Internet access required to update not mentioned on box :(

from GalCiv2 Forums
Okay here's the situation:

Lets say for example I don't own internet access (yes not everyone has it that has a pc, especilly those of us in extremly rural areas or low income)

No where does it say on the box "you must have internet access to register and activate this game for updates"

Well no big deal since without net access you couldn't download the patch right? Actually many people I know without net access either go to a public library and download the patches then copy them to a flash drive or cd-rw, or do the same from a friends place (or a college computer room)

With net access required to update those without live net access are pretty well screwed over for no good reason. (and version 1.0 crashes a LOT and has loads of bugs) This situation seems extremly unfair to paying customers when it doesn't warn them on the box before they buy it of this situation.

A suggestion would be to e-mail some kind of activation key to the users addy after they properly register the game.

I bring this up because after buying it and loving it after the patch (I'm lucky to have net access) a few of my friends without internet, are understandably frustrated that they can't download the patches to play the game if they did buy it. (meaning they spend their money elsewhere and miss out on this great game)

Same problem if someone without net recives this or product with similar requirements as a gift, they won't know they can't patch it to where it's at least playable until after they;ve opend and installed the product, and by then it;s too late to return it for a refund. (opened software can only be exchanged for one of the same title)

(at the very least future games with this kind of requirement should mention it on the box so would be buyers are aware of the requirements to play. Earth 2160 had the same requirement of net access activation, but at least they printed it under the system requirements on the box.)

-Edit:

I don't mean to sound like I'm ditching this game because of this. I personally love it and find it really enjoyable, which is why I'm disappointed my friends are unable to share in the exictement, and I'm making this post on their behalf.  
11,248 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can do that. There's a way to get a sig.bin from a seperate computer (say, the library one where you get your patches) and use that on your main computer. After that, you can patch all you want.

I'm not entirely sure on the details, so I'll go wok Kryo.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To activate the game on a computer that is not connected, follow these steps:

1) Start the game; you will get a prompt for your serial and email. Provide them and continue.
2) It will fail to activate (of course) and ask if you'd like to activate by email. Click Yes.
3) Copy the subject line and big block of letters into a text file, or into your email program, and save it off to portable media (CDR, USB drive, floppy, etc).
4) Take it to a web-connected PC and send an email to [email protected] with that subject line and content.
5) You should receive a reply with a file and some instructions; take the file back to the non-connected PC and you should be set to go.
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oh, and the game is playable out of the box. Most patches have been feature updates.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
BTW, You must have a proper serial code to activate the game, so check that in advance. The one you need will be a 28 digit hexadecimal number (0-9 and A-F only) with no dashes. If you have another serial beginning with GC2- and not one like that, or none at all, see the stickied thread on registration issues or contact [email protected].
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks a bunch I'll be sure to pass this along to my friends, who will no doubt be deeply pleased!   

And on a side note, that's got to be the fastest forum based tech support I EVER seen. Like 5 mintues before a solution gets posted. Impressive.  

Now if only you could go kick Half Life 2's support staff in the rear and show them how it's done. 
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The trick is to wok Kryo between the eyes enough to get his attention, but not enough so that he passes out/bans me from the forums

Any other problems you or your friends have, visit the IRC channel at irc.stardock.com #neotech, and shave 4 minutes off that time.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And on a side note, that's got to be the fastest forum based tech support I EVER seen. Like 5 mintues before a solution gets posted. Impressive.


That's what they pay me for

If I'm not refreshmonkeying the forum, someone else is and points me at threads that need attention. And so long as you can get someone's attention on IRC, you can get an even faster response there.