Spore, Mass Effect PC to Require Online Validation Every Ten Days

[Gorgon]

BioWare technical producer Derek French has said that the PC versions of both Mass Effect and Spore will make use of copy protection that will require online validation every ten days to continue working.

source: http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52547

:sleep:

[Dalamari]

Well I won't be pirating Spore or even bothering with Mass Effect so I don't care

[Zeus]

Unbelievable....**** copy protection.

[Lucid]

copy protection that will require online validation every ten days to continue working.

Uh... what the ****? That's retarded.
I won't be pirating either of them either, but that's just stupid... Validation ONCE would be sufficient.

edit : Actually, no... Will Wright said that Spore wouldn't require an internet connection at all, ****ing liar.

[Gorgon]

somone post at another forums, LOL :D
So, basically, you have a piece of wood, and the wall.

The wood is your game, and the wall is your ability to play it.

So how do you keep the two together? You nail it down. Unfortunately, you are forced to use nails that dissolve every ten days.

Good thing EA doesn't build houses. I'd hate to see mine falling down every ten days that I'm not connected to my mortgage website.

[sea]

How about they release the games without any copy protection at all, and actually make sure those games can run on more than the latest of computers?

[Fliko]

Well, now I'll have to pirate Spore instead of even thinking about buying it.

[dekstar]

Considering buying spore, then downloading a pirated version that doesn't have the validation, just for the simplicity.

soon piracy groups will be making games for the developers.

[Krynn72]

Well that sucks. I was planning on buying both of them. Now i'll just download the pirated version that wont have to deal with that bullshit.

/shrug I guess they dont want people paying them for their games anymore.

[Bad^Hat]

It'll be cracked. Then what?

There's no ****ing end to this shit.

[Lucid]

Scenario:
Most of the world is destroyed in a nuclear war. Your country survives and still has electricity and for some reason you want to play Spore and Mass Effect but the internet has been destroyed. So I won't be able to play any of my singleplayer games that require online activation?

Seriously, why do game devs even bother with protection at all?
Everyone thought Bioshock would be completely uncrackable and it was cracked in less than a week.

[Iliketobenaked]

Well that sucks. I was planning on buying both of them. Now i'll just download the pirated version that wont have to deal with that bullshit.

/shrug I guess they dont want people paying them for their games anymore.

word.

[Kadayi]

Steamworks would of been preferable, but that only just got released. That copy protection system sounds like ass tbh (we are all thieves!!!) . Still I'll be buying ME when it hit's the shelves anyhows and I'm on the net more than a Cam Whore so it's no biggie for me personally. ;)

[AmishSlayer]

Well that's certainly one ironic way to go about losing customers.

[Raziaar]

Wow... stupidest thing ever.

I should pirate a cracked copy out of spite!

[Wanted Bob]

I was gonna buy Spore, but not so sure about Mass "Erect".

It says that this timer of sorts is run via the executable, probably not a good idea to have stated that, cause cracked exe's have been done many times in the past.

[PaoloM]

This kind of copy protection sounds hard to believe. I still think it's a hoax. Let's see if EA is able to disappoint me since I am waiting eagerly for Mass Effect.
Is the news being confirmed by other sources?

[Zeus]

It's got to be a hoax. If not well then I simply won't be buying (dealt with Securom already with bioshock, never happening again). What kind of idiots would force their customers to deal with such crap after paying $50 for a game?

[Qonfused]

As other people have said, what a great way to lose customers.

[Krynn72]

Scenario:
Most of the world is destroyed in a nuclear war. Your country survives and still has electricity and for some reason you want to play Spore and Mass Effect but the internet has been destroyed. So I won't be able to play any of my singleplayer games that require online activation?

Of all the possible arguments you could have used against Copy Protection, I believe you just picked the worst one possible.

[PaoloM]

Bioware forums are confirming the news (http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=628375&forum=125&sp=0). Well, let's take a deep breath and relax...

