The username or password you entered is incorrect

I was never asked to enter a key code during the installation routine. But even if I was asked (which I wasn't) had I been, I would have entered all 20 digits printed on the disc, as activation key codes are usually that long anyway - I had no idea it was actually two separate keys, until I read in your thread. It's unusual to have an activation code comprising only 10 digits.

AllanRoy

Thank you for confirming this. I will have the team review the installation process.
And true, a 10-digit key can be unusual. This is why the codes were supposed to be labeled.

When I open the launcher, it asks me to login. That's where it won't work if I'm offline. It says that the username or password is incorrect, and I know for a fact that the information is correct.

When you say start the game directly, do you mean bypassing the launcher? I'm going to go try that now, see if it works.

And if I'm offline, I have to have a server for that? I thought servers were only for online things. And my computer does meet the two minimum requirements that you stated.

@topcrazy - If you open pa.exe from the Planetary Annihilation folder, you can bypass the Launcher and not need to log into the game. From there, you can go to Settings > Server > Local Server and turn it ON. This should allow you to play in the System Editor (which has always been playable offline,) Galactic War, and AI Skirmishes.

Maybe the launcher should:

a) allow to launch the game in offline mode
b) show some helpful hints about "your gamekey has 10 digits, please add it to your account here" when a person fails to login

@mkrater Thanks, I actually tried that and it works just like you said (not that there was ever any doubt about that). Although I did not go into the settings to turn on the local server. Is it on by default or did I just not need it?

@cola_colin And I definitely agree that the launcher should give you the option to launch the game in offline mode. It would be much more convenient than having to go and find a different icon, especially if you don't have a shortcut on the desktop. And let's face it, there are a lot of people who will never even think of doing that.

I think the default setting is auto: If your computer matches the recommended specs (I think 8GB Ram, 64 bit OS, maybe some cpu requirement like quadcore as well) it will start local games for single player game modes.

That would explain it then. My computer has those specs.