Trying to install and activate second-hand game

[LOLZpersonok]

A couple days ago, I purchased Borderlands 2 from Value Village (It's a thrift shop if you don't know) and just now attempted to install it. I didn't know it when I initially bought it, but like Skyrim, it requires Steam to activate (I purchased Skyrim brand new though, also in physical form). I just discovered this when trying to install the game to my computer, and when I saw Steam come up and ask me for the product code, I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to install it. I was right. When I entered the product key, Steam told me it was already in use and I could not use it myself.

Is there a way to use a second-hand, physical copy Steam game on my account, or did I waste $3? I know $3 isn't very much but I never have very much money, as I have no source of income and have too much fear of going out and getting a job. There's no way in hell I'm going to buy the game again (especially at the high cost that comes with getting it brand new and the fact that I may not play it very often), because I don't feel I should have to (that's my opinion and I'm not interested in arguing about it. I will ignore posts that do argue with me) and I'm not overly interested in the Borderlands series to begin with, but buying games from thrift shops is how I've gotten into other video game series in the past, like the Mass Effect series, which I previously thought I wouldn't like, but actually did once I tried it.

I guess the original owner of the game realized they didn't need the disc to play and just donated it to Value Village, not realizing that whoever purchased it next wouldn't be able to play it.

[The End]

No, there is no way to activate a game if the games key has been used before.

[HLCinSC]

No there is no way. There has virtually been no second hand/used PC game market for many years now.

[LOLZpersonok]

Originally posted by CharlestONE:

No there is no way. There has virtually been no second hand/used PC game market for many years now.

I would disagree with there being no second hand PC game market. The game selection at Value Village changes every day, and Video Game Trader seems to have different stock every week. Their prices are higher, so they don't go as fast as Value Village. I also snatch up anything that looks good to me and is cheap. Of course, I'm probably wrong. Usually am.

[LOLZpersonok]

Originally posted by Rockon:

No, there is no way to activate a game if the games key has been used before.

So what should I do with the game? There's no point in keeping it around, and it'd be dumb to donate it back to Value Village, for the same reason it'd be stupid to try and sell it or give it away. They don't take back certain items, and video games are one of those things that can't be taken back.

I just wish I knew it was locked in with Steam. I wouldn't have purchased it if I knew. Oh well, I'm not really upset, just very disappointed and annoyed, but then again Borderlands 2 doesn't look appealing to me anyways. I'm not into software piracy, so I guess I'll never know what it's really like.

[HLCinSC]

Originally posted by LOLZpersonok:

Originally posted by CharlestONE:

No there is no way. There has virtually been no second hand/used PC game market for many years now.

I would disagree with there being no second hand PC game market. The game selection at Value Village changes every day, and Video Game Trader seems to have different stock every week. Their prices are higher, so they don't go as fast as Value Village. I also snatch up anything that looks good to me and is cheap. Of course, I'm probably wrong. Usually am.

What I am saying is that the vast majority of physical PC games have for years now, included a single one time use activation code permanently locking that game to an account whether it is on Steam, Origin, Uplay, Games for Windows Live, etc..

[Kesac]

The high cost?



Might want to grab it now (-75%)

[HLCinSC]

Originally posted by LOLZpersonok:

Originally posted by Rockon:

No, there is no way to activate a game if the games key has been used before.

So what should I do with the game? There's no point in keeping it around, and it'd be dumb to donate it back to Value Village, for the same reason it'd be stupid to try and sell it or give it away. They don't take back certain items, and video games are one of those things that can't be taken back.

I just wish I knew it was locked in with Steam. I wouldn't have purchased it if I knew. Oh well, I'm not really upset, just very disappointed and annoyed, but then again Borderlands 2 doesn't look appealing to me anyways. I'm not into software piracy, so I guess I'll never know what it's really like.

If you can return it for a refund, that is really your only/best option. In the future, just wait for games to go on sale for a price you deem acceptable. For instance BL 2 is currently only $5 on Steam right now. There are also tools like www.IsThereAnyDeal.com where you can monitor various sites and set custom price alerts.

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by LOLZpersonok:

Originally posted by CharlestONE:

No there is no way. There has virtually been no second hand/used PC game market for many years now.

I would disagree with there being no second hand PC game market. The game selection at Value Village changes every day, and Video Game Trader seems to have different stock every week. Their prices are higher, so they don't go as fast as Value Village. I also snatch up anything that looks good to me and is cheap. Of course, I'm probably wrong. Usually am.

If they are selling DRM-protected second hand PC games; that's illegal. Games that require a activiation code can only be sold once and are worthless as soon as the seal is broken.

Shops can sell non-digital PC games that don't require an activation code as second hand but 99% of modern games cannot be resold. You should speak to the shop about this as if someone raises a complaint; they could end up in severe legal issues with their local consumer body.

[LOLZpersonok]

Originally posted by Kesac:

The high cost?



Might want to grab it now (-75%)

That's 75% off. It's not permanent. Also, I literally don't even have $5 anymore. I bought food with it.

[LOLZpersonok]

Originally posted by CharlestONE:

Originally posted by LOLZpersonok:

I would disagree with there being no second hand PC game market. The game selection at Value Village changes every day, and Video Game Trader seems to have different stock every week. Their prices are higher, so they don't go as fast as Value Village. I also snatch up anything that looks good to me and is cheap. Of course, I'm probably wrong. Usually am.

What I am saying is that the vast majority of physical PC games have for years now, included a single one time use activation code permanently locking that game to an account whether it is on Steam, Origin, Uplay, Games for Windows Live, etc..

I never realized that. I've never encountered a one-use key before, until now. I guess game developers are trying to get more money out of the consumer. It's a good thing I don't find most new releases appealing.

[LOLZpersonok]

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Originally posted by LOLZpersonok:

I would disagree with there being no second hand PC game market. The game selection at Value Village changes every day, and Video Game Trader seems to have different stock every week. Their prices are higher, so they don't go as fast as Value Village. I also snatch up anything that looks good to me and is cheap. Of course, I'm probably wrong. Usually am.

If they are selling DRM-protected second hand PC games; that's illegal. Games that require a activiation code can only be sold once and are worthless as soon as the seal is broken.

Shops can sell non-digital PC games that don't require an activation code as second hand but 99% of modern games cannot be resold. You should speak to the shop about this as if someone raises a complaint; they could end up in severe legal issues with their local consumer body.

Value Village sells pretty much anything they get. They probably don't know squat about one-use games with the exception of the rare employee that does, but doesn't seem to care. I don't even care enough to tell the manager about it. If someone wants to open a lawsuit with them, it's not my problem and I don't care. I can't be held at fault; I didn't realize that the game was one use only, and I've never purchased a used one-use game until now (and I have a lot of PC games that I got from Value Village).

That means that pretty much every store that will sell video games are in the wrong. Value Village, Goodwill, Video Game Trader, a store here called Revolution, and even EB Games (also known as GameStop) has done it. That also means that once a game is no longer being sold brand new, you can't legally obtain it ever again, and it puts broke losers like me at a disadvantage.

What should I do with this useless copy of Borderlands 2? Burn it? Throw it in the garbage? That's what it's worth at this point.