Game Pass Ultimate + Age of Mythology Premium Upgrade. Launching game fails with ‘initialization failed’.
The information in the xbox app said that buying the Premium upgrade would give you early access, but either that isn’t the case (which also seemed to be an issue on Steam), or there is some problem causing the game to exit with ‘initialization failed’. Uninstalled, and re-installed, and did verification of files.
I have same issue on my pc xbox app
Same issue on pc xbox app
It actually worked for me once at the end of the night last night, but it is now back to initialization failed today.
Following the suggestion on Steam about installing this visual c++ redistributable package got it to run again for me just now.
For some reason though it doesn’t recognize me having the Freyr DLC even though I have installed it through the xbox app. If I click the purchase button it tells me that I already own it. Is Freyr locked until release?
I followed your advice, but Xbox still shows the same error, and instead I was able to launch on Steam.
Yesterday it went back to failing to initialize, so I have no idea what it is doing.
I’m still with the problem too and support team sadly say me:
“Currently this is a known issue that is under investigation at this time and we unfortunately do not have an estimated on when this will be resolved.”
I honestly think this should be a priority bug to fix because it prevents us from even getting into the game and it’s horrible.
Same for me, hours and hours of trying everything, for nothing. I left a request on the site… no refund, an incredibly failed PREMIUM access.
Having the same issue - bought the base game + upgrade version offering up to 7 days early access. didn’t work then and still doesn’t work now. Was hoping it was just a windows problem but seeing it’s happening on steam also
lol pure disaster, there’s even no logs for diagnostic
microsoft just can’t handle their own DRM platform, refund and play on Steam instead
It is nuts.
Install that vc++ redistributable, reboot, and it will start up.
Reboot again, and try to start it, and it will again get “initialization failed”.
No indication of any issues with the drive, and no indication of windows defender grabbing anything.
Hey there, thanks for reaching out.
Sorry to hear that you are experiencing the “Initialization Failed” message.
We will continue to support the game and make adjustments in upcoming Updates/Patches, but in the meantime, if you haven’t already done so, you could try Contacting Support HERE.
Same problem here with AoE Retold PC game pass standard version.
I could run the game once after downloading.
But since restarting my PC, it shows initialization failed and never run again.
Not only this, but they are’ censoring’ all the issues that are shown. (covering up, marketing, using review bots, all sorts of tactics to cover for the flaws…)
Here is an example they even censored this one that is pretty normal
I had 2 posts showing the issues/problems and they removed both of them… even though they were just normal and respectful, had many points about the game (and replies).
I would say avoid/refund this one.
They have gone full ‘lets mess it all up and apply censorship’ mode…
Terrible incel devs 
I just found one thing that might help to solve this bug.
PC shutdown (S5) => PC switch on => AoM Retold runs with no problem
PC restart => AoM Retold shows initialization failed.
PC shutdown (S5) => PC switch on => AoM Retold runs with no problem
So to make sure to play the game, I must completely shudown my PC first.
Something must be wrong with either Windows 11 or the game program
I’ll have to test some more, but after doing a full power cycle, it is starting, and continues to do so after just doing a system restart without shutting down.
Edit: Actually there was a bios upgrade done this evening, and I don’t recall if I tried to start it between that, and doing the full shutdown.
Still not working. Full shutdown and after updating c++…Nothing still same failed thing
hello , sorry for my english im french, i found how to fix this issue . ,You need close windows defender desactivate firewall and virus .
For those who are struggling with initialization failed, please check the task manager if there are 2 “Gameinput Host Service” running.
If that’s the case then congratuations. Just uninstall the “Gameinput Host Service” from your app list.
Start > Settings > apps > installed apps > Microsoft Gameinput
It seems for some reasons that Windows 11 mistakenly auto installed two “Gameinput host service App” one located in the program files (X86) and another one is in Windows/System32 folder, and it causes initilazation faild of AoMRT.
The app in program files (X86) has an older date and will be deleted after uninstallation. Then your AoMRT should work.