http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=15628
--- Comment #12 from Brian gilradthegreat@gmail.com 2008-11-11 18:29:41 --- (In reply to comment #10)
I also confirm. I install the demo this morning with steam and played for 1h. But this evening it refuses to start, using steam or the .exe file. I get an error dialog box called "Fatal Error!" with the message attached.
I tried moving the pers2.dat file but it changed nothing.
Backing up and using a fresh user.reg fixed it for me, try that.