Spore CD Key Please .... why can't I see it under manage

[Anna Spore-Anna]

Why does steam, a business that will take my credit card and money, not have any customer support?
1. I would like my Spore CD key, it is not present under Manage. I have installed launched and played the game.
2. I read the support pages and ran Verify files, restarted the client...still no option to get the key.
I would like to be able to register the key so I can enable the network features.
The keys for Creepy and Cute as well as the key for Galactic Adventures is visible under manage CD Keys but not the one I need, the original Spore.
Is their support available from steam? can I get a refund if they are unable (seemingly unwilling) to help me?

Thanks to anyone who has useful words to say.

[Bee🐝]

This is most likely due to Steam and EA sorting out the sub "exploit" from a few months back - people grabbed EA Play subs for the keys, refunded and thought they could scam permanent copies off Origin. Steam stopped displaying cdkeys for some older games after that.

The Spore network seems to have been an unfortunate bystander in this case. Refund and wait for the Origin version to go on sale.

[Anna Spore-Anna]

Originally posted by Bee:

This is most likely due to Steam and EA sorting out the "exploit" from a few months back. That's when people grabbed EA Play subs and thought they could scam permanent copies off Origin. Steam stopped displaying Cdkeys for some older games.

Spore seems to have been an unfortunate bystander in this case. Refund and wait for the Origin version to go on sale.

Thank you Bee. At least there is a reason. It is strange that the keys for the 2 expansions are visible, but then maybe not since I guess without the original game those keys are not as useful. Certainly seems to be the case in my situation.

If I try to refund will Steam try to keep me as a customer and perhaps offer to help? or do they just have no interest in trying...their doesn't seem to be anyway to open a support ticket or talk to Valve/Steam at all.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Find the purchase... https://help.steampowered.com/en/wizard/HelpWithPurchase

Choose "I still have a question..."

Explain the entire issue carefully.

That will at least let you ask your question about the key for the game.

[Anna Spore-Anna]

This is my first Steam purchase and I have wasted so many hours on this stupidity that it may very well be the last.
My husband has spent thousands on here. How can you support a platform that makes it so difficulty to contact anyone for help?

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

You can contact support. Steam support page > My account > Data Related to Your Steam Account > Scroll to the bottom click on contact support.
https://help.steampowered.com/en/wizard/HelpAccountDataQuestion

Also you're not only one.
https://answers.ea.com/t5/General-Discussion/Re-Are-the-spore-servers-still-up-in-2021/td-p/9913392

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bugs-Technical-Issues/Steam-users-unable-to-create-Spore-account-or-redeem-game-on/m-p/10069057#M11615

Steam wasn't the one that remove it, it was choice by EA to have it removed.
"EA has removed game serial codes (CD keys) from Steam, due to concerns of an exploit that lets people claim the key, and then refund the game or cancel the subscription used to download the game (note that Spore is available in an EA Play subscription on Steam)."

You have to buy spores via origin if you want online feature, or if want to keep Steam version you have to contact EA support and work with them until they give you a key.

"If you have purchased Spore on Steam and are now unable to redeem the code in Origin (and therefore unable to create a Spore account), you may be able to contact EA Origin Support to have them give you a new code and add it to your account manually. This is not guaranteed, but if you've already bought the game on Steam it may be worth trying. Be sure to have your proof of purchase (receipt and email) ready."

[Anna Spore-Anna]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Find the purchase... https://help.steampowered.com/en/wizard/HelpWithPurchase

Choose "I still have a question..."

Explain the entire issue carefully.

That will at least let you ask your question about the key for the game.

:qr:

Thank you cSg|mc-Hotsauce,
I will give that a try, but why is that link like a secret or so hard to find, I have found no links stating the my issue is not resolved. Just links that bring me round and round in circles with the same info.
Certainly does not make a first great impression.

[Bee🐝]

Originally posted by Anna Spore-Anna:

Originally posted by Bee:

This is most likely due to Steam and EA sorting out the "exploit" from a few months back. That's when people grabbed EA Play subs and thought they could scam permanent copies off Origin. Steam stopped displaying Cdkeys for some older games.

Spore seems to have been an unfortunate bystander in this case. Refund and wait for the Origin version to go on sale.

Thank you Bee. At least there is a reason. It is strange that the keys for the 2 expansions are visible, but then maybe not since I guess without the original game those keys are not as useful. Certainly seems to be the case in my situation.

If I try to refund will Steam try to keep me as a customer and perhaps offer to help? or do they just have no interest in trying...their doesn't seem to be anyway to open a support ticket or talk to Valve/Steam at all.

My advice? Before you refund, contact EA support or ask on their forum. Be sure to mention that the CDkey method does not work anymore.

You could also try asking Steam Support. Very clearly describe the issue you're having. Also, include that this is a known, documented issue. Ask if they can provide you with your bound key. Still, there might not be anything they can do.

Manual refund method in case you need it.
Requesting a refund through the manual system...aka one lucky human will get to read your ticket...
Account Details -> View Purchases History-> pick the game in question -> I have a question about this purchase. Explain the situation politely. Whether you get a refund is still up to Support.

[Anna Spore-Anna]

Thank you Dr.ShadowDS,

At least the community is very helpful here. Really big thanks to the useful replies.
When I search I foudn none of this info, I got lots of info on how to get the key and register it through either EA or Origin but that was it.

[Anna Spore-Anna]

I think I am now armed with all the info I needs to see if I can get a resolution to this.

[Bee🐝]

Originally posted by Anna Spore-Anna:

I think I am now armed with all the info I needs to see if I can get a resolution to this.

Hopefully, you'll get this sorted. This is a horrible situation for people who bought a game and then got screwed over due to no fault of their own. Usually, the keys don't matter, so Steam and EA totally overlooked the whole Spore situation. Saying that, EA should've sorted out the Spore Steam server thing ages ago.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Anna Spore-Anna:

Thank you Dr.ShadowDS,

At least the community is very helpful here. Really big thanks to the useful replies.
When I search I foudn none of this info, I got lots of info on how to get the key and register it through either EA or Origin but that was it.

You redeem it via Origin, but yea visit Origin site, contact support go

EA support should be chilled to help, they help me redeem godfather 2 which they no longer support I had to provide pictures, and key to them to prove i had a copy of it.

Path: Change game then Select spore > Steam > Code and promotion > Lost code > click blue button.
https://help.ea.com/en/origin/origin/ <--- Scroll to the bottom you see contact us.

Direct link to it.
https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/?product=spore&platform=steam-pc&category=codes-and-promotions&issue=lost-code&isChannelSelection=true

But if support don't want to make effort to giving you key no matter what then only option is to refund, and rebuy via Origin. Do tell them you have the other two DLC, and give them the two keys, so they know you really did bought it, they might even ask for screenshot of your steam transaction.

[Anna Spore-Anna]

On the lighter side of things, my husband says he has been buying games on steam for 10 years or so and has never once needed to contact support....
He is, perhaps not surprised, but just like in disbelief at how I could pick the one game on steam that would give me grief...figures.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Originally posted by Anna Spore-Anna:

just like in disbelief at how I could pick the one game on steam that would give me grief...figures.

There are some things out there (of which some arent anymore, but memory is fresh)
which are absurd.

Refund is a nice feature. So thats a good point, in this case for steam

[miku567]

I cannot find the receipt for Spore (bought it in bundle with CaC and GA in 2014). Where I should ask for ir?

[Cathulhu]

You deleted the receipt you got as a mail?