Introduction
I believed I would seen all of it on this planet of online game modding. From textures disappearing to gravity inexplicably turning sideways, I’ve patched, tweaked, and typically utterly damaged numerous video games within the pursuit of a barely higher expertise. However nothing, and I imply nothing, ready me for what occurs each single time I load ‘Cursed Strolling’ with the Rubidium mod added. It is much less of a loading display screen and extra of a descent into digital insanity.
For the uninitiated, ‘Cursed Strolling’ is an indie survival horror sport famed for its oppressive environment, punishing issue, and genuinely unsettling monster designs. Assume Silent Hill meets Darkish Souls, however with much more restricted assets and a pervasive sense of dread. It is good, nevertheless it’s additionally a useful resource hog. I added Rubidium, a performance-enhancing mod for the engine ‘Cursed Strolling’ makes use of, hoping to {smooth} out the occasional body price dips and make my exploration of its decaying world rather less… stuttery. The promise was elevated frames per second and higher general stability. What I obtained was one thing way more weird.
As an alternative of buttery-smooth gameplay, each time I hearth up ‘Cursed Strolling’ with Rubidium enabled, I am greeted with a loading display screen spectacle that may solely be described as a digital exorcism. The mix of those two appears to have unleashed some form of unholy synergy, creating completely unpredictable and, frankly, terrifying outcomes. I name it the Rubidium Curse, and it haunts my save recordsdata to this very day.
The Particular Situation – A Glitch within the Matrix
So, what precisely occurs, you ask? Nicely, buckle up, as a result of that is the place issues get bizarre. Think about gazing the usual loading display screen – you already know, the one with the dimly lit hall and the faint, ominous music enjoying within the background. Now, image that picture slowly dissolving right into a kaleidoscope of fragmented textures, errant polygons, and flickering shadows.
It begins subtly. A slight shimmer right here, a momentary distortion there. However then, the Rubidium Curse actually kicks in. The textures of the character mannequin – let’s name him “Sufferer” – stretch and warp, his limbs contorting into unnatural angles. Generally, his head detaches totally and floats serenely within the upper-left nook of the display screen, staring blankly into the digital void.
The atmosphere fares no higher. Partitions twist and bend, creating unimaginable geometries. Colours invert, turning the already bleak world right into a psychedelic nightmare. The ambient fog, normally a delicate layer of atmospheric dread, explodes right into a blinding cloud of pixelated smoke. It is like the sport is actively making an attempt to tear itself aside.
And the sound? Oh, the sound. The ominous music, which ought to be constructing rigidity, devolves right into a cacophony of distorted screeches and ear-splitting static. Sometimes, snippets of dialogue from later within the sport will play at random, out of context and completely nonsensical, like cryptic warnings from a damaged oracle. One time, I swear I heard a toddler guffawing. I have never slept properly since.
The entire course of lasts for about thirty seconds, which looks like an eternity whenever you’re staring into the digital abyss. The loading bar itself turns into a weaponized instrument of torture, stuttering and freezing at random intervals, teasing you with the promise of gameplay earlier than abruptly slamming the brakes. Lastly, after what looks like an age, the sport masses, normally with Sufferer standing in the midst of the extent trying barely dazed, as if he is simply survived a near-death expertise.
Essentially the most infuriating half? The sport really works tremendous after the loading display screen ordeal. As soon as I am within the sport, Rubidium really does enhance efficiency, albeit with the lingering feeling that one thing deeply unsuitable has occurred. Each single time. I’ve obtained screenshots to show it – a gallery of digital horrors that I am each terrified and unusually proud to own. I imply who would not be pleased with capturing such an absurd glitch.
Doable Causes and Troubleshooting Makes an attempt – A Descent into Debugging Hell
Naturally, my first intuition was accountable Rubidium. Certainly, this was a basic case of mod incompatibility, a conflict of code that had unleashed some form of digital poltergeist. However the extra I dug, the extra I noticed that the state of affairs was way more advanced than a easy mod battle.
