I'd like to get NWN for multiplayer, but I do have a small worry. Needing a CD Key to play multiplayer ... If I want to switch to a new computer, will I be unable to play multiplayer on the new computer? If I re-format? I wondered if it wasn't as bad as it looked since so many old players that surely have new computers are still playing, though perhaps they bought new licenses. How does it work, guys?

The CD-key is saved in a file called nwncdkey.ini in your game folder.

Just copy that file and/or print it out....

My problem isn't with getting the key, but how limiting this is (DRM-wise). If I'd be able to use the same multiplayer key if I got a new computer or had to reformat.

You can't play with two games towards the internet (at the same time) if they are using the same CD-key.

Other than that it doesn't matter where the computer is (it means you can have the same CD-key on as many computers you want as long as they don't play towards the internet at the same time or youre trying to LAN play...)

You can take your CD-key with you whereever you go. As long as only one computer is using it (at that time) it should work.

Imagine you bought the boxed game. It would consist of one DVD and the CD-keys printed inside. They are yours and the basic idea is that you can carry them on/install them to your new appartment, new computer or whatever....

However...there is one thing that might complicate things. Because of problems with the NWN master auth. server some Persistent World (PW) servers have their own protection. Some of theese even check your IP. You can still solve that....but it could mean you need to contact the PW servers administrators or whatnot....

...or perhaps you're just playing LAN multiplayer??

The CD-key is not tied to your computer or IP, and there is no "online activation" or anything like that required. You can use the same CD-key to install the game on any number of computers. You can freely switch computers, reformat, upgrade, etc. Any time you need to reinstall the game, just use that same CD-key and you're good to go. The only limitation is that only one instance of your CD-key can be playing online at a time.

Thanks for clearing that up, guys! That's what I wasn't sure about since I couldn't find an answer through search.