Can you buy Just an CDKey? (Like HLs STEAM?) - Guild Wars Forums

fr0st2k · Apr 28, 2005, 02:37 AM // 02:37

im in college(no cars till junior year) and i cant get to the game store...and i REALLY want to get GW.

Anyone hear any news about if you can just buy a key and download the client and play?

dreamer1uk · Apr 28, 2005, 02:38 AM // 02:38

Hi,

I dont think so. Just buy it on-line from EB Games or whoever and get next day delivery

spiritofcat · Apr 28, 2005, 02:39 AM // 02:39

ncsoft will be selling the game online to download. I don't know the latest official details.

fr0st2k · Apr 28, 2005, 02:41 AM // 02:41

very good to hear, i guess you dont know when? lol, you bastard

ok well thanks for the info, ive for searching NCsoft and guildwars.com but couldnt find any info about this.

i may just order from EB / GS.

Freyas · Apr 28, 2005, 08:56 AM // 08:56

I believe you can buy it through PlayNC, but I'm not sure if they have that set up yet. Otherwise, you could possibly find someone you trust to buy the game for you and just give you the key for the CD- you can get the game client from www.guildwars.com which will automatically download/install the game- it will take longer than if you had the CD to install, but with a fast internet connection it's not too bad.

Richtus · Apr 28, 2005, 09:13 AM // 09:13

When I was registering my account, I had an option of entering a key, or purchasing one. I can only assume that's it. I didn't click it because I had no reason to. Give it a whirl.

b00mst1ck · Apr 28, 2005, 12:01 PM // 12:01

It's backasswards to not offer a way for players who participated in the Beta Weekends to be able to buy the key online. We dont need the disks and who reads the manuals anyway, with all the info available online. I loved that I could upgrade to HL2 from within the client I already had installed, right here, right now. I got it. Why hinder potential customers from buying your product? Direct Online Purchase would be a great addition to Guild Wars, so ArenaNet hook a playa up! BTW, I love This Game! I guess I'm going to wait till the mall opens and drive there in traffic and deal with some know it all nerd gamer behind the counter telling me what level he is already even tho it came out yesterday. ugh. I want it now !!

Inde · Apr 28, 2005, 12:50 PM // 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by b00mst1ck

It's backasswards to not offer a way for players who participated in the Beta Weekends to be able to buy the key online.

Life is not that simple. The bread and butter in sales is the retail channels -Walmart, EBGames, GameStop, etc etc. If NCSoft was to sell CD-Keys online [like they did for CoH for a while], it angers the retailers, and many threaten [and sometimes do] pull the game from shelves.

Marketing 101

Nightfang · Apr 28, 2005, 03:36 PM // 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

[like they did for CoH for a while]

And still are doing, for CoH and Lineage II. I'm sure once they let the retail sales settle out, then they will offer the ability to buy it directly from them.

b00mst1ck · May 01, 2005, 04:22 AM // 04:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

Life is not that simple. The bread and butter in sales is the retail channels -Walmart, EBGames, GameStop, etc etc. If NCSoft was to sell CD-Keys online [like they did for CoH for a while], it angers the retailers, and many threaten [and sometimes do] pull the game from shelves.

Marketing 101

Guild Wars is not an exclusive title for any retailer, NCsoft has a right to sell it where-ever, however they can. The Brick and Mortar days are coming to an end, especially for software sales, it's called The Future. http://www.plaync.com/store/gw_purchase.html. Buy it here Play NOW!

col_firefly · May 01, 2005, 04:37 AM // 04:37

Yep, I purchased it from www.plaync.com.

Only gripe was, we Aussies for some reason have to pay GBP for it, not USD. No selection either.

The download is pretty quick for people that don't have the client yet too. Just be prepared for a little bit of waiting between zone transitions.

harrisben · May 01, 2005, 04:59 AM // 04:59

You're lucky, I can't buy it online because my address is in Thailand. Oh, and the UK price is a little more than the US price. You would think they give you the manual in PDF form at the very least considering you're paying the same price as retail.

thaumaturge · May 01, 2005, 05:09 AM // 05:09

The price is reasonably high from what I have seen (translates to $57 USD) however it's still cheap compared to Australian prices - $70 USD. But am I to understand there is no manual or help guide in pdf form included when you purchase the game in this way? It would seal the deal for me.

harrisben · May 01, 2005, 06:58 AM // 06:58

You'll have to understand that I haven't acually bought it online, but I read somewhere (perhaps here or www.mmorpg.com) that buying it online gives you access to the game (you download the client like when the Beta was running). To me, that seems there is no manual.
Anyone who has bought the game online and would like to correct me is welcome.

