Bioshock 1 activation on steam

give it to me lol jk what kind of error or message does Steam tells you?

Googling around a bit, it seems steam only accepts 15-letter bioshock keys, and my key has 20 :(
Also forgot to mention its a retail key

It can't be activated on steam, the boxed version uses a disc based drm. so, you have to play it without steam :)

Or was it GFWL? I don't really remember.

Click add a non-steam game and play it? Bioshock doesn't have achievements or anything so it makes no difference.

hmm thats weird, try contacting steam support for them to check that or see if you are putting the correct code oooooooor see if the key is not for steam :P

I kinda hoped that all my bioshock games will be on steam...seems like I'd have to deal with this :/
Unless someone is willing to trade the retail key for a steam one? :S

There is more than one format of CD-key for Bioshock, I have a disc somewhere which can't be activated. It is possible they just got keys from discs like those, depending on the site.

Instead of asking us why don't you try the obvious thing and contact the store you bought it from?

So since you now know the problem (as stated by yourself in one of your early replies to the thread - it is a retail key), you could probably just close this thread and save everyone the time that thinks you are still searching for answers.

BioShock 1 Retail uses SecuROM DRM and that key is for it's activation. At first you need to install game from disc / DVD.

no one will trade a steam copy for your key, if that's what you're trying to get at.

guess your only option is to get back to the shop and see if they can help, or suck it up and move on with life