Multiple Gaming PCs

[squidboy]

I'm building a new PC (parts should be here this week).

How do those of you with multiple gaming PCs handle the software issue? I understand that if I want to have both PCs playing an internet based game (BF2, etc.), I'll need to buy a second copy of the game so I have a different CD key (unless there is some way to buy cheap keys... anyone?)

What about games on the local LAN? If I want to fire up a game of say, Battle for Middle Earth, but I only have 1 key, will I be able to play the game with both machines using the same key? I'm just not sure about the level of control that is in place right now.

I haven't had to deal with this since the outlaw days of college, when everyone passed around copies of games, but CD keys weren't really in use yet. All of the people I LAN with now have legit copies.

Note that I want to stay legal. Piracy is a taboo subject at these forums, and I don't want the discussion to head that direction.

Thanks!

[SpeedyHTPC]

You buy another copy or you ask the software vendor to see if theres a deal for second PC. Usually no, because it is legitimally a full copy that you need.

Some engines check for keys but it seems lately that keys are checked only for online play. It used to be checked on LAN plays (Diablo II). Did you try your particular game to see?

[squidboy]

Thanks. That's what I figured. I don't have the new PC yet, so I can't try it out. I don't mind buying second copies of a few games, but I was hoping that someone had figured out a tricky way around the issue.

I did do some research on BF2142. Seems that there is no way to transfer a soldier to a new account, and you can't play with the same account (using different soldiers) on two machines at the same time. Either my wife or I will have to start over from scratch. :(

BTW, just got my best 2142 score ever last night. 1711 :eek: points in a round (including 3 500-point badges - score before awards was 83)

[HeadRusch]

Are you talking about playing on your lan only, or are you talking about 2 players on your lan playing on some external server? Online you have no options but to buy multiple copies and keys.

Some games, some older ones, wont care about lan gaming....not requiring the CD in the drive and so forth.

[Jim S]

I'm building a new PC (parts should be here this week).

How do those of you with multiple gaming PCs handle the software issue? I understand that if I want to have both PCs playing an internet based game (BF2, etc.), I'll need to buy a second copy of the game so I have a different CD key (unless there is some way to buy cheap keys... anyone?)

What about games on the local LAN? If I want to fire up a game of say, Battle for Middle Earth, but I only have 1 key, will I be able to play the game with both machines using the same key? I'm just not sure about the level of control that is in place right now.

I haven't had to deal with this since the outlaw days of college, when everyone passed around copies of games, but CD keys weren't really in use yet. All of the people I LAN with now have legit copies.

Note that I want to stay legal. Piracy is a taboo subject at these forums, and I don't want the discussion to head that direction.

Thanks!

I have a home LAN that me and my son play on. We can play most games by swapping the CD/DVD between PC's. That would include Battlefield 2, SW: Empire at War, GRAW, SW: Battlefront II, and a few others that I don't recall at the moment. The one game that we can't do this on is Battle for Middle Earth II, it actually checks the CD key for a LAN game....those miserable...The lowest of the low is when they require you to have the CD in the drive to play the game.

[HeadRusch]

You need a no-cd crack for the game.

This will require you to have bought the game, and own it and install it, but it disables the CD check so you dont have to leave the disc in the drive to play.

This is a grey-area of what might be considered piracy, so I'll let you take it from there.

[Jim S]

You need a no-cd crack for the game.

This will require you to have bought the game, and own it and install it, but it disables the CD check so you dont have to leave the disc in the drive to play.

This is a grey-area of what might be considered piracy, so I'll let you take it from there.

No-CD crack does not allow you to play Battle for Middle Earth II on LAN. I guess it detects that the same CD key was used to install on both PC's in the LAN.

[amtctt]

You need a no-cd crack for the game.

This will require you to have bought the game, and own it and install it, but it disables the CD check so you dont have to leave the disc in the drive to play.

This is a grey-area of what might be considered piracy, so I'll let you take it from there.

I looked into this for 2142 so i wouldn't have to keep changing cds all the time, and it was super complicated so i didn't even try. Note to self, next time just buy from EAs downloader so it doesn't require the disc anymore.

[HeadRusch]

IC....I have BfME:II on the 360.

I guess the mentality now is you gotta buy multiple copies of the game, like you would for a console.

But I remember the good old days before all this nonsense.....there were some games that would install the MP component on your lan, so up to 8 pC's could play multi with just one DISC (the one PC that had the full install..err..installed). But I guess those days are over.

Anyhow, you need a KeyGen then :)

And again, I'll shut up.

[amtctt]

But I remember the good old days before all this nonsense.....there were some games that would install the MP component on your lan, so up to 8 pC's could play multi with just one DISC (the one PC that had the full install..err..installed). But I guess those days are over.



Ya know, the Nintendo DS actually allows other DSs to connect and download multiplayer games to each other, such as MarioKart racing. I had a copy and my friend can select download and play and we can race. Very surprised that they can do this, but it's pretty nice.

[HeadRusch]

Sony offers something similar on the PS3, I guess if you buy a downloaded game for the PS3 (like Tekken?) you can share it with up to 5 other friends.

I dont know the particulars, or if thats really even accurate, but I heard it had something to do with having them logging on as you or....something..I dunno. <shrug>.

But I guess in todays world, with developers taking so long to crank out quality titles, that they gotta get their revenue where they can. The days of Id employees having a Ferarri of the month are probably over thanks to multi-year development, staff that measures in the dozens of people if not more, and assorted marketing and such....

[squidboy]

I have a home LAN that me and my son play on. We can play most games by swapping the CD/DVD between PC's. That would include Battlefield 2, SW: Empire at War, GRAW, SW: Battlefront II, and a few others that I don't recall at the moment. The one game that we can't do this on is Battle for Middle Earth II, it actually checks the CD key for a LAN game....those miserable...The lowest of the low is when they require you to have the CD in the drive to play the game.
Good to know. I imagine the amount of time that we will both be playing the same game online at the same time will be minimal, so I'll be limiting my purchases to only those games that we'll be playing together.

I looked into this for 2142 so i wouldn't have to keep changing cds all the time, and it was super complicated so i didn't even try. Note to self, next time just buy from EAs downloader so it doesn't require the disc anymore.
It's REALLY easy, if you use the right tools. Make an image with the latest version of Alcohol 52% (free) and mount that image with the latest version Daemon Tools (also free). You may need to look into YASU (again, free) as well, depending on the game. I haven't had to insert a disc for an already installed game in years.


Anyhow, you need a KeyGen then :)

And again, I'll shut up.
;) I'm familiar with the dark underbelly of the gaming world.


Thanks everyone for their input.