Getting a second-hand game to work..

arknor said:
he didnt? .... right...
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i don't understand why we're still arguing about this but anyway. i've offered a refund and i'm happy to cover postage costs too so not like it was done to con the op, if i knew this was the case first i wouldn't have suggested the op make this thread, and secondly i wouldn't have sold on mm to a ocuk member as i know they're usually tech savy and i'd end up in the pooper.

if the op didn't know that this was the case then it's fair to say it's possible i didn't either. i bought a hard copy of a game so i could sell it on when i had played it, turns out with steam you can't do that which sucks and will put me off from buying games in the future if they require steam. my games collection right now i have 4 games, of which 2 i will sell before xmas when they're completed, which will leave me with 2 games, 1 i play regularly (bf2142). i've bought many games over the years, in fact i bought 9 in just one month when the new xbox came out. i wouldn't have done that if they were all tied to one system.

miniyazz said:
snip
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couldn't have said it better myself.
 
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miniyazz said:
D) CD Keys have been around for many, many years, and this is the first time I've encountered a game where the CD key permits only a once-only activation. And, massive generalisations for the win. Now, back to your hole, please, unless you'd like to throw any more insults my way :/
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All Steamworks games are like this
 
miniyazz said:
A) I don't understand? :confused:

B) No, some people would still pay full value. Others would no longer be able to justify paying that much when they know they won't be able to recoup any money at resale.

C) Because if someone sells their game, it means they don't play it any more. Selling it on means someone will play it, ergo numbers go up :rolleyes:

D) CD Keys have been around for many, many years, and this is the first time I've encountered a game where the CD key permits only a once-only activation. And, massive generalisations for the win. Now, back to your hole, please, unless you'd like to throw any more insults my way :/
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B) So you would ultimately stop gaming if there was no 2nd hand market?

C) But how does that up the number? I really don't think you understand what you're talking about. :o

D) Yes CD Keys have been round for many years, companies are trying to crack down on it. Hence the tied accounts and one time activations! :rolleyes:

That wasn't an insult, it was my opinion and dare I say it, pretty much a fact.
 
Swifty55 said:
A)Not really, One is subject to scam as the other isn't.

B) You're logic is null. If there were no 2nd hand market, people would still pay full value.
what's your point? some people would still pay full price others wouldn't. how does that prove anything wrong or right?

C) LOL that's a load of tosh right there, how do numbers go up if someone sells their game?
the op bought this game second hand from me. i didn't play it so say before selling it there was 2000 players online. now the op spent £9 on this game there is 2001 players. if the op had to pay £30/£40 for this game he wouldn't (based on the fact he clearly didn't buy it as there is plenty of them around at full price) so the number would stay at 2000. is this not obvious?

D) Most people will justify spending £30/40 on games that require CD Keys. Those who buy those sorts of games 2nd hand are stupid and prone to scams. Fair enough some people have done it fine and dandy, but still.

if this fact? say in the last year i've bought 20 games, i'm down to 2 left and this is the only one i've had a problem with because of steam. Some peopel have done it fine and dandy? going of those figures almost everyone has done it fine and dandy so it's stupid to say it's stupid to buy second hand games
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I'll certainly watch out for Steam games in future, thanks for the headsup.


B) of course not. You'd hamper it, that's all, and it really doesn't need that when it's already lagging behind console gaming so much.

C) If you want to be pedantic, it helps to maintain the number. It results in a higher number than without a second-hand market.

D) At risk of sounding like a cynical old man, it was much better in the days when companies weren't able to have complete control over what they sold you, forever. A CD key was to prevent piracy, not prevent others from enjoying the game after the original purchasers tired of it.
 
Changing your password and secret question on Windows

1. Please use your new assigned password to log in to your Steam account
2. Once logged into Steam, click the Steam menu and select Settings.
3. Under the Account tab click the Change password... button.
4. Select either (you will need to complete this process twice to change these features):
I want to change my password.
or
I want to change my secret question.
Then click the Next > button.
5. Enter your current password to authorize the change.
* To change your password, enter your requested password twice.
* To change your secret question, select a question from the list and enter your answer in the bottom text box.
Note: Answers to secret questions are case-sensitive and must be spelled exactly as you enter it here.
Click the Next > button.
6. You will receive a notice that your password or secret question has been accepted. Click Finish to complete the process and return to the Steam Settings menu.
 
Mammalian said:
Blah...
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My point was, if there was no 2nd hand market, would it stop you gaming because you had to pay full price?

The OP was talking about multiplayer and 2nd hand market. 2000 players, you sell the account still equals 2000 players. Fair enough there's the odd ones who just play single player but that will not raise multiplayer significantly, nor will it kill it.

I think you misunderstood me on the last one. It's so easy to copy down a CD key, sell the game and still use the key. That's why most people pay retail.
 
miniyazz said:
I'll certainly watch out for Steam games in future, thanks for the headsup.


B) of course not. You'd hamper it, that's all, and it really doesn't need that when it's already lagging behind console gaming so much.

C) If you want to be pedantic, it helps to maintain the number. It results in a higher number than without a second-hand market.

D) At risk of sounding like a cynical old man, it was much better in the days when companies weren't able to have complete control over what they sold you, forever. A CD key was to prevent piracy, not prevent others from enjoying the game after the original purchasers tired of it.
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B) Yeah, that's cos the consoles are much more simpler, damn consoles!

