Vista - Halo 2 Activation?!

Quote from the Halo 2 Privacy Statment regarding activation...

"What this feature does

Activation is aimed at reducing product counterfeiting so that Microsoft
customers can receive the product quality that they expect. Once your
product is activated, a specific product key becomes associated with the
computer (the hardware) on which it is installed. After association is
completed, use of that product key may be prevented on other computers."

So if I activate my Halo 2 on this PC then later I decide to upgrade my
video card, then I can never play this game again? I am SO glad I got System
Shock 2 working, I'm returning this game before I get stuck with it.

Nice try Microsoft. It's bad enough we have to give you an extra $50/yr to
play online, but now we can't upgrade our systems without jumping through
hoops, or worse, we just can't upgrade period? Now on an XBox 360 I can
understand, but ahhh, i'm loosing it.

Oh, check this out...
"For more information

If you have questions about this privacy statement, contact us by submitting
your questions online to Privacy Feedback using our Web form. (The link
doesn't take you to a web form, it takes you

Or by postal mail:

Privacy Statement for Halo 2 for Windows Vista Features
c/o Microsoft Privacy Response Center
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052"

Who uses postal mail?!

I suspect it will work the same way as Vista, in that if you do a hardware
change, you will have to re-activate that copy. What totally amazes me, is
that they are treating Halo 2 for the PC has if it's a Godsend, rather than
a 3 year old game. I really hope Halo 2 completely tanks in sales. Selling a
old game at full price is just crazy, Heck I bet System Shock 2 with your
updates is a better game, with a better Story.

> Who uses postal mail?! >

Those conspiracy freaks who don't want to be tracked down by the man.


"Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:E3CF763D-B263-4D73-93A1-44F7D056AF91@microsoft.com...
> Quote from the Halo 2 Privacy Statment regarding activation...
>
> "What this feature does
>
> Activation is aimed at reducing product counterfeiting so that Microsoft
> customers can receive the product quality that they expect. Once your
> product is activated, a specific product key becomes associated with the
> computer (the hardware) on which it is installed. After association is
> completed, use of that product key may be prevented on other computers."
>
> So if I activate my Halo 2 on this PC then later I decide to upgrade my
> video card, then I can never play this game again? I am SO glad I got
> System Shock 2 working, I'm returning this game before I get stuck with
> it.
>
> Nice try Microsoft. It's bad enough we have to give you an extra $50/yr to
> play online, but now we can't upgrade our systems without jumping through
> hoops, or worse, we just can't upgrade period? Now on an XBox 360 I can
> understand, but ahhh, i'm loosing it.
>
> Oh, check this out...
> "For more information
>
> If you have questions about this privacy statement, contact us by
> submitting your questions online to Privacy Feedback using our Web form.
> (The link doesn't take you to a web form, it takes you
>
> Or by postal mail:
>
> Privacy Statement for Halo 2 for Windows Vista Features
> c/o Microsoft Privacy Response Center
> Microsoft Corporation
> One Microsoft Way
> Redmond, Washington 98052"
>

Haha, conspiracy freaks... true true.

Just played the first level, OMG, 3 years and they can't even get MOUSE
control fine tuned.

4 mouse look speeds, 3, too slow, 4 just weird stuff. Since I didn't
activate the game it said I had to quit til I activated it. When you start
the game it all but forces you to create a Windows Live account, and if you
have an existing account you can't use it until you put in your halo 2 key.

TOO MANY HOOPS Microsoft!

Game is designed around the 360 controller too, everything is press A to
Select and B to go back. I really want to play through Halo 2, maybe now's a
good excuse to pick up a used copy of halo 2 xbox.

I'd give it a 2 out of 5, if I GAVE A RATS ASS!

-A.

