Failed to contact key server

[Moha]

Since I downloaded the After Dark free patch I am unable to load the game! If my internet connection is on, I get the following message. If I turn it down, the game just won't load, without any messages.

So much waiting for the update and now I can't even open my city

 

[IcratoX]

Hi Moha,

This problem could also be related to the game cache, could you please try verifying the integrity?

1. Load Steam
2. From the Library section, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.
3. Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.
4. Steam will verify the game's files - this process may take several minutes.
5. Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

 

[Moha]

Unfortunately it didn't worked. The verification happened and reported no errors, but I still get the message when I try to load the game.
Btw, I have also restarted the computer after it, and still not able to play.

 

[IcratoX]

Hi Moha,

Are you having similar issues with other games at the moment? It might be an anti-virus/malware or firewall blocking certain communication to the servers. There have been no other reports of this that we know of so far, leading me to think it is likely a client-side issue.

Make sure you also check out other games you know of that use a cd-key, and feel free to click on the 'view cd key' option when you right click on a title to check if you can reproduce this error.

 

[IcratoX]

Also, are you having these issues on a Mac, Linux or Windows PC?

 

[Moha]

I don't have any other game on Steam, only Cities. I have played normally yesterday, about 10 hours ago, and today I just woke up, updated the game and got this message.
I use MacBook Pro Retina Late 2013 i5 2.4ghz, updated OS X to 10.10.5 recently, but have played after it. I don't have antivirus or any other similar program.

I'll try to reinstall Steam to see if it works.

 

[IcratoX]

That may work, however before reinstalling steam you could also check out the Steam KB article on this issue: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2204-OPGC-4862&l=english

Especially the part about the clientregistryblob file might help in this case.

Problem Occurs After Updating Steam
If this problem occurred directly after a Steam update and the firewall is already disabled, please try this process:

1. Log out and exit Steam
2. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Steam (the default location). If you have installed Steam to a different folder, please locate that folder now.
3. Rename the file "ClientRegistry.blob" to ClientRegistryOld.blob and then close the Steam folder
4. Launch Steam and login. Steam should update, re-create the file, and then you will be able to play

 

[Moha]

Well, since I use Mac, I went to a different folder and found a different file:


Renamed registry.vdf to ~old.vdf and relaunched Steam. It recreated the file, but the problem is still there.

Also gave up on reinstalling, because it attempted to delete all my workshop items and save files.

 

[IcratoX]

Did you go to the main installation folder? Also I'd like to try something else, which is disabling all mods: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...sues-with-your-game-after-dark-update.883363/

 

[IcratoX]

Also, did you purchase the After Dark expansion already?

More questions may follow as we try to pinpoint down the problem, there have been a couple of other reports, I am so sorry for the inconveniences! Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

[Moha]

I added the launch option to don't load mods and workshop items, but it didn't worked as well.
Yes, I TRIED to purchase the After Dark expansion, but didn't succeed because the credit card I used is blocked until tomorrow. Now that you mentioned, this may be causing the problem, don't?

 

[IcratoX]

That is some useful information, although I am not 100% sure that would be causing the error.

Could you go to properties again, and select the DLC tab? There check if the after dark expansion is mentioned/enabled. You can also check this from the game's library main page.

 

[Moha]

There it is! Already tried to uncheck and launch the game before posting this answer, and still not working.

 

[IcratoX]

Interesting, we're trying to confirm a couple of things now. Did you receive an order reference by any chance? And if so, could you send me a screenshot or the number mentioned on a receipt/your steam account purchase history in a private message?