[PriNcE oF SpAcE]

securom is even worse than Starforce(never had a problem with starforce)...last time I installed a securom protected game it changed my windows media player to a French installation with no apparent way of reversing it other than re-install...

[PaoloM]

Well, maybe the SecuROM protection used by Mass Effect will not be so bad as we think. I am reading the FAQ on Bioware forums and it seems that the only real annoyance will be the need to re-authenticate (and have a live internet connection) every ten days. Not that I like SecuROM, but it can be done.
Don't know anything about registry tampering and system corruption. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

[sea]

I'm still going to buy the game, but I will crack it the moment I'm able to. Even if all it means is connecting to the server to check the key (I assume it doesn't need the disc to do that), it's still a major annoyance and, I expect, a resource hog (I don't want their ****ing processes and rootkits running in the background all the time, if that's how they do it). I have no idea what sort of information they'd be collecting along with the key, as well; it could very well send back things like browsing history, for example.

[Krynn72]

I'm still going to buy the game, but I will crack it the moment I'm able to. Even if all it means is connecting to the server to check the key (I assume it doesn't need the disc to do that), it's still a major annoyance and, I expect, a resource hog (I don't want their ****ing processes and rootkits running in the background all the time, if that's how they do it). I have no idea what sort of information they'd be collecting along with the key, as well; it could very well send back things like browsing history, for example.

I seriously doubt Bioware would let anything like that happen.

[sea]

I don't know, EA is the one publishing their games now, remember.

[Wanted Bob]

Bugger, people were wondering what would happen when Bioware was swallowed up? This madness is what happens!

[Bad^Hat]

But would EA?

I'm having difficulty understanding the point of this... is there some way for a legitimate retail copy of the game to suddenly turn into a pirated version that necessitates this kind of constant check-uppering? This seems like the product of paranoia more than anything, but while the paranoia might be justified, forcing this kind of shit on the consumer, particularly in an (arguably) dwindling market, is not.

Edit - Damn, 2 minutes is a long time around here.

[Gargantou]

I am gonna buy Spore(Already own Mass Effect on 360), and then probably d/l some form of crack.:)

[TwwIX]

This is only going to alienate potential buyers of the games.It won't stop pirating.It will fail just like all the other attempts.

[chu]

Not only do we have to surrender potential good games to be bastardized by consoles but now we have to deal with this spit in the face too. We PC gamers are getting Chinese finger cuffed (Chasing Amy reference too vulgar to explain to young readers) by developers/publishers.

I thought there was some holy alliance of PC developers that are to look out for our best interests, or are they busy touching up their heap-o-shit console games that they will eventually burden us with?

As much as it pains me I may still buy this game because as of now there is nothing else out there.

Are the 1st and 2nd quarters just not viable for sales or something? It seems as though the market for games is dry up until the middle of the 3rd quarter.

[Gargantou]

Oh shut up you PC fanboy.

[99.vikram]

Added to my "pirate in future" queue.

[PaoloM]

Bioware is confirming the SecuROM thing. Just one thing before panic: read the FAQ (http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=628724&forum=125) carefully and see the differences between Mass Effect and Bioshock. I am still planning to buy this masterpiece and support Bioware.

[comoxer]

I thought Bioshock was bad with its validation and its number of installations but this is ludicrous, im all for anti-piracy but surely they could come up with a better way of protection this is just going to be annoying.

[Gray Fox]

If I had to choose between cd check and this I would use this. It's more convenient for me.
I just don't understand why they can't do both, if there is no connection then use the cd to play the game.

In any case aren't steam games like this to, I've noticed after a while games won't start in offline mode,
and some times they just won't work at all for some reason in offline mode.

For me this won't matter i crack all my games, I see no reason not too, it's just convenient, i would have
cracked this one too regardless of it's protection.

[PaoloM]

If I had to choose between cd check and this I would use this. It's more convenient for me.

