Trying to get the Non-GFWL version of Arkham Asylum, Retail key doesn't work.

[weene]

I recently got a copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum from a thrift store, and attempted to use the retail key included with the game to activate it in steam, it doesn't work, when i install the game and it asks for the key, i insert the key in the GFWL prompt it does activates the game, i'm not very sure of why the key doesn't work through steam, but i don't want to play the game with the GFWL bugs.

[Karien]

Then buy a key off a legit third party seller or buy a copy on the Steam Store. Chances are, physical retail copies are GFWL copies or if they are Steam usable, already used since you got it off a THRIFT store. Should be thankful it even runs if you get more modern games from thrift stores since they get hard tied to accounts often.

[Theblaze]

GFWL are not steam keys, they was made for GFWL.

If the publisher didn't made GFWL keys compatible with steam, you won't be able to use it on steam.

[Crazy Tiger]

Chances are that the game has a CD key, not a Steam key. Yes, they're different.

[weene]

Dang, i read a few articles that said you could use the original GFWL key to get the Non-GFWL version from steam, guess not.

[Theblaze]

Escrito originalmente por weene:

Dang, i read a few articles that said you could use the original GFWL key to get the Non-GFWL version from steam, guess not.

Not all publishers made GFWL keys compatible with steam.

I was able to activate my GFWL Bioshock 2 version on steam.

[Karien]

Using retail keys on Steam only works for specific games like for example, most retail versions of Dawn of War Soulstorm. And that is because the devs/publishers allowed for it to be used that way.

[Crazy Tiger]

It could well be that there was a time period where you could. Or that you had to contact the publisher for it. You might try the latter, contact the publisher and ask whether you can have a Steam key.

Did that for various games I got the disc version of. Most don't, but there were publishers who provided a Steam key after I showed requested proof of ownership.

[󠀡󠀡󠀡⁧⁧the.jester]

The steam version originally had gfwl included. When it was shut down, anyone who owned the game at the time got the updated game of the year edition for free. I don't think it is retrospective though.

[weene]

Escrito originalmente por Theblaze:

Escrito originalmente por weene:

Dang, i read a few articles that said you could use the original GFWL key to get the Non-GFWL version from steam, guess not.

Not all publishers made GFWL keys compatible with steam.

I was able to activate my GFWL Bioshock 2 version on steam.

Ah, weird how the article i spoke of talked about specific games having the GFWL keys, and Arkham Aslyum was one, but i should assume that it only worked for a specific time

Escrito originalmente por Crazy Tiger:

It could well be that there was a time period where you could. Or that you had to contact the publisher for it. You might try the latter, contact the publisher and ask whether you can have a Steam key.

Did that for various games I got the disc version of. Most don't, but there were publishers who provided a Steam key after I showed requested proof of ownership.

as said here.

[weene]

https://www.howtogeek.com/245780/how-to-make-games-for-windows-live-games-playable-on-windows-10/

This is the article i was speaking of, i can live with the GFWL versions bugs and glitches, but its still disappointing to see that my code doesn't work with steam.

[Nx Machina]

Escrito originalmente por weene:

https://www.howtogeek.com/245780/how-to-make-games-for-windows-live-games-playable-on-windows-10/

This is the article i was speaking of, i can live with the GFWL versions bugs and glitches, but its still disappointing to see that my code doesn't work with steam.

The game is not Steam enabled but GFWL enabled. The key only works with GFWL.

[Crazy Tiger]

Escrito originalmente por weene:

Escrito originalmente por Theblaze:

Not all publishers made GFWL keys compatible with steam.

I was able to activate my GFWL Bioshock 2 version on steam.

Ah, weird how the article i spoke of talked about specific games having the GFWL keys, and Arkham Aslyum was one, but i should assume that it only worked for a specific time

Escrito originalmente por Crazy Tiger:

It could well be that there was a time period where you could. Or that you had to contact the publisher for it. You might try the latter, contact the publisher and ask whether you can have a Steam key.

Did that for various games I got the disc version of. Most don't, but there were publishers who provided a Steam key after I showed requested proof of ownership.

as said here.

Considering that you purchased the game in a thrift store, chances are the previous owner already converted the key to a Steam version.

Escrito originalmente por Shogun Blade:

Escrito originalmente por weene:

https://www.howtogeek.com/245780/how-to-make-games-for-windows-live-games-playable-on-windows-10/

This is the article i was speaking of, i can live with the GFWL versions bugs and glitches, but its still disappointing to see that my code doesn't work with steam.

The game is not Steam enabled but GFWL enabled. The key only works with GFWL.

Well, that article does state the Batman games as being ones that get you a Steam key when you enter the GFWL key:

The following games allow you to redeem them on Steam if you have a retail key or one provided by GFWL itself. These are big-name, big-budget games, and that’s no accident. Publishers and developers haven’t bothered removing GFWL from many older games that didn’t do so well.

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham City
Bioshock 2
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition
Dead Rising 2
Dead Rising 2: Off the Record
DiRT 3
Resident Evil 5
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition

[Snapjak]

But that's from 2017 and publishers are free to revoke key redemption. So if it doesn't work, then there's not much point arguing over it.

[Crazy Tiger]

I know. But it was at one point possible and as I said in my previous post, I think it's highly likely that the previous owner already redeemed the Steam version.

[Snapjak]

Entirely possible yeah, but unless OP states which error they're getting... best guesses.