Well, I just wasted some money...

[AoTFan]

Found Elder Scrolls Skyrim at a pawn shop, so I was like, "Cool!  Always wanted to play that!"  

So, I bought it, got it home, and turns out you have to load it through Steam.  Hey, no biggie, I just happened to have a Steam account.  Then they want the product key, so I put in the key on the inside of the container and what does it say?  

This is a duplicate key! It can't be used.  

Well, mother f**k!

Did some research and it turns out they do this supposedly to counter piracy (which I get, that takes a lot of money out of the computer industry every year) but seems to me like just a way to keep used copies from being re-sold.  

I could try to take it back to the shop, but dunno if they'll let me...

I guess it's a good thing I didn't waste too much money for it.

Man, p**ses me off.  I REALLY wanted to play this game.

[messedup]

Just found this...maybe it helps:

Code:

Using Steam launch options to install retail games from disc

    Log in to Steam and click on Library.
    Right-click on the game, select Delete local content, and confirm.
    Insert the first disc into your computer.
    Close Steam (Steam > Exit).
    Press Windows Key + R to open Run
    In the Run window type:

    "C:\Program Files\Steam\Steam.exe" -install E:

    Replace E: with the CD/DVD drive you are installing from if is not correct.
    Replace C:\Program Files\Steam if your Steam installation is not in the default location.
    Press OK.  Steam will launch and ask you to sign in if you do not have your password saved.  Your installation should continue from the disc.

If that doesn't work there might be some vids on youtube that show you how to install and play the game without steam...even though there might be some cracks involved.