Yes, if you have a reliable internet connection (at least once every ten days) this kind of protection is not particularly annoying to me.

[Dumb Dude]

This is only going to alienate potential buyers of the games.It won't stop pirating.It will fail just like all the other attempts.

You know you have to space after punctiations, right? It always annoys me when I see people not spacing after periods or commas. What school did you go to that they taught you that puncuation was a replacement for a space?

It's weird too because I see it everywhere.

Back on topic: This kind of copy protection is dumb, yadda yadda, customers on losing end, etc, etc...

[Gargantou]

Dumb Dude:Hi,why do you think this kind of copyprotection is dumb?I quite like it really.It's quite convenient for a guy like me who has an internet connection that is on 100% of the time.By the way,you're a rambling lunatic.Have fun!

[Dumb Dude]

I pretty much knew I'd get that type of response, but honestly it had to be said.

[Kyorisu]

Oh great ****ing over the consumer again, thanks guys just make life a thousand times easier for pirates.

Oh shut up you PC fanboy.

Shut up console fanboy. Don't think about countering this because frankly you cannot. People here are outraged how PC users get ****ed over. Thus the only people who wouldn't be crying about this are console kids.

Dumb Dude:Hi,why do you think this kind of copyprotection is dumb?I quite like it really.It's quite convenient for a guy like me who has an internet connection that is on 100% of the time.By the way,you're a rambling lunatic.Have fun!

How pray tell is it any better than one single online activation check? For you the consumer it only means the developers hate you. Once the online checks are cracked only legitimate buyers are the ones being scanned. How does this stop piracy? How does this aid the consumer at all?

Kyorisu's crazy arse method to sell PC games.
1. Make game i.e. Spore or Mass Effect (port).
2. Release game initially through digital distribution. Encrypted and missing critical files before launch and release a retail boxed copy that connects to that distribution system.
3. Manage digital version with fancy automatic updates and all the jazz. Do not provide off-line patches.

Theres a thread on steampowered every week where someone asks about integrating their retail copy of x with steam and usually the answer is no. People need to wake up and not only make it a yes but force it. Steam only being used as an example.

[Gargantou]

I'm a console fanboy?

That sure explains that when I bought this PC in late 2006 I only put 1800 euro into it, around 2800 USD.

I guess I should have put in like twice that so I wouldn't qualify as a console fanboy.:(

[Asuka]

I support this. Piracy is out of control especially with the figures CryTek and Epic have released recently.

[Iliketobenaked]

I'm a console fanboy?

That sure explains that when I bought this PC in late 2006 I only put 1800 euro into it, around 2800 USD.

I guess I should have put in like twice that so I wouldn't qualify as a console fanboy.:(

yes you are a console fanboi.

[Gargantou]

yes you are a console fanboi.And you're a spy sent by the liberal media to assassinate George W. Bush.

[Iliketobenaked]

I support this. Piracy is out of control especially with the figures CryTek and Epic have released recently.


The point is this wont stop piracy at all te paying customer will suffer.I payed for UT3 that p.o.s and and Crysis which was a good game.So people like me that spend $100 every 2 months for games get ****ed.while the guys from Razor1911 and RELOADED are rofling at the sad attempt to stop piracy.

[VictimOfScience]

Yeah, don't think I will be buying Mass Effect again (already have it for 360). Will definitely buy Spore, but this sort of thing is so annoying--just leave it at code wheels like Monkey Island.

[Kyorisu]

I'm a console fanboy?

That sure explains that when I bought this PC in late 2006 I only put 1800 euro into it, around 2800 USD.

I guess I should have put in like twice that so I wouldn't qualify as a console fanboy.:(

It's a generic attack use your bloody head. I cannot fathom a reason why you wouldn't be mildly pissed about this topic as the owner of a PC and presumably someone who plays PC games.

