GRID 2 stuck at splash screen

[Mitch037]

Describe what you noticed and did

1. Launch GRID 2 via Steam
2. Get stuck at the splash screen
   From there on the game process is not responding and the only way to be able to return to OS is to close the process manually via Windows Task Manager.

How often did you encounter it so far?

Always

Affected program

GRID 2

Download link

https://store.steampowered.com/app/44350/GRID_2/
OR
https://games.softpedia.com/get/Games-Demo/Codemasters-GRID-2.shtml

Where is the program located?

The program is installed only inside a sandbox (NOT in the real system anyway).

Expected behavior

It is expected to be able to launch the game properly.

What is your Windows edition and version?

Windows 7 x64

In which Windows account you have this problem?

An account with UAC protection completely turned off.

Please mention any installed security software

Microsoft Security Essentials

What version of Sandboxie are you running?

Sandboxie Plus 1.10.5 x64

Is it a new installation of Sandboxie?

I recently did a new clean installation.

Is it a regression?

No response

In which sandbox type you have this problem?

All sandbox types (I tried them all).

Can you reproduce this problem on a new empty sandbox?

I can confirm it also on a new empty sandbox.

Did you previously enable some security policy settings outside Sandboxie?

No response

Crash dump

No response

Trace log

No response

Sandboxie.ini configuration

No response

[Mitch037]

Conclusion of further testing is that the issue is related to CEG (Custom Executable Generation) - a Valve's DRM.