maybe some files missing try to reinstal i haved same problem whit some other game 90% some files are missing
or
try edit gothic.ini be carefull but don`t panic!
Yes, if your friend is running windows 7, that is the only problem that could prohibit its working, as KGS said. So just launch the game, press ctrl alt delete, and remove the process run32dll from the list, then launch the game again, and everything should be fine. A permanent solution can be done by having an access to the internet, as windows 7 first wants information regarding a game before running it, and if he doesn't get any, he doesn't launch the game.
And now, after the hero killed rhobar the second, he joined xardas and they went to The Unknown Lands, where other dangers await him and new legendary creatures to be killed...