NBA 2K9 Shipped Without Activation Codes

It seems that publishers are making mistakes left and right these days, with Microsoft forgetting to deliver codes for unlocking special in-game items for its Xbox 360 exclusive Fable II, and now 2K Games, which has had a pretty big shipping problem with the PC version of its very popular basketball simulator NBA 2K9.

We already reported a while ago that, for the first time in the history of the franchise, 2K was going to deliver its game for the PC and not keep it constrained as a console only title, for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Now it looks like this decision didn't go so well, as the game needs to be activated on Valve's digital content distribution network, Steam, with special activation codes. Nothing very complicated, as a lot of games require this and supply the code or serial number on the back of the box. Except that 2K forgot to do such a thing and left gamers with a non-playable version of their highly awaited title.

Angry users assaulted the 2K Games forums and lashed out at the company for making such a big mistake. Other users even suggested that the disgruntled customers should use a pirated crack for the game in order to play it until 2K would release the forgotten activation codes. Of course, the big publisher wasn’t going to leave such a big problem to chance, so it issued a statement regarding this problem on its website.

"If you recently purchased the NBA 2K9 PC title in North America, 2K Sports is aware of the issues with the Product Keys and is working hard on a solution. Check back here for answers by end of day today. We appreciate your patience," reads the official statement, and, after a few hours, this was also posted on the same site: "A solution is forthcoming within the next 24 hours – likely much sooner – to alleviate any installation issues involving a Product Key. This solution will be downloaded automatically and seamlessly when you install your product."

Although 2K is working hard on this problem, it still is pretty concerning that a big publisher would forget to include such a simple thing like activation codes. Let's hope that such mistakes won't happen with other games or we might see some very angry customers in the future.