Cannot add old Quake 4 key on steam

[Dalaii]

I have Quake 4 bought on DVD several years ago, now through the discovery queue i found out Quake 4 is on steam, since i already bought a copy i tried adding the key to my steam account but it says it is invalid, what can i do about it?

[PCConsoleGamer]

If you already used the key from your c.d. then more then likely No, you won't be able to use it on Steam. Best thing to do I would think is to search support, search the forums, ask admins, etc.

[TCHORGO]

I went through the same thing with the DOOM 3, and the only option I was given was to buy the game again. It is very annoying but it was what I could do.

[Psychotic Rebel]

Just because a game is on steam doesnt mean the retail CD key will redeem in steam.

[BearVersusShark]

Hi! : ) You can install the game, then in the top left corner of Steam, click Games, then add non-steam games. I just did it for 2 games. I think you can only add it if it's installed. The only thing I don't know is if non-steam games get mod support through steam or not, anyone know that? I'm in the same situation as OP, I have the game on disc and will try it out in a few days to check for mod support

[Dalaii]

Originally posted by BearVersusShark:

Hi! : ) You can install the game, then in the top left corner of Steam, click Games, then add non-steam games. I just did it for 2 games. I think you can only add it if it's installed. The only thing I don't know is if non-steam games get mod support through steam or not, anyone know that? I'm in the same situation as OP, I have the game on disc and will try it out in a few days to check for mod support

This does not add the key to my steam account, you still need the physical copy when you want to install it in the future

[[WPS] Lonesamurai]

I went through teh same thing, spoke to Activision customer services and they said those retail copy codes are different from how steam keys work and they won't work on steam, so sorry, you'll have to buy it again like i just did

It was only £6.50, bargain

[Space Coward]

CD Keys only redeem on Steam if the publisher is feeling nice. Some examples include Valve (Half-Life 1 gives you every GoldSrc game on Steam) and Sega (Medieval II/Rome can be redeemed, Dawn of War 1 owners will be granted a key if they contact support and show proof of purchase). EA does the same thing, but for the most part the keys are for Origin, not Steam.

Sadly, key redemption is the exception, not the rule.

[Tatsuya Hiroki]

Originally posted by Moss:

CD Keys only redeem on Steam if the publisher is feeling nice. Some examples include Valve (Half-Life 1 gives you every GoldSrc game on Steam) and Sega (Medieval II/Rome can be redeemed, Dawn of War 1 owners will be granted a key if they contact support and show proof of purchase). EA does the same thing, but for the most part the keys are for Origin, not Steam.

Sadly, key redemption is the exception, not the rule.

there used to be a list of third party games where the cd key can be activated on steam but sadly that list is no longer up

[Demon]

If you were a business would you allow outside products brought in? You'ld go broke fast .

[Dalaii]

It is not outside product. I already paid for Quake4, why should i pay for it again?

[Tatsuya Hiroki]

Originally posted by Dalaii:

It is not outside product. I already paid for Quake4, why should i pay for it again?

because the version you bought for does not entice you to have the steam version? theres no such thing as automatic product linking

you dont have to pay for the game again, heck you can add it as a non steam game


with this logic anyone owning retail version of games that are avalaible on steam should get a free steam key for it, sadly thats not how businesses work

you want the game on steam: buy it on steam or buy a steam key for it.

[TGR]

Originally posted by Redrum!:

If you were a business would you allow outside products brought in? You'ld go broke fast .

It is not Valve's decision, it is the copyright owner's decision, in this case Bethesda's, whether to allow such a thing.

[bombibom]

The DVD version published by Activision, digital - Bethesda Softworks.
Various publishers, different keys.

[IntrepidSkin]

Can't expect steamworks support for older retail cd keys and some newer. Would be nice but I just have to buy games on steam again since steam & digital is the way to go these days.

I just buy what I want cheap off the free market, I don't have to worry about if a game comes out of the box with steamworks support or not. Times have changed.

[DeadManRunning]

IMO, the way this should work is like this: I buy the game through Steam and Steam makes a commission on the sale; I should be able to register my retail version on Steam and the developer gives Steam a cut. Everybody is in the same position and the consumer does not have to buy the game twice.