Do I need to buy 2 copies?

As per title, I have pre-ordered a copy of sins of a solar empire. Very rarely, and by that I mean perhaps once every few months or so, I may want to play a 2 player with a friend and hence, install the game on a second machine I have at home and run a 2 player between them. I used to do this with some old blizzard games such as Starcraft, which had a spawn instalation option for this purpose. I thought it was a good marketing system as my friend end up buying Starcraft and every blizzard game since.

So the question is, since this is probebly going to be one off instalation to second machine, do I need to buy a second copy? Chances are, that after a few games my friend will end up buying himself a copy. Or will there be a starcraft style "spawn" installation option to help with this purpose?
20,123 views 8 replies
Reply #1 Top
One copy of the game is good for 2 installs for LAN games, but if you and your friend want to play online, you'll need unique keys.

It sounds from your post that the two machines are networked, so if you stick to LANing you'll be fine with one copy.
Reply #2 Top
One copy of the game is good for 2 installs for LAN games, but if you and your friend want to play online, you'll need unique keys.

It sounds from your post that the two machines are networked, so if you stick to LANing you'll be fine with one copy.
End of quote


Thanks. yes the machines are networked and thanks for clarifying this for me.
Reply #3 Top
Welcome :)
Reply #4 Top
Yeah i've been wondering the exact same thing, as i want to play it against my brother. But as well i wanted to play 3 people on lan.(in case my dad wanted to play) Also after those 2 installs you can't install it anymore? I've never understood the rule and how it knows how many installs.
Reply #5 Top
Yarlen would probably have to comment on the technical details about how the system limits it to 2 copies - I just know you one key is only good for 2 instances of the game over LAN.
Reply #6 Top
Also after those 2 installs you can't install it anymore? I've never understood the rule and how it knows how many installs.
End of quote


It doesn't as such, AFAIK. I expect that you just won't be able to join LAN games if you're using the same serial as two people already in the game.
Reply #7 Top
Or kryo ;) *bows*
Reply #8 Top
ah k so too bad for the third person who isn't gonna be me whos buying the game.