Here is a new test patch that can help with the unlock code.
- Correctly named field (Unlock code)
- EYE button beside the unlock code (see what you have entered)
- Informative message if your unlock code is not 20 characters
- Automatic exit from unlock screen after successful unlock message
By the way everyone, the whole unlocking system is completely unchanged, not a single line of code changed. The unlock code just goes in the same slot as the old game password. So this is why it seems so unlikely there is a bug. Because if there is, the same bug has been there for 20 years and no-one noticed until now? Anyway, the new patch will have the ability to see if what you pasted is really what you copied, and we'll find out if there is a bug or figure out why so many of us have experienced that mysterious issue.
What fastranker1 said is not correct! The unlock code is like a password, it's not a one-time usage unlock key. If you already have LFS unlocked, and you get a new code, that will remove your ability to use the original one online (until you enter the new code there).
You must get one unlock code and user it for both your instances of LFS. I know you said it didn't work on the second instance, but it probably would if you tried again.
A few people, including me, had an instance where it said "wrong unlock code" although we really believe we did the copy and paste correctly. It's a bit of a mystery at the moment. I can't be sure yet if there is some kind of bug, or if it's a human error. Anyway the solution is to try again, not to get a new unlock code. I will be releasing a patch that allows you to check the unlock code you've entered.
For any translators who would like to update the website translation, I've updated the translation system and started a new thread to let me know if you've done an update so I can make it go live. https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/112033
I'll send a notification email to all the translators after I've done the in-game translations.
For those of you who have chosen to do the website translation:
If you update the website translation, please post here and I can make your translation live.
Thank you for your help!
7 August 2025:
I've updated the website translations for the new unlock code system. You will see the new translation lines mainly at the bottom of the page. Further up the page you may notice there are texts that are no longer used (e.g. with GAMEpassword) but I don't yet know how to remove them.
That doesn't change. We still need to have the limits, otherwise there will be a username and unlock code somewhere on the internet that anyone can use to freely access LFS content.
I've checked and it does work. Some people have had this, when it apparently does not work, but does work when they try again. Please make sure there are 20 characters (blobs) in the GAME password field before you click "unlock".
Today I will improve LFS.exe:
- insist on the correct number of characters (to reduce copy and paste errors)
- provide an "EYE" button to show the unlock code
- update the translations
I prefer not to send a newsletter yet, I think it would be better when there is a patch and we've made sure there are no bugs in the system.
Hi, I hope someone might have a suggestion if they see it here.
From my reply in your original report on the test patch thread:
Apparently something is blocking your LFS from making certain connections to our web server. These are the ones that use the HTTP protocol, unlike the game packets that use a custom protocol that seems to work fine, as you can get a list of hosts and join hosts. It's only event list, skins and mods that seem to cause the problem. These are different from the game packets as they connect directly to our web server and make HTTP requests.
Can you test with a different internet connection, in case your ISP is blocking HTTP?
Which version of Windows are you using, and any additional antivirus or firewall software?
Yes, you can generate an "unlock code" to paste into the "GAME password" field in LFS.
I know that's a bit confusing at the moment but next on my list is to update LFS and the translations.
By the way, when a new account is created, after you click to confirm your email, your new unlock code is displayed on that web page (so for that time you don't have to visit your details page and get a new unlock code sent by email).
Well, how much time to spend on it is for me to decide, and that's why I asked to see if many people had experienced trouble with it.
What I do, is attempt to acquire information before making decisions.
EDIT:
Also I put questions out there in case people come up with good ideas. I don't just leave things in a (possibly) broken state (or hard to use) when a small improvement will make a world of difference (and maybe avoid a thousand tech support emails).
EDIT2:
Also I can see a live stream of the master server and I see a lot of "Your unlock code does not match" (which is different from "You need to set an unlock code") so I do wonder if they are really just typing in the wrong thing (e.g. a WEB password or old GAME password) or they are getting a sort of copy and paste error.
It should auto clear if you paste straight in when the dialog is open (without clicking within the text). When you see all the text highlighted (like CTRL+A) that will be replaced when you paste the new value. You can confirm this with the number of characters which will be 20 if it's a valid key.
I wonder if the way that specific dialog works should be improved to make it easier and avoid any errors.
By the way, has anyone had a problem like they really think they copied and pasted the unlock code correctly, but it just says "Your unlock code does not match" after you click the unlock button?
That seemed to happen to me after setting a new code. Maybe I didn't copy it properly? But it's hard to know what can be the problem as it looks like a load of dots. I've heard a couple of reports like "the code didn't work" that could be like this.
Eventually I copied again (without getting another new code) and it did work.
I think maybe the update needs an 'eye' icon beside the unlock code field so you can see the unlock code.
To be clear, the new system does not 'consume' one of your unlocks, if your LFS was already unlocked with your old password. The consumption of an unlock could only happen if you clicked "Lock LFS - return to Demo" by mistake (which is not needed).
You are supposed to do simply this:
1) Visit details page
2) Click: send email with a new unlock code
3) Get email.
4) Paste code from email into LFS "GAME password"
5) Click unlock.
That's all there is to it. It's really not a big deal. I have added one unlock to your account so it will let you try again now.
Sorry but your report doesn't make that much sense.
The system is well tested and has already worked for hundreds of people.
You'll have to be very specific about exactly what you do, step by step, and the exact error messages you see, so we can try to see where it goes wrong for you.