Whenever I try to join or host a game, the game crashes, usually after about 15 seconds after pressing "Create game" or "Join game." It might just be the laptop that I have, it has windows 8.1 and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000.
Gumland, could you please upload (not copy/paste) a copy of your dxdiag.txt file? That's the first point of debugging in all cases!
Your problem with game caused by outdated drivers: Code: Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 Driver Version: 9.17.10.2857 To update drivers download and install "win64_153314.exe" from Intel website: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=23639
Then you need download ZIP version of driver ("win64_153314.zip") from same page and then install it using this instruction: http://steamcommunity.com/app/233250/discussions/2/558749190911446231/