Heroic Launcher: GOG Pre-Order Info Error?

Oct 12, 2025 by ADMIN 43 views

Heroic Launcher: Troubleshooting 'Cannot Get Game Info' for GOG Pre-Orders

Hey everyone, let's dive into a common issue faced by gamers using the Heroic Games Launcher when dealing with pre-ordered games on GOG. If you've pre-ordered a game and are seeing the dreaded "Error: Cannot get game info" message, you're not alone. This article will break down the problem, explore potential causes, and offer some solutions. We'll cover the bug report, analyze the provided logs, and offer steps to troubleshoot this frustrating issue.

Understanding the Problem: The 'Cannot Get Game Info' Error

When you pre-order a game on GOG, it correctly appears in your game library within the Heroic Games Launcher. This is a good start! However, when you attempt to open the game details, you are met with an error message, specifically “Error: Cannot get game info.” This error prevents you from accessing the game's information, even though the game is not yet released and ready for download. The logs provided indicate that the launcher is having trouble retrieving the necessary metadata for the game. The log snippets repeatedly show the launcher attempting to get game metadata using gogdl, the tool used by Heroic to communicate with GOG. The gogdl command is failing to retrieve the game information, leading to the error message. The repeated stdout = false and res.abort = false in getInstallInfo lines suggest issues with how the launcher is interacting with the GOG servers or retrieving the installation details.

This is especially frustrating because you should at least be able to see the game's details, such as the description, screenshots, and system requirements, while waiting for the release date. The inability to access this information hinders your ability to prepare for the game's launch, like checking system requirements and ensuring you have enough disk space. The logs also show the launcher checking for updates and attempting to authenticate, which is normal behavior but doesn't solve the core problem.

Root Causes of the Error:

GOG API Issues: The Heroic Games Launcher relies on the GOG API to fetch game information. If there are issues with the API, such as temporary outages or rate limiting, the launcher will be unable to retrieve the necessary data. This can be a frequent cause of this error. The logs show multiple attempts to fetch data, suggesting a persistent problem.
Authentication Problems: The launcher must authenticate with your GOG account to access your game library. If the authentication process fails or if there are issues with the stored authentication tokens, the launcher will be unable to retrieve game information. This can be caused by an incorrect password or the need to re-authenticate.
Launcher Bugs: Although less likely, there could be bugs within the Heroic Games Launcher itself that prevent it from correctly handling pre-ordered games on GOG. The launcher may not be designed to properly interact with games that are not yet released.
Network Connectivity: While less probable, issues with your internet connection might prevent the launcher from communicating with GOG's servers. This is less likely because the logs show the launcher attempting to connect, and the issue would probably be more apparent.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Check Your Internet Connection: Make sure you have a stable internet connection. Try browsing other websites to make sure your connection is active.
Re-login to Your GOG Account: In the Heroic Games Launcher, try logging out of your GOG account and then logging back in. This can resolve authentication issues.
Update the Heroic Games Launcher: Ensure you are using the latest stable version of the Heroic Games Launcher. Developers often release updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility.
Check GOG's Status: Sometimes, GOG servers may have issues. Check GOG's official website or social media channels for any announcements about outages or maintenance.
Clear the Cache: The Heroic Launcher stores cached data. Clearing the cache can sometimes resolve issues with outdated game information. Look for a cache-clearing option within the launcher's settings.

Analyzing the Logs: What the Error Messages Tell Us

Let's dissect the provided logs to better understand what's happening. The logs offer invaluable insights into the inner workings of the Heroic Games Launcher and the issues it encounters when interacting with GOG. The repeated appearance of the error "Error: Cannot get game info" is a clear indicator of the problem. The specific errors within the logs provide clues about what might be going wrong. Understanding these errors can help you diagnose the issue.

