The game client seems to crash every time I attempt to shut it down via any reasonable means (in-game commands, closing the window in windowed mode). The bug reporter successfully pops up, etc. I'm running Windows XP, so I also get Microsoft's "ohnoes!" crash popup.

I accidentally made a breakthrough recently on this, where it seems it will only crash if it had previously detected my Microsoft Force Feedback 2 joystick (oldie but a goodie). When the game can't see the joystick, it doesn't crash. Not sure how to move forward with this, as I'm using XP's drivers and it recognizes the joystick as the specific model, etc (then again it's a Microsoft product).

Random comp details if it matters:
OS: Windows XP 32bit Home (SP3)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ @ 2.41GHz (dual core if it matters)
1 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT
Audio: Soundblaster Live

Yeah, I discovered that same problem when reading through your bug report. Someone else has the same problem. There's a bug with closing Microsoft's Sidewinder Direct Input drivers.
I'm thinking of adding code to check for that joystick and not closing the drivers for that card.

When you say it doesn't detect the joystick, does that mean you have it plugged in or not plugged in?

oh its cause of vo the sidewinder crashes when u shut down... wow

Either. So long as the client doesn't see it there (either I didn't have the drivers as before, or it simply isn't plugged in but I DO have the drivers installed) there will not be any problems. As soon as the joystick is recognized, it'll crash on shutdown.

EDIT: Just a note that's likely already been figured out but the client will not crash at any other time other than shutdown, which I'm assuming backs up the driver problem.