Product activation and HL2

Sat Nov 13, 2004 10:04 pm by Esquilax

Firstly, I would like to state that I am completely aware that the last thing that TLR needs is another topic about HL2 (or Halo 2

), however I feel that this issue deserves its own thread, not only because of the issues involved, but also because it does not fit in with any of the other existing HL2 threads. Now to get to the point...

*Manages to stop self from posting violent rant*

As you may or may not be aware, HL2 will require product activation before it can be played. I was under the impression that this was only for the individuals who downloaded the "Steam" packages, but apparently the retail versions will also require activation. I despise product activation for various reasons, and I cannot sufficiently express my anger over this matter. I am especially annoyed because the store I pre-ordered HL2 from neglected to inform me of this (greedy bastards). If I had known, I would not have purchased the game, and would have waited for some cracks. Because of the fact that I was not informed of the activation, I may let HL2 sit on the shelf for a week or two until I acquire some cracks before I play it. I'm a patient man. At this stage though, I will try to keep an open mind and, depending upon exactly what is required, I will utilise this "activation" system. That being said however, I am confused as to what will happen the next time I want to play HL2. Will I need to activate the product again? What if I have upgraded my PC? Why the hell do I have to install "Steam"? These questions and more have not been answered to my satisfaction, and I am hoping that someone on TLR has the answers.

Thoughts?

Sat Nov 13, 2004 10:13 pm by Neo_Kuja

Download "Steam" (it's around half a meg, won't break the bandwidth), go to product activation screen, type in your registry/CD number and you can play HL2 on ANY PC after that. At least, that's what I've gathered ...

Sat Nov 13, 2004 10:25 pm by ww2jacob

Wait, are you talking about Half Life 2, or Halo 2?
Ergh, these H2 FPSs are really annoying me.

Sat Nov 13, 2004 10:26 pm by Arania

@esq: i would advise, by firsthand experience, that you register ASAP. If you dont, then it is inevitable that someone will get your CDkey off a keygen and use that for themselves and lock you out.
Trust me, it happened to me, and i had to use a secondary Key to resigter my copy of HL

E.

Trust me

Sat Nov 13, 2004 10:28 pm by Stinger

This sounds exactly like what was required for Freelancer. You're told to take note of the activation/registration code given to you during installation in case you have to start from scratch. I dunno, seems like a pretty innocent request unless you're trying to use the same piece of software (copied or otherwise) on a different machine and that could easily be against the EULA.

Look, spend 10 years developing a piece of software, get all the bugs knocked out, pay all your employees for those 10 years and when someone finds a way to make copies of your precious software or find other ways around the EULA then come back here and defend those that finds way of not giving you and support (through buying your precious product). Then if they rip your precious software apart even if they don't adher to the EULA...try not to go ballistic okay?

Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:43 am by Chips

X2 has that as far as I am aware, not installing extra stuff to do it, but just CD followed by verifying actual CD against CD code every time you play.
You cannot even get onto their tech forums for help/download patches without registering your copy on their forums (I think thats correct). Personally, doesn't bother me in the slightest whatsoever.......am happy to do that.

And who should you really be annoyed at? Them or the pirates that are making them have to do this?

If it really is that big a deal, then take the game back and get a refund? You don't really need to state a reason these days

Sun Nov 14, 2004 3:23 pm by freighter fighter

well ive played it safed and downloaded steam just in case.

Sun Nov 14, 2004 4:10 pm by Esquilax

@esq: i would advise, by firsthand experience, that you register ASAP. If you dont, then it is inevitable that someone will get your CDkey off a keygen and use that for themselves and lock you out.

The only problem with that is that I don't have the game yet; I'm waiting for it to come in on Wednesday

.

So... all of you are happy with pruduct activation? It doesn't bother you at all? *Shakes head* Crazy.

Sun Nov 14, 2004 4:13 pm by Chips

Esq, why should it cause me to worry? What is so bad? I don't grumble over something that doesn't affect me adversely. I am probabily just too laid back though

By the way, I was under the impression that HL is half life, and HL2 is half life two...........

Edited by - Chips on 11/14/2004 4:14:14 PM

Sun Nov 14, 2004 4:34 pm by Esquilax

But the very ideology of PA is wrong! It's like going into a book shop, purchasing a book, and being unable to open the book until you send the ISBN and your email address to the publisher! CD-Keys are one thing, but forcing people to subscribe is not very equitable. In fact, some could see it as an invasion of privacy. Perhaps I'm making too much of this issue, but I still hate PA

.

Chips said:

By the way, I was under the impression that HL is half life, and HL2 is half life two...........

And your point is... ?

Sun Nov 14, 2004 6:40 pm by The Ninja

Umm... esqy... HL-2 comes out tomorrow (tuesday the 16th... well thats what ive been told by the local stores. Which was just confirmed by a quick call to the local EB.)

I'm not a fan of PA, but if a simple (possibly free and cancellable) subscription is preventing me from playing HL-2, then I will gladly subscribe

Sun Nov 14, 2004 7:51 pm by Esquilax

Well when *I* called EB Chadstone this morning, and they said that it be released on the 17th! *Makes quick call* However, I just spoke to someone at EB Camberwell and they said that there is a 65% probability that HL2 will be released tomorrow. All of these date changes are tiring me out

.

Edited by - esquilax on 11/14/2004 7:52:27 PM

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