Half-Life 2 To Use Windows Like Activation?

Site Admin Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 0

According to this article, it appears as though the long awaited Half-Life 2 will be using an online activation system. Is this good news? Is this bad news? How well did/does it work for Microsoft? Only time will tell.

Here's a quick quote from the article:

We've implemented a system very similar to Windows Product Activation, which prevents you from installing the same copy of Windows on more than one PC. In our case, it allows one copy of HL2 per machine. This will hold true for those who purchase it over Steam, and those who buy it in a box at the store. You can activate your copy over the Internet, or by mailing in the activation card that will come with the game. Steam users will obviously have their game activated over the Internet.

Interesting? I thought so as well... So, in light of this, what does this community think? Will this help sales? Hurt them? Cause mass insanity? Give us your thoughts.

UO Noob Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 35

Forget it, I won't even consider purchasing anything that resembles the way XP has to be registered, re-registered continuosly. If MS keeps their process the same for the next generation, I won't buy it either. Sorry Valve. I understand what you want, but for me, it has to come as a different process.

Guest

Uhh when HL2 comes out i'll be putting it on a PC with no internet connection, does this mean that i have to send off a card through the post even before i can play the dam game?? Mad

Ultimate Fanboy Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 508

Yea, I hate the XP activation. My PC has changed a bit, and now I have to call them up every time I want to format my PC, and read them off a craptload of numbers so they can read me a crapload of numbers and ask me if I have it installed on multiple machines.

I definately wouldn't buy a game with this system.

I mean, classic games should last many computers... or when you get through with it, you may want to give it to a friend...

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 7:44 am

this is totally gunna suck, what about peoii, what is he going to do with linux Wink

TBH i have never had to call MS with all my numbers, i just format and run, but i think i will wait and see how this "registering" process works for a while before i buy it. and i bet you guys will to Smile

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 12:27 pm

This proved to be a fake interview and it has since been pulled from the main page. Sorry for the confusion.

UO Noob Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 14

phew those were some scary couple of hours Smile

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 1:16 pm

Welp, guess that just goes to prove that a bad idea is TRUELY a bad idea. Atleast it wound up being fake, and who knows, it might have done some good seeing a quick community reaction to such outlandish ideas.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 1:25 pm

lol.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 3:47 pm

OMFG dont scare me like that Smile

Irix WAnnabe Joined: 22 Jun 2003 Posts: 122

Considering how incredibly pirated HL1 is, and the thriving business in trading Keys, I wouldn't be suprised if they come up with something tougher to protect their game.