Network CD-Keys

Bleh. You've been given your answer and a method and now you arguing not with the ones who control it, but the ones who deal with the policies in place. Perhaps you should Email these points to Shrapnel. I'm sure it would prove much more beneficial to whatever you are trying to accomplish.

Edit: Never underestimate those willing to find ways not to pay for legitimate services. It's a long proud human tradition.

[ January 18, 2004, 14:05: Message edited by: Zen ]

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by BugRoger:
Allowing free LAN games or selling additional MP-Keys would be a great way to reward the honest players.

I dont think anyone, not even the two companys involved, is arguing that point.

[Karacan]

I think the easiest way to allow multiplayer games is to remove the turn-limitation of the demo...

I know I played a lot of them before my full copy of Dom I arrived. The research cap (and the fact I loved the game dearly) were enough for me to purchase it for good after a week intense playing.

I'd love to show around Dom on one of our bimonthly LAN sessions as well, but I can't afford to purchase the five to eight copies required for that.

[PDF]

I've the same problem with my friends : currently the only way is to use demo Version. But I have 12+ people that could be interested in a pbem, and there are only seven playable nations !

Maybe selling keys and downloads is a risky business, although for example Stardock (makers of GalCiv) was successful with that.
However, I can't see any strong argument for not allowing non-registered copies to join Online/LAN games (only). Combat Mission for example allows that (there's no key but CD is required to play).
Given the game "potential audience" and the fact that Online Dom2 games aren't that friendly (how many Dom2 owners play it ?), I can't think of this "robbing" the publisher from paying customers.
People introduced to the game this way will either quit or buy it if they're hooked...

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by PDF:
However, I can't see any strong argument for not allowing non-registered copies to join Online/LAN games (only).

Given the game "potential audience" and the fact that Online Dom2 games aren't that friendly (how many Dom2 owners play it ?), I can't think of this "robbing" the publisher from paying customers.
People introduced to the game this way will either quit or buy it if they're hooked...

I have some problem with this view. The Online multiplayer mode is the purpose for the game. It would be a walk down a long path to convince the devs to treat it differently, no matter if it was true or not.

[ January 20, 2004, 16:38: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[Saxon]

Starcraft is one game allowing multiple installs from the same CD, Half Life/Counterstrike is another. It is also a game which has had massive success, even though it has long been eclipsed by other FPS. One reason, which is important to me, is being able to install on a LAN. I have five machines in the house and a single disc made a big difference in my game of choice. I also second the opinion that the game then gets bought by other Users. All of my friends now have the game, except Cyrus. His girlfriend won’t let him play games at home!

To be fair, I do not think many people are going to play DOM on a LAN, so I do not think it is a big deal. I just wanted to throw in that for me, as a consumer, I feel that I should buy one copy of the game and use it in my house as I please. I have paid for the game, fair and square, so let me use it.

[OG_Gleep]

A lot of games don't do CD Key verification when you play via lan, checking only when playing on the internet. I hate buying multiple copies of a game so my wife can play it for a week and then quit.

BTW, did I understand that you said if you used those IP's you were able to play via LAN?