Actually, I did, which is why I was perplexed with this error. But I ended up reinstalling FS2 and that fixed the problem.
The one question I am trying to figure out is if 3.6.12 is compatible with older player files, as when I attempt to open a player file from 3.6.10, I get this:
==========================================================================
DEBUG SPEW: No debug_filter.cfg found, so only general, error, and warning
categories can be shown and no debug_filter.cfg info will be saved.
==========================================================================
FreeSpace version: 3.6.12
Passed cmdline options:
-spec_exp 8.2
-spec_static 3.5
-spec_point 8.6
-spec_tube 1.0
-ambient_factor 70
-env
-mipmap
-missile_lighting
-glow
-spec
-normal
-3dshockwave
-ballistic_gauge
-dualscanlines
-rearm_timer
-targetinfo
-3dwarp
-warp_flash
-snd_preload
-mod MediaVPs_3612
-ati_swap
Building file index...
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Advanced.vp' with a checksum of 0x4b8b0f5a
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_AnimGlows.vp' with a checksum of 0x6a554026
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Assets.vp' with a checksum of 0x529cc70f
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Effects.3612.vp' with a checksum of 0x9c510aa0
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Effects.vp' with a checksum of 0xb9a9a485
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Music.vp' with a checksum of 0xb3e21469
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_RadarIcons.vp' with a checksum of 0x31dd7781
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Root.3612.vp' with a checksum of 0x7c9d7e74
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Root.vp' with a checksum of 0x6ffd5c78
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\multi-mission-pack.vp' with a checksum of 0x377695e0
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\multi-voice-pack.vp' with a checksum of 0xd50e7442
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\root_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0xce10d76c
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\smarty_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0xddeb3b1e
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\sparky_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0x164fe65a
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\sparky_hi_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0xa11d56f1
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\stu_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0xd77da83a
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\tango1_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0x4c25221e
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\tango2_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0x86920b82
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\tango3_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0x705e8d71
Found root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\warble_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0xd85c305d
Found root pack 'g:\tango1_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0x4c25221e
Found root pack 'g:\tangoA_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0x2e10c984
Found root pack 'g:\warble_fs2.vp' with a checksum of 0xd85c305d
Searching root 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\' ... 1 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Advanced.vp' ... 1283 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_AnimGlows.vp' ... 1641 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Assets.vp' ... 1905 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Effects.3612.vp' ... 2 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Effects.vp' ... 1892 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Music.vp' ... 32 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_RadarIcons.vp' ... 24 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Root.3612.vp' ... 13 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\MediaVPs_3612\MV_Root.vp' ... 358 files
Searching root 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\' ... 46 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\multi-mission-pack.vp' ... 110 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\multi-voice-pack.vp' ... 307 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\root_fs2.vp' ... 157 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\smarty_fs2.vp' ... 10 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\sparky_fs2.vp' ... 3027 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\sparky_hi_fs2.vp' ... 1337 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\stu_fs2.vp' ... 2355 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\tango1_fs2.vp' ... 32 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\tango2_fs2.vp' ... 15 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\tango3_fs2.vp' ... 10 files
Searching root pack 'C:\Games\FreeSpace2\warble_fs2.vp' ... 52 files
Searching root 'g:\' ... 3 files
Searching root pack 'g:\tango1_fs2.vp' ... 32 files
Searching root pack 'g:\tangoA_fs2.vp' ... 0 files
Searching root pack 'g:\warble_fs2.vp' ... 52 files
Found 26 roots and 14696 files.
AutoLang: Language auto-detection successful...
Setting language to English
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_core-lcl.tbm' ...
Initializing OpenAL...
Using 'Generic Software on Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)' as OpenAL sound device...
OpenAL Vendor : Creative Labs Inc.
OpenAL Renderer : Software
OpenAL Version : 1.1
... OpenAL successfully initialized!
Initializing OpenGL graphics device at 1280x1024 with 32-bit color...
Initializing WGL...
Requested WGL Video values = R: 8, G: 8, B: 8, depth: 32, double-buffer: 1
Actual WGL Video values = R: 8, G: 8, B: 8, depth: 32, double-buffer: 1
OpenGL Vendor : ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL Renderer : AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series
OpenGL Version : 4.1.10362 Compatibility Profile Context
Using extension "GL_EXT_fog_coord".
Using extension "GL_ARB_multitexture".
Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_env_add".
Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_compression".
Using extension "GL_EXT_texture_compression_s3tc".
Using extension "GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic".
Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_env_combine".
Using extension "GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array".
Using extension "GL_EXT_draw_range_elements".
Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat".
Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two".
Using extension "GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object".
Using extension "GL_ARB_pixel_buffer_object".
Using extension "GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap".
Using extension "GL_EXT_framebuffer_object".
Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_rectangle".
Using extension "GL_EXT_bgra".
Using extension "GL_ARB_texture_cube_map".
