I bought my game off direct2drive some time ago, but didnt get to play it much due to computer issues. I just got a new computer and installed the game but whenever I try using my activation key I get "Activation FAILED: unknown error" no idea why it wont let me install and I tried going to ubisoft site but all it did was send me in circles. I've tried reinstalling it, and activating before/after patch, and installing only SP or both SP and MP, nothings working it refuses to activate. Any ideas?

Describe what you did step by step please. You bought (single- and multiplayer license) and downloaded the game from Direct2Drive, and then?

Have you checked this page: http://support.direct2drive.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=3091 click "Keys and Activation".

In fact, you should seak support at Direct2Drive.

I dl'd and activated all my other games from d2d fine, just dark messiah wont activate. I got it near release but havent had the chance to play it in months before I got the new computer, so there not much more to it then that. I'll try connecting to d2d but ubi's main site help system was frustrating me really bad because every help link sent me back to the same page asking what I needed help with, even after answering that...

Have you tried via Steam? You did pay for the game with the serial. Steam should recognize the unique serial. If you have Steam installed, try to activate there. If it is accepted you can (re-) download the game (single and multiplayer) through Steam. Worth trying.