Nice try (email & asking for cd-key)

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by PvK:
The weenies asking for keys are indeed weenies. On a more contructive note, though: It seems to me like there should be some technical solution possible to allow LAN play using only one copy of the game, without eroding sales, which would be nice.

Its computers. Anything is possible. Impossible is just a technicians term. It means "I could but its probably more time and trouble than its worth"

The game allows hot-seat play.
It also allows tcp/ip or pbem play between different computers that have different CD keys.

The problem with LAN play is that you are talking about allowing play between different computers using the same CD-key because they are on a LAN without allowing it between different computers not on a LAN.

That means it has to recognize that LAN arrangment in some way which isnt easy to fake-out. Maybe IP's using internal network structure such as 192.168.0.1 but proxys and such often work around such things. Maybe tracerouting each connection but many lans wont allow that.

Anyway, the response Im making is that of course its possible but it wouldnt be a simple nothing to do. I get the impression its on Illwinters "to do" list but not on the easy patch list. Im all for the $15 buy-a-key-Online idea but thats in Shrapnel's ballpark.

[ January 10, 2004, 00:53: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]