Can you buy Just an CDKey? (Like HLs STEAM?)

fr0st2k

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

PA

Beta Clan

N/Me

im in college(no cars till junior year) and i cant get to the game store...and i REALLY want to get GW.

Anyone hear any news about if you can just buy a key and download the client and play?

dreamer1uk

dreamer1uk

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

IL - USA

Hi,

I dont think so. Just buy it on-line from EB Games or whoever and get next day delivery

spiritofcat

spiritofcat

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2005

Sydney, Australia

Order of the Sanguine Dragon [OSD]

E/Mo

ncsoft will be selling the game online to download. I don't know the latest official details.

fr0st2k

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

PA

Beta Clan

N/Me

very good to hear, i guess you dont know when? lol, you bastard

ok well thanks for the info, ive for searching NCsoft and guildwars.com but couldnt find any info about this.

i may just order from EB / GS.

Freyas

Freyas

Champion of the Absurd

Join Date: Jan 2005

Spirits of War

Mo/W

I believe you can buy it through PlayNC, but I'm not sure if they have that set up yet. Otherwise, you could possibly find someone you trust to buy the game for you and just give you the key for the CD- you can get the game client from www.guildwars.com which will automatically download/install the game- it will take longer than if you had the CD to install, but with a fast internet connection it's not too bad.

Richtus

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

When I was registering my account, I had an option of entering a key, or purchasing one. I can only assume that's it. I didn't click it because I had no reason to. Give it a whirl.

b00mst1ck

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

It's backasswards to not offer a way for players who participated in the Beta Weekends to be able to buy the key online. We dont need the disks and who reads the manuals anyway, with all the info available online. I loved that I could upgrade to HL2 from within the client I already had installed, right here, right now. I got it. Why hinder potential customers from buying your product? Direct Online Purchase would be a great addition to Guild Wars, so ArenaNet hook a playa up! BTW, I love This Game! I guess I'm going to wait till the mall opens and drive there in traffic and deal with some know it all nerd gamer behind the counter telling me what level he is already even tho it came out yesterday. ugh. I want it now !!

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

Quote:
Originally Posted by b00mst1ck
It's backasswards to not offer a way for players who participated in the Beta Weekends to be able to buy the key online.
Life is not that simple. The bread and butter in sales is the retail channels -Walmart, EBGames, GameStop, etc etc. If NCSoft was to sell CD-Keys online [like they did for CoH for a while], it angers the retailers, and many threaten [and sometimes do] pull the game from shelves.

Marketing 101

Nightfang

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Inde
[like they did for CoH for a while]
And still are doing, for CoH and Lineage II. I'm sure once they let the retail sales settle out, then they will offer the ability to buy it directly from them.

b00mst1ck

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Inde
Life is not that simple. The bread and butter in sales is the retail channels -Walmart, EBGames, GameStop, etc etc. If NCSoft was to sell CD-Keys online [like they did for CoH for a while], it angers the retailers, and many threaten [and sometimes do] pull the game from shelves.

Marketing 101
Guild Wars is not an exclusive title for any retailer, NCsoft has a right to sell it where-ever, however they can. The Brick and Mortar days are coming to an end, especially for software sales, it's called The Future. http://www.plaync.com/store/gw_purchase.html. Buy it here Play NOW!

col_firefly

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

Newcastle, Australia

Yep, I purchased it from www.plaync.com.

Only gripe was, we Aussies for some reason have to pay GBP for it, not USD. No selection either.

The download is pretty quick for people that don't have the client yet too. Just be prepared for a little bit of waiting between zone transitions.

harrisben

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

Bangkok, Thailand

You're lucky, I can't buy it online because my address is in Thailand. Oh, and the UK price is a little more than the US price. You would think they give you the manual in PDF form at the very least considering you're paying the same price as retail.

thaumaturge

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2005

Mo/Me

The price is reasonably high from what I have seen (translates to $57 USD) however it's still cheap compared to Australian prices - $70 USD. But am I to understand there is no manual or help guide in pdf form included when you purchase the game in this way? It would seal the deal for me.

harrisben

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

Bangkok, Thailand

You'll have to understand that I haven't acually bought it online, but I read somewhere (perhaps here or www.mmorpg.com) that buying it online gives you access to the game (you download the client like when the Beta was running). To me, that seems there is no manual.
Anyone who has bought the game online and would like to correct me is welcome.

Imp

Imp

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

Novum Igneus [NI]

Rt/

I got the CD key from NCsoft, saddens me that it is the same price as the box, and you also don't get anything simple, like the glow while dancing or some stupid thing. I really don't care though, I payed for the game and that is what I'm getting. Worth every penny.

don't remember there being a manual, but I'm pretty sure you can find one pretty easy.