Magicka
Magicka is an isometric cooperative action adventure game by Arrowhead Game Studios. When it initially came out in early 2011 it was plagued with numerous bugs, but these have since been patched by the developers. The game has since seen many bits of DLC, from completed themed packs, to maps and new weapons.
Version Differences
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Magicka is only available for Steam, and therefore uses Steamworks as DRM.
Issues And Fixes
Game Won't Start On Laptop
Intel Graphics Cards
Intel integrated graphics cards are not recommended for playing Magicka. Playing on an Intel 2000 is neigh unplayable, while playing on an Intel 3000 is possible with reduced resolution and noticeable frame rate drops. Arrowhead Game Studios recommends avoiding integrated graphics cards.
ATI/NVidia Graphics Cards
On newer laptops with an i3/5/7 processor and some form of ATI/Nvidia graphics card, the laptop usually has the option of running a program on either on the integrated graphics or discreet graphics. Sometimes, the graphics driver incorrectly runs Magicka on the integrated intel graphics. Forcing your system to run Magicka on the ATI or NVidia card will greatly increase performance.
Windows Event - Exception code: c0000374 Crash
If you experience this error code and are running Office 2010, try changing your system language from Japanese to English. This error has something to do with Office 2010's Microsoft IME.
Crash to Desktop with SoundBlaster Card
If you have a soundblaster sound card and are experiencing a crash to desktop:
- Open the windows control panel and navigate to Sound.
- Highlight the speaker then click properties >
- Go to the Sound Blaster panel >
- Check the Disable Sound Blaster enhancements >
- Click apply/ok.
FRAPS, OC Guru, EVGA precision, MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner
All of the above programs are known to cause crashes with Magicka. Disable or uninstall those programs.
Exception Code: e0434f4d or e0434f4d crash
If you are experiencing either of these crash codes, try reinstalling .net 3.5 SP1 and XNA Framework 3.1. If that doesn't work, try some of the solutions here.
Game won't start
If the game won't start, try the following:
- Make sure .Net 3.5 is enabled.
- Reinstall DirectX 9.
- Reinstall XNA Framework 3.1
- Verify the integrity of the game cache.
- Delete and reinstall Magicka.
Game Freezes
XP and AMD Dual Core CPU
If you are experiencing some freezes and are running Windows XP on a dual core AMD CPU, make sure to install this CPU driver and the AMD Dual Core Optimizer.
Dual Core Systems
Magicka can occasionally freeze if it is run on a dual core system. Setting Magicka to run on only one core may solve this. To make Magicka run on a single core, perform the following:
1. Run Magicka. 2. Open the task manager. 3 In the processes tab, right click "Magicka.exe" process and select "Set Affinity" 4. Uncheck "CPU 1" so that ONLY "CPU 0" is checked. 5. Select OK.
Graphics issues
Screen Tearing/Shuttering
For nvidia cards, use the Nvidia to force triple buffering and V-sync.
For ATI/AMD cards use the AMD VISION Engine Control Center to create a profile for Magicka that forces triple buffering and V-sync.
Random Graphics Glitches
Update your graphics drivers.
Mods And Utilities
- Magicka AutoHotkey Script Generator
- Resized HUD for low resolutions
- Savegame Editor
- Challenge Editor
- Level Editor
Save Game Data
Save Game Folder Location
- Windows 32 bit:
C:\Program Files\steamapps\common\magicka\SaveData
- Windows 64 bit:
C:\Program Files (x86)\steamapps\common\magicka\SaveData
Controller Support
The game has built in support for controllers, but the spellcasting system is so complex that playing in this manner is not recommended.