Notice Regarding Windows Launch Blocking

Hello everyone.

We would like to provide information regarding a launch blocking issue affecting Three Kingdoms Classic on some Windows environments.

We have confirmed cases where the game may be blocked from launching with the following message:

An application control policy has blocked this file. (0x11c7)

First, this does not mean that the Steam installation files are damaged or that the game executable is a malicious file.

Based on what we have confirmed so far, this appears to be caused by Windows Smart App Control, SmartScreen, or an application control policy applied to the PC blocking the game executable.

Cause of the issue

• When Windows runs an executable file, it checks factors such as digital signatures, publisher information, file reputation, and security policies.

• Three Kingdoms Classic is distributed through Steam, but the Windows executable itself does not yet have formal code signing applied.

• In some Windows environments, this may cause the file to be treated as a new or insufficiently trusted executable.

• In Windows 11 environments with Smart App Control enabled, or on PCs with company, school, or security policies applied, the game may be blocked from launching rather than simply showing a warning.

Why this happened after the 1.0.2 update

• This issue does not affect all users and has only been confirmed in some Windows environments.

• The 1.0.2 update included several changes, such as custom officers, new faction play, and fixes for battle transition freezes. As part of the update, the Windows executable was also replaced.

• When the executable changes, Windows treats it as a new file that is different from the previous version.

• As a result, even if the previous version launched normally, the newly distributed executable may go through security and reputation checks again.

• At this point, we believe this is not caused by a specific gameplay feature in the 1.0.2 update, but by some Windows environments blocking the newly distributed executable due to security policy checks.

Planned response

• We are currently preparing to apply formal code signing to the Windows executable.

• Once code signing is applied, Windows will be able to verify the publisher and integrity of the executable, which should reduce the chance of blocking by Smart App Control or SmartScreen-related systems.

• However, code signing is not a simple file change. It requires certificate or signing service verification, build pipeline integration, signature verification, and redistribution through Steam.

• We will proceed as quickly as possible.

Temporary check

• Please check whether Smart App Control is blocking the game in Windows Security.

• Path: Windows Security > App & browser control > Smart App Control settings

• If Smart App Control or another application control policy is enabled, it may be preventing the game from launching.

• After changing the setting, please try launching the game again through Steam.

• If you are unable to change this setting directly, or if you are using a managed PC such as a company or school device, the game may be difficult to launch on that PC for the time being. As a temporary option, please try running the game on another Windows PC where Smart App Control is not applied, or try launching it again on the same PC after some time has passed. Smart App Control appears to consider both the signature status and reputation of new executable files, so the block may be eased over time as more normal launch cases are recorded.

Because this is a security-related issue, we will not treat it lightly and will proceed with a formal response.

We apologize for the inconvenience.