Bought COH LONG time ago...activation code still work?


crayhal

 

Posted

Hello, first time here. I bought the Collector's Edition of City of Heroes a few years back, with the intention of installing and trying the game. Well, the box went on the shelf, and I got busy with other things and never got around to using it.

I am curious to try the game now....and just registered tonight for a game account as I see there is a 7 day free trial.

I would like to know if the activation code in this retail box will still work, and if I would still get the 30 day use of the game? Is there a better way to install the game ie from the disk I have and then I imagine there will be quite a few updates....or just download it and not bother with the disc?

Thanks in advance!
Steve


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thorlin View Post
Hello, first time here. I bought the Collector's Edition of City of Heroes a few years back, with the intention of installing and trying the game. Well, the box went on the shelf, and I got busy with other things and never got around to using it.

I am curious to try the game now....and just registered tonight for a game account as I see there is a 7 day free trial.

I would like to know if the activation code in this retail box will still work, and if I would still get the 30 day use of the game? Is there a better way to install the game ie from the disk I have and then I imagine there will be quite a few updates....or just download it and not bother with the disc?

Thanks in advance!
Steve

The best way to do the install would be to go from the disk, and then let it update. There will be a lot to download and it'll take some time. If you start from scratch you'll have to download even more though, since you'll have to download all of the bits that you could install off of the disk as well.

As to the game activation code . . . It should work. Each code is unique and if that one has never been used before then there's no reason it shouldn't, thirty days of free time and all.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thorlin View Post
Hello, first time here. I bought the Collector's Edition of City of Heroes a few years back,
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMountie View Post
The best way to do the install would be to go from the disk, and then let it update. There will be a lot to download and it'll take some time.
And after it updates, when you have the chance, you should defrag your drive. It's going to have to update probably all of the CoH files and that will affect game loading with all the files being fragmented.


Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMountie View Post
since you'll have to download all of the bits that you could install off of the disk as well.
On discs that old, a bit over six years old, I really doubt that there is any file which hasn't been changed and will need to be downloaded anyway.


Global @StarGeek
ParagonWiki.com-The original is still the best!
My Hero Merit rolls
Accuracy needed for 95% ToHit spreadsheet
Forum font change stripper for Firefox/Opera/Chrome. No more dealing with poor color choices, weird fonts or microscopic text
Search Wiki Patch notes, add site:ParagonWiki.com inurl:patch_notes to your Google Search

 

Posted

I would not bother with the disk at all. Just grab the updater from the website and let it run for a while, then UPGRADE your trial account with the serial code. They'll still honor it, you'll get all the perks it promised you, plus City of Villains. Going Rogue, however, will not be included.

Also, like Ironblade said, defrag once the Updater finishes. It frags up the data on your disk quite badly whenever it updates.


Issue 16 made me feel like this.
Warning: This poster likes to play Devil's Advocate.

 

Posted

As others have said as long as the code has never been used before (and you haven't activated another code from the same edition on an account. For example you can only add CoV once to an account. You can't add codes from two or more CoV copies in hopes of getting the free months) you can use it to activate or upgrade your account.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by StarGeek View Post
On discs that old, a bit over six years old, I really doubt that there is any file which hasn't been changed and will need to be downloaded anyway.
Yeah, on a disk that old... any files that have not changed over the years are probably so small that it would just be faster to download them with everything else than waste the time reading the entire disk for them...

EDIT: And welcome to the game, Thorlin! If you plan to stick around for any length of time - Paragon Wiki is a good reference guide on just about any subject. And don't hesitate to ask us about anything that has you stumped.


"My inner mind has become a reality-cracking overgod. He torments me! Help!"

 

Posted

Thanks guys, I am anxious to try it. I am embarrassed to say that I hadn't even broken the seal on the box, until today.

Thanks for the ideas on installing the game. I think that makes sense, to download it, sample the game for a few days, then use the activation code.

And thanks also for the warm welcome!!


 

Posted

Anyone else read the title of the thread and hear that line from Full Metal Jacket

me love you long time

if you read the title and thinkt of a 2 Live Crew song...
you're white trash


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by warden_de_dios View Post
Anyone else read the title of the thread and hear that line from Full Metal Jacket

me love you long time

if you read the title and thinkt of a 2 Live Crew song...
you're white trash
Hey, as white trash, I represent that!