My preliminary troubleshooting steps had been the plain ones. I up to date my graphics drivers, figuring that perhaps an outdated driver was inflicting some form of rendering challenge. No luck. I reinstalled Rubidium a number of instances, every time hoping for a unique end result. Nonetheless no luck.
Then, I began experimenting with the graphics settings inside ‘Cursed Strolling’. I turned all the pieces all the way down to the bottom attainable settings, hoping to alleviate any potential pressure on my system. The visible glitches throughout the loading display screen really obtained worse. The pixelated smoke turned a swirling vortex of digital vomit.
I started to suspect a battle with one other mod. I methodically eliminated every mod I had put in, one after the other, every time painstakingly loading ‘Cursed Strolling’ with Rubidium to see if the cursed loading display screen had vanished. Nothing. The Rubidium Curse endured, mocking my efforts.
Subsequent, I ventured into the darkish corners of the web, scouring boards and Reddit threads for any point out of comparable points. I discovered a couple of individuals reporting odd visible glitches with Rubidium, however nothing as excessive as what I used to be experiencing. One consumer recommended that it is perhaps a {hardware} challenge, that my graphics card merely wasn’t as much as the duty. However my GPU is a reasonably first rate card, greater than able to working ‘Cursed Strolling’ with ease. I ran benchmarks, stress assessments. Every part got here again regular.
I even tried rolling again to earlier variations of Rubidium, hoping that an older model is perhaps extra secure. The end result? The loading display screen glitches developed into completely different types of digital horror. As an alternative of contorted limbs, Sufferer’s face would soften right into a horrifying, amorphous blob.
In a second of desperation, I even thought of reinstalling ‘Cursed Strolling’ totally. However the considered shedding my progress, of getting to trudge by way of the sport’s punishing early levels once more, crammed me with a dread that rivaled the loading display screen itself.
Group Engagement and Humor – Laughing Via the Tears
At this level, I am throwing my palms up within the air. I am satisfied that I’ve stumbled upon some form of unexplainable phenomenon, a glitch within the matrix that defies all logic and purpose.
So, I am turning to you, the gaming neighborhood. Has anybody else skilled something related with ‘Cursed Strolling’ and Rubidium? Are there any esoteric settings or hidden console instructions that may alleviate this cursed loading display screen? Any concepts, irrespective of how outlandish, are welcome.
Within the meantime, I’ve determined to embrace the absurdity of the state of affairs. I’ve began a ritual of constructing a cup of tea earlier than every loading display screen, giving myself a couple of moments to mentally put together for the digital onslaught. I’ve even began taking bets with my associates on what kind the loading display screen horror will take every time. Will Sufferer’s head detach once more? Will the atmosphere flip right into a swirling vortex of chaos? The probabilities are limitless.
I’ll by no means perceive why this occurs, however I’ve discovered to understand the darkish humor of all of it. It is a reminder that modding is a chaotic and unpredictable artwork, a relentless balancing act between enchancment and utter disaster. Moreover, who can say they’ve a very distinctive loading display screen? I am beginning to consider it as a badge of honor, a testomony to my dedication to pushing the boundaries of gaming absurdity. Maybe it is the sport’s means of letting me know I’ve change into one with the curse.
Conclusion
The Rubidium Curse continues to plague my ‘Cursed Strolling’ expertise, a relentless reminder that even probably the most well-intentioned mods can unleash unexpected penalties. I’ll by no means discover a answer, however I will proceed to bravely face the loading display screen of doom, one glitchy pixel at a time. Possibly, simply perhaps, I will ultimately decipher the cryptic messages hidden throughout the distorted textures and cacophonous sounds. Or perhaps I will simply go mad making an attempt. Both means, it will make for a great story. And who is aware of, perhaps the builders of “Cursed Strolling” would possibly even patch it, or higher but, embody this unusual glitch as some form of easter egg. That might be wonderful.
I’ll proceed to experiment with different video games and report my findings later.