C)Sorry, just had to inform you! :D

D) I agree, but it's the way PC gaming is going I'm afraid. Just double check next time you buy 2nd hand games! :p
 
it would stop me gaming yes, but not full stop. just i wouldn't buy nearly as much as i've suggested with all the games i got i only keep a few good ones, and i buy them with the thought that i'll sell on once complete and if rubbish. this year the only game i can think of that i'd have bought if there was no second hand market was mafia 2 which i wish i didn't now, especially as i've just realised it's tied to steam too.

if i seel the game it goes up as i wasn't playing it. so whilst i played the game it was at 2001, then i stopped so it went down to 2000. the op bought it so it went back up to 2001. second hand games will only increase the amount of people who play online, it'll also increase the overall amount of games sold, though by that i mean say 10,000 sold full price, and then a further 4000 sold second hand totalling 14000 sales, of course there would only at most be 10000 players but it's still a higher amount of people buying the game. imo if there was no second hand market then less people would buy retail so say 9000 sold, then say eventually 4000 stop playing to the point they'd sell, but instead of them being sold they just gather dust so instead of having 10000 players you now only have 5000 players.

the reason though that most people buy a hard copy (when it's available as a soft copy) is to sell on. i can't see any other reason other then maybe for the few who like the smell of a hard copy.
 
Re: copying down keys, fair enough, it never bothered me 'cause I'm not a sufficiently dedicated gamer to play online most of the time so if someone did that to a game they sold me, it wouldn't affect me.

@Gimpymoo: nope, it was hyperbole, but I certainly don't believe it's helping (cue last 15 posts :p)
 
Mammalian said:
the reason though that most people buy a hard copy (when it's available as a soft copy) is to sell on. i can't see any other reason other then maybe for the few who like the smell of a hard copy.
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I would suggest the reason that MOST people still buy hard copies is that they are cheaper still, that's the main reason.

You can get all the benefits of Steam integration but without paying the Steam premium.
 
Kenai said:
You can get all the benefits of Steam integration but without paying the Steam premium.
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Other than:

Unlimited free downloads
Automatic updating
Simple install process
And no need to use discs/cracks to accomplish this

They are the main "benefits" for me using Steam, without them, I would go elsewhere.
 
Mammalian said:
it would stop me gaming yes, but not full stop. just i wouldn't buy nearly as much as i've suggested with all the games i got i only keep a few good ones, and i buy them with the thought that i'll sell on once complete and if rubbish. this year the only game i can think of that i'd have bought if there was no second hand market was mafia 2 which i wish i didn't now, especially as i've just realised it's tied to steam too.

if i seel the game it goes up as i wasn't playing it. so whilst i played the game it was at 2001, then i stopped so it went down to 2000. the op bought it so it went back up to 2001. second hand games will only increase the amount of people who play online, it'll also increase the overall amount of games sold, though by that i mean say 10,000 sold full price, and then a further 4000 sold second hand totalling 14000 sales, of course there would only at most be 10000 players but it's still a higher amount of people buying the game. imo if there was no second hand market then less people would buy retail so say 9000 sold, then say eventually 4000 stop playing to the point they'd sell, but instead of them being sold they just gather dust so instead of having 10000 players you now only have 5000 players.

the reason though that most people buy a hard copy (when it's available as a soft copy) is to sell on. i can't see any other reason other then maybe for the few who like the smell of a hard copy.
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10,000 people buy retail.
4000 decide to sell 2nd hand - these 4000 have practically passed down their game to another player. 1:1
10,000 still playing.

Numbers aren't going to go higher unless bought retail. 2nd hand doesn't increase sales.
 
Swifty55 said:
10,000 people buy retail.
4000 decide to sell 2nd hand - these 4000 have practically passed down their game to another player. 1:1
10,000 still playing.

Numbers aren't going to go higher unless bought retail. 2nd hand doesn't increase sales.
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if they hadn't sold second hand then you're left with less people buying so say 9000 is the highest ever, and (one bit you keep missing) then less people continuing to play. when those that would normally sell second hand stop you're left with in this example 4000 less players, so now you have 5000 left, where as with second hand players you have 10000 still as those 4000 unused copies are still being played, therefore second hand sales will only increase the amount of players the continue to play. it's simple. the numbers may be smaller but it's so obvious that second hand sales will only result in more players over the life time of the game, not less.

edit: and one thing i complete forgot which the op pointed out, when you have less players that continue to play a game online you will sturggle to get new sales, so with second hand gamers keeping the number of players at 10k you'll get even more sales of new copies. i wouldn't suggest to someone to buy an online game that has few players
 
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One issue with Steam-linked games, that I've just noticed, is that it forces you to have an internet connection. OK, so everyone with Steam and almost everyone who buys a hard copy of a game in-store only to discover it has to be registered with Steam when they get home, will have internet. But what about those people who are behind network firewalls (some University campuses, for example) that block Steam?

That epitomises why I disagree with needing to register these things online. Essentially, it makes you jump through hoops for being a legit user and going out and buying it (hoops that those who pirate don't have to worry about - once they've downloaded the thing, it's plain sailing for them, no pun intended :D)

Yes, Steam does offer many benefits for those who want them/can take advantage of them, but IMO people shouldn't be forced to use it for offline play.
 
Indeed... So you do... :o

My appologies, I thought you were refering to general retail games which was obviously not the case :(
 
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