error message regarding activation file

Hello
Some time ago, when patch 1.2 or 1.3 was out, I was asked to register online and activate my game. I don't like entering my game keys online, but knowing I have no choice, I did. After the registration, it created a sig.bin file; and asked me to make backup of that file.
Few days ago, I reformatted my hard drive, and fresh installed my OS. After installing galciv2, I placed my sig.bin file in galciv2 folder. I applied the patch and was about to test play the game(to make sure the patch was applied correctly), but I got a message instead...and it was something like this.

"your sig.bin appears to be genuine, but your SID does not match" (it was few days ago...so I can't remember the exact wording of the message..but was something like that)

So I had to enter my e-mail address and long game key(in online) to activate my game again. Please don't get me wrong. I'm perfectly fine with security feature like this, as long as it is not invasive or does not treat innocent person like criminal; because I believe people has right to protect their work.

So, I'm wondering is it possible for stardock to use any other identification method that is more consistent?(method that doesn't get affect by fresh installing OS and etc.)

It is long post, but thanks for taking your time to read.
1,581 views 2 replies
Reply #1 Top

Well, linking the sig.bin file to the OS allow Stardock to ensure that people that are patching GC2 are the true owner of the license and that the patched game isn't too easily copied from one computer to another

Reply #2 Top
Well, linking the sig.bin file to the OS allow Stardock to ensure that people that are patching GC2 are the true owner of the license and that the patched game isn't too easily copied from one computer to another


As I mentioned in my first post, I'm perfectly ok with security feature in order to protect their work. And just in case if there is some misunderstanding, I'm also a true owner of GC2 too. But according to my first post, what I was wondering was...is it possible to use ID feature that is more "consistent". For example, I know I'm planning to keep my computer hardware for quite awhile; is it possible to link sig.bin to my motherboard, processor or hardware setup just like how Microsoft does with their windows activation?
I know I will change hardware eventually...but probably not as frequently as fresh installing OS throughout my computer's life. So in the end, I'm not asking Stardock to scrap their security feature, but asking if there is another consistent way to identify genuine license.