dsheinem wrote:So, here's the obvious question: is there anything in place to keep me from selling the used PS3 version after the Steam code has been redeemed? Hell, even if I can only sell it for around $35, Portal 2 would have essentially just cost me nothing...
It can't be that easy, can it?
Just to follow up on this as most people have been wondering. Apparently it is that easy, as revealed in the following interview.
GZ: The PS3 version includes Steamworks functionality which, on the face of it, gives it the edge over the version 360.
JB: Uh huh, I think so.
GZ: And it also provides PS3 players with a copy of the PC version for free. How does that process work? Is there a Steam key included in the box to download the PC version, or is a copy gifted to you once you link your Steam account in the PS3 game?
JB: We're going to send out some more details on that, but when you buy the PS3 version there'll be a key code in the box , and when you first bring up Steamworks in the PS3 game, that allows you to link your Steam account with your PSN account. That's where you punch in the code, and once you've used that code it's spent. With that link, you automatically own the game for PC and you can download it on any PC or Mac that you have. If you don't have a Steam account you can instantly create one through a quick sign up, and then you can activate that later as a full Steam account on your PC.
GZ: Do you need the code to access co-op in the PS3 version, or can you simply play through PSN without touching Steam?
JB: You have to create a Steam account, which again can be via that quick create where all you're doing is clicking a button saying 'hey, I wanna play'. You don't need to input the code. You don't even need to have a full Steam account.
GZ: So someone buying a second hand copy of the PS3 version would still have access to the co-op even if the code has already been redeemed?
JB: Yes, they would.
GZ: Does that leave the system open to abuse? Let's say I want to pick up the PC version. Are there any measures stopping me from buying the PS3 version, linking the code to my Steam account, immediately selling back the PS3 game to a store and effectively getting a PC copy for next to nothing?
JB: No, I don't think there's anything that would prevent that. We're willing to take the risk that someone might jump through all those hoops to create what we think is a really compelling feature that people are going to like.
dsheinem wrote:So, here's the obvious question: is there anything in place to keep me from selling the used PS3 version after the Steam code has been redeemed? Hell, even if I can only sell it for around $35, Portal 2 would have essentially just cost me nothing...
It can't be that easy, can it?
Just to follow up on this as most people have been wondering. Apparently it is that easy, as revealed in the following interview.
GZ: The PS3 version includes Steamworks functionality which, on the face of it, gives it the edge over the version 360.
JB: Uh huh, I think so.
GZ: And it also provides PS3 players with a copy of the PC version for free. How does that process work? Is there a Steam key included in the box to download the PC version, or is a copy gifted to you once you link your Steam account in the PS3 game?
JB: We're going to send out some more details on that, but when you buy the PS3 version there'll be a key code in the box , and when you first bring up Steamworks in the PS3 game, that allows you to link your Steam account with your PSN account. That's where you punch in the code, and once you've used that code it's spent. With that link, you automatically own the game for PC and you can download it on any PC or Mac that you have. If you don't have a Steam account you can instantly create one through a quick sign up, and then you can activate that later as a full Steam account on your PC.
GZ: Do you need the code to access co-op in the PS3 version, or can you simply play through PSN without touching Steam?
JB: You have to create a Steam account, which again can be via that quick create where all you're doing is clicking a button saying 'hey, I wanna play'. You don't need to input the code. You don't even need to have a full Steam account.
GZ: So someone buying a second hand copy of the PS3 version would still have access to the co-op even if the code has already been redeemed?
JB: Yes, they would.
GZ: Does that leave the system open to abuse? Let's say I want to pick up the PC version. Are there any measures stopping me from buying the PS3 version, linking the code to my Steam account, immediately selling back the PS3 game to a store and effectively getting a PC copy for next to nothing?
JB: No, I don't think there's anything that would prevent that. We're willing to take the risk that someone might jump through all those hoops to create what we think is a really compelling feature that people are going to like.
I'm glad they aren't going to resort to some draconian anti-piracy scheme to prevent this happening, but someone will jump through all those hoops. Portal 2 is going to be a very pirated game. I'm going to pay for it, but I'm sure many people are going to go the free route.
prfsnl_gmr wrote:There is nothing feigned about it. What I wrote is a display of actual moral superiority.
