Game security...

[Vinny]

I just finished installing HL2 on my new computer... it only worked because my account was deemed inactive (as in I haven't used Steam in forever) so I guess it was ok.

Now, I am planning to buy a couple of PC games and might consider buying used. The question I have is, are there any other companies who use strict security like Steam Client (i.e., HL2 Episode 1)? I know you can't have one copy of HL2 on two computers without uninstalling it from one and even than, it'll only work with your account.

I just want to avoid buying a used game that I can't play.

[CaseyRyback]

I have all my steam games on both my upstairs and downstairs computers. The only thing is that they won't auto login if the account is already running on one of them (or so has been my experience).

[Moxio]

Generally you can't buy a used game that has a CDKEY needed to play online/activate.

[Vinny]

I know online games are out of the question, especially MMORPGs but I don't care for those anyway.

But it sucks that I can't buy newer used games then..:-(

[SOSTrooper]

I know that FEAR and Quake 4 do not use the CD key-for-one-account feature like Steam. On the other hand, Guild Wars CD key links to one account like Steam; so if you buy that used make sure the original owner gives you all the log in info (or have him reset it for you). The potential down side of buying used PC games with CD key is that the original owner may and can still use the CD key to play games online after he sold it. Or maybe he gave it out to his friends, you never know.

[Vinny]

Hm.. I didn't think about that. That's probably why it's so hard to find used copies of newer PC games.:-k

I know about Guild Wars because I acutally sold that game to someone here and had to go though all the account transfering and stuff.