No this is not an Onion news article but it could be one.

I eagerly open up my newly purchased EbGames UT 2004:SE preorder only to find that their bonehead distributor forgot to include the CD Key in my copy. According to this, I'm not the only one.

http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums...hreadid=357487

During the install, it will ask you to check for it printed on the back of the manual but people are finding it (if they're lucky) within the DVD case on a sticker. All mine had were the crappy atari stickers,..........mocking me.

I can't remember this ever happening during a game release ever. Did they really think BF:Vietnam was going to be that much competition to rush this out the door like this?

That sucks, I wonder how many people are affected, and how they'll tell the liars from the people that actually bought the game.

The phrase 'proof of purchase' comes mysteriously to mind...

This isn't the first time something like this has happened. It is just a manufacturing error. I am sure if you email Atari and explain the situation they will sort it out for you.

I had this happen to me twice recently. Secret weapons had the sticker, but the print was offset. So the last section of the code was missing.

the other game was call of duty. It did not have its sticker.

both times best buy took the game back and gave me a new one. Its just a hassle. Porbably worth opening the game right after you buy it...

i took in back to ebgames and the guy just cut one of the keys out of the regular version and gave me that....

But the question is would they make you go to all that trouble?