CD-Keys: Love em or Hate em?

Well yesterday I purchased the gold edition of Supreme Commander and finally got around to opening it today. Now, I first grabbed the booklet to get the CD-Key off of to install the game (Something I don't mind doing) but then noticed a loose piece of paper in the case as well. To my surprise, it was the install key for Forged Alliance. I don't truly mind the fact it has a CD-Key as well but that it is on a piece of paper smaller then a credit card that could easily be lost. Then, it struck me. How many of these types of CD-Keys have I come across before? I have seen ones on paperback CD cases that always get lost, booklets that take up space and can cause a cluttered look if you don't have storage for them, and the inside of cases that you may not want to keep around due to storage limitations. Is it really necessary for having so many different ways of placing the CD-Key for the game? Is it too much to ask for some kind of standard?

Anyways, to my original question. Do you hate CD keys or not mind them? If you don't mind them, is the packaging as annoying as I find it?

i don't mind them. they're a necessary evil. but i'm looking forward to the day when it'll be all digital download; that way, i won't ever have to worry about scratching my cds/dvds or losing my cd keys.

i like it best when the cd keys are written on the manual or stuck to the insides of the plastic boxes. that way, i don't have to worry about small pieces of paper and possibly losing them.

I don't have problems with them. I usually copy them down to somewhere more secure and keep them in one place.

I bought the SupCom gold version too. My CD-Key for Forged Allience was on the back of the manual. It seems they don't even have standards for the same game.

I write down all the CD keys in a book, and keep that book by my PC. That way I never have to go hunting for them, and not worry about losing them.

Of course, there are occasions when I've misplaced the book as well... Maybe I should get a chain and padlock. Hmm...

I wish they would avoid using:

O, 0

S, 5

I, l, 1

G, 6

Depending on the font they can look the same.

CD Keys are so annoying like they print them on the dumbest things and now a days cd keys are:

13k3213-13123k312lj3h-askqwio99-asdlqadlk1n31

And you enter it and it missing one key and you have to re enter it :@

Personally I have no issue with them, but I do think putting them on the CD would be a good thing. Less convenient, but no chance of losing it. One thing against keys though is key theft in shops.

My friend had a bad experience with this. He got Company of Heroes off ebay 2nd hand, went to play online only to get a message saying the key has already been used to create an account. Emailed the seller, and asked him for his username and pw, as he had no use for it anymore, but he never used the game online due to his slow dial up internet. He seemed genuine, and offered a refund if the issue could not be resolved with THQ. He did buy the game from a shop, and seems he was a victim of key theft, although he didn't know it.

Got in contact with THQ, prooved the game was genuine and legally bought, and they provided a replacement key. Now I have heard some idiots ask to look at the manual of the game, so they can try take a picture of it with their mobiles. I call them idiots, as anyone who tries to pinch cd keys from shops is an idiot, and deserves a punch in the face as far as I'm concerned. These halfwits may think they are clever, but they are only ruining other peoples enjoyment when they buy the game from which the key is pinched.

Tbh though being a victim of having the key pinched from a game you have just bought is pretty unlikely I would guess, but maybe they should come up with another system.

Personally I have no issue with them, but I do think putting them on the CD would be a good thing. Less convenient, but no chance of losing it.

Deliza432

You want them to put the CD-key on the CD itself? ROFL

i'll take the cd-key way over online activation any day

i'll take the cd-key way over online activation any day

iwilson1296

Just curious on why you feel that way. You're online now, so obviously you have an internet connection. Activation wouldn't need take any longer than it takes you to read and reply to this.

[QUOTE="iwilson1296"]

i'll take the cd-key way over online activation any day

Qixote

Just curious on why you feel that way. You're online now, so obviously you have an internet connection. Activation wouldn't need take any longer than it takes you to read and reply to this.

My problem in general with CD keys is the large amount of old games I have for my PC that I still enjoy. Max Payne, BG I & II, Icewind Dale, Deus Ex, Total Annihilation, Jedi Knight etc. I love all these games, but over the years I have to either throw away computer boxes, or I lose manuals, etc. It gets really frustrating when I'm in the mood to play one of these old games, and when installing it I have to hunt down the CD-key, if I even have it.

I definitely have thought about putting the keys down in a book like someone else suggested, but right now I tape a small sticky note on all the game CD's I don't use and write the key codes on them. This way, I don't lose them and they're on the CD when I actually need them.

They should just make a big unified website that keeps your key codes. I know Bioware does it with NWN and other games, but it'd be nice to have a big depository or something, haha.

ive never had any major problems with CD keys. packaging wise...the only thing that annoys me is that some budget PC game companies put the CD key on the disc (DUHHHH!) so i have to write it down and then install the game. the only other thing that annoys me us when its not clearly typed out...so and O could be a 0 or W could be VV. i dont get that probalem with recent games mind but years ago it was annoying.

but there just little things. overall they dont bother me. would be nice if i could register the CD key and then be allowed to play without the disc though.

Hate 'um. They only serve as a small inconvenience to software pirates. Keygen makers enjoy the challenge of cracking them.dos4gw82

CD keys have taken on a new role. In the latest games, they are used when creating online accounts for multiplayer. The game play is still free, but since the cd key is linked to the account, there is only one online player per key. This frees up the servers from having to support illegal games....that was a big problem in the early days of the Battlefield series.

I would rather deal with a CD key then the activation scheme that came with Bioshock will be a part of Mass Effect.

There should be some kind of standard as to how those keys are packaged. Distributors know how important they are. Putting the key on a piece of paper smaller than a credit card is a lazy cost cutting move.

I have been copying the CD key to a file on USB key for safe keeping.

[QUOTE="Deliza432"]

Personally I have no issue with them, but I do think putting them on the CD would be a good thing. Less convenient, but no chance of losing it.

BlackAlpha666

You want them to put the CD-key on the CD itself? ROFL

Sure, it's a great idea. All you need to do is store the CD and you are set. Sure, you will need to write it down before installing the game but that is only a minor inconvience.

[QUOTE="BlackAlpha666"][QUOTE="Deliza432"]

Personally I have no issue with them, but I do think putting them on the CD would be a good thing. Less convenient, but no chance of losing it.

Cdscottie

You want them to put the CD-key on the CD itself? ROFL

Sure, it's a great idea. All you need to do is store the CD and you are set. Sure, you will need to write it down before installing the game but that is only a minor inconvience.

I agree, I lose manuals some times.. I rarely lose the cd to the game.