Steam doesn't recognise TC registration code

[KFulton]

Steam does not recognise my registered keycode for Terran Conflict. All I can get is 'Invalid product code' I have entered the correct code, as registered with Egosoft for the game. I have even raised a report with Steam. All they say is that code must begin with a number. My perfctly valid registered code does not begin with a number so as far as Steam are concerned I cannot activate it on Steam in order to buy AP.

[CBJ]

Well clearly their advice is nonsense. Can you confirm that you copy and pasted your code from your forum profile rather than re-typing it from the printed version? There are several easily-confused characters and if you mistyped one then that would explain the problem.

[KFulton]

Yes, I can confirm that I have entered my code EXACTLY as it appears on my profile. The code begins with "CC", not a number.

This is the reply I got from Steam Support

========= Please enter your reply ABOVE this line =========

Hello,

A staff member has replied to your question:

Hello Ken,

Thank you for contacting Steam Support.

Only specific retail copies of this game can be registered through Steam. The CD Key format that you have provided does not match the format require to activate this product on Steam:

1ABC-D3FG-4567-JK8L


In order to activate on Steam, the first character in the CD Key would need to be a number.

If you wish to create a shortcut to this game in your Library list, instructions can be found here:

[CBJ]

Yes, as I said, their reply is complete nonsense. Apologies on their behalf. I'll see what else I can find out. Bear with me, though, as timezone differences sometimes mean this can take a while.

[Alan Phipps]

There may be two separate issues here.

One is the incorrect advice from Steam (My TC and SuperBox codes both start with a 'C' and I registered the Superbox on Steam to get the free AP).

The other is why a checked-as-valid TC code is not being accepted by the Steam server when it has already accepted such retail codes before. That process is where an error anywhere in the code entry would be a problem - I did have some difficulties with V and Y, B and 8, and 0/O/D in my registration code entries.

[KFulton]

Right, I have now managed to get my code accepted by the 'activate a product on steam' option. I have done nothing different the code enteredis exactly the same! but this time I tried the Steam menu option immediately after installing "Saints Row the Third" and it pulled up a different dialogue for me to enter the code. (Complete with a SR3 logo on the dialogue titled 'Activate SR3", which I had already activated). This time it spent longer 'activating' but succeeded!!!

Still doesn't explain why Steam support and the Steam 'games which can be activated on Steam' page state that the format of a TC code must begin with a number

[Alan Phipps]

@ CBJ: Here is another instance of Steam 'oddities' or confusing labelling on registration:

From: cary78663
To: Alan Phipps
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:39 am
Subject: Re: Crash to Black Screen at X3:TC Main Menu

New turn of events. As stated, I entered the serial number from Steam as a registration code in my account and it was listed as X2:The Threat. I just check and now that code is listed as X3:Albion Prelude. Now that is still wrong since I purchased only X3:TC. But at least now I can post in the X3:TC technical support forum and see if I can actually get the game running.