I haven't touched PC games in awhile but from what I can remember they all come with cd-keys. I recently just installed Windows Vista and I'm thinking about picking up Halo 2, Gears of War and a few other games. Will there be any issue with buying them used off of Ebay? Can people just make a copy of their games and write down the cd-key like the old days?
Q: Purchasing Used PC Games on Ebay (cd-key issue?)
- Thread starter ab21
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I don't own those games so I can't comment on them, but I'll give you some general advice.
It was a good thing to ask here about them. A lot of games, especially multiplayer-focus ones, have systems where you have to associate a CD-key with an account, which removes the CD-key out of circulation afterward (Battlefield 2, Guild Wars, etc.).
Unless you know exactly the type of copy-protection/registration system a game is using, you should ask others what they use, then decide how to proceed from there.
If a game is using a system that binds a cd-key to a single account, such as Guild Wars, make sure to ask the seller whether the key has been used or if they will be including the created account (against most EULAs, so watch it). Also watch it with games like Blizzard's titles, where a key can be used on more than one account, but only one player-per-key can be online at any time.
It was a good thing to ask here about them. A lot of games, especially multiplayer-focus ones, have systems where you have to associate a CD-key with an account, which removes the CD-key out of circulation afterward (Battlefield 2, Guild Wars, etc.).
Unless you know exactly the type of copy-protection/registration system a game is using, you should ask others what they use, then decide how to proceed from there.
If a game is using a system that binds a cd-key to a single account, such as Guild Wars, make sure to ask the seller whether the key has been used or if they will be including the created account (against most EULAs, so watch it). Also watch it with games like Blizzard's titles, where a key can be used on more than one account, but only one player-per-key can be online at any time.
do some research on the games in question.
like Guild wars and Diablo 2, if the key is used, it's tied to an account and you'll need the account to play the game.
Maybe not D2 for offline, but online yeah.
it would be best to ask someone that has it, and what would be the problems of already being used.
like Guild wars and Diablo 2, if the key is used, it's tied to an account and you'll need the account to play the game.
Maybe not D2 for offline, but online yeah.
it would be best to ask someone that has it, and what would be the problems of already being used.
For Halo 2 and Gears of War, I think multiplayer is under Microsoft's Live. The cd-keys may be attached to the previous owner's account, if he played online before.
In a general rule, I wouldn't buy used PC games. Too much hassle for a potential used CD-key. And PC games generally drop in price much faster than console games anyway.
In a general rule, I wouldn't buy used PC games. Too much hassle for a potential used CD-key. And PC games generally drop in price much faster than console games anyway.
Sideswiper
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I buy used PC games all the time. I just got Unreal 3 and the CD key worked fine. Goozex is a *great* place to get used PC games, and ebay is pretty good also.
Many games do not have keys. On ones that do, usually when I install it the CD key still works for me.
Though on the Windows Live games like Halo 2 and Gears of War, I don't know. I guess you should do your homework on those.
Many games do not have keys. On ones that do, usually when I install it the CD key still works for me.
Though on the Windows Live games like Halo 2 and Gears of War, I don't know. I guess you should do your homework on those.
I purchased World In Conflict (Window live game) on ebay, used. The key can only be registered to once and to only one email address. I explained the situation to customer support along with providing a link to the auction. I requested that they unlock to code so I could re-register it under my email address. They denied my request. They did provide the options of sending the disc to them along with $10. I would have to state the disc had been damaged (kind of strange). Then I would get a new disc with a new code. The person I purchased from on Ebay agreed to refund some of my money, so the game price was only $8 including shipping. I haven't decided if I'm going to pay the extra $10 for a new disc though.
crystalklear64
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[quote name='ab21']someone on cag's gotta have these games... anyone?[/QUOTE]
What else is there to say?
Yes there could potentially be issues.
What else is there to say?
Yes there could potentially be issues.
bread's done