BoringSupreez wrote:I'm glad they aren't going to resort to some draconian anti-piracy scheme to prevent this happening, but someone will jump through all those hoops. Portal 2 is going to be a very pirated game. I'm going to pay for it, but I'm sure many people are going to go the free route.
"all those hoops"?
1. buy game 2. put my game in the PS3 and enter a code that lets me download the game to play on my PC 3. sell game (profit!)
You can't return an opened game to any store I know of, so even if you redeem the code and sell the game Valve is coming out ahead. I mean you get the game for free and cheap, but you still gave a store $$ for the game. Sounds like a win for everyone to me. Or am I missing something?
t0yrobo wrote:You can't return an opened game to any store I know of, so even if you redeem the code and sell the game Valve is coming out ahead. I mean you get the game for free and cheap, but you still gave a store $$ for the game. Sounds like a win for everyone to me. Or am I missing something?
There's these magical things called hairdryers. Just open the cellophane, steal the code, return. Or even better, find a store that guts the games. Take game home, use code, come back say that there wasn't a code in the box. Demand a replacement. Sell code and brand new game on ebay. Profit!
t0yrobo wrote:You can't return an opened game to any store I know of, so even if you redeem the code and sell the game Valve is coming out ahead. I mean you get the game for free and cheap, but you still gave a store $$ for the game. Sounds like a win for everyone to me. Or am I missing something?
There's these magical things called hairdryers. Just open the cellophane, steal the code, return. Or even better, find a store that guts the games. Take game home, use code, come back say that there wasn't a code in the box. Demand a replacement. Sell code and brand new game on ebay. Profit!
t0yrobo wrote:You can't return an opened game to any store I know of, so even if you redeem the code and sell the game Valve is coming out ahead. I mean you get the game for free and cheap, but you still gave a store $$ for the game. Sounds like a win for everyone to me. Or am I missing something?
There's these magical things called hairdryers. Just open the cellophane, steal the code, return. Or even better, find a store that guts the games. Take game home, use code, come back say that there wasn't a code in the box. Demand a replacement. Sell code and brand new game on ebay. Profit!
I can seriously see this game absolutely flooding used game stores. They'll start building new buildings out of all the unused copies of Portal 2 just to store more used copies of Portal 2. Is this the death of used game trade? Maybe this was Valve's plan all along. They'll be shoveling them into the desert next to all the copies of ET.
BoringSupreez wrote:I'm glad they aren't going to resort to some draconian anti-piracy scheme to prevent this happening, but someone will jump through all those hoops. Portal 2 is going to be a very pirated game. I'm going to pay for it, but I'm sure many people are going to go the free route.
"all those hoops"?
1. buy game 2. put my game in the PS3 and enter a code that lets me download the game to play on my PC 3. sell game (profit!)
I see no hoops.
I only used the phrase "all those hoops" because that was what the Valve person said. Those "hoops" are actually about a half inch off the ground, and have a diameter of 15 feet, but that's what he called them.
prfsnl_gmr wrote:There is nothing feigned about it. What I wrote is a display of actual moral superiority.
t0yrobo wrote:You can't return an opened game to any store I know of, so even if you redeem the code and sell the game Valve is coming out ahead. I mean you get the game for free and cheap, but you still gave a store $$ for the game. Sounds like a win for everyone to me. Or am I missing something?
There's these magical things called hairdryers. Just open the cellophane, steal the code, return. Or even better, find a store that guts the games. Take game home, use code, come back say that there wasn't a code in the box. Demand a replacement. Sell code and brand new game on ebay. Profit!
You've spent a lot of time thinking about this, haven't you, Niode?
t0yrobo wrote:You can't return an opened game to any store I know of, so even if you redeem the code and sell the game Valve is coming out ahead. I mean you get the game for free and cheap, but you still gave a store $$ for the game. Sounds like a win for everyone to me. Or am I missing something?
There's these magical things called hairdryers. Just open the cellophane, steal the code, return. Or even better, find a store that guts the games. Take game home, use code, come back say that there wasn't a code in the box. Demand a replacement. Sell code and brand new game on ebay. Profit!
You've spent a lot of time thinking about this, haven't you, Niode?
Nah. I just know exactly how exploitable these companies are. Plus I have a wicked poker face.
