Cities Skylines 2, the sequel to the beloved city-building simulation game, has been eagerly awaited by fans worldwide. However, as with many newly released titles, players have reported encountering crashes, especially on PC. These crashes can be particularly frustrating, especially when they result in lost progress. This guide aims to provide solutions and workarounds to help players enjoy a smoother city-building experience.

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Fix #1: Removing the Launcher for a Smoother Experience

For some players, the Paradox Launcher can be a source of issues, including game crashes. If you believe the launcher is causing problems for Cities Skylines 2 or any other game that uses it, you can remove it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do so:

Step 1: Remove Game-Specific Files

Before uninstalling the launcher, you need to delete specific files related to the game:

  1. Navigate to the game’s data directory. For Cities Skylines 2, it’s typically located at C:\Users\YOURUSER\AppData\Local\Colossal Order\Cities_Skylines.
  2. Delete the following files or folders:
    • .launcher-cache
    • content_load.json or dlc_load.json (depending on the game)
    • game_data.json
    • newsfeed

Step 2: Uninstall the Launcher and Delete Settings Files

On Windows:

  1. Go to Add or Remove Programs and uninstall “Paradox Launcher v2”.
  2. Delete the following files or folders if they still exist:
    • C:\Users%username%\AppData\Roaming\Paradox Interactive\launcher-v2
    • C:\Users%username%\AppData\Local\Paradox Interactive\launcherpath
    • C:\Users%username%\AppData\Local\Paradox Interactive\launcher-v2 (this should only contain logs)

On Mac:

  1. Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Paradox Interactive.
  2. Remove the following files and folders:
    • cpatch (this is hidden by default)
    • launcher-v2 (all versions)
    • bootstrapper-v2
    • ThirdPartyLicenses.txt

On Linux:

  1. Delete the following files and folders:
    • ~/.paradoxlauncher
    • ~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2
    • ~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/launcherpath

Step 3: Launch the Game

After completing the above steps, you can launch Cities Skylines 2 directly without the Paradox Launcher. This can potentially resolve any issues you were facing due to the launcher and provide a smoother gaming experience.

Fix #2: Check Minimum System Requirements

Before diving into specific fixes, it’s crucial to ensure that your PC meets the game’s minimum system requirements. Running the game on a system that doesn’t meet these requirements can lead to performance issues and crashes.

Minimum System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-6700K or AMD® Ryzen™ 5 2600X
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 970 with 4 GB VRAM or AMD® Radeon™ RX 480 with 8 GB VRAM
  • Storage: 60 GB of available space
  • Additional Notes: A 64-bit processor and operating system are required.

Recommended System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit or Windows® 11
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-12600K or AMD® Ryzen™ 7 5800X
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce™ RTX 3080 with 10 GB VRAM or AMD® Radeon™ RX 6800 XT with 16 GB VRAM
  • Storage: 60 GB of available space
  • Additional Notes: A 64-bit processor and operating system are required.

Fix #3: Update Graphics Drivers and Verify Game Files

  • Update Graphics Drivers: Ensure that your graphics drivers are up-to-date. You can visit the manufacturer’s website for your graphics card or use a Driver Updater tool for an automated solution.
  • Verify Game Files: Corrupted game files can lead to crashes. To verify the integrity of game files on Steam:
    • Disable any firewall or antivirus programs temporarily.
    • Open Steam and navigate to Cities: Skylines 2 in your library.
    • Right-click on the game, select “Properties.”
    • Go to the “Local files” tab.
    • Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files” and wait for the process to complete.

Adjust Game Settings

If you’re playing on a high-end GPU like the RTX 4090, consider dropping the resolution from 4K to 1440p and setting most graphics options to medium. This adjustment has been reported to improve stability for some players.

Fix #4: Roll Back GPU Drivers

For NVIDIA GPU users, rolling back to driver version 537.42 might offer better stability than the latest version, 537.58. However, results may vary, so it’s essential to test and see which driver version works best for your system.

Fix #5: Enable Autosave and Use Steam Cloud Saves

Ensure that the autosave feature is turned on to prevent significant progress loss in case of a crash. Additionally, switch to Steam Cloud saves instead of local saves to ensure your progress is backed up online.

Fix #6: Disable DLC, Mods, and Custom Assets

Some DLCs, mods, or custom assets might cause compatibility issues. If you suspect this is the case, try disabling them and see if the game runs smoothly.

If none of the above solutions work, consider reinstalling Cities: Skylines 2. A fresh installation can resolve issues caused by corrupted game files.