[VtM: Bloodlines]: Anyone else having trouble?

[Dr. Sugardaddy]

I picked up my copy from EB today. Seems to install just fine, but upon running I get a dialog box that states "VCR error: Unable to get engine factory". This occurs shortly after a brief look at the game logo.

A swift and merciless use of my Google-Fu returned only a few hits on this problem. The most thorough discussions (at bloodlines.dilapidation.com and the activision support center) suggested that I update my all my device drivers (which I already have done), being sure to use Driver Cleaner (which I always do). Still no joy. My rig exceeds all of the recommended specs

Intel 3.00 GHz
Windows XP Home SP2
1 Gig RAM
Raedon 9800 Pro 128MB
yada yada yada

I'm not running any software such as Alcohol or CloneCD. I just got Half-Life 2 retail as well and it runs fine. Everything else I've ever thrown at this rig runs great.

Any ideas? I've never seen this before. Would this be a problem with the media (i.e., does it seem likely that exchanging it for another copy would make any difference)? Thanks for any advice.