Guild Wars 2

I have a friend who left the game about 8 months ago and we were going to come back and play together.

He has his disks and his account email, but not the serial code or account password. The serial code is not in the box with the disks (was it on an insert, and if so why???).

He cannot log in and he cannot request a password reminder because the bizarre password reminder Anet provides requires your serial code.

I don’t understand the reasoning or benefit behind this. If someone wants a reminder they should be able to get it through their account email address.

He should be able to contact support. Have him try here. He will have to put in a ticket to support.

https://en.support.guildwars2.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9286

If he doesn’t have certain information, like the serial number, put something like N/A in the spot, or unknown. He will need to answer their questions to establish ownership.

Thanks for the reply Astral Projections. He has contacted support but looking around the forums we are a bit worried it will takes days for them to respond.

We’re looking for something to play together, and we will find something in the next day or so, I have no doubt. It would be a shame if the only reason it was not GW2 was this barrier.

Most of the retail boxes I have purchased in prior years for various games did have the serial code on an insert. It’s probably cheaper to print it that way.

Also check the inside and maybe outside of the CD case if that’s still available.

gassy.8975:

Most of the retail boxes I have purchased in prior years for various games did have the serial code on an insert. It’s probably cheaper to print it that way.

Also check the inside and maybe outside of the CD case if that’s still available.

This – especially since each code needs to be unique.

Going forward, I’d recommend to your friend (and you!) to keep track of serials like that. I use 1Password, but there are various alternatives, many free, that you can use.

I have no trouble logging in myself. I bought the game via digital download and in any case know my password and display name.

I think Anet have not helped players by making the serial code so important AND putting it on an insert.

Most games, once you have activated your account with a serial code are happy to deal through the email address as security. Let’s face it, the only risk there is of email addresses getting hacked, which happens, but is rare enough that Anet should live with the risk rather than adding a convoluted password reset to mitigate it.

Those games that do come back to you for serial codes have the sense to plasticize them on the box. Anet used inserts instead, which is easier and cheaper for them, but makes it much more likely players will lose them.

Seems like poor judgement by Anet has led to a potential player not having access to the game. Nobody wins.

Hi cribbage,
I disagree with you bout the insert. I have played all GW-games and it always has been an insert or even plastic cards (cc-format). The insert is very clear thick paper. It is saying Guild Wars 2 Serial code in big prints on the front size (and nothing else except the gw2-logo. it actually holds one of the cd’s with the original game installation files and the back has the serial code very clear printed on it.

The alternative of the old gw1 creditcards means that they kept falling out of the box when you opened it. The last way would be imprinted on the cover, but this has 3 big disadvantages.
a: it is possible to get the code without breaking the seal, e.g. in the store your buying the box.
b: the code is very visable for people just holding the box and as you said is an important verification method. So it is unsecure for the player.
c: you need to get the cover out of the box and back in to unscratch it wich is rather difficult. besides that it is very expensive for the distributor to do this.

If your friend has lost it he has been very sloppy and I think it is not right to put any blame on arenanet.

Customer support will help you. It will take them max 72 hours to react. I expect your friend allready has a first reply. This will consist off a big bunch of questions he has to answer. Make sure he answers as much as he possibly can. The more questions answered, the easier it is for support to verify that he is the owner.

Having your serial code is not necessary to access the game. Customer Support will help you, even without it. Also, nothing prevents you from storing the serial code in a file elsewhere. Everyone that downloads the game digitally must do so, either in their email (not recommended) or copied and put elsewhere.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

Having your serial code is not necessary to access the game. Customer Support will help you, even without it. Also, nothing prevents you from storing the serial code in a file elsewhere. Everyone that downloads the game digitally must do so, either in their email (not recommended) or copied and put elsewhere.

As Incupatus here is says, you can regain access without the code – it just makes it a whole lot easier.

As far as how much importantce Anet puts on the serial – it’s the same as CoH, EQ, and other online games I’ve played.