My friend was leaving the country. Before he left, he gave me his copy of Mass Effect 3 he bought from JB not long ago, saying he doesn't want to carry the game to the new country. Fine for me, until I tried to install it.
I am mainly a PS3 player. So when I found out after putting the disc in my computer, the autorun isn't installing the game but something called Origin, I was really surprised. I felt it's like the bloatware Telcos installed on their custimised phones. Anyway, installed the thing, regiestered an account, I was asked to put in the product key. I could only find something called "series key" on a piece of paper comes with the game. So I entered that.
Then, I couldn't believe my own eyes, I was told but this Origin thingy that the code I just entered has been used. Of course it has been used, because it has been installed and played by my friend!! Now I am using a different Original account, I couldn't even install the game, let alone playing it!?!?!?!?
It just doesn't make sense. Protecting their IP is reasonable, fine. But going this far just shows those companies are out of their minds!!! I know PC game doesn't really have a 2nd hand market, unlike console games, but this code activation thing even kills off the "gift market". I mean, seriously??
I don't know what to do with the game now. I don't want to use my friend's Origin account, and I can't play the game. I don't want to throw it away, it's barely a few month old!!
Have any of you had similar experience? This is plainly ridiculous. It's like if I bought a car, I can't even lend or give to other people to drive. It just doesn't make sense!! I'm furious now...