#123#
 

Serial key

Software theme

*123*

Requires some form of alphanumeric key or similar to be presented to prove you own an authentic copy. A weak copy-protection mechanism, but more useful as GUID which it is also used for.

254
games
8
platforms

Alternate names: Product key, CD-key, Serial number, Unlock key, Registration key

Unlock key (a.k.a. registration key) is used by shareware or other "limited" games to unlock the full game. There's very little difference to the other key types than the fact that you actually have the full game already, but can't play it in full without unlocking/registering it first.

This can function as a form of DRM by preventing play as long as no correct key is provided, in some games this limitation only affects singleplayer or multiplayer but not both (commonly the latter is blocked if not both).

Popular tags

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Games by year

98990001020304050607080910111213141516171819 32816240

The first Serial key video game was released in 1998.

Electronic Arts, THQ, Ubisoft and Atari published most of these games.

Platforms

Windows212
Linux18
Mac OS X16
X3603
Mac OS Classic2
PS31
BeOS1
Amiga1

Most common companies