"Dale White" <dale.white@NOinsightbb.NOcom> wrote in message
news:%230PRciloHHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>I suspect it will work the same way as Vista, in that if you do a hardware
>change, you will have to re-activate that copy. What totally amazes me, is
>that they are treating Halo 2 for the PC has if it's a Godsend, rather than
>a 3 year old game. I really hope Halo 2 completely tanks in sales. Selling
>a old game at full price is just crazy, Heck I bet System Shock 2 with your
>updates is a better game, with a better Story.
>
>> Who uses postal mail?! >
>
> Those conspiracy freaks who don't want to be tracked down by the man.
>
>
> "Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:E3CF763D-B263-4D73-93A1-44F7D056AF91@microsoft.com...
>> Quote from the Halo 2 Privacy Statment regarding activation...
>>
>> "What this feature does
>>
>> Activation is aimed at reducing product counterfeiting so that Microsoft
>> customers can receive the product quality that they expect. Once your
>> product is activated, a specific product key becomes associated with the
>> computer (the hardware) on which it is installed. After association is
>> completed, use of that product key may be prevented on other computers."
>>
>> So if I activate my Halo 2 on this PC then later I decide to upgrade my
>> video card, then I can never play this game again? I am SO glad I got
>> System Shock 2 working, I'm returning this game before I get stuck with
>> it.
>>
>> Nice try Microsoft. It's bad enough we have to give you an extra $50/yr
>> to play online, but now we can't upgrade our systems without jumping
>> through hoops, or worse, we just can't upgrade period? Now on an XBox 360
>> I can understand, but ahhh, i'm loosing it.
>>
>> Oh, check this out...
>> "For more information
>>
>> If you have questions about this privacy statement, contact us by
>> submitting your questions online to Privacy Feedback using our Web form.
>> (The link doesn't take you to a web form, it takes you
>>
>> Or by postal mail:
>>
>> Privacy Statement for Halo 2 for Windows Vista Features
>> c/o Microsoft Privacy Response Center
>> Microsoft Corporation
>> One Microsoft Way
>> Redmond, Washington 98052"
>>
>
>
>

Unfortunately, the Lost Planet Demo was the same. Though the mouse controls
where fine. But all the buttons had A B X...etc..etc.

I'm afraid, I can't suppose any game that they only half way port over. They
have to make me feel like they love me as a PC gamer, not a button masher.

"Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:B3EC2FD2-527D-4F2E-926E-CBCA8D439567@microsoft.com...
> Haha, conspiracy freaks... true true.
>
> Just played the first level, OMG, 3 years and they can't even get MOUSE
> control fine tuned.
>
> 4 mouse look speeds, 3, too slow, 4 just weird stuff. Since I didn't
> activate the game it said I had to quit til I activated it. When you start
> the game it all but forces you to create a Windows Live account, and if
> you have an existing account you can't use it until you put in your halo 2
> key.
>
> TOO MANY HOOPS Microsoft!
>
> Game is designed around the 360 controller too, everything is press A to
> Select and B to go back. I really want to play through Halo 2, maybe now's
> a good excuse to pick up a used copy of halo 2 xbox.
>
> I'd give it a 2 out of 5, if I GAVE A RATS ASS!
>
> -A.
>
> "Dale White" <dale.white@NOinsightbb.NOcom> wrote in message
> news:%230PRciloHHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>I suspect it will work the same way as Vista, in that if you do a hardware
>>change, you will have to re-activate that copy. What totally amazes me, is
>>that they are treating Halo 2 for the PC has if it's a Godsend, rather
>>than a 3 year old game. I really hope Halo 2 completely tanks in sales.
>>Selling a old game at full price is just crazy, Heck I bet System Shock 2
>>with your updates is a better game, with a better Story.
>>
>>> Who uses postal mail?! >
>>
>> Those conspiracy freaks who don't want to be tracked down by the man.
>>
>>
>> "Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:E3CF763D-B263-4D73-93A1-44F7D056AF91@microsoft.com...
>>> Quote from the Halo 2 Privacy Statment regarding activation...
>>>
>>> "What this feature does
>>>
>>> Activation is aimed at reducing product counterfeiting so that Microsoft
>>> customers can receive the product quality that they expect. Once your
>>> product is activated, a specific product key becomes associated with the
>>> computer (the hardware) on which it is installed. After association is
>>> completed, use of that product key may be prevented on other computers."
>>>
>>> So if I activate my Halo 2 on this PC then later I decide to upgrade my
>>> video card, then I can never play this game again? I am SO glad I got
>>> System Shock 2 working, I'm returning this game before I get stuck with
>>> it.
>>>
>>> Nice try Microsoft. It's bad enough we have to give you an extra $50/yr
>>> to play online, but now we can't upgrade our systems without jumping
>>> through hoops, or worse, we just can't upgrade period? Now on an XBox
>>> 360 I can understand, but ahhh, i'm loosing it.
>>>
>>> Oh, check this out...
>>> "For more information
>>>
>>> If you have questions about this privacy statement, contact us by
>>> submitting your questions online to Privacy Feedback using our Web form.
>>> (The link doesn't take you to a web form, it takes you
>>>
>>> Or by postal mail:
>>>
>>> Privacy Statement for Halo 2 for Windows Vista Features
>>> c/o Microsoft Privacy Response Center
>>> Microsoft Corporation
>>> One Microsoft Way
>>> Redmond, Washington 98052"
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>

