Red Alert 3 has users guessing game keys

News Portal · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 8:47 am

In among all the other games launched recently, EA have quietly released their latest in the Command & Conquer universe - the eagerly-anticipated Red Alert 3. But alas, all has not run smooth in the land of the Soviets, the Rising Sun and the Allies. It seems that the publishers may need to invest in a new printer.

We're hearing reports that a "significant quantity" of Red Alert 3 manuals have been released to customers missing a digit from the 20 character code required to start the game.

The official solution from the guys behind the scenes - try guessing the last character, "[y]ou should eventually get the right combination."

Read full article by Jessica Citizen

PalZer0 · **Joined:** 29 Mar 07, 5:22 pm **Posts:** 1092

If they can't even print CD keys properly, how are they going to manage the calls that will inevitably come in once people start running out of activation slots?

titan · **Joined:** 19 Apr 04, 7:43 pm **Posts:** 4482

Because a printing error is related to the quality and quantity of customer service employees...

itlostmyoldpassword · **Joined:** 3 Sep 08, 12:47 am **Posts:** 84

i swear this kind of poop never used to happen...

SlazzaAU · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 9:11 am

yay for EA... first they screw up all of oceanic Warhammer Online retail cd's.. now this!

s1elite · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 9:20 am

Would this number they want you to call happen to be one of those 1900 $2.50/minute ones by any chance? If so, I call conspiracy!

PalZer0 · **Joined:** 29 Mar 07, 5:22 pm **Posts:** 1092

The full article says that you can also email them to get a new code. However, you wouldn't be able to install the game for some time while EA "support" (I use that term VERY loosely) fiddles around with you to try and get completely unrelated info.

Lumen Melano · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 9:36 am

Well this is completely unacceptable. This is the purpose of QA, and they have failed horribly. Asking their customers to guess the last key is just poor form. but I don't see how this can really hurt EA too much, besides the recall of whatever hasn't been sold, they won't have to make any other compensations.

Mr_Cyberpunk · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 10:17 am

Quote:

This is the purpose of QA, and they have failed horribly

Actually the QAs for the game don't do it. Its usually the Printer that has to check these with their own QA staff. My suspicion is that EA went the dodge and hired a shoddy printer.

PURITy Kin · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 10:31 am

with the DRM in this game, there's now way I'm going to be "guessing" the CDkey.. what a load of rubbish.

Though my interest in CnC games after Tiberium sun is very low, I was looking forward to at least checking this game out.. But not anymore. No way am I going to put money into this game when EA cannot guarantee I'll get access to it.

holo` · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 10:35 am

It is a shame, because, y'know - the game is actually good from what I've played so far.

All the fear that surrounds drm these days is such a non issue, in my opinion.

Disruptor4 · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 10:41 am

Um, I don't actually see how the DRM will affect you if you haven't even put your key in ONCE due to a missing character. As soon as you get it, then you write it down so you know in the future. Won't take one of your activations.
Quit crying.

Arkanite · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 10:43 am

Yah, found out about this a few days ago - viewtopic.php?f=200&t=156835

Good ole EA, not all that surprising at all.

holo` · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 11:11 am

Not everyone was troubled by this issue. Sure it is an unforgivable error in the eyes of some, but for those of us who got our full key it is a non-issue

alyangula_mamarika · **Posted:** 10 Nov 08, 11:59 am

So, buy the game ring EA say i only got 19 chars then get a free key, take the game back = free RA3?

or just get the game make an .iso take it back to EBgame within 7days = free RA3?

Red Alert 3 has users guessing game keys

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