Activate DeActivate Scourge of Life ???

[drypowder]

Here is a question - I buy the game on CD install it life is complete as we know it but alas alas my computer gets stolen. No problem I buy another computer the idiots didn't steal my Game on CD so now I install it on the new pc. But from all that I have read it won't play on the new pc right ??? - even though I have an activation code that came with the CD ???

Wait I just read something somewhere that caused my brain to click - yeah it won't play cause one an only have one activation at a time. All of these Activation gyrations are because of stealing a few ruin it for the masses.

But now comes another problem which is attributed to the thiefs that ruin pc computer games. We buy this game and for some reason Norb or whoever no longer supports the game meaning they don't provide activaton codes etc. This means that unless norby stays in business this game could be obsolete / unplayable at some time in the near or distant future, again, thanks the thieves but in theory it could be continually played as long as you left it on the same pc One needs an internet connection but one does not but one does but does not ..

[Gudadantza]

I am not a fan of DRM involving activations desactivations or Online instalations etc. I consider that The Digital bet from all around the world on the last years has positive things but a lot of things are worse. Consider it an old school Guy comment.

But think about it. You are speaking about an extreme situation. Think about if someone steals your CD with the serial printed on it. It could be a more common problem than a Computer steal.

So, you could not play the game.

Conclusion, If something extreme occurs you could not play the game. Be it Activation or a CD copy or a Steam account hack.

[Saddletank]

Contact activate (at) norbsoftware (dot) com.

Give them the fullest details of your purchase that you can including any info you have of the receipt of the CD. They can help you.

[drypowder]

yeah Norby would give you another code when you verified your personal info with them the main problem would be what I added later compared to say some other games I have such as Medieval Total WAR the original this game I have and can be played forever - internet or no internet ..... whether or not Norby gets a mafia contract out on him or not etc. Whereas because of the pirates companies need some sort of decent non piracy verificaton method so here we are.

[Saddletank]

Storm Eagle Studios who make the Distant Guns franchise have a similar system. They state in their licensing small print that in the event of the company going out of business all DRM software licences would be freed, so any user who owns the game could activate his game on any PC he owned.

I would imagine Norbsoft have a similar agreement since, once the company is no longer in business and no successor buys the rights to their titles, they have nothing to lose by freeing up all customers DRM codes.

But first - think about it - this is both highly unlikely (SoW is much more likely to be no longer played by you in a few years anyway, or to be superceded by another Norbsoft product) and also this is true of all products you buy from all companies. Guarantees to repair or replace even very expensive household items like kitchen goods applies for just 12 months usually and if a company goes out of business you have little to no comeback, so having a go at "thieving software companies" is both unfair and unreasonable, given that generally, in most other areas of consumer law, you have no better terms.

You should be having a go at the "thieving software pirates" that have caused companies to do this in the last few years.

You can't really compare the huge games software empire of SEGA to Norbsoft; smaller companies need to be very careful about protecting sales and also they cannot usually afford to produce massed DVD sales.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

Truth be told, the only thing that is saving SOWgb from being cracked is that it is not a main stream game. You can pour as much money you wish into protecting your game, and it won't do you any good.

The only people that any protection scheme is good against are those who follow the rules, it's very much like a high wired fence, it only keeps out the law abiding, not the real criminals.

So at this moment what is saving SOWgb from being cracked is that it is a niche software, and very few who wish to buy the game are those who have no interest or desire to crack it.

Nothing is safe out there, if one of the head bangers out there wish to crack this, they will crack it.

Personally I can sleep at night knowing I have a legit copy, and I follow the rules... besides it's good to keep the smaller companies in business, they are about the only ones that create games worth playing.

[norb]

We are very up front about our activation methods. We want the user to be able to make an informed decision. If it's not something that you can agree with, then I would advise against purchase.

[davidb1986]

I lost my digital download and activation code when my computer crashed. I emailed Norbsoftdev and they said they reset my activation code. The trouble is I don't have it anymore. I didn't write it down and when my computer crashed I lost the file I saved it to. I've been trying to get Norbsoftdev to send me a new code or my old one from a few days now with no reply. Are they going to make me re-buy the game? I bought it on fastspring.com on 4-30-2011.

[norb]

We usually handle this stuff through email, but as long as you have proof of purchase (even the email address of the purchase) then we can find your code for you. If you have no evidence at all and no longer can provide the email of the purchase, then there is nothing we can do. Obviously you understand this policy because we would get a ton of bogus emails otherwise. I guess it would be the same at any store though, if you go to a store and say that you bought something, but lost it and don't have a receipt, I don't think you would have a good chance of getting a replacement.

[drypowder]

Yeah I bought the game recently soon after this post maybe even the same day I was just mainly reflecting on the unfortunate need for this because of the thieves in the world.

Below is a copy of part of the invoice thing

Seller of the product: Publisher:
Digital River GmbH Norb Software Development, Inc.
Vogelsanger Str. 78 Robert Timpko
50823 Cologne 60 Kettle Creek Rd.
Germany Freehold, NJ 07728 NJ
USA
Tax ID Number (Germany): 217/5722/1080
VAT-ID: DE194149069
Item # Description Qty. Unit Price VAT Amount
300378356e Scourge of War - Gettysburg (Direct
Download)
Delivery date: 22-MAR-2012
1 USD 29.99 0.00% USD 0.00 USD 29.99


Regarding Davidb1986 .... withing 6 hours of getting the game I backed up the file and other files to a CD - ROM along with my receipt having the Activation Code also the latest patch and the pdf manual. I wish I had gotten the Printed manual offer with CD ROM just to have it but to late now. But I have been enjoying the game and one must take the time out of playing to take the time to back everything up - Murphy's Law.

The best part of the Scourge so far is that on my other pc not this one that is brand new runs win7 has 8 gigs ram etc. my other pc it would often crash when playing either Bull Run or Manassas during the middle of a battle and it was so discouraging did all the tweaks and patches but it still did it - Murphys law again - a totally in its own league Civil War game but my pc could not consistently play it I felt like jumping out a window. so far Scourge of War works fine and I can finaly exhale and enjoy a state of the art modern day creation of a Civil War game ... some other post on here suggested some other Civil War game that had realism too but honestly the graphics, menus, and overall gameplay is so outdated on that game I just can't see playing it with Scourgy out here. Thank God the Mad Munute dudes and others started their own Norby thing in order to do it right by doing it yourself I hope all their dreams come true.

Finally, eventually I will probably get the game in the CD and Manual format too ... just because. I have 2 complete games of Total War, Combat Mission overlord, Madden 06 and Tiger woods o6 .. just because I like the game so much.

The only thing better worldly speaking besides being alive now to play Scourgy would be to be alive during the Civil War and participating in it lmao