Gifted CD keys dont work? Invalid key

[Aegis]

Recently was gifted a copy of this game and was excited to try it out. unfortunately the key will not work in any of the places it's asked for.. returning an invalid key error every time.

After ensuring i was not entering the key incorrectly i did some digging.

The steam support for the problem seemed to consist of
"make sure its right, and if the code is right and still doesn't work talk to them."

So i went to the Square Enix site and did some digging turning up this gem:

"In addition, beginning on March 24, 2016, players will not be able to register new FINAL FANTASY XIV accounts with Steam registration codes that were resold, distributed, or transferred in an unauthorized fashion (i.e., Steam registration codes that were transferred in any way other than as expressly permitted by Valve Corporation via the Steam platform). This restriction shall apply only to new accounts at this time.

Valve Corporation is the only third party authorized to sell the Steam version of FINAL FANTASY XIV, or distribute Steam registration codes for FINAL FANTASY XIV, at this time. If you believe you may have acquired a registration code or other materials via an unauthorized resale, distribution,or transfer, please contact the seller for assistance. If you experience any difficulty using Steam registration codes, please contact Valve Corporation customer service for assistance."

Seems like i cant play because it was gifted to me?
I like how steam tells me to talk to Square and they tell me to talk to steam to resolve this problem.

I have opened a ticket, and hope to get something back soon. but until then i was wondering if anyone else was having this problem, or has had this problem. Or if its just me?

[zztoluca]

I dont know if SE locks the code out if not tied to purchasing steam account. But getting it to activate it could lead to actions taken against your account as its in violation of the updated terms of service for the steam version.
But things that will cause this error are mismatching regions.
And previously owning the retail version when trying to activate a steam version and vice versa.

[Aegis]

The code is the one issued to me by steam when i accepted the game as a gift from a friend on steam. i got the game from steam. the code from steam.

And its the only copy of the game i have.

Its also the correct region specified.

I find it hard to belive that accepting the game On steam. DLing it through steam and using the steam Key on it is somehow in violation of the Steam terms of service. Lol!

Who knows though... maybe Steam is just trolling me. :)

[zztoluca]

Oh sorry I misunderstood I thought the key was what was gifted.

[Gabby]

Okay, no if it's a gift sent through Valve, it's fine. You may just be entering the CD key in wrong. Follow this guide:

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/start_ffxiv/win/registering/

[RPGpro]

Originally posted by Aegis:

The code is the one issued to me by steam when i accepted the game as a gift from a friend on steam. i got the game from steam. the code from steam.

And its the only copy of the game i have.

Its also the correct region specified.

I find it hard to belive that accepting the game On steam. DLing it through steam and using the steam Key on it is somehow in violation of the Steam terms of service. Lol!

Who knows though... maybe Steam is just trolling me. :)

What SHOULD happen here is that the moment you "unpack" (if it was in your inventory) or accept the gift you immediately receive your own key for the game, this means that the key itself hasn't been traded/etc. and is perfectly fine to use.
Now...the issue with registering it is another problem...Are you sure you're entering it into the correct area of the mogstation?

Edit: Ninja'd by seraphina....That's what happens when you try replying to 8 threads at once....>_>
Just follow this advice:

Originally posted by Seraphna:

Okay, no if it's a gift sent through Valve, it's fine. You may just be entering the CD key in wrong. Follow this guide:

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/start_ffxiv/win/registering/

[Aegis]

i wish that were so.

but i have exhaustively examined the 20 digit code, and am certain i am entering it EXACTLY as it appears in the key popup that steam sends me when i launch the game (or click the CD KEY link on my steam account when looking at the game.)

This was my first assumtion when things did not work, and the first time i put the code in i had indeed made an error. Unfortunately i have since been over the code letter by letter. and have copy pasted it and increased the font size so that there was no doubt what characters were involved.

i am at somethign of a loss as to how i can get it working at this point. barring Steam simply providing a valid code.

[RPGpro]

Originally posted by ;350532536102571687:

i wish that were so.

but i have exhaustively examined the 20 digit code, and am certain i am entering it EXACTLY as it appears in the key popup that steam sends me when i launch the game (or click the CD KEY link on my steam account when looking at the game.)

This was my first assumtion when things did not work, and the first time i put the code in i had indeed made an error. Unfortunately i have since been over the code letter by letter. and have copy pasted it and increased the font size so that there was no doubt what characters were involved.

i am at somethign of a loss as to how i can get it working at this point. barring Steam simply providing a valid code.

Are you sure that you're entering it into the correct place?
Are you sure that your Square Enix account matches the region for the code?

[Aegis]

That guide seraphna thoughtfully posted for me is exactly what i see and where i go when it asks me to put the code in. and then returns an Invalid code error.

AS to the region the game is labled "FF XIV (NA)" in my steam. and i am in the NA and my account SHOULD be an NA account. (i will ofcourse now double check that some strange error has not occured in that respect.)

Other places i have tried the code was on mognet under services and options i go to
Select service
FF XIV Online.
I click the "ADD NEW SERVICE ACCOUNT" button.
and then it asks for the 20 digit code. which returns as invalid.

(having checked my account i am listed as "country: the United states. Region: the americas"
which seems to be correct...)

[RPGpro]

All I can suggest then is that you contact Square Enix's support and/or Steam's support.

[Aegis]

I have submitted a ticket to steam. since the SE site made it clear it was steam and valve who had to take care of this. (which is amusing since the Steam help for technical problems basically says "go talk to them." lol... and by "amusing" i ofcourse mean "infuriating.")

i thought i would post here to see if maybe there was something obvious i was missing. and a few things raised here were things i hadnt thought of. so despite the lack of resolution i consider it time well spent. thanks for the replies.

[Gabby]

It could be you just got an erroneous code. In which case they're likely to refund you. I suggest you buy it from a retail site like Amazon or Gamestop, or even the SE Store in the future.