A possible solution: "game doesn't start (black window with loading etc) for ATI

[Yarr]

First, let me say it's been a pleasure playing this game. It's awesome.

Now for the issue; some background first.

I had to reformat my computer a few months back. i've been encountering problems with older software and games like CS, Neverwinter Nights, FF8 and now with M.U.L.E .
I tried to open a game and all i got was a black window.

After 5 really wild nights i figured out that I missed a DLL file  called  atioglxx.dll
That solved all my problems, hope it gives you some help too. I don't know how this will help people with nvidia etc, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Thank you.

Get the DLL file (in case you don't know what google is) from :
www.dll-files.com

[Loraen]

I'll agree to this being a possible solution. My game freezes in the lobby. I searched and found that I have multiple copies of atioglxx.dll (several backups). I tested all of them but couldn't get the game to work. But instead of freezing, with some versions it insta-crashed with no message, some it gave the error that it failed to initialize LJGWL display.

[Yarr]

You should also add mule.exe to your DEP expections list.

Control Panel/ System/ Advanced/ Performance Options / Data Execution Prevention
Select "Turn on Dep for all programs and service except those i select", and add mule. 

[zone51]

oh now i know lol