Good copy protection? 28 Character Serial Number!!!!!!!!!

What are you guys talking about?

from GalCiv2 Forums

I've just purchased and installed my copy of Gal Civ II. I was prompted 3 times to enter a 28 character (yes, you read correctly; that is a two and an eight) serial number. I've been reading so many reviews extolling the lack of copy protection etc. What are those guys smoking? This is the worst copy protection ever!!! I was surprised that I am not prompted for the 28 character serial number on every f&$#@ng mouse click.

14,903 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

What are you talking about?

The installer asks one time for a serial # and you don't have to enter it in. You can leave it blank.

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It must've asked you three times because you incorrectly put it in the first two times. You could just not put it in...
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The serial # is only needed to download updates. You dont even have to fill it in if you just want to play the retail game. If you perhaps got a mis printed serial# you can contact support@stardock and they can help you out.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
I am not sure what is going on now.  I downloaded and bought the box set.  I got the box set so I was not forced to "activate" a few years and computers from now.  Well, after uninstalling the download and loading my CD (and update) It still asks me to activate.  Is this because I downloaded or is it in the CD too?  Very confusing.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Fordson, you don't need to activate anything?
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I prefer entering (ie, copying from an email) a 28 character string to having to install some kind of malware onto my computer just to play the game.

Fordson, you don't need to activate anything?


Yes you do. If you want to get updates (as I recall).

Even so, it's not like the activation harms your computer. As long as you have that serial number, you can play it on any machine.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I prefer entering (ie, copying from an email) a 28 character string to having to install some kind of malware onto my computer just to play the game.



How is it malware?
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Do people know what Malware is or it is one of those uber-cool labels to apply to things?

Stardock Central's simply a GUI front end to a secure HTTP download. 

The retail box requires no serial # at all. It will ask if you want to enter it so that it's in your registry but that's about it.

Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Read again what Alfonse said, he evidently isn't talking about Stardock Central but about StarForce et al... no one said SDC is malware (at least not in this thread).
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sadly as a former tech, I can attest that most people don't understand what Malware, Spyware, Trojans, viruses..etc ..are.
Most people don't understand there systems at all or how to print. Most people don't know what DRM is or why it's the downfall of civilization as we know it. Most people don't know what the RIAA or the MPAA is until they get sued into the ground by them. Most people don't know what Fair Use is or what it entails. Most people don't even understand how their local or federal goverments work (or even care).Oddly enough people do know, that they might be able to play a game on a computer, poison their minds with porn, write email, what a filesharing program is and use an ipod...go figure.

These are the same people who fall for incredibly stupid tricks in MMO games. Have 300 items of spyware on their systems. Can't figure out why their ancient system can't play FEAR. Fall for phishing tactics and use passwords like 12345.... (of course thats the code I use on my luggage but don't tell anyone)
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This has to be one of the most retarded threads I have seen on this forum. We all just dropped 10 IQ points for reading this crap.