'game activation required'

[skelesmith]

bought the game, try to play, activation required. logged into everything, internet running good, logged out and back in from the launcher, same thing.

am i insane for thinking that if i buy a game i should be able to play it?

[Frantix]

I'm having the same issue and from what I've seen many others are as well. I'm sure its an issue on Rockstar's end and it'll probably be fixed within a few hours.

[CypherXY]

Happen to me too. Sometimes it show that, sometimes it works normally. 100% rockstar server fault

[Semper Why]

I just got past this a couple minutes ago. I would try again. If it works, great. If not, you can try what I did: Uninstall the Rockstar Games Launcher from your PC (go to the search box, type "remove" and select "Add or Remove Programs", find the Rockstar Launcher and uninstall it). After you jump through the hoops to uninstall, start the game from within Steam and it will reinstall the launcher, log you in and get you into the game. Hopefully.

[Revenant]

Anyone else getting Rockstar Games Launcher not responding?

[Jaunitta 🌸]

Steam was down for maintinence today went offline for a while.
Its working fine for me tested just now.

[JuiceWSA]

Originally posted by Semper Why:

I just got past this a couple minutes ago. I would try again. If it works, great. If not, you can try what I did: Uninstall the Rockstar Games Launcher from your PC (go to the search box, type "remove" and select "Add or Remove Programs", find the Rockstar Launcher and uninstall it). After you jump through the hoops to uninstall, start the game from within Steam and it will reinstall the launcher, log you in and get you into the game. Hopefully.

That's what happened at my house.
It's so automatic - I can't even tell there is a launcher.
In fact, what launcher are we talking about?
Does this game have a launcher?
Couldn't prove it by me.
I click play and the game fires up - what's the problem?

[rigomrtsfx2001]

dont use the launcher you only need to click on the game icon red dead and the
launcher is only needed when you first buy the game on day one ....after that leave it alone
only use the red dead icon ......any and all rock star games say do you want to auto save hit yes and exit the game and later it knows your key to the game and opens right away

[some weird equestrian]

Originally posted by rigomrtsfx2001:

dont use the launcher you only need to click on the game icon red dead and the
launcher is only needed when you first buy the game on day one ....after that leave it alone
only use the red dead icon ......any and all rock star games say do you want to auto save hit yes and exit the game and later it knows your key to the game and opens right away

So, do I just delete the launcher and social club and wait a few days to play RDR2? 'Cause I just bought RDR2 today.

[JuiceWSA]

Give RDR2 a clean pass through your firewall - and virus protection.

Go here:
https://socialclub.rockstargames.com/settings/linkedaccounts
Make sure Steam is a Linked Account.

Delete the Rockstar Launcher.

Fire up the game from Steam.
The launcher installs itself, signs you in and fires up the game.

Problem solved.

[some weird equestrian]

Originally posted by JuiceWSA:

Give RDR2 a clean pass through your firewall - and virus protection.

Go here:
https://socialclub.rockstargames.com/settings/linkedaccounts
Make sure Steam is a Linked Account.

Delete the Rockstar Launcher.

Fire up the game from Steam.
The launcher installs itself, signs you in and fires up the game.

Problem solved.

Uh, so basically just re-install the launchers-?

[JuiceWSA]

No, the launcher will install itself and log you in with all the correct info - when you fire up the game from Steam. Providing you link Steam in your SC account and bought the game from Steam.

It's designed to be incredibly easy.
Basically automatic.

[some weird equestrian]

Originally posted by JuiceWSA:

No, the launcher will install itself - when you fire up the game from Steam.
Providing you link Steam in your SC account and bought the game from Steam.

I've tried that- I've deleted the launcher and social club many times, when it re-installs, I just get the same " Game error. Please reboot and restart the game. " message.

[JuiceWSA]

There's a communication error.
The Game isn't installed properly - or have enough files - or the correct files - or too many files - or it's not updated... something about your environment is toxic to Rockstar.

Fix that and it's smooth sailing.

You don't need 10 launchers - you need 1 - and if everything is working - that one gets installed automatically, logs you in at RockStar Social Club and fires up the game.

If you EVER had a mod installed - that's the reason for all this trouble. You never got it UNINSTALLED. If you NEVER had a mod installed - you just haven't installed the game properly - or completely - or Rockstar can't communicate with you.

Some things you have to do yourself - you're the only one there.

Good Luck.

[skelesmith]

found the issue, steam went into 'disconnected' mode, which means it cant verify files, which it probably should have told me because it wasnt obvious unless you see the thin text at the bottom of the screen and also not locking the community or store or friends list

[Adjudicato]

I remember having this same problem last year when GTAV and RDR2 went on sale. Picked both up and couldn't play either for two days. Returned both and vowed not to purchase from RockStar again. This is puerile idiocy and greed on their part, won't put my money to rewarding it.