Using extension "GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias".
Using extension "GL_ARB_point_sprite".
Using extension "GL_ARB_shading_language_100".
Using extension "GL_ARB_shader_objects".
Using extension "GL_ARB_vertex_shader".
Using extension "GL_ARB_fragment_shader".
Using extension "GL_ARB_shader_texture_lod".
Found special extension function "wglSwapIntervalEXT".
Initializing Shaders Manager...
Loading and compiling main shaders...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (null-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (null-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (b-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (b-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (b-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (bg-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lb-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbg-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbgs-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbs-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (le-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbgse-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (le-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbse-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbgn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbgsn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbsn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lne-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbgsne-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lne-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lbsne-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lf-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfb-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lf-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbg-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lf-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbgs-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lf-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbs-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfe-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbgse-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfe-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbse-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfn-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbgn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfn-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbgsn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfn-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfn-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbsn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfne-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbgsne-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lfne-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lfbsne-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (null-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lg-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lgs-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (l-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (ls-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (le-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lgse-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (le-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lse-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lgn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lgsn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (ln-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (ln-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lsn-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lne-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lgsne-f.sdr) ...
Compiling main shader -> main-v.sdr (lne-v.sdr) / main-f.sdr (lsne-f.sdr) ...
Shaders Manager initialized.
Max texture units: 8 (16)
Max elements vertices: 2147483647
Max elements indices: 16777215
Max texture size: 16384x16384
Can use compressed textures: YES
Texture compression available: YES
Using trilinear texture filter.
Using GLSL for model rendering.
Shader Version: 4.10
... OpenGL init is complete!
Size of bitmap info = 760 KB
Size of bitmap extra info = 52 bytes
ANI cursorweb with size 24x24 (25.0% wasted)
GRAPHICS: Initializing default colors...
SCRIPTING: Beginning initialization sequence...
SCRIPTING: Beginning Lua initialization...
LUA: Opening LUA state...
LUA: Initializing base Lua libraries...
LUA: Beginning ADE initialization
ADE: Initializing enumeration constants...
ADE: Assigning Lua session...
SCRIPTING: Beginning main hook parse sequence....
Wokka! Error opening file (scripting.tbl)!
TABLES: Unable to parse 'scripting.tbl'! Error code = 5.
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_flak-sct.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_dbrs-sct.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_exp-sct.tbm' ...
SCRIPTING: Inititialization complete.
SCRIPTING: Splash screen overrides checked
SCRIPTING: Splash hook has been run
SCRIPTING: Splash screen conditional hook has been run
Using high memory settings...
Wokka! Error opening file (interface.tbl)!
WMCGUI: Unable to parse 'interface.tbl'! Error code = 5.
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-sdf.tbm' ...
ANI 2_radar1 with size 209x170 (33.6% wasted)
Windows reported 16 joysticks, we found 1
Current soundtrack set to -1 in event_music_reset_choices
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_music-mus.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-mfl.tbm' ...
Wokka! Error opening file (armor.tbl)!
TABLES: Unable to parse 'armor.tbl'! Error code = 5.
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-amr.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-wxp.tbm' ...
BMPMAN: Found EFF (exp20.eff) with 75 frames at 20 fps.
BMPMAN: Found EFF (ExpMissileHit1.eff) with 92 frames at 20 fps.
BMPMAN: Found EFF (exp04.eff) with 49 frames at 22 fps.
BMPMAN: Found EFF (exp05.eff) with 93 frames at 20 fps.
BMPMAN: Found EFF (exp06.eff) with 92 frames at 22 fps.
BMPMAN: Found EFF (capflash.eff) with 40 frames at 10 fps.
BMPMAN: Found EFF (Maxim_Impact.eff) with 23 frames at 30 fps.
ANI Lamprey_Impact with size 80x80 (37.5% wasted)
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_core-wep.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-wep.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_assets-wep.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-obt.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_core-shp.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'radar-shp.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-shp.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_assets-shp.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_core-hdg.tbm' ...
TBM => Starting parse of 'mv_effects-str.tbm' ...
loading animated cursor "cursor"
ANI cursor with size 24x24 (25.0% wasted)
MediaVPs: Flaming debris script loaded!
MediaVPs: Explosions script loaded!
Ships.tbl is : VALID
Weapons.tbl is : VALID
cfile_init() took 391
Got event GS_EVENT_GAME_INIT (49) in state NOT A VALID STATE (0)
ANI cursor.ani with size 24x24 (25.0% wasted)
Got event GS_EVENT_MAIN_MENU (0) in state GS_STATE_INITIAL_PLAYER_SELECT (37)
Someone passed an extension to bm_load for file 'lion1.pcx'
ASSERTION: "len < n" at cfile.cpp:1296
Freeing all existing models...
ERROR: Verify failure: Vbuf0 != NULL
File: 3ddraw.cpp
Line: 64