Yes, it does ask for a CD-key during the install process, that is then embedded (in a slightly obfuscated way) in the installed game directory. Said directory is then portable, as it already includes a copy of the CD-key.

I explain here how to extract the obfuscated keys from an already installed game: https://forge.dotslashplay.it/vv221/games/-/issues/7

As far as I know, the key unicity is only checked when trying to play multiplayer on Battle.net (so copies of a same single install could be used to play on LAN for example, or by TCP/IP). Something I would not try with this build of the game anyway, as I suspect it would first try to "upgrade" it to the new DRMed builds.

So you can just grab any random key like from here:
---LINK EDITED OUT---
and the installer will accept it?

Mostly just interested in whether those who never had a valid CD key can play the game from those installers.

EDIT:
Removed the link to the site with keys. You can just easily look them up in any search engine.

I did not check (I have valid CD-keys) but it would most probably accept these. The CD-key verification process during the installation does not seem to require any kind of network access so I guess it only checks that a key with a valid syntax is used, not if it has already been used or revoked.

I already played LAN sessions with a single key for multiple players, with no problem.

Huh, well that's certainly interesting. Didn't think Blizzard still had those available to the public at large.

I stand corrected. I'm honestly quite surprised Blizzard is still offering access to anything not tied to Battle.net.

The initial disbelief is fully understandable ;)

I assume these download servers are still active because no corporate suit at Blizzard ever explicitly asked for their removal (probably due to not knowing about these servers), and the system administrators are more than happy to keep these builds of the classic games available for as long as possible.

Such a server comes with so little cost (both in money and in time) that it does not even amount to a rounding error for Blizzard. So I hope it is going to stay here ~forever.

I can confirm. Downloaded the classic originals through it. Although the download speeds were clearly reduced, I managed to download it through Wine on Linux. They can be fully activated offline, apparently, provided you have a CD key?

Yep, I'm still waiting for a decent combined discount or even individual ones at the same time. Warcraft 1 has been cheap enough on occasion, but Warcraft 2 definitely not, and I don't want to to risk getting one without the other. And I can say the same for Diablo.

Alas I only have the boxed version of Diablo, and demos for Warcraft 1 & 2.
I also have boxed Starcraft and an expansion for it.

How did you get those links? Are they openly available to the public? I ask because a year ago I looked over the whole site trying to download Stacraft 1 (which is supposedly free) but couldn't find it at all.

They used to have a dedicated page where you could download a lot of their classic games for free. They nuked the page at some point, but the download links for their FTP still work
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/warcraft3/t/classic-warcraft-iii-official-installers-official-patches/21415

Seems like they don't care and if you can use whatever CD key during the install, then the games should be fully playable in single player.

Try them for yourself and you’ll see ;)

I would not share private links on a public forum, that would kind of defeat the purpose of sharing.

---

Have fun: https://eu.battle.net/download/getLegacy?os=win&locale=enUS&product=STAR

This is not the DRMed post-remaster build of StarCraft, but the 1.15.2 DRM-free build.

Basically, what is a website, but a network drive set to public? I've done some fun FTP diving that way; if it's meant to be private, either put a password or a 403 on it. :p

I am going to say now I did NOT forsee what Blizz did.

Warcraft I Remastered and Warcraft II Remastered are now available for purchase. Warcraft 3 Reforged 2.0 is now up as well.

Not buying them, I'm not interested in new, hand-drawn art. Again, just glad I did my due dilligence in buying what Gog preserved and downloaded them.

Edit: I'm not complaining in the sense of "How dare they?!" What bothers me is the fact that they basically say "It's not yours even with you handing us the money. So yes, we can take it away tomorrow and you're out your money."

It's why I don't have much on other platforms and am willing to respend the money to have a DRM-Free Exe if/when they come to Gog.

GOG enable preservation by selling DRM-Free games to customers who are spread far and wide, so long as those customers download the Offline Installers and back them up, and it is troubling that GOG don't do more to encourage that, because if GOG closed down, then the games on their servers will likely be no longer. So it is GOG customers who are the true preservers.

GOG needs to issue a WWII style propaganda poster about how the efforts at home impact troops on the front line.
"They can't get on without us! Do your part - Back them up!"