Can I install a retail copy of MW2 and use the free play on Steam

Schizophonic · 8 May 2010 at 18:37

Basically my brother has leant me his copy of MW2 and he wants to play with me online.

Can i install MW2 (retail) and make Steam pick this game up and use it to play free online?

Tefal · 8 May 2010 at 18:41

the game is tied to his account you can't play it on two accounts.

Schizophonic · 8 May 2010 at 18:42

i'm not planning to use his retail key, we've both got steam installed and as its a free weekend to play MW2.

I just want to use the retail CD rather than downloading it all.

Tefal · 8 May 2010 at 18:44

depends if the installer asks you for the key before or after installation really.

give it a test?

Amnesia · 8 May 2010 at 20:32

easier way would be copy his mw2 folder across on a usb drive into your steam folder.....as above has stated it may ask for your serial during installation

Secret_Window · 8 May 2010 at 21:34

All you need is the .gcf file as this is where most of the content is held when you download it.

James J · 8 May 2010 at 21:37

You probably can do this, I bought it on steam and used a retail disc to then install the game (my dads) just so I didnt have to download 12gb of files.

Tefal · 8 May 2010 at 22:02

James J said:
You probably can do this, I bought it on steam and used a retail disc to then install the game (my dads) just so I didnt have to download 12gb of files.

he's just wanting it for the free weekend though so a retail installer may ask for the key before he installs it (and so won't work)

Secret_Window · 8 May 2010 at 22:08

All he needs to do (if possible) is open up the DVD folder inside the DVD and get the .gcf file from the DVD and stick it into his steamapps folder and then install the free weekend on steam and most of the content that he needs will already be there (from the .gcf) except for the odd updates that he will need to download.

I've done this before for many of my friends with other games.

James J · 9 May 2010 at 01:50

Tefal said:
he's just wanting it for the free weekend though so a retail installer may ask for the key before he installs it (and so won't work)

If he partially starts the download, pauses it then installs from the disc it should work