So... I purchased the collector's edition, went to install the game... and can't find the cd-key anywhere. Am I just blind? Could someone tell me where I should expect to find it?

Should be a white sticker inside the box below the CD...

A CD-key?

You mean to tell me you need a CD key AND steam?

As has been said, it is on the inside of the case for the standard version, right below the CD. You really can't miss it. Since I don't have the collectors edition, I can't say. But, if the game CD came in a sleeve, you might want to check the back of the sleeve.

@SystemShock

Games on Steam still need keys, that is how you add a game to your Steam library. Once you have entered the key, you can then go to anyone's house, log into your Steam account and install the game without the need to ever have the CD again.

Whelp. My game does not have the product code inside the game case. This is a first for me.

On the slightly positive side, I do seem to have the activation code for the pre order gear. Not that I can use it without a working copy of the game.

BTW, it doesn't say activation code. It is just a plain white sticker with something like:

FKWJD-TOCJS-SKFKE-SJSJS-QPOTJ

on it.

You'll probably need to contact support if you can't find one.

If you buy a physical copy... yes.

Yup. There's nothing. I'm used to these things being either on the manual, jewel case, somewhere obvious. I have a dvd style case with nothing inside it except the manual, the disc, an ad for Brink and the code for my pre order junk. (Which I tried putting in on the off chance it would work, no luck).