what the hell is MS worried about no one will pay retail price for a 3 year
old game.
with all the xbox sales of the game they should charge 19.99 for it. Come to
think of it
49.99 is about a tank of gas for me. Someone should clue them in on what's
going on
outside of MS.
"Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:E3CF763D-B263-4D73-93A1-44F7D056AF91@microsoft.com...
> Quote from the Halo 2 Privacy Statment regarding activation...
>
> "What this feature does
>
> Activation is aimed at reducing product counterfeiting so that Microsoft
> customers can receive the product quality that they expect. Once your
> product is activated, a specific product key becomes associated with the
> computer (the hardware) on which it is installed. After association is
> completed, use of that product key may be prevented on other computers."
>
> So if I activate my Halo 2 on this PC then later I decide to upgrade my
> video card, then I can never play this game again? I am SO glad I got
> System Shock 2 working, I'm returning this game before I get stuck with
> it.
>
> Nice try Microsoft. It's bad enough we have to give you an extra $50/yr to
> play online, but now we can't upgrade our systems without jumping through
> hoops, or worse, we just can't upgrade period? Now on an XBox 360 I can
> understand, but ahhh, i'm loosing it.
>
> Oh, check this out...
> "For more information
>
> If you have questions about this privacy statement, contact us by
> submitting your questions online to Privacy Feedback using our Web form.
> (The link doesn't take you to a web form, it takes you
>
> Or by postal mail:
>
> Privacy Statement for Halo 2 for Windows Vista Features
> c/o Microsoft Privacy Response Center
> Microsoft Corporation
> One Microsoft Way
> Redmond, Washington 98052"
>
> Who uses postal mail?!

I'm pretty sure I know why this is, Did you ever download the Visual Studio
Express version? (basically a free version of C++) They have this new XNE
game development platform, and it's kindda nice. You can make x360 games,
and it also makes a Windows version with little modification. It came with a
sample game (space war, love it) and the interface is straight out of that
XNE system. The game plays on PC, but it looks like a x360 game.

You know what Microsoft could of done to make the Halo 2 PC package easier
to stomach? throw in a 360 gamepad (wireless preferred).

Console games have their place, but there are some Genres you don't mess
with, namely FPSs and RTSs.

I will say one thing though, LOTR: BFME 2 on 360 was well done. sigh, is
nothing sacred anymore?

-A.

