Is it possible to sell my copy of Civ 5?

[rbj2001]

Just wondering, since you have to type that long code from the back of the manual into Steam, and it tells you it's permanently linked to my account. Is this copy now completely worthless if I want to put it on eBay or can I unregister this code and transfer it to someone else?

Thanks

 

[ElephantRider]

I doubt you can sell your Steam activated games. The first step would be to email Steam support and ask them about it.

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

No, you can't without violating the terms of use.

You can sell your entire account but:

A) You lose all other games
B) It's risky and can get your account banned

 

[rbj2001]

This truly sucks if so.

 

[ElephantRider]

Before this turns into bash Steam because I can't sell my game to someone else, I would just like to point out that the way DRM in general is going many games can not be sold because of the way you register your serial key when you install the game. And yes, it does suck.

 

[cassembler]

It's just like if you buy a book for a Kindle, or an mp3 album for your IPod. You purchase a 'view-only, as-is' license.

If you're not crazy about that idea, there is hope. Check out a software company called Cockos (look it up). While it's not video games per se, these guys are running their development process like butter. mmmm... butter...

 

[Vidock]

Just return it to the shop and say when you got it the cd was scratched they will give you a new copy and sell that one

 

[ZimbuTheMonkey]

Just return it to the shop and say when you got it the cd was scratched they will give you a new copy and sell that one

Why not just shoplift the game from the store instead?

 

[AlpsStranger]

Why not just shoplift the game from the store instead?

Hate to say it but, pretty much.

PC Gaming refunds are over. Is it a good thing? Dunno. The only thing I know for sure is that PC Gaming refunds are rare as hen's teeth. Consoles are working as hard as they possibly can to do the same.

 

[Scramble]

Come on dude... with the popularization of the internet, there is really no reason not to research your purchase thoroughly before you pony up the dough.

 

[tom2050]

This is a part of what Steam wants to do... make the goods you buy absolutely worthless. The 2nd hand re-sale market is viewed, per some gaming companies, as a bigger threat to lost income than piracy; therefore this is what they are targeting.

Anyone arguing that you shouldn't have the right to re-sell your purchased game to someone else down the road is crazy. I don't understand why people defend Digital Rights Management to such an extreme.

If you buy something Digital Download, as the example given above is, then obviously you can't sell it on ebay. If you buy from the store, you should be able to; it's non-sense.

 

[stormerne]

It's the 30th of September 2010 and I've already had $50 worth of play out of it. Even if I hadn't liked it, it has still given me value for money.

Don't think so? What can I get for the same sheer entertainment value for $50?
* A couple of decent beers a day since the game came out amounts to same thing.
* I can't go to the local ballgame and see 3 hours of humdrum stop-go so-called action for less than $60.
* I can't buy a bottle of my favorite single malt whisky for less than $70.
* And Sid knows what I'd have to pay for having my hearing removed at a local rock concert. (Actually I know: how about $123 cheapest for Joe Satriani.)

The game is $50 and, compared to other forms of entertainment, is worth it - even if you chuck it after a week or so.

 

[CivFanMUC]

It's the 30th of September 2010 and I've already had $50 worth of play out of it. Even if I hadn't liked it, it has still given me value for money.

Congrats, you have been successfull contagioned by the industrie's body of thought. (Oh and - btw. just because YOU had your $50 worth of play out of it noone else should be able to sell his game if he didn't?)

I remember the days when customer had rights. Let it be a music-CD. You see it in the store and you buy it without pre-listening to it (maybe you don't have that much time to spare). You go home, you hear it. You hear it twice. It bores you, so you sell it.

What's the difference to a PC-game like Civ?
You see "Civilization", you don't think long about it, you don't read any forums, you just buy it.
You install it and (thanks to bloody Steam) create an account and register it. Then you play it, and - oh wonder - it bores you.
Why should one NOT be able to sell it, just like the CD?


My advice to the OP: If you created a Steam-Account just for Civ5, log into it, change your personal data to something useless, sell the game and the account with it.
But do NOT ask Valve if you are allowed to - because you are not. You are not breaking any laws, you just violate the EULA of Valve. *shrugs*
Oh, and try to don't get caught by doing so - they will ban the account and you (or the person you sell the game and account to) won't be able to play any longer and your $50 are lost - no matter if the few hours you played it were worth the money or not.

