Missing Product Key

[Scudilo]

I purchased Europa Universalis IV on Amazon. It was a brand new copy of the game. It had never been opened before. When I got the game, the only thing in the case was the game. There was no product activation key. I am unable to install the game because of this. Can someone please help me?

 

[Schmoekoeksklok]

It would have been a lot easier (and safer, and during a sale, cheaper) to just buy it directly on Steam or the paradox store, but there should be a CD-key somewhere in the manual. If there is no manual (since you say there's just the game in there), then you got ripped off and should send it back, get a refund, and purchase it as a digital download instead.

 

[Scudilo]

This is very disappointing indeed. By the way, if I were to download it from Steam, it would take a month with my internet. Anyway, while looking for a solution to this problem, I saw something about the game crashing right after you launch it(I'm not encountering this problem because I can't download it). https://paradox.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203530487-Whenever-I-start-the-game-in-fullscreen-I-get-a-black-screen-and-after-a-few-seconds-the-game-crashes I'm encountering this same problem on another game called The Evil Within. Maybe someone here can tell me how to change that refreshRate thing in this game?

 

[RobRoy3]

You bought a non-download version on Amazon? What, a CD? I didn't know they were selling such. It's probably one of those CDs that just allows you to download it from Steam, though. Which, as you've discovered, requires the missing Steam code.

As Schmoekoeksklok said, try to return it. Not going to do you much good without a Steam code. IIRC, though, you're still going to have to download most of the game when/if you do get it. So if download speed is an issue for you, you may have another problem.

I doubt you'd have to change the refresh rate, though, or monkey with any of the settings when/if you are able to download it. If you do have issues, post in the tech support forum after you get your key. Andrew should be able to help you.

 

[AndrewT]

Yes, even the CD version needs Steam to install, so what you are missing is a Steam Activation key. This has a format XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX - you are absolutely sure there's nothing like that in the package, on the CD, or anything?

Also, was this actually sold new by Amazon, or what it a reseller via Amazon? If the latter I can almost guarantee this is a second-hand copy re-packaged to look new, and you have indeed been scammed. If that's the case contact that reseller in the first instance, failing that Amazon.