And welcome to CoX, Thorlin!


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thorlin View Post
Thanks guys, I am anxious to try it. I am embarrassed to say that I hadn't even broken the seal on the box, until today.

Thanks for the ideas on installing the game. I think that makes sense, to download it, sample the game for a few days, then use the activation code.

And thanks also for the warm welcome!!
Always happy to see and help new players. Be aware tho that Trial Accounts have some restrictions on them. They were being abused by RMT sites.

Ironblade has a great link in his signature for the Mentors Project which is a group of players that help new people out on any server with learning the game. You'll have to wait until you activate your account before you can join due to the trail account restrictions.

Quote:
Restrictions

Trial Accounts cannot email other players
Trial Accounts may not level past 14
Trial Accounts can only have 50k inf
Trial Accounts may not join global channels
Trial Accounts can only speak in
/local
/hc (the Help channel)
/team
Trial Accounts cannot invite players to team
Trial Accounts may join teams, but not invite other players
Trial Accounts may not join SuperGroups.
Trial Accounts may not create Mission Architect arcs. They can not interface with the Architect Entertainment Stations. However, they can be invited onto a team that is running MA missions.
Let's see . . . Another thing you should know is that the current trial accounts let you get a look at what's happening in Praetoria. (The first character you make must be a Praetorian. After you make it tho you can immediately make a hero or villain) That's the new Going Rogue expansion. However if you use an old code to activate your account you won't have access to Praetorian content. You have to buy Going Rogue.

Oh also if you don't know already, the most populated servers are Freedom and Virtue. (Assuming you're making a North American account as opposed to European) Some of the other servers seem very quiet because of the lower populations and the fact that this game is heavily instanced. Meaning most of the time people are inside missions. You won't see them unless they are going to missions, leveling up, using the market. So you might want to think about starting out on a higher pop server and if you decide you prefer a quieter setting create new characters on one of the lower pop servers.

Hope I haven't confused you too much.


 

Posted

Gosh, look like everyone else got you covered so...... WELCOME! Glad to have you join us. ^_^


"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Friedrich Nietzche, Philosopher
"Conflict is inevitable. Combat is optional." - Max Lucade, Author


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thorlin View Post
Thanks guys, I am anxious to try it. I am embarrassed to say that I hadn't even broken the seal on the box, until today.
In that case, now you've broken the seal, the first thing to do is throw away the game manual - it'll be kinda out of date


@Golden Girl

City of Heroes comics and artwork

 

Posted

I kinda glazed over Forbin's post, but just in case he missed it, once you upgrade you keep the remaining trial time but lose the trial restriction. And when you upgrade it will probably ask for anCC or timecard. On the CC it will not blll until the free time is over.

Oh, some recommened paranoia - keep track of the gmae code & the last four numbers of the first card billed (or whole gamecard Number if a time card is used),


Orc&Pie No.53230 There is an orc, and somehow, he got a pie. And you are hungry.
www.repeat-offenders.net

Negaduck: I see you found the crumb. I knew you'd never notice the huge flag.

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thorlin View Post
Hello, first time here. I bought the Collector's Edition of City of Heroes a few years back, with the intention of installing and trying the game. Well, the box went on the shelf, and I got busy with other things and never got around to using it.

I am curious to try the game now....and just registered tonight for a game account as I see there is a 7 day free trial.

I would like to know if the activation code in this retail box will still work, and if I would still get the 30 day use of the game? Is there a better way to install the game ie from the disk I have and then I imagine there will be quite a few updates....or just download it and not bother with the disc?

Thanks in advance!
Steve

I wa lucky enough to find a Collector's DVD Edition in a closeout store for $10 about a year and a half ago. It worked fine, though the updating took a long time. Got Prestige Power Slide that way!

Last November, I bought the full version of the game (retail package) to get Going Rogue. Purchased on Cyber Monday for (iirc) $10. All I had to do was enter the product code to 'unlock' the ful game, since it was already fully downloaded.

I'm planning to buy a Collector's Edition of CoV just for the in-game perks, and the Heroclicks figures.


NCSoft, Please reconsider your decision to close down CoH. It has an extremely loyal following and enjoys a great amount of free support from the larger community.

I invite everybody to add the above image to your signature as a petition to reverse NCSoft's decision.

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fortress_NA View Post
I wa lucky enough to find a Collector's DVD Edition in a closeout store for $10 about a year and a half ago. It worked fine, though the updating took a long time. Got Prestige Power Slide that way!

Last November, I bought the full version of the game (retail package) to get Going Rogue. Purchased on Cyber Monday for (iirc) $10. All I had to do was enter the product code to 'unlock' the ful game, since it was already fully downloaded.

I'm planning to buy a Collector's Edition of CoV just for the in-game perks, and the Heroclicks figures.

Currently Amazon is selling new copies for $3.88

http://www.amazon.com/City-Villains-...6495247&sr=8-2


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Forbin_Project View Post
Currently Amazon is selling new copies for $3.88

http://www.amazon.com/City-Villains-...6495247&sr=8-2
Don't forget that CoV comes with 30 days on game-time, too. Might need to purchase a few of these at $4 each...


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spear0 View Post
Don't forget that CoV comes with 30 days on game-time, too. Might need to purchase a few of these at $4 each...
A given edition's code can be applied only once.


Orc&Pie No.53230 There is an orc, and somehow, he got a pie. And you are hungry.
www.repeat-offenders.net

Negaduck: I see you found the crumb. I knew you'd never notice the huge flag.

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spear0 View Post
Don't forget that CoV comes with 30 days on game-time, too. Might need to purchase a few of these at $4 each...
but you can only use it once per account.


LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Forbin_Project View Post
Currently Amazon is selling new copies for $3.88

http://www.amazon.com/City-Villains-...6495247&sr=8-2
Just bought one. Thanks for the tip!


NCSoft, Please reconsider your decision to close down CoH. It has an extremely loyal following and enjoys a great amount of free support from the larger community.

I invite everybody to add the above image to your signature as a petition to reverse NCSoft's decision.

 

Posted

Actually, in my case i already had CoH/CoV still on my drive, but when the complete Pack with CoX went on sale on steam i just went with that and got my old account linked to the steam one. (THAT took about 2 days total due to some stupidity on my part but all okay now...lol)


 

Posted

Yes, you will be able to apply the code from your COH Collector's Ed and get 30 days. In fact, the code from the following releases give you 30 days of time:
1) City of Villains, Release Date: October 31, 2005
2) City of Heroes and City of Vilians: Good vs. Evil Edition, Release Date: March 26, 2007
3) City of Heroes Architect Edition, Release Date: April 14, 2009
4) City of Heroes Going Rogue, Release Date: 2010

What does this mean? If you apply the codes in the order of release date, you will get 30 days of free time. I was able to get 104 days of play time when I updated my trial account. I didn't install anything from disc and just downloaded the latest client.

- Trial time, 14 days. I made 20 new characters on several servers and leveled them to 14 which is the max on trial account. Since I started during winter event, I collected at least 100 candy canes on each so that each toon can sell them and have 5 million inf.
- Applied City of Villains code on top of trial account, total free time = 30 days. NOTE: Don't create a new account to keep your trial toons. Apply the code on the trial account.
- Applied Good vs. Evil code, total free time = 60 days
- Applied Going Rogue, total free time = 90 days

Once I became official, the candy canes were sold at the market and I ended up with 5 - 10 mill on my lv 14 toons.

Winter event is over, so if you start with a trial account, store expensive salvage in the market and your vault so you can sell them when you activate Collector's Ed. As posted before, trial accounts can only have 50000 infamy. However, you can have 30 items in inventory, 30 items in your vault and 10 item slots in the market. Some of these items sell for as high as 3 million in the market, so don't just sell them at the store since the store buys it from you for much much less.

If you upgrade from Collector's Ed to Going Rogue, I don't think you can use the codes for City of Villains, Good vs. Evil or Architect to get free time.

Note that 30 day play time is $15. Check Amazon and some of the titles are selling for less than $15, which means that if you get the release, you also pay less for play time.

Applying the release codes can only be done once.

See you in game!


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fortress_NA View Post
Just bought one. Thanks for the tip!

Always happy to help someone save a buck.