How do CD keys work?

How do CD keys work?

If CD keys are validated on the server side, like battle.net, does that mean the server has a list of all valid keys, including all the games not sold yet, still sitting on store shelves? If that’s true, wouldn’t it be possible to keygen a valid key of an unsold item? Or are CD keys not added to the battle.net lists until the item is sold? If that’s the case, how does battle.net know what the CD key is merely from the barcode?

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2 Comments for How do CD keys work?

  • 1. newton3010  |  February 15th, 2011 at 9:03 am

    They are stored on a seperate authentication server that it queries when you register for online play…

    an yes it would be possible to gen a code that works…

  • 2. A guy  |  February 15th, 2011 at 9:16 am

    CD keys have to follow a complex algorithm. If the key satisfies the algorithm, it is a valid key. The manufacturer gives you a CD key with your product, and makes sure they don’t give the same key to someone else. But any valid CD key will work with a CD if it has not been used yet. So basically keys are generated “randomly”, and then carefully managed so that no two CDs have the same authentication key. If two CDs have the same key however, the online server will probably use some type of first-come-first-served system.

    Hope that helps!

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