Retail games that aren't on the list

[Kiritsu (GinjaNinja)]

Hey I was hoping to get some help. I bought a game at a retail store but Steam doesn't accept the authentication key because it isn't on the list. What do I do?

[Roday]

Oprindeligt skrevet af GinjaNinja69:

Which retail / digital CD Keys are accepted on Steam?
All retail Valve games and a number of third-party games can be registered to your Steam account. All of the following games can be registered through Steam:
Valve CD Keys in this format: ####-#####-####
Valve CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
Valve CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
.........etc

it doesn't matter

if you got message saying : "it's duplicate code" = that code already been used by someone else


unless you get the message saying : "invalid product code" = that code not valid

[Kiritsu (GinjaNinja)]

how is it posible for me to get the same message twice when I got the second code from a sealed box?

[Roday]

Oprindeligt skrevet af GinjaNinja69:

how is it posible for me to get the same message twice when I got the second code from a sealed box?

ask for an explanation to the store where you bought that game

only they can answer your question

[ KARR™]

If you get

Invalid Product Code

Please double check to see if you have mistyped..... etc

Then the code is either WRONG or cannot be activated on Steam.

if it says

Product Already Owned.

This Steam account already owns.... etc

Then the code is already activated on YOUR account, just install it.

If it says

Duplicate Product Code

This product code you've entered has already been activated by an existing Steam account..... etc

Then the key IS valid, but it is already activated on another Steam account and can only be played from that one. If you bought it from a shop - get a refund! It's a used copy!

[Kiritsu (GinjaNinja)]

I have all they can say is that they have no idea how that is posible

[Silicon Vampire]

shrink wrap machines are common at retailers...

if the code isn't accepted by Steam, it will tell you "invalid code", not "duplicate code".

[Roday]

Oprindeligt skrevet af GinjaNinja69:

I have all they can say is that they have no idea how that is posible

if every code you bought from that store gave you message saying : "it's duplicate code"

and they can't explains that to you + they don't care about your problems


don't believe that store anymore

[ KARR™]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Silicon Vampire:

shrink wrap machines are common at retailers...

VERY common. I used to work for one during College. A lot of items don't come already sealed up and are done by the shops themselves. Mostly for security reasons.

It's possible they've sealed one up that was returned for whatever reason, it's always possible a member of staff is on the steam and has used the code before sealing the box up - I've seen it happen!

Some shops don't seal them up, but take the disk out and leave the box on the shelf - WITH the keys stuck to the box inlay (Half Life 2 as an example) and the codes get used before people buy them! Seen it happen too! Caught them doing it and told the shop owner to change their methods!

[Kiritsu (GinjaNinja)]

the thing is i bought it from the same company but different stores

[ KARR™]

Oprindeligt skrevet af GinjaNinja69:

the thing is i bought it from the same company but different stores

Thinking this over further are you sure it's a Steam key...?

Mortal Kombat Kollection was a Games For Windows Live title.....

[Prandim]

Julian Roday is right ... I had that problem with a store in my city as well.
Next time buy it via Steam and it won't happen again.

[Kiritsu (GinjaNinja)]

Requires internet connection and free Steam acount to activate

[Kiritsu (GinjaNinja)]

Steam is a lot more expencive than buying it at a retail store. This is also my first problem with this company since I started going to them and its been years.