 

[HeavyTwenty]

I've had huge performance issues (huge, lategame map) and I was kind of disappointed by the poor AI and missing features... but I think its a bit premature to ditch Civ5 right now. It seems incredibly easy to enhance/mod; there are already a couple mods available to rectify some of the mistakes Firaxis Games created. If I did quit playing Civ5 right now, I've gotten my hours worth...

Anyways, you might be able to trade your entire steam account away, but they usually only give you refunds for accidental purchases. If you have time played on the game then I doubt you'll be refunded.

 

[Novem]

This is a part of what Steam wants to do... make the goods you buy absolutely worthless. The 2nd hand re-sale market is viewed, per some gaming companies, as a bigger threat to lost income than piracy; therefore this is what they are targeting.

Anyone arguing that you shouldn't have the right to re-sell your purchased game to someone else down the road is crazy. I don't understand why people defend Digital Rights Management to such an extreme.

If you buy something Digital Download, as the example given above is, then obviously you can't sell it on ebay. If you buy from the store, you should be able to; it's non-sense.

I'm sorry to say it's not crazy. It's just the way things have evolved into. Digital rights is still ever changing. There have been some cases decided but still not enough to create a precedent. Just look up EFF and read through everything. And please don't blame it on Steam because it's not only Steam doing it. God it really is getting tiring of hearing everyone bashing things they just aren't willing to comprehend just because it's different.

As it is becoming more apparent you don't have the right to re-sell your purchased game, since you are not buying the actual game you are purchasing the right to play the game.

 

[mr. Y]

In which case I'd like to be able to sell that right.

I haven't bought anything if I am not able to sell it.

 

[mrt144]

This is a part of what Steam wants to do... make the goods you buy absolutely worthless. The 2nd hand re-sale market is viewed, per some gaming companies, as a bigger threat to lost income than piracy; therefore this is what they are targeting.

Anyone arguing that you shouldn't have the right to re-sell your purchased game to someone else down the road is crazy. I don't understand why people defend Digital Rights Management to such an extreme.

If you buy something Digital Download, as the example given above is, then obviously you can't sell it on ebay. If you buy from the store, you should be able to; it's non-sense.

The fact you can do mental backflips to discern the difference between an identical product based on the form of media you used to install is astounding.

 

[milk steak]

I remember the days when customer had rights. Let it be a music-CD. You see it in the store and you buy it without pre-listening to it (maybe you don't have that much time to spare). You go home, you hear it. You hear it twice. It bores you, so you sell it.

We still have the most powerful right: The right to vote with our wallets. If you don't agree with a company, their practices, or their product, simply don't buy it.

 

[Drakbak]

I remember the days when customer had rights. Let it be a music-CD. You see it in the store and you buy it without pre-listening to it (maybe you don't have that much time to spare). You go home, you hear it. You hear it twice. It bores you, so you sell it.

Customers still have rights, but the rules have changed because many customers abused those rights. People steal music all the time, whether they copy CDs or download it online. Remember the whole Napster controversy?

PC games are especially open to piracy and therefore need to protect themselves. Part of that protection is to limit the ability to resell products, because it's not hard to install a crack that let's you play without the disc.

Furthermore, when you purchase the game, you really aren't buying the game itself. The game is considered intellectual property of the studio who produced it. What you purchase is a license to play the game. This means that in return for your $50, Fireaxis is giving you permission to access their software in such a way that is outlined in the agreement you consent to prior to installing the game. It is similar to buying a ticket of admission to an amusement park. You pay to get in and you find out that the rides make you sick or you think they suck. Well too bad, because it's not the fault of the park owners that you didn't care for it. Same thing with the game, it's up to you as the consumer to do your research and know what you are agreeing to before you install the game.

If you took the time to read the prompts, you would have already known that by registering it with Steam that you won't be able to sell it. Also, there's no excuse for not trying before you buy because there is a free demo available where you can play the first 100 turns, which is more than enough time to figure out if you like it or not.

If you don't like this kind of practice, then you should probably find a new hobby.

 

[Palfouri]

What's the difference to a PC-game like Civ?
You see "Civilization", you don't think long about it, you don't read any forums, you just buy it.
You install it and (thanks to bloody Steam) create an account and register it. Then you play it, and - oh wonder - it bores you.
Why should one NOT be able to sell it, just like the CD?

Because you were foolish enough to make an impulse buy and should have to live with the consequences?