I submitted a support ticket the other day as well, still haven't gotten a reply so figured I'd try my luck here. Everytime I try to play the game, it crashes after the intro movie. I have no idea why, my PC absolutely should have no issue with this game. Here's the debug.err info... hopefully I can get some kind of resolution.
Debug Message: Version 1.02 last updated on: Wed Jun 18 10:47:55 2008
Debug Message: sig.bin file located at: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\The Political Machine 2008\sig.bin
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 6/25/2008, 14:26:20
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: SWS1
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: americanfuture
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
Physical Memory: 3072MB RAM
Page File: 960MB used, 3995MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7950 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0295&SUBSYS_C6333842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7519
Driver Date: 5/16/2008 14:01:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: C-Media Wave Device (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_13F6&DEV_0111&SUBSYS_011113F6&REV_10
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name:
Provider: C-Media
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 0
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Using 4 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message: HAL (hardware vertex processing)NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GT
Debug Message: Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message: Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message: Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message: 32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message: ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message: Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink