So a week ago I bought a copy of Homefront from EB Games. I went ahead and put the game disc in, and the key was duplicated. First thing I did was go to THQ's support page and asked them what I should do. They redirected me to Steam support.

I really should've just gone back to the store, Steam support are awful. They're terrible. And here's why; I send this email;

1 Message by you on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 4:48 pm

Hey there, I bought the Homefront 'Don't Tread of Me' edition game from EB Games a couple of days ago and it seems that the key on the back of the manual has been stolen.

My Steam account name is **
The two emails I use are ** and **
and I have included a photo of the key as an attatchment.

I hope you can help, I had no luck with THQ so if this doesn't work I'll simply return the game to the store.

I did indeed attatch a photograph of the sticker on the back of the manual which had the key on it, then I followed up this email with;

2 Message by you on Fri, 9th Nov 2012 8:01 pm

I'd like to add that I bought the game brand new in plastic for around $20, and I can scan the receipt if you wish.

A mere four days later they responded with;

3 Message by Support Tech Benny on Tue, 13th Nov 2012 6:51 pm

Hello Peter,

Thank you for contacting Steam Support.

In order to investigate this issue, we must verify the purchase receipt and your ownership of the CD Key.

Please handwrite your Support Ticket Number directly on the quick reference card or sticker above the CD Key (the number should not be written on a separate piece of paper or inserted with an image editor) and reply with a digital photo or scan of the CD Key and the receipt for your recent purchase. Please ensure that you submit a full-color image in .jpg format, rather than a photocopy.

If you have any difficulty locating the CD Key on the packaging, please see the following link:
http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-WUSF-3601

Example scans:
http://support.steampowered.com/images/faq/2347-QDFN-4366/cdkey1.jpg
http://support.steampowered.com/images/faq/2347-QDFN-4366/cdkey2.jpg

We accept receipts issued within the last 90 days. Receipts from auction sites and used merchandise sellers will not be accepted.

After verifying your proof of ownership we will gladly assist you with this issue.

So yeah I did just that.

4 Message by you on Tue, 13th Nov 2012 8:52 pm I have attatched two images, one being the receipt, one being the key with my ticket number written above it.

And then I got this email back from them this morning:

5 Message by Support Tech Benny on Wed, 14th Nov 2012 1:43 pm

Hello Peter,

We will not accept printed off or hand-written CD Keys, nor will we accept images that have been altered with photo editing software.

Your CD Key appears to have been printed off and attached to the packaging of the game.

If you have recently purchased this product, please contact the seller to discuss a refund or exchange.

Please see the CD Key Reset Process FAQ if you would like more information:

Title: CD Key Reset Process
URL: http://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1673-IDGK-4694

The game came with a f*cking sticker of the CD key on the back of the manual. I wouldn't be bothered so much if it didn't take them like an entire week to respond, and if they told me the whole sticker thing after I sent the first photo... I replied with this:

6 Message by you on Wed, 14th Nov 2012 2:46 pm

Gee, thanks lads. Maybe you could have told me that before I wrote all over it? I did send a picture of it without writing on it, you know. I'll try return the game tonight, it's been a week since I bought the game so I hope they accept it with all the writing on it. Another win for DRM.

Well handled...

So yeah, now I'm going to try and return the game tonight. If they don't accept it at the store I've just wasted a good $20; then I'll torrent it. DRM is awful.

-mini