CD-Key Frustration
The not-so-modern frustration of today's PC gamer. I have a game CD, the game manual, and even the original game BOX, but I cannot find the sleeve with the CD-Key after upgrading to a new computer and reinstalling all of my games.

At least this time around I'm being a little smarter and recording all my CD-Keys in a printable text file.

I wonder if I can export my CD-Key from the registry of my old system? Most likely not, but I think I'll have to poke around.

There's ONE clear advantage of consoles over retail. Well, actually, it's also potentially an advantage of (some) downloadable games over retail, as well. More than one copy of the activation code floating around.

In other (related) news, it looks like STEAM is becoming a haven for games that need a second chance. I refused to buy X3: Reunion because of the nasssty copy protection scheme. But via Steam (and at a cheaper cost), it's becoming more palatable. I also noted an announcement today that Tim Schaffer's Psychonauts is coming to STEAM. And of course, Popcap announced STEAM distribution some time ago. It looks like Valve is positioning itself as something of a second-string publisher for retail games.

As an indie game developer, it means both competition and opportunity. As a consumer, however, it means awesome. If only the games didn't take so friggin long to download. While broadband offers lots of opportunities, it still can't to compete with the bandwidth of a DVD-ROM going in your car from the store to your house in 15 minutes.
- posted by The Rampant Coyote @ 5:06 AM (Permalink)