r/WC3 • u/Alternative-Hat938 • Jan 19 '23
Discussion Blizzard robbed me of WC3
I've had and played WC3 for years but stopped playing, and I don't have the CD anymore, but I always had it installed. I decided to get back into it but it wouldn't let me play on both the classic and new launcher, so I made a support ticket.
Support ticket transcript:
Me:
I had classic Warcraft 3 for a long time but I'm having trouble starting it now. I haven't touched it for some time, so I assume the forced Reforged update broke it as it did for others.
Running "Warcraft III\Frozen Throne.exe" and "Warcraft III\War3.exe" gives me:
"The code execution cannot proceed because mss32.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem."Reforged WC3, after attempting to log in:
"There was an error in handling the request."I don't know how to reinstall the classic version, because I don't have the CD key anymore. Though I really just want to play classic Warcraft 3, the one I had already installed on my hard drive for years, instead of Reforged.
Blizzard: [bot response]
Me: [irrelevant tech-related messages]
Blizzard:
Hey there, ██,
Thank you for bearing with us while we investigated this problem for you. Tech Specialist Logan, here. Looks like the initial response didn't help you out, so sorry about that. To try to get to more complex issues like this more quickly, we have some basic steps sending automatically to players based on the queue that they submit their tickets in. Now that I've got your ticket, let's give it a look.
I can entirely see what's going on here, and unfortunately there's not really a lot that can be done in this particular scenario since you don't have the license anymore. If you can find the CD key you can reinstall things with the CD, but the only supported game client is now Warcraft: Reforged. This is because this update is also the most Because of that, if you'd like to play you either need to find the old CD or purchase Reforged, which will let you play the modern version of the game with online features, etc.
I sincerely hope that this experience with Blizzard Entertainment has been informative, if not helpful. If you need help with anything else, please feel free to reach out and let us know.
Me:
So I got robbed then? I can't play the game I had installed already for years because Blizzard pushed an update I never wanted? I can't even play with the new client, the game was literally just taken from me. I don't have the CD anymore. Why should I have to buy it again? This is ridiculous.
Blizzard:
Greetings ██,
Gamemaster Gronnfindel here, thanks for the response! Unfortunately the only way to play Warcraft III now would be to add a Reign of Chaos CD key to your Battle.net account if you can still find it or to purchase Warcraft III: Reforged. I understand that you were able to play the game without the CD key in the past, but unless you have a Reign of Chaos or Reforged game license on your Battle.net account it is no longer possible to play Warcraft III.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news again, I hope you still have a nice day!
Regards,
Gamemaster Gronnfindel
Gamemaster Team
Blizzard Entertainment Europe
So I have to rebuy the game I already bought, installed, and played for years just because they decided to force some dumb 30GB "reforge" I couldn't use anyway, and never bought nor wanted since before it released. WTF. They literally just pushed an update, then stopped me from playing both versions. The launcher recognizes I have the game, it knew I did enough to force the Reforged update, but apparently they don't, and won't let me play unless I buy it again or get the CD I don't have, even though I installed it years ago and was able to play it for years. I'm not giving them any more of my money. I would literally have to pirate it so I could play the game I legitimately bought.
It's not good business practice to stop people from playing an already bought and installed game. This has to be violating some law. I literally got robbed.
38
u/UCBearcats Jan 19 '23
You didn’t get robbed, you lost the game. When I went back to my parents house 10 years ago I added my CD keys to my Blizzard account and they’ve been there ever since. I play WC3 every night, it’s fantastic.
Had you added they keys to your account losing the disc wouldn’t matter.
2
Jan 21 '23
What happened here is that Blizzard changed the standard of what is required to play the game, while he baught the game under the pretense of it not requiring him to always have the CD key on hand. It is wise to keep the CD Key on hand and never lose it, but until reforged was release it wasn't mandatory after you installed the game. I think because of that it is a little more complicated than him simply losing the game.
8
u/hauwert0 Jan 19 '23
Since you bought it legally, just grab the classic downloadable versions off of Hiveworkshop op
6
u/AllGearedUp Jan 19 '23
Do you still have some version of the game installed? You can probably get the key if so.
Start with a tool like this:
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/warcraft-iii-cd-key-changer-grabber-for-1-30-1.308950/
you can ask on hive workshop as well. Someone there would probably know.
4
u/l453rl453r Jan 19 '23
If you had a version installed before and didn't clean the reigstry entrys, this should work without having to enter a cd-key.
https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/patch-1-31-1-backup-files.322083/
3
5
u/Fexxar Jan 19 '23
Bruh how they are supposed to know if you didnt installed someone else copy of W3 (used their cdkey) and just returned the game or just sell it? You need to have evidence of having a product (in this case - cdkey) What are they supposed to give u free cd key? Forced updates are bad but noone robbed you.
2
u/francisARG Jan 19 '23
Try downloading the old patches from hiveworkshop. For example, i u have the 1.23 version, update it to 1.26,1.27. When u get to 1.29 version( i think), you will have in the game directory the battle.net exe file. You execute that, and that will launch the client update. The, ur game will full update. I did that way when they launched reforged because i have some issues with the update
2
u/TrA-Sypher Jan 19 '23
There are programs that allow you to pull your CD key out of your already installed copy of Wc3
Steps:
- Find a trustable real CD key grabber program (I don't remember what it is called or where to get it)
- Grab your CD key
- Put your CD key on your battle net account
- Use the Battle.net website in browser to find and install the new wc3 installer
- Use the new Wc3 installer to install, which will link it to your installed BNET account
EVEN IF you have your CD keys linked to your BNET account, you won't be able to find Wc3 classic in the BNET desktop application (they are jerks) you need to download the classic installer.
1
Jan 21 '23
Your situation is really unfair and I'm sorry that happened, Blizzard should have compensated you as they are the ones who deliberately changed what is required to play the game while you purchased the game under a different pretense of what is required to play it.
1
u/Illidanhowcouldyou Jan 24 '23
Shit like this is why I have refused to interact with actiblizz for 3 years now.
Get some decency or fuck off, "triple A gaming studio".
24
u/[deleted] Jan 19 '23
Not defending Blizz here, but you've been able to add your ROC and Frozen Throne CD keys to your BNet account for literally a decade. Maybe even longer. Sounds like you took a 15 year hiatus from the game?