Question about the digital download

from GalCiv2 Forums
How exactly does the digital download work? Does the game need to be "activated" before you can play it? Is it identical to the CD/DVD versions? Can you burn the files to CD and have a copy of the game just like you could have bought it in the store?

Just curious.
12,398 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The game does need to be activated, though if you download directly to the machine you'll play on this is done automatically in the background. It is identical to the patched retail version (retail users get patches via SDC as well). You can backup the download to a disc however it will be in a special package to be reinstalled via SDC, rather than a standard windows installer as you'd find on a retail disc.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can backup the download to a disc however it will be in a special package to be reinstalled via SDC, rather than a standard windows installer as you'd find on a retail disc.
End of quote


The archived files (*.sdc) can also be opened with winrar like a zip file.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That won't however do a proper install with the registry entries, etc, or activate the game.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thank you for your response.

So does the game need to be actived every time you install it in the future, or is it a one time deal, and any future installs from the back-up will not need to be activated?

Basically, I'm wondering how restrictive Stardock's digital delivery policy is.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It only needs activated if you're installing to a different machine or have reinstalled windows since the last install. Otherwise, the last activation's sig.bin file will still be valid (provided you kept it of course--though SDC's archive function should include it in the backups).
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
O.K. Thank you for the clarification.