Steam Stole My CD Key

(Jimmy James) #1

I pre-ordered two copies of Brink for my wife and me. I got them today and was very excited to install them.

Unfortunately, my wife’s computer automatically logged my into my Steam account when I went to install her copy of Brink. Then when I went to install my copy of Brink on my computer it cancelled the install on my wife’s computer saying another computer was accessing the Steam account.

So, I logged into Steam with her account and now when I try to install her copy of Brink it says that it’s already tied to another account (mine).

I’ve been trying to figure out how to disassociate my wife’s copy of the Brink CD Key from my Steam account for over 2 hours now. I tried contacting Steam but their support is virtually non-existent with most of the links on their site just sending me in circles.

Frankly I’m done with the frustration and I just want my money back now but if there is an easy solution I’d prefer that. I just want to be able to free one of the CD Keys associated with my Steam account so my wife and I can play Brink together.

Thanks for any advice,
JJ

(Joe999) #2

That’s a Steam issue, not a Brink issue. You should address Valve regarding that matter (especially the “non-existent support”).

(Crispy) #3

Unfortunately there’s not much we can do about this from our end but my experience is that if you give Valve some time to respond they’re pretty good with this sort of thing. Bear in mind it’s a weekend and not everyone works weekends.

(SkAface) #4

but how did it steal a key? when you enter a cdkey for a game that you already have, steam will tell you that you can’t register that key with that account. have you been able to register both keys with your account?

(Sheza) #5

Hey,

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_cat.php?id=3

There is a big image to the right that says “Can’t find” what you need?" Click it and it should take you to the email / contact form.

(Jimmy James) #6

Maybe I should clarify. I can not install my wife’s copy of Brink on her computer because Steam says that the CD Key is already linked to a different Steam account (mine). This means I have a completely useless copy of Brink. It’s just a coaster now.

I tried contacting Steam/Valve but I can’t log into their web site despite the fact that I can log into the Steam client with no problems.

Splash Damage chose to use Steam and if it makes their game unplayable then it is indeed a Splash Damage issue. Splash Damage should not rely on a third party to support their game.

-JJ

(Sheza) #7

The Steam support site is separate from your Steam account. You must create an account there.

The issue is not related to Splash damage, you have said that it is Steam that displays the error.

(Seanza) #8

With all due respect sir, this is down to your own carelessness.

(Pez) #9

[QUOTE=Sheza;305592]The Steam support site is separate from your Steam account. You must create an account there.

The issue is not related to Splash damage, you have said that it is Steam that displays the error.[/QUOTE]

This is the answer. I was going through a few problems and they’re pretty good. You should get a response within 48 hrs from your support request.

I’m sure there is an easy ways to dis-associate the key with Steam, otherwise you would never be able to re-sell your old steam games shrugs

(Faerie) #10

Erm, sorry if I’m being dense, but if you ordered two separate copies, can you not just install the one designated for you onto your wife’s Steam account? Or are you saying that you’ve somehow managed to bind both CD Keys to one Steam account?

If it’s the former, then just swap copies, surely? If you have different DLC, the DLC codes are separate and unrelated to the physical copies so it wouldn’t make a difference?

Edit: Sorry, I am being dense. I just re-read your OP again and you say you’ve somehow managed to bind both CD-Keys to the one account. If that’s the case, then it’s definitely a bug with Steam, because that shouldn’t be even slightly possible.

(Sheza) #11

[QUOTE=Pez;305615]This is the answer. I was going through a few problems and they’re pretty good. You should get a response within 48 hrs from your support request.

I’m sure there is an easy ways to dis-associate the key with Steam, otherwise you would never be able to re-sell your old steam games shrugs[/QUOTE]
You can’t sell PC games 0_o That’s one of the reason’s they are so cheap.

(Jimmy James) #12

[QUOTE=Pez;305615]
I’m sure there is an easy ways to dis-associate the key with Steam, otherwise you would never be able to re-sell your old steam games shrugs[/QUOTE]
If you know a way I’d love to hear it. Like I said, I spent 2 hours trying to figure it out.

[QUOTE=Faerie;305617]
Edit: Sorry, I am being dense. I just re-read your OP again and you say you’ve somehow managed to bind both CD-Keys to the one account. If that’s the case, then it’s definitely a bug with Steam, because that shouldn’t be even slightly possible.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately that is the exact problem I am facing.

Also, the idea that it’s not Splash Damage’s problem, even though it directly affects their product, is disturbing to me. Splash Damage chose to rely on a 3rd party application that makes their game unplayable and then tries to pass the buck when their product doesn’t work.

-JJ

(Joff) #13

Thats exactly what i was thinking.

For the cost of the 2 hours of your time you spent on the problem you probably could have bought another copy.

Disturbing?..Really?, no offence but if i had fooked up like that (and it is the kind of thing i would do) i would man up and accept it, not run to the wrong forum and start posting whiny rubbish.

Where i come from this is called ‘STUPID TAX’

(signofzeta) #14

[quote=Joff;306376]Thats exactly what i was thinking.

For the cost of the 2 hours of your time you spent on the problem you probably could have bought another copy.

Disturbing?..Really?, no offence but if i had fooked up like that (and it is the kind of thing i would do) i would man up and accept it, not run to the wrong forum and start posting whiny rubbish.

Where i come from this is called ‘STUPID TAX’[/quote]

Yeah, I’m sure you can donate the cash to the poor guy.

(OpticNerve) #15

I don’t think it’s possible to have two copies of a game serial registered on the same Steam account without it being considered giftable. Try checking the “Manage Gifts and Guest Passes” window on Steam and see if you can gift your “extra” copy of Brink to the other account.

(Sheza) #16

Hey man, come on. I’ve told you how to get in touch with Steam. They legally have to help you out within their aforementioned response time.

The problem is absolutely nothing to do with Splash Damage, they can’t help you here at all.

(kaz050) #17

or yoou could of just went too a bestbuy,wallmart,gamestop or wich ever and picked em up

(Jimmy James) #18

Thank you for this brilliant piece of insight. It turns out that even though I entered a different CD key when I installed Brink on my computer it didn’t stick (though I didn’t get any sort of error message). I tried installing Brink on my wife’s computer using the CD key from “my copy” and it worked. Brink it currently installing on her computer.

Thanks to everyone for your helpful (and sometimes not so helpful) advice!

-JJ