Whoa... sorry to hear that, i'd help you if i knew how. do you have at least Galactic Civilizations 2 full version. if you do then you can still play the game, you just can get the upgrades. i've got no serial number either so i can sort of relate.

Okay, first of this is amusing. One, by the way you sound, you probably have a pirated copy, and this is the way your trying to manipulate the staff to get a serial. Last time I checked, Walmart doesnt sell used, or fake software, thus, your serial should work. Secondly, what are these so called "features" not in the game? And the game has GREAT support, so quit acting childish AND ignorant.

Or he could just have skipped the page detailing how to use the two serial keys you have on the collectors edition when he was reading all of those posts :

"This is a simple but common mistake. The Collector's/Limited Editions of the game normally include two serial keys (one for the game, one to unlock the special extra content). Be sure you're not trying to register with the CE serial (the one that begins with GC2). Use the other one which consist of 28 letters/numbers (A-F and 0-9 ONLY) with no dashes."

"
There have been several production runs that shipped to retail in the US without the correct keys. Some Collector's Editions shipped to WalMart and Fred Meyers included two CE keys (beginning with GC2-), but no game serial. Some Standard Editions have shipped to Best Buy and other retailers with a single CE key and nothing else.

In either case, please first try inputting your serial and email address on the European serial exchange page, which has been updated to include most of the serials from these production runs: http://galciv2.com/paradox/index.aspx. If that does not work, please contact [email protected] with your problem and they will provide you a game serial to use."

RE: "geminisama" says: Okay, first of this is amusing. One, by the way you sound, you probably have a pirated copy, and this is the way your trying to manipulate the staff to get a serial. Secondly, what are these so called "features" not in the game? And the game has GREAT support, so quit acting childish AND ignorant.

Legal copy: I made it clear in my prior posting that I bought the software at Walmart and it was shrink wrapped -- not likely to be pirated material. I have the shiny silver box, and the printed manuals and the jewel box with the two CD's and the serial number taped in a white strip on it. I also have a separate card with ANOTHER serial number on it that says I am to use that serial number at the CollectorsEdition site to download that "exclusive" content. Both serial numbers start with GC2, with 5 groups of characters following that, each group separated by hyphens. None of which are "valid" per the GC2 website and per Stardock Central -- it won't accept them for registration.

Features that don't work: The control bar (slider) for Destabilizing opponents never appears -- I only get the Espionage slider. Also, I will click several options, including victory conditions, and other features such as number of opponents, shape of galaxy, etc. when setting up a game, and about half the time the game won't take my settings.

As for the "GREAT support": The website only allowed me to input my serial number one time, when I first set up the "Dark Wing" account. At that time, it did NOT tell me that my serial number was invalid. Later, when I checked the registrations tab, it said that I didn't have any programs registered. Then, I could find NO way to re-access my account to re-input the serial number. The instructions in my box and on the website talked about how to access the site, but they were wrong -- website features, and other items referred to just aren't at the web site (changed since instructions made?) So then I went through the time-consuming task of getting the Stardock Central program downloaded and installed, only to have it tell me that my serial number was invalid.

My experience with the system is NOT user friendly. I have years of experience as an IT auditor, assessing the functionality of websites. And I have used quite a bit of licensed software, where I had to go to sites and get access to updates and technical support. Again -- this whole process is NOT user friendly. Looking at a lot of posts, people are having to go down into registry and environment and data files and make changes to get their downloads to work -- and many times are having to rely on the experience of other users instead of proper tech support.

I also find a certain amount of dishonesty in selling a game -- at a fairly solid price for such products -- for it only to be a demo quality product that is not complete, not adequately tested, and does not function as represented. Then to go to the website and not be able to get an update or get a decent tech conference room or even a decent FAQ board. I still have not received any response to my e-mails, other than an auto-reply message that summarized my account fields, and noted that I had no software registered, and offered to sell me the same software that I had already purchased.

A VERY frustrating experience that went well into the night and wee hours of the morning. So, yes, my assessment is sorry product sold at the store site as a finished, fully-functional game, and sorry feedback and support so far on trying to get the a functional product that I PAID for.

It only took me a day to get my account sorted and merged after finally purchasing it, by emailing support with my serial no and receipt info and giving them as much info as possible, so don't despair just yet, it's a game worth a bit of a hassle initially registering. Make sure you've checked the stickied post re problems registering/activation in the paragraph numbered 5.

Dread Wing, I'm amazed that you would rather take the time to compose a second long rant than to try Archonsod's advice or email support for help.

With all your IT experience, I'm sure you know that 'customer support' is not a computer program, it is people. You have to actually contact people to get customer support. You indicate that support is the SDC program registration and update method. You even give the program human attributes.

You've never bothered trying any of our suggestions, and if you did, you never gave any feedback. By ignoring our suggestions, you are showing us disrespect. Also, you never listed all those features that don't work as advertised or showed us all those posts about the product being an inadequate demo. That makes your complaints ring hollow.

In summary (you fill in whatever you want in the blanks because I won't type all-caps): Unfortunately, not to name any names, there are some _____ customers with ______ attitudes that are better left alone than trying to help. What a waste of my time (not money). Bye.

Hello,

For activation troubles please contact us at [email protected]. We would be happy to help you in anyway we can. As to the Walmart serial issue please understand that Stardock is only the author of the game. The serial numbers are handled by the manufacturers and ultimately the retailers. While I cannot account for how you got a used serial number I am afraid that there is limited I can do. What I would suggest is to take it back to where you got it from for an exchange.

However Support at Stardock is far from heartless. Please start a ticket with us and we will explore every possibility we can to help you.

Cheers,

I also couldnt register my serial number *chuckle* online and I got the gold edition GC2 from Walmart. See there is a pattern here. Every game heading to Walmart gets infected with a serial killer Anyways I emailed support with my serial number so they could look at it.

ok i'll try.

not the same, my email wont register, and when i go to register my product i goes straight to the TG games home page.

I have same problem. Bought GC 2 Gold Edition. Put in serial number exactly as shown on CD jewel case, (30 characters and 5 dashes). It doesn't work. Why can't they just let you buy a CD, load it on your computer, and run it like normal games? All these serial numbers, passwords, email, codes, etc. Its all such a pain in the ass.

The serial number isn't required just to install from the CD, only to register and get updates.

To register and get updates, like I said. Frogboy chose to exclude any copy protection whatsoever from the retail version of the game, but we do want to make sure people have legitimate copies when it comes to updates, due to the abnormally large amount of budget and time that we put into them compared to other companies.