Imp · May 11, 2005, 05:22 PM // 17:22

I got the CD key from NCsoft, saddens me that it is the same price as the box, and you also don't get anything simple, like the glow while dancing or some stupid thing. I really don't care though, I payed for the game and that is what I'm getting. Worth every penny.

don't remember there being a manual, but I'm pretty sure you can find one pretty easy.

Apr 28, 2005, 02:37 AM // 02:37	#1
fr0st2k Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA Guild: Beta Clan Profession: N/Me	Can you buy Just an CDKey? (Like HLs STEAM?) im in college(no cars till junior year) and i cant get to the game store...and i REALLY want to get GW. Anyone hear any news about if you can just buy a key and download the client and play?

Apr 28, 2005, 08:56 AM // 08:56	#5
Freyas Champion of the Absurd Join Date: Jan 2005 Guild: Spirits of War Profession: Mo/W	I believe you can buy it through PlayNC, but I'm not sure if they have that set up yet. Otherwise, you could possibly find someone you trust to buy the game for you and just give you the key for the CD- you can get the game client from www.guildwars.com which will automatically download/install the game- it will take longer than if you had the CD to install, but with a fast internet connection it's not too bad. __________________ Freyas- Spirits of War ~The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity

Apr 28, 2005, 12:01 PM // 12:01	#7
b00mst1ck Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Apr 2005	ugh, i want my key NOW! It's backasswards to not offer a way for players who participated in the Beta Weekends to be able to buy the key online. We dont need the disks and who reads the manuals anyway, with all the info available online. I loved that I could upgrade to HL2 from within the client I already had installed, right here, right now. I got it. Why hinder potential customers from buying your product? Direct Online Purchase would be a great addition to Guild Wars, so ArenaNet hook a playa up! BTW, I love This Game! I guess I'm going to wait till the mall opens and drive there in traffic and deal with some know it all nerd gamer behind the counter telling me what level he is already even tho it came out yesterday. ugh. I want it now !!

May 01, 2005, 04:37 AM // 04:37	#11
col_firefly Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia	Yah mon! Yep, I purchased it from www.plaync.com. Only gripe was, we Aussies for some reason have to pay GBP for it, not USD. No selection either. The download is pretty quick for people that don't have the client yet too. Just be prepared for a little bit of waiting between zone transitions.

Apr 28, 2005, 02:38 AM // 02:38	#2
dreamer1uk Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: IL - USA	Hi, I dont think so. Just buy it on-line from EB Games or whoever and get next day delivery

Apr 28, 2005, 02:39 AM // 02:39	#3
spiritofcat Jungle Guide Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Guild: Order of the Sanguine Dragon [OSD] Profession: E/Mo	ncsoft will be selling the game online to download. I don't know the latest official details.

Apr 28, 2005, 02:41 AM // 02:41	#4
fr0st2k Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA Guild: Beta Clan Profession: N/Me	very good to hear, i guess you dont know when? lol, you bastard ok well thanks for the info, ive for searching NCsoft and guildwars.com but couldnt find any info about this. i may just order from EB / GS.

Apr 28, 2005, 09:13 AM // 09:13	#6
Richtus Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005	When I was registering my account, I had an option of entering a key, or purchasing one. I can only assume that's it. I didn't click it because I had no reason to. Give it a whirl.

May 01, 2005, 04:59 AM // 04:59	#12
harrisben Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bangkok, Thailand	You're lucky, I can't buy it online because my address is in Thailand. Oh, and the UK price is a little more than the US price. You would think they give you the manual in PDF form at the very least considering you're paying the same price as retail.

May 01, 2005, 05:09 AM // 05:09	#13
thaumaturge Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Mar 2005 Profession: Mo/Me	The price is reasonably high from what I have seen (translates to $57 USD) however it's still cheap compared to Australian prices - $70 USD. But am I to understand there is no manual or help guide in pdf form included when you purchase the game in this way? It would seal the deal for me.

May 01, 2005, 06:58 AM // 06:58	#14
harrisben Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bangkok, Thailand	You'll have to understand that I haven't acually bought it online, but I read somewhere (perhaps here or www.mmorpg.com) that buying it online gives you access to the game (you download the client like when the Beta was running). To me, that seems there is no manual. Anyone who has bought the game online and would like to correct me is welcome.

May 11, 2005, 05:22 PM // 17:22	#15
Imp Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2005 Guild: Novum Igneus [NI] Profession: Rt/	I got the CD key from NCsoft, saddens me that it is the same price as the box, and you also don't get anything simple, like the glow while dancing or some stupid thing. I really don't care though, I payed for the game and that is what I'm getting. Worth every penny. don't remember there being a manual, but I'm pretty sure you can find one pretty easy.