Game serial number generator

If you want an automated system, it's going to take a little work, and a bit of cash most likely as well.

Presumably, you want the following features:

• Keys can be generated

• Keys stored in databases

• Keys can only be activated once

• Keys are emailed out upon purchase

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First off, you're going to need a website with a database. I recommend Wordpress, since it's simple enough to set up, and it does user accounts for you.

Next, you'll need to create a custom database table for your keys. You'll want an ID, a key, an email or user ID, and an 'activated' column.

You'll then need to create a few custom PhP functions.

• One that modifies the default email sent out upon purchase to have the key sent out

• One that generates a unique key and stores it in the database with the associated user info

• One that can be called from within your software to activate the key

• One that the user will ping with their account whenever they start up the software to verify they're legit.

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Once all that's done, you can throw it together and you'll have a fully fledged authentication system for your game :)

What you are trying to do here is called Digital Rights Management. In particular you're looking for a Product Key solution. That's a totally valid way to try to stop users from stealing your software. Of course it's important to note that nothing you can ever do will stop your users from eventually distributing your software for free anyway.

Zaeran described a good system to implement a product key solution, one that requires a reasonable amount of work and money and should be effective for a while if implemented correctly. When looking for a DRM solution, it's fairly accurate to say that effectiveness is directly related to effort and money. For example, a less effective but simpler method would be to simply put a password on your software. But on the other end, you could implement anti-tampering software or even purchase a service to do it for you.

If you're serious about protecting your software from being stolen you might want to find an expert. But really, in the end there's no use. Most multi billion dollar companies can't stop their games from being pirated in the hour.