After launching the game the logo appears and nothing else happens.

I solved it by installing the hotfix of NET Framework 4 which can be found here

http://en.cdprojektred.com/support/game-does-not-start/

I have a similar problem, except I also get an error message that claims that the application couldn't start, and has one option - to close the application.

Can you please explain what the "hotfix" is/does?

I do not know what it really does or is. You just download and run it. If you want more information maybe you should try the support from the link I posted.