Removed all mods, verified Steam integrity, and I still can't get anything to launch. The little splash screen comes up (the one with Play, Options, Data Files, etc) but when I hit play, nothing happens. The splash screen will close, re-open, and that's it. Just a cycle.

Hotfix soon? Or am I just out of luck now.

Are you using a script extender? (SKYSE or ScriptDragon)That will need to be updated.

I don't know what those are, so can I assume I'm not? How might I check?

Also, just a note: Every time I try to verify the game cache, it says 1 file failed and will be reacquired. This happens every time.

It seems to be a preferences file I think, because after the download it says it will now detect my video settings.

You may have installed them if a mod you were using required it, I have moved this to mods as I don't use those script wrappers yet (I wait for all the patches before I use many mods) so I am not sure how to check for having those installed in this game.

Try deleting all your ini and pref's files in the My Documents/My Games/Skyrim, then reverify the cache, then try the game again.

Well I'm re-installing the vanilla game right now, and I hope that fixes it. If not, I would kindly ask you to move this back to support. I'll keep you posted.

Edit:

Yes, exactly.

FYI, skyrim refused to start for me as well after steam auto update. There was background music, no start menu. I had to use the "verify local game cache" function to update a couple of files to get it working. After that, everything goes well, all mods I use appear to be fine.