BATTLETECH - Infinite "Prepping Combat" Load Screen

[Darksteel Paladin]

One line summary of your issue
Infinite "Prepping Combat" Load Screen

What platform are you running the game on?
GoG

What operating system do you use?
Windows 7

Which version of the game are you running?
1.8.0-629R

What DLC do you have installed?
None

Please explain your issue is in as much detail as possible.
NO DLC installed, NO MOD installed (MOD DISABLED)

MOD Cache folder - EMPTY
MOD Database folder - EMPTY

Have tried playing with different mech (SL-era Highlander vs no SL-era Highlander. . . after reading about the skin issues with 1.6), no change in behavior. Did want to note I could NOT change the skin on the SL-era Highlander received after Grave Robbers.

Have tried loading, saving, wait a few in-game days after arrival, change mechs, change loadouts, change pilots. . . no change in behavior.

I have even tried letting the game load overnight, but it was still stuck on the Prepping Combat screen the following morning.

Unable to finish campaign.

Have you tried verifying your files?
No

Steps to reproduce the issue
Open Game
Load Game
Launch "Extraction" Contract
Go through dialog
Select mechs/mechwarriors
Infinite load screen

 

[Tosoth]

Had an infinite load thing yesterday, verifying in steam worked to fix it for me.

 

[Darksteel Paladin]

I ran a verify yesterday via GOG, which also happened to coincide with the release of 1.8.1-640R. The Extraction mission now loads correctly and I was able to move forward in the campaign.