Valve explains Orange box deactivations

Dano · 29 Oct 2007 at 22:10

They got pinned to the wall for selling to the UK, was a fairly hefty fine/compensation if I recall correctly.

Tombo · 30 Oct 2007 at 00:26

Deks said:
Also look at companies like ***** (not sure if I can name retailers, please edit if I cant) but they sell games to the uk but these are sourced from Hong Kong!!! So if I legitimately buy a game from them then potentially they could lock the orange box I bought from themas it didnt originate from the Uk?

Steam is getting too big for its boots in my opinion

Deks

Then your issue would be with that retailer and they would have to give you a refund or other.

DarkShadow · 30 Oct 2007 at 00:36

How long is it till the game is deactivated? I've received and installed my copy, just wondering if they're deactivated instantly?

DeathStalker · 30 Oct 2007 at 01:32

HeX said:
More to do with shipping costs, sales tax, and market size.

Just a question, regardless of other market forces, how does shipping costs affect steam?

steve258 · 30 Oct 2007 at 02:04

Yeah my orange box was deactivated a couple of weeks before because of this, and I posted about this as well.

I now understand the reason behind this, but what I don't understand is why they only decided to enforce it now rather than a few years ago when steam first started. They shouldn't have allowed people to register foreign keys in the first place so refunds can be arranged and the sellers can resell the games in their home country. I'm lucky that I have only had my games for a week or so and the seller was kind enough to give me refund even though the code has been registered. But there are people who have been playing their games for years before getting this territorial error so how are they supposed to get refund? I agree with what has been said that the main fault is at the foreign distributor for breaking the agreement.

Now I just have to give contact steam to have the thai key removed from my account :-/

peetee · 30 Oct 2007 at 02:46

both sides have extremely valid arguements, there isnt really a right or wrong here.
I cant really beleive took the risk of saving a few quid to get a thai key, id rather have the piece of mind dealing with the company who's product im buying for starters!
Plus by getting key's out of retail box's ill assume you are all fattening the EA devil.
Assuming they are worldwide publisher of orange box

the shadow · 30 Oct 2007 at 06:10

what happens if u have gifted hl+ep1 to someone does that stop working?

DampCat · 30 Oct 2007 at 06:29

Hard to say, but i would have thought so. Might be worth having a look on the Valve forums.

[TW]Fox · 30 Oct 2007 at 11:16

Tombo said:
The wages are different not to mention other variables, they're paying the same amount as you really.

It's no excuse for it - you would soon kick off if you walked into your local car dealer and the dealer said 'its £20,000 if you earn less than £30k a year but £30,000 if you earn more but if you only have a part time job at Tesco you can have it for £10k'.

It is true that products are priced at whatever the producer feels the market will bear, but this is taking it to another level.

We live in a globalised world with a global economy. Measures like this to prevent imports AFTER they are sold are appalling.

bledd · 30 Oct 2007 at 12:29

so if i bought the game on steam in the uk (through steam)

can i play my version anywhere in the world? is it only the thai keys that won't work?

Tombo · 30 Oct 2007 at 12:32

bledd. said:
so if i bought the game on steam in the uk (through steam)

can i play my version anywhere in the world? is it only the thai keys that won't work?

Yes, and as long as the keys were activated in Thailand there would be no problems.

Deks · 30 Oct 2007 at 15:26

peetee said:
both sides have extremely valid arguements, there isnt really a right or wrong here.
I cant really beleive took the risk of saving a few quid to get a thai key, id rather have the piece of mind dealing with the company who's product im buying for starters!
Plus by getting key's out of retail box's ill assume you are all fattening the EA devil.
Assuming they are worldwide publisher of orange box

Hi petee,

One of the reasons people like myself who buy the DVD version is to cut down on download time by installing staright from DVD and in my case I have capped downloads per month so installing from DVD does save a lot of my allowance

Just wanted to state this and that i'm not a supporter of the EA devil

Cheers

Deks

Tefal · 30 Oct 2007 at 15:32

you could still use your accounts anywhere or even buy the game from Australia but its only because these people had a specific agreement not to sell outside tailand.

Tefal · 30 Oct 2007 at 15:32

the shadow said:
so if i travel on hoiliday any where in the world. And buy steam games cheaper they wont work then?

Only if you buy them from someone selling them illegally like this lot.

DarkShadow · 30 Oct 2007 at 17:46

I got mine from a popular asian e-tailor and they said I'll be fine, I had mine installed for over a day.

Supplier said:
After checking with our supplier, there is no complaint received about the lock down issue so far. Besides, since the product is not from Thailand or Russia, the product which you will receive should have no problem.

decmatt · 1 Nov 2007 at 17:18

I just recieved mine, it says on it For supply in Hong Long & Macua only, anyone else had this and it works fine?

Tombo · 1 Nov 2007 at 17:39

Send it back!

decmatt · 1 Nov 2007 at 17:50

not that easy, it came from hong kong, it will cost like £5 postage

Deks · 1 Nov 2007 at 17:55

Solac said:
I just recieved mine, it says on it For supply in Hong Long & Macua only, anyone else had this and it works fine?

Following my comments at how you stand buying from CDWOW as they import from Hong Kong. I logged back on their site today and have noticed they have withdrawn the PC version from sale.

I wonder if this is connected with the diactivation isuue?

Deks