"Dale White" <dale.white@NOinsightbb.NOcom> wrote in message
news:OgTE$OmoHHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
> Unfortunately, the Lost Planet Demo was the same. Though the mouse
> controls where fine. But all the buttons had A B X...etc..etc.
>
> I'm afraid, I can't suppose any game that they only half way port over.
> They have to make me feel like they love me as a PC gamer, not a button
> masher.
>
> "Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:B3EC2FD2-527D-4F2E-926E-CBCA8D439567@microsoft.com...
>> Haha, conspiracy freaks... true true.
>>
>> Just played the first level, OMG, 3 years and they can't even get MOUSE
>> control fine tuned.
>>
>> 4 mouse look speeds, 3, too slow, 4 just weird stuff. Since I didn't
>> activate the game it said I had to quit til I activated it. When you
>> start the game it all but forces you to create a Windows Live account,
>> and if you have an existing account you can't use it until you put in
>> your halo 2 key.
>>
>> TOO MANY HOOPS Microsoft!
>>
>> Game is designed around the 360 controller too, everything is press A to
>> Select and B to go back. I really want to play through Halo 2, maybe
>> now's a good excuse to pick up a used copy of halo 2 xbox.
>>
>> I'd give it a 2 out of 5, if I GAVE A RATS ASS!
>>
>> -A.
>>
>> "Dale White" <dale.white@NOinsightbb.NOcom> wrote in message
>> news:%230PRciloHHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>I suspect it will work the same way as Vista, in that if you do a
>>>hardware change, you will have to re-activate that copy. What totally
>>>amazes me, is that they are treating Halo 2 for the PC has if it's a
>>>Godsend, rather than a 3 year old game. I really hope Halo 2 completely
>>>tanks in sales. Selling a old game at full price is just crazy, Heck I
>>>bet System Shock 2 with your updates is a better game, with a better
>>>Story.
>>>
>>>> Who uses postal mail?! >
>>>
>>> Those conspiracy freaks who don't want to be tracked down by the man.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:E3CF763D-B263-4D73-93A1-44F7D056AF91@microsoft.com...
>>>> Quote from the Halo 2 Privacy Statment regarding activation...
>>>>
>>>> "What this feature does
>>>>
>>>> Activation is aimed at reducing product counterfeiting so that
>>>> Microsoft customers can receive the product quality that they expect.
>>>> Once your product is activated, a specific product key becomes
>>>> associated with the computer (the hardware) on which it is installed.
>>>> After association is completed, use of that product key may be
>>>> prevented on other computers."
>>>>
>>>> So if I activate my Halo 2 on this PC then later I decide to upgrade my
>>>> video card, then I can never play this game again? I am SO glad I got
>>>> System Shock 2 working, I'm returning this game before I get stuck with
>>>> it.
>>>>
>>>> Nice try Microsoft. It's bad enough we have to give you an extra $50/yr
>>>> to play online, but now we can't upgrade our systems without jumping
>>>> through hoops, or worse, we just can't upgrade period? Now on an XBox
>>>> 360 I can understand, but ahhh, i'm loosing it.
>>>>
>>>> Oh, check this out...
>>>> "For more information
>>>>
>>>> If you have questions about this privacy statement, contact us by
>>>> submitting your questions online to Privacy Feedback using our Web
>>>> form. (The link doesn't take you to a web form, it takes you
>>>>
>>>> Or by postal mail:
>>>>
>>>> Privacy Statement for Halo 2 for Windows Vista Features
>>>> c/o Microsoft Privacy Response Center
>>>> Microsoft Corporation
>>>> One Microsoft Way
>>>> Redmond, Washington 98052"
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

On Wed, 30 May 2007 08:13:32 -0700, "Andy" <android8675@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>You know what Microsoft could of done to make the Halo 2 PC package easier
>to stomach? throw in a 360 gamepad (wireless preferred).

What on earth for? The whole point of playing it on the PC is so you
can use a proper control system, not a god forsaken (for FPS games)
gamepad.
--
Andrew, contact via http://interpleb.googlepages.com
Help make Usenet a better place: English is read downwards,
please don't top post. Trim replies to quote only relevant text.
Check groups.google.com before asking an obvious question.

Activation helps keep people legit. You can blame it on file sharing programs
like Kazaa and Limewire.

