Whats a CD key?

[ScottWhatSolo]

Iv just started getting my steam library filled with games and iv just brought crusade kings 2 but it has a cd key what is this? it dosnt mean i can only play this game and install it on one pc does it as im not using my main pc at the moment and will have to reinstall it later in the year when i have mine back.

[TirithRR]

Some games use CD Keys for things like Online play. Some use them to activate the game on other services like Origin, Uplay, GFWL, etc.

[ScottWhatSolo]

Ah right so its not some sly DRM its just to access the online mode leaderboards.

[TirithRR]

The keys are a form of DRM. But how far, depends on the game. Like the older Heroes of Might and Magic game I think you just have to put the key in when you want to play online. Some keys are actually keys for activating the game on your Origin/Uplay account, and you have to log into those accounts to play the game. There are other uses too.

[ScottWhatSolo]

I know this game has multiplayer its probably just for use of that part of it, thanks for the help man.

[Legendary old man]

Originally posted by scott_collidge:

I know this game has multiplayer its probably just for use of that part of it, thanks for the help man.

For most games once the key is activated it is locked to the steam account it is activated on, not the computer. A few dumb games have activation limits.