Activation Question

SDC handles the activation on new installs so you wouldn't get the activation dialog unless it failed.  You're allowed to activate it on a limited number of machines, because we know that people install it on both their laptops and their PCs. 

Out of interest, how many computers can we install on?

I don't want to give that info out but suffice to say that it's designed so that the typical user shouldn't have to worry about it.

Out of curiosity will this activation system be present in the final release of Galciv2? If so then how will the potential effect of formatting the system and having to reintall the software or the purchase of a new PC over time affect these 'licenses to activate'?

thanks for the reply. My only concern with activiation is the fact that I "burned" one of my activations by installing on a work pc. What if I change jobs or laptops, will that somehow be handled? Overall not too concerned about as Stardock is a pretty fair company I think.

For just playing the game once it is live will you have to have a internet connection just to get it to start? If so, THAT would be a drag.

No, you don't need to be connected to the internet to play once it's activated.

I don't know if the activation code will be part of the release, but I just checked and SDC will archive the activation record  if you tell it to archive the entire application, so that when you reinstall windows and restore the archive, it should just work.  Moving it to a new computer probably wouldn't work, but if necessary you can contact support for help activating it on the new computer.

All interesting, I'm sure Stardock is well aware of Valve's STEAM system and all the controversy over Half Life 2's activation process. Alot of very unhappy customers were created over that, so be careful how you put your own system into effect. Valve created themselves a public relations nightmare on that one.

Icky. If this stays in place for release, wouldn't they be liable for false advertising? Since it kinda goes against the whole "No DRM" thing being advertised on TGN.

Our activation process is far different than STEAM. STEAM was painful and took a lot of time because after you installed HL2, you then had to sit and wait for files to be unlocked. Our activation process is very quick (takes only a few seconds when handled automatically).