I can't use the multiplayer...

[Artheval_Pe]

I bought on retail an English version of Gears of War, I installed it, and then, my troubles with Games for Windows Live began.
First, there isn't any clear indication on how to proceed given in the manual or in the box, just the paper for Live with the CD key on it.

When I launched the game for the first time, I created my game profile in game, and entered the CD key when asked. The saves and the single player worked fine.

Later, I wanted to try the multiplayer, so I went to the Versus menu, and tried all the possible entries. Every time, the games answers me "You need a Games for Windows LIVE account to play online". Well, so, I went to my profile ingame, and clicked on join LIVE.

So it opens my web browser, and I create a new account using my e-mail adress, etc... I go to the end, and even enter the code to have the one month LIVE gold trial.

Then, I try to play online again. Using the profile I created first, it doesn't work. So I try to use the profile I entered when joining LIVE. I enter my e-mail adresse, my password for LIVE and then the game tells me that ma CD Key is incorrect !

"The CD Key on the LIVE paper was hidden and I scratched it myself ! What the hell is going on with windows Live ?"

I suppose that Games for Windows LIVE is not bugged up the a**. So, please, what did I do wrong, and what should I do know to play multiplayer and have the achievements ?

[Glartwort]

Hey Artheval_Pe,

There should be a cd-key and a LIVE trial card in your English version of Gears of War.

The Live trial card has a pull off tab that hides a code (that you could use to get a month of free gold membership).

The cd-key should be a sticker stuck to the inside of the Gears of War case (right under the cd holder if it's like mine).

Make sure you're using the right one when the game asks you for the cd-key (ie. the sticker in the case).

If that doesn't work I'd suggest contacting tech support. If you are the original owner of the game I think they can probably help you out. If you're not the original owner, it's possible that someone else has already burned through all the activations that that particular cd-key had.

Hopefully it's as simply as using the wrong code to begin with.

Glartwort [Microsoft]
Games for Windows - LIVE

[Artheval_Pe]

Thank you very much for your answer.

All right, I understand what happened... I'm screwed.

I bought the game in a game shop in UK, because I wanted to play the english version of the game. (English is not my native language and I don't live in UK, I was there on holiday)
As in some other game stores, the box was empty, and in fact, the CD and everything was put back inside by the cashier. And obviously, either he forgot to put back the CD key, either they used it already...
I should have been more careful, but since it was a known retailer, and I didn't have time to check every shop, It didn't bothered me, and I didn't checked immediatly that the CD key was in there.
And obviously, it wasn't.

The CD Key I entered is the code from the LIVE trial card. I thought it was it since I couldn't find something like a CD Key anywhere else in the box...

So, now, what can I do to get an authentic CD-Key ? I mean, I bought the game in a store, I thought it was knew, I paid it, but now I can't use the multiplayer...
Is there a way to solve this ? I still have the receipt from the shop with all the details. (But I obviously can go back there to ask for the CD-Key)

[Glartwort]

You could try Microsoft support, but I don't know if they'll help you in this specific case.

I'd probably suggest returning to the store and asking for the key or a partial refund (since you can only play half the game). Not sure what kind of store it is and whether that'd be successful or not.

Sorry I can't be more helpful. Either way I'd try to give support a call to see if they can help you out.

Good luck.
Glartwort [Microsoft]
Games for Windows - LIVE

[Artheval_Pe]

OK, thank you very much...

I would have liked to return to the store, but it's in Cambrige and I live in Toulouse (South of France). I was there on holiday but I cannot afford to go back there just to get a CD-Key... (The cost of the trip would exceed by far the cost of a new game).

I guess I'll just enjoy the single player. That's a shame that I can't test the multiplayer with bots...