Purchased FNV today in hard copy from Target. I launch the game from steam, try to create a new game, and subsequently crash after seeing what I assume is a moon in the opening cinematic.

To start, my basic system specs are Windows7 home premium, i5, nvidia gt 555m, 4gb ram. I don't have an asus so the corresponding asusgame program is not on my computer.

I've researched this problem to the maximum potential of my Google-fu; but alas, all suggested fixes haven't worked.

I have tried:

verifying game files
resulting in - Validation failure: c:\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\InstallScript.vdf
->then tried deleting the install script and re-downloading it. no change.

Editing Fallout default .ini
(I do not have fallout.ini as I haven't been able to create a game yet)
removing
"SMainMenuMovieIntro=
SIntroSequence=
sIntroMovie=Fallout INTRO Vsk.bik"
Renaming intro vsk.

Downloaded d3d9.dll and placed in main fallout folder.

Updated video drivers.

Restarted ALL THE THINGS.

So far nothing has worked and no official fix seems to exist. I suppose I could go through the process of posting a dxdiag, but honestly I don't think my specs are my issue.

plz halp.