Steam - "Failed to contact key server"

[alejor]

I recently purchased AI Wars on steam while it was on sale. When I try to launch it through Steam I get this error:

"Failed to contact key server"

I read this may have something to do with there not being enough keys available and I should just wait a few days and it will be ok. I've waited a few days now and I still have this problem. Haven't seen anyone else complain recently though...

[x4000]

Hmm, this is really strange.  The game no longer uses license keys at all.  What happens when you right-click the game in Steam?  Does it show a View CD Keys link?  If so, that's definitely some sort of misconfiguration.

Sorry for the trouble here.  I'll have to talk to Valve tomorrow when they are in the office to find out what is going on if it continues.  Is your steam username the same as your forum name here?

[alejor]

Hi, thank you for the timely response!

When I right click in Steam, I get a list of options including "play game", "view CD key", "view downloadable content", "view player manual", etc. If I try to launch the game from here or view CD key I get the error I reported.

Actually I have discovered how I must play the game. I have to go to the folder it's contained in and run it through the executable icon rather than through Steam.

I guess it's a Steam problem then.

Thanks for the help!

[x4000]

That's super odd, but I'm glad there is a workaround.  If you want it to launch from Steam, you could also add a shortcut to a "non steam game" for that same location.  Then just launch that version from steam rather than the official one.