Stuck on log in screen

[pipvac 0]

Yesterday no problems, today I cannot get past the splash screen which says "Checking game version".

It just sits there with the 'busy' cursor doing its rotating blobs. Left it for well over 20 minutes before ctrl-alt-del my way back to desktop.

Any thoughts on what may be causing this? No change to my client, or hardware in between my logging on yesterday and my attempts today.

Game version is 1.0 (build 369) by the way.

Cheers folks.

[CM5280 0]

I'm having the same problem. I would assume MC is having server issues, but this stinks cuz you can't even get to the menu screen to play solo....

Edit:  I just submitted a ticket to MC.  Lets see what they say...

[CM5280 0]

I just tried again, and now it works - woohoo!

[Ryan Sanders 0]

So.. I just bought this game... and I have to sign in to play. That is fine and dandy.. but what about if I don't have internet at the time?? I don't like being stuck having to use the internet to play solo.

I also can't get it to get past that screen.. I kinda want my $40 back. Can't even get the game to get going.. pitiful.

[CM5280 0]

Yep, it's happening again today - interesting that the connection problems today happened at the same time yesterday.

Anyway, here was the reply from MC from my complaint yesterday:

Dear CM5280,

Thank you for your interest in Cities XL.

This is due to a temporary server slowdown.

Quit the game and connect again in a few minutes.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Best regards,

The Cities XL Support Team

[Ryan Sanders 0]

So how do I play offline?

Edit:

Well I find out you cant get into the game without logging in first.. which is no problem.. but it won't go past hte Checking Game Version screen.. this is ridiculous. No offense to the guys.. but if you pay $40 for a game.. You'd like to be able to play it.

[Amphiptere 0]

So is there no way to play offline?

I mainly want to play single player, and after tested properly will join online. Really want to play now, have tried 4 times to connect, will keep trying but this is a bit frustrating. Game looks too awesome!

[Ryan Sanders 0]

I agree Amphiptere... I sent in a support ticket or whatever. If they can't provide a solid ground for this game to run on.. then they should have waited before releasing it. I'd rather have my money back right now and maybe go buy a pair of shoes.

UPDATE:

Going to offline mode.. I disconected from the network and tried to login on XL and then it said Offline and it let me play.

[gyzzzmo 0]

same problem here.

[blokx 0]

I just bought this game today. First it tried to tell me it couldn't run on a 64 bit operating system. I called its bluff and ran it from outside steam. Now it just sits at "Checking Game Version".

Please tell me I didn't just waste money. Haha! Do I just have to be patient and wait for them to get their stuff together?

Originally posted by: Ryan Sanders

UPDATE:

Going to offline mode.. I disconected from the network and tried to login on XL and then it said Offline and it let me play.

quote>

I just disabled my internet connection and tried and it just popped up a warning saying I need to check my connection.  No option for offline mode.

[btonkid23 0]

this is really disappointing... over two hours on my end and still not able to play. did the mouse fall off its wheel? it doesn't need to be necessary to connect to game servers to play offline. its bad enough that solo play is gimped by itself, but if servers are overstressed because too many paid accounts are logged in, it would be nice to at least have offline play separate from the launcher. I'd rather have gimped play than none at all. besides, that would be good time to try new/different approaches to maybe implement in your online city

[m0p 0]

I have the same problem, but I'm not stuck on the splash screen... I login successfully, get past the intro, and then it gets stuck on the loading screen and it says "checking game version" and goes nowhere. I've restarted the game, loaded it with and without Steam, dunno what to do from here. If you guys solve your problem, please let me know what you did.

[CM5280 0]

m0p, its not you or your connection, it's MC's servers. If you submit a support ticket, they'll probably just tell you what they told me - servers are slow, keep trying...

[PatMan3000 0]

I wonder if we're all going to get comped for the time that they are down.

[uksuzanne 0]

I'm stuck on the checking game version screen as well.

Have been trying to log on for about 4 hours now unsuccessfully. Gave it about 20 mins each time.

Not impressed as I've paid for these days & actually wanted to play planet mode for once.

edited to add - had the same problem yesterday

[paylot 0]

22:15 Prague Time, stuck on Checking Game Version 

[bwavin 0]

having the same problems tonight, I must say its the first time. have submitted a ticket so see what they say.

[gsmith99 0]

I logged in here hoping there would be a thread about this, since I just bought the game and haven't been able to play it at all. This is really not acceptable.

[Rakeesh 0]

Same. Have been trying for a few hours now and it's been stuck on checking game version/connecting to master. It makes me sad. :C

[pipvac 0]

Once again, I'm stuck on this screen.

At what point does this become a breach of contract? or failure to supply a service?

This is difficult to accept on two counts:-

1) Having paid for the planet offer, its reasonable to expect to be able to log in and use my account at any time other than during maintenance of the server, or when new functionality is being added, as per the EULA. As per the reply above this is neither of these instances, and constitutes a loss of service;

2) Due to their draconian software security, a side effect of not being able to use the server is that the offline mode is also inaccessible. For the hard of thinking, let me repeat.... 'offline mode'. Again, a product for which I have paid, I cannot use when I wish too, even if I had no desire to use Monte Cristo's servers.

French law and cleverly worded EULAs can only go so far at protecting MC from this abstract failure to honour its obligations in respect of providing access to this product both online and offline. Particularly as the vast majority of us have fulfilled, without default, our obligations in respect of the EULA.

At the very least, some kind of communication from MC as to the nature of this issue, and the corrective actions in place to restore service would not be unreasonable to expect, nes pas!?

[Grakelin 0]

I'm having this issue, too. I think this may be one of many reasons why MC doesn't keep a forum anymore.

[jackson1020 0]

its still doing it been trying for last 2 hours to log in sat night and  i cant play man that sucks

[btonkid23 0]

and it's working again... just got in. hopefully everyone else can too

[gsmith99 0]

Well, well, well... I added an exception for the game to Windows Firewall, and it fixed it!

[jackson1020 0]

pipvac you hit it on the head some form of coms is all most of use are looking for very poor customer service indeed, and i have been playing online games for 10 years and this is by far the worst so far. Even though they are new at this and this game is very unique. Nevertheless some form of contact or a general post on web site in regards to this.

[pipvac 0]

Should anyone wish to pursue further action, then please feel free to do so under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (UK), supported by European Directive 1999/44/EC, which will provide a grounding in France where MC are registered.

Personally, I would be happy with some form of explanation, and list of corrective actions applied in a 'reasonable' length of time.

As for their experience, one would hope that they retained some expertise from running an MMO from their other offerings, going as far back as Starpeace (now run by independents with MC's blessing).

[Keralis 0]

Game with great potential to bad Monte Cristo made it

Totally fed up with it to be honest, login takes ages and once i succeed i get disconnected after a few minutes.

Wish that this was working since I really want to play but my patience is running out and this might be the last Monte Cristo game bought by me.