GoW download source?

[pmarkov]

I bought GoW retail CD KEY from online key store but I can't register it with Windows Marketplace. Is there any other way download a genuine copy of GoW?

[Head1essRooster]

It's the first time that I hear you can buy keys for the actual game and redeem them through Windows Marketplace. Sounds fraudulent to me. Contact the store you purchased the key from.

[pmarkov]

Yeah, i bought it from onlinekeystore.com and they provide only the key and they claim it's original but still they don't provide any download source. I have purchased other serials from this site and redeemed on different platforms (steam, origin, GFWL) but this key is not redeemable.

[Drone *]

Those type of sources aren''t exactly legal I think.

[pmarkov]

You mean they sold me an nonlegal serial Never mind the cash (it's was just a couple of bucks) but I just can't believe that the game publishers would tolerate such kind of piracy - the web site is widely advertised and very easy to find and as I already mentioned - i've bought other keys from them which were easily redeemed on steam, origin etc.

[Head1essRooster]

I took a look at the website which you presumably used. There it clearly states:

Once you have installed the game this key will be used in game and you will be prompted to enter it on first load. (THESE KEYS ARE NOT REDEEMABLE VIA GAMES FOR WINDOWS LIVE MARKETPLACE)

Sounds like a con to me. To be able to get into the game you need to be able to install it. To be able to install it you have to have the game already anyway. So why the need for a key?

However, maybe Gears of War for Windows (the CD version) comes with a CD key and the key you purchased can be used to unlock a used CD version of the game?

[pmarkov]

Yeah exactly - they sell the key for the CD without the CD which sounds strange. It's nonlegal to make copies of the CD but if I manage to find somehow such copy I can use my key to register it I have the strange feeling they tricked me without breaking the copyrights - they acquired some amount of CD KEYs (for example unsold from the distributors) and they sell these keys but without the physical distribution of media for cost effectiveness. Which leads to my dilemma - I have a fully legal key but there is no legal way to acquire the real game

[Drone *]

The only way I can think of is a very naughty way of doing things and that would be to very naughtily get gow pc from a naughty source then use your key once installed ingame. But as I said before, very naughty.

[Head1essRooster]

Yeah exactly - they sell the key for the CD without the CD which sounds strange. It's nonlegal to make copies of the CD but if I manage to find somehow such copy I can use my key to register it I have the strange feeling they tricked me without breaking the copyrights - they acquired some amount of CD KEYs (for example unsold from the distributors) and they sell these keys but without the physical distribution of media for cost effectiveness. Which leads to my dilemma - I have a fully legal key but there is no legal way to acquire the real game

Looks like you need to buy the physical version (aka CD). But a used one should suffice if the key sold to you is indeed legit.

[pmarkov]

Looks like you need to buy the physical version (aka CD). But a used one should suffice if the key sold to you is indeed legit.

It's clear that buying the CD will solve the problem but in this case the old key is useless. The second option - to borrow used CD from someone despite I don't have such acquaintance is also a little bit confusing because from legal point of view is the same thing as making copies from physical media which should be prohibited In this case I don't see any option for me - as I already said they tricked me nicely.