Civ V duplicate activation code error

[ntrstd11]

Hello,

I purchased Sid Meier's Civilization V (PC) from a store, but when I ran the installation and entered the activation code on the game's cover, Steam warned me that this code was "duplicated" and was used before, so activation couldn't be completed.

I contacted the store where I bought the game, but they told me to contact the producer of the game so that they would give me a new code.

I don't know what to do, and I'm also disappointed to learn that a used game code has been sold to me. Moreover, this is the first time I bought a game from 2K, and I'm not happy with the result.

Please help me where I can contact and how I can solve this problem as soon as possible.

[headkase]

You can't blame 2K, you should blame the store. They sold you a used game which has a single activation code in it. Using that code you never need the discs again once it's associated with your Steam account. Was the box on the shelf, open like in GameStop stores? If so someone could have copied down the product key and brought it home and used it. Was the game sold as used? If so then the original owner would have used the single activation.

What should you do? Well, it's not your problem and it's not 2K's problem: it's the store who sold it to you's problem. I'd demand a working code from them and if they don't provide one then take them to small claims court. In small claims you don't need a lawyer - you represent yourself - and the store would very very likely lose the case. Just the indication that you are ready to bring it to small claims would get any rational store to provide you with what you purchased.

You can also contact Valve's Steam service and alert them that the code is stolen but I don't know what they can do for you.

[AeEsBii]

You can also contact Valve's Steam service and alert them that the code is stolen but I don't know what they can do for you.

You can provide the receipt to Steam customer service within 90 days of purchase, but if the store is a used games store and not a more traditional retailer then Steam might refuse to do anything.

Additionally, 2K doesn't have any power over Steam accounts, Valve does. This situation is more like buying movie tickets from Fandango. If the tickets are bad then it's an issue with either Fandango or the theater, not Steven Spielberg.