Getting game metadata: The logs show the launcher trying to retrieve game metadata using gogdl. This is the first step in getting game info. If this fails, the rest of the process will not work.
stdout = false and res.abort = false in getInstallInfo: This error message from gogdl suggests there is an issue with retrieving installation information. This could be due to authentication problems, network issues, or problems with GOG's API.
Repeated attempts: The logs demonstrate several repeated attempts to get the game information. This means that the launcher is trying to resolve the issue, but it is unsuccessful.

Decoding the Log Entries:

The log entries provided reveal the Heroic Games Launcher's attempts to communicate with the GOG servers. The lines starting with [INFO] indicate general actions, while those starting with [ERROR] signal problems. Here's a breakdown:

[INFO]: [Gog]: Getting game metadata: This entry shows that the launcher is attempting to get the game's details from GOG's servers.
[ERROR]: [Gog]: stdout = false and res.abort = false in getInstallInfo: This is a crucial error. It indicates that the gogdl tool, which the launcher uses, is not getting the installation information correctly. This suggests problems with how the launcher is communicating with GOG, potentially authentication or API issues.
[ERROR]: [Frontend]: Error: Cannot get game info: This message shows that the frontend of the launcher is displaying the error, confirming that the launcher could not fetch game information. This message appears repeatedly, showing that the problem persists.

Steps to Reproduce and Expected Behavior

The steps to reproduce are simple: go to GOG, pre-order a game, and then try to view the game's details in the Heroic Games Launcher. The expected behavior is that the launcher should display the game's information, even if it's not yet available for download or play, allowing the user to view the game's details.

Expected Behavior vs. Actual Behavior:

The expected behavior is that the game details, such as the description and screenshots, should be displayed. The actual behavior is the "Error: Cannot get game info" message, preventing access to the game's details.

Troubleshooting the Steps to Reproduce:

If you can reproduce the problem, this confirms that the issue is consistent. However, the same troubleshooting steps from above are recommended. Logging out and logging back in can sometimes refresh the connection. Checking for updates for both the launcher and the underlying system is a good idea.

Heroic Launcher Version and System Information

The logs mention the latest stable version of the Heroic Games Launcher. This helps ensure that the software is current and has the latest updates. Bazzite latest is the specified OS. These details assist in identifying potential compatibility problems or environment-specific issues.

System Information Importance:

Providing the Heroic Games Launcher version and your system information is crucial. This helps developers identify specific issues related to particular versions or operating systems. It is helpful for others to assist with troubleshooting.

Additional Information and Possible Solutions

While the original bug report does not include any additional information, here are some extra solutions to try if you encounter this problem.

Advanced Troubleshooting:

Check GOGDL Configuration: There may be issues with the gogdl configuration that is used by the Heroic Games Launcher. You can try manually configuring gogdl to see if this resolves the problem.
Check the Authentication File: Ensure that the authentication file used by the Heroic Games Launcher has not been corrupted. You may need to re-authenticate with your GOG account.
Contact Heroic Games Launcher Support: If the problem persists, it is best to contact the Heroic Games Launcher support team. Provide them with the logs and details of your system.

Community-Driven Solutions:

Check the Heroic Games Launcher's community forums or online communities for similar issues. Other users might have found solutions that could help. Some potential solutions can include:

Reinstall the Launcher: Uninstalling and then reinstalling the Heroic Games Launcher can help to ensure a clean setup.
Waiting: Sometimes, the issue can be temporary, and the launcher will be able to retrieve the game information later.
Checking Other Launchers: As a workaround, you could use the official GOG Galaxy launcher to view the game information and system requirements if the Heroic Games Launcher fails.

By carefully analyzing the logs, following these troubleshooting steps, and staying updated on the latest information, you can overcome this "Error: Cannot get game info" and enjoy your pre-ordered games on GOG through the Heroic Games Launcher. Remember, patience and persistence are key in solving these technical issues, and the community is always there to help! The goal is to get the game info displayed, even if the game can’t be downloaded until the release date. Good luck, and happy gaming!