much it.

This doesn't work correctly (black screen in intro, on death, after entering second scene): retroarch -L cores\scummvm_libretro.dll "roms\ScummVM\Beneath a Steel Sky (CD VGA)\sky.scummvm"

This works perfectly: retroarch_debug -L cores\scummvm_libretro.dll "roms\ScummVM\Beneath a Steel Sky (CD VGA)\sky.scummvm"

@twinaphex Could you take a quick look at this, please? Thanks.

Edit: This issue has been present since, at the very least, June 2019: https://forums.libretro.com/t/scummvm-problem/22828

[kukeorama]

I have found more games that have some kinds of errors that makes then unplayable. Most of then suddenly crash after intro scenes going to black or just freezing the image.

Gobliins 2 Goblins 3 Woodruff and the Schnibble of Azimut Touche Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail Drascula - The Vampire Strikes Back ( same issue as Beneath a Steel Sky and Toonstruck )

[ner00]

@kukeorama Thanks for that list.

Are you able to say of those games work when using retroarch_debug.exe to run instead of the main executable?

Also, while Beneath a Steel Sky and Toonstruck go black, the game is running still. In this case you're talking about literal crashes or process hangs. If that's the case it would be good to look at the debug logs because it seems they may be different issues and need their own thread.

Edit: I tried Gobliins 2 and it is an actual crash to the desktop, so the issue seems different than the one caused by the titles on the intitial post.

[ner00]

Adding another one to the list: Bud Tucker in Double Trouble This one is entirely unplayable, only the intro works. As with Beneath a Steel Sky, it works fine when RetroArch is run from retroarch_debug.exe

[ner00]

Apart from using the debug version of the executable, I've had no issues running these games with v1.7.2 of RetroArch - quite old, I know. For these reasons, it makes sense to bump the issue on RetroArch repository since the issues don't seem tied to the core itself: https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch/issues/11763

[ner00]

Bumping this as it seems like an important thing to get around to.