Can a game be installed on more than one machine?

[uneedav8]

I figure the answer is no but wanted to make sure. Can I install a game that I purchased on more than one computer? Does it depend on whether it is a single player or multi-player? Or just can't be done. Just wanted to know.

[red930]

I figure the answer is no but wanted to make sure. Can I install a game that I purchased on more than one computer? Does it depend on whether it is a single player or multi-player? Or just can't be done. Just wanted to know.

 

I'm gonna hazard a guess that most EULA's say one computer.

 

However, if it's still your computer and you're the only one using it for the game I imagine that it doesn't matter so much. Look at STEAM, it doesn't limit how many times you download a game or how many computers it's on. Except that you can only play one at a time anyways, and theoretically you're the only one with the password so it's still your game.

 

Now some games come with a limited copy so you can play a buddy over LAN/internet, but it usually won't install the single player version then.

 

Read the EULA for the particular game and I'm sure it'll let you know in a very lengthy paragraph or three.

[radodrill]

AFAIK most game licenses allow you to install the game on multiple PCs as long as you are only running it on one machine at any given time; that's why they check that the CD is present to try to keep people from running it on multiple machines simultaneously.

[Angry_Games]

both technodan and radodrill are correct (depends on the company/game/etc).

 

my personal view is that I bought the xxxxing game (or dvd or audio cd) and if I want to play it with my wife over the LAN, I'm not going to spend yet another $50 for another copy, nor am I going to use the original disc(s) over and over and over. I bought it, it belongs to me, EULA be damned. (we've never seen a truly serious EULA rights battle in a court because most people flex or most companies flex instead of trying to set a precedent). I don't share it, I don't put it up for download, I enjoy it with my spouse or a friend that comes over.

 

If game companies want to restrict that in their customers, then the industry will die off pretty quick...because games are meant to be a fun escape, which is why people buy them.

[Yukon Trooper]

Yes, they can, but most games will require you to have the disc in the machine at the time. If you try playing a multi-player game on both machines, it will log off the client that connected first. This is only net based, not LAN based.

 

that kind of stuff is off-limits...be careful in your wording about what you suggest...

[wiewior1984]

Heh does someone still remember the Diablo SPAWN or StarCraft SPAWN? I still have those games. Now I have Settlers III too, and I can play multiplayer (LAN) games with my Girlfriend only when I start game server using One CD - #1 (that is 2 CD version) and she has the other CD in drive. We share the same CD-Key though. And AFAIK in the EULA states that this copy is per Household. (Rare, isn't it?)

[cali101]

Basically, games where you don't need the disc, like Spore and Halo, can be played on more than one computer (as long as you don't try to log on on more than one PC). But games that do need the disc can't be.

[wiewior1984]

Well, ok, and what do You think of doing a copy of a game to play within ONE household? I'd agree that it is no legit, but on the other hand why do I have to buy another game just to play with my brother?

[Harima]

It's like what these guys said. You can install games on different computers (though there have been some picky games recently), but the catch is that if you want to play online only one person can play at a time, but if you play lan then it's ok (Unless the game requires a disc to be played). You're limited to only how many people decide to lan with you and you're forced to have another copy of the game (basically just for the CD key, unless the game requires you to have the CD/DVD) to play with more people.

Edited December 24, 2008 by Harima

[Kamikaze_Badger]

Why do so many of you assume you own the game when you buy it? Read the EULA. You're buying the rights to play the game.

[Harima]

Why do so many of you assume you own the game when you buy it? Read the EULA. You're buying the rights to play the game.

 

I was literally caught in a brain teaser when I read this. You are right. You can't say "this is my game" because it isn't, it's owned by the company who made it. You pay them money to play their game.

[Verran]

Why do so many of you assume you own the game when you buy it? Read the EULA. You're buying the rights to play the game.

Because I can't read the EULA before I buy it.

 

I bought it, it's mine. Screw the EULA. Besides, EULA is contract law, which is much more fuzzy. Breaking the EULA is not the same as stealing.