"BigJim" wrote:

> what the hell is MS worried about no one will pay retail price for a 3 year
> old game.
> with all the xbox sales of the game they should charge 19.99 for it. Come to
> think of it
> 49.99 is about a tank of gas for me. Someone should clue them in on what's
> going on
> outside of MS.
> "Andy" <Android8675@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:E3CF763D-B263-4D73-93A1-44F7D056AF91@microsoft.com...
> > Quote from the Halo 2 Privacy Statment regarding activation...
> >
> > "What this feature does
> >
> > Activation is aimed at reducing product counterfeiting so that Microsoft
> > customers can receive the product quality that they expect. Once your
> > product is activated, a specific product key becomes associated with the
> > computer (the hardware) on which it is installed. After association is
> > completed, use of that product key may be prevented on other computers."
> >
> > So if I activate my Halo 2 on this PC then later I decide to upgrade my
> > video card, then I can never play this game again? I am SO glad I got
> > System Shock 2 working, I'm returning this game before I get stuck with
> > it.
> >
> > Nice try Microsoft. It's bad enough we have to give you an extra $50/yr to
> > play online, but now we can't upgrade our systems without jumping through
> > hoops, or worse, we just can't upgrade period? Now on an XBox 360 I can
> > understand, but ahhh, i'm loosing it.
> >
> > Oh, check this out...
> > "For more information
> >
> > If you have questions about this privacy statement, contact us by
> > submitting your questions online to Privacy Feedback using our Web form.
> > (The link doesn't take you to a web form, it takes you
> >
> > Or by postal mail:
> >
> > Privacy Statement for Halo 2 for Windows Vista Features
> > c/o Microsoft Privacy Response Center
> > Microsoft Corporation
> > One Microsoft Way
> > Redmond, Washington 98052"
> >
> > Who uses postal mail?!
>
>

This is very frustrating. I payed full price for it from Amazon after
watching xboxers play it for years. I loved the first game so much. Now, all
I read about is poor graphics and poor control. Activation is not that big of
a deal, Steam has been doing it for years and every other MS product requires
activation, I just really really really want to like this game and now I am
afraid my experience will not be what I hoped for.

Mark

"Andy" wrote:

> Haha, conspiracy freaks... true true.
>
> Just played the first level, OMG, 3 years and they can't even get MOUSE
> control fine tuned.
>
> 4 mouse look speeds, 3, too slow, 4 just weird stuff. Since I didn't
> activate the game it said I had to quit til I activated it. When you start
> the game it all but forces you to create a Windows Live account, and if you
> have an existing account you can't use it until you put in your halo 2 key.
>
> TOO MANY HOOPS Microsoft!
>
> Game is designed around the 360 controller too, everything is press A to
> Select and B to go back. I really want to play through Halo 2, maybe now's a
> good excuse to pick up a used copy of halo 2 xbox.
>
> I'd give it a 2 out of 5, if I GAVE A RATS ASS!
>
> -A.

"Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6BFE3355-0B44-4828-9504-8F1B66671687@microsoft.com...
> This is very frustrating. I payed full price for it from Amazon after
> watching xboxers play it for years. I loved the first game so much. Now,
> all
> I read about is poor graphics and poor control. Activation is not that big
> of
> a deal, Steam has been doing it for years and every other MS product
> requires
> activation, I just really really really want to like this game and now I
> am
> afraid my experience will not be what I hoped for.
>
> Mark

Game looks great on my system, but I'm not a graphics nut, I play games for
stories, content and fun. Halo 2, at least the first level, was pretty fun.
If you liked the first Halo, try to look past the activation stuff and play
the game. I figure within a couple months Microsoft will fix the issues
everyone is shouting about and it'll be as good as xbox 360's setup. If not,
hopefully a refund will be issued.

Only thing I don't like in Halo 2 is "Hold Q to swap for (weapon name)", or
the other weird things ya gotta do to get the right weapon in your hand. I'm
also not used to having 2 fire buttons (left-mouse, fire left weapon,
right-mouse, fire right weapon when dual weilding).

A minor quip, but I won't really know because I returned the game, just not
worth the $$. I loaded up Halo 1 PC for a couple hours then I was satisfied.

-A.