I support this. Piracy is out of control especially with the figures CryTek and Epic have released recently.

Haha nice. I wouldn't trust their numbers as far as they can spin them and boy do they spin them.

Now for something fun. Anyone able to find me a pirated version of Twilight of the Arnor for Galciv 2? Not the most popular of games sure but a good example just the same.

[Gargantou]

It's a generic attack use your bloody head. I cannot fathom a reason why you wouldn't be mildly pissed about this topic as the owner of a PC and presumably someone who plays PC games.I don't have a head, I lost it in Nam. Anyway, I'm not pissed because I know, like always, within a day or so of the games release, there'll be a crack out.;)
If X can be built, then logically, X can be destroyed.

[Evo]

The point is that we shouldn't have to wait for cracks etc. for a game bought at retail to be able to play it without any hindrances.

[Gargantou]

And game devs shouldn't have to protect their games from pirates, because people shouldn't pirate, yet people do it anyway.

Action and Consequence.

[Iliketobenaked]

And game devs shouldn't have to protect their games from pirates, because people shouldn't pirate, yet people do it anyway.

Action and Consequence.

fallacy a pirtaed game does not equala lost sale.

[Kyorisu]

I don't have a head, I lost it in Nam. Anyway, I'm not pissed because I know, like always, within a day or so of the games release, there'll be a crack out.;)
If X can be built, then logically, X can be destroyed.

Ah then you are on my side of thinking partially. Systems like this are a nuisance that punish people who behave. The technology is similar to what was used on Bioshock, and will only allow gamers to install their game three times - which is fair enough, some might say (until you reformat your machine for the fourth time and want to play the game).

http://games.internode.on.net/content.php?mode=news&id=3047

And game devs shouldn't have to protect their games from pirates, because people shouldn't pirate, yet people do it anyway.

Action and Consequence.

Who said that? They can but at the same time they must surely realise they cannot beat the dedicated cracking groups. Support your customers that buy games , otherwise you will be stuck with nothing but people who download games and crack your protection just to prove you're a wanker for trying to stop something that you know cant be stopped.

Thats all i can type for now as i am on a mission to rid the whole of the interwebs of pron...

[Kadayi]

Albeit I don't agree with the extent of this DRM, I don't think people should pirate it out of malice. Ultimately that sort of thing will drive people away from developing or Porting to the PC if it continues.

[VictimOfScience]

Ultimately that sort of thing will drive people away from...Porting
Woo-hoo!! So that is all we have to do?! :P

[99.vikram]

fallacy a pirtaed game does not equala lost sale.
I fully support this poorly spelled sentence.

[Iliketobenaked]

I fully support this poorly spelled sentence.

y thanc yuo:cheese:

[Shoes_Buttback03]

Any time a grammar cop correct'$ me I do the same.It'5 fun to anger them to !a further ext'en+ .


btw EA = Fail factory

[AHA-Lambda]

Added to my "pirate in future" queue.

This. I may buy it to support them but the excessive protection is outrageous. Hell what if i go on holiday for 2 weeks? Do I need to get my neightbour in to turn on the lights, feed the cat oh and also make sure to validate spore? I don't think so.

BTW what happens if you don't validate it after 10 days.

[Gray Fox]

You can play the game, and if you haven't touched the game, and thus not validated for like lets say a month, the game simply validates the next time you start it and you can play. Everything is explained in the thread on the bioware forums.

[Letters]

Spore's gonna have a pretty extreme online part to it anyway (borrowed content, profile page-like things), so pirating that one probably isn't so hot of an idea. :P

[Krynn72]

I support this. Piracy is out of control especially with the figures CryTek and Epic have released recently.

Did you read the thread? This kind of shit only supports piracy. By supporting this kind of paranoid protection, you are in fact supporting piracy.

I may still buy the games latter when the prices drop, but I certainly wont pay full price because I dont want to support this kind of shit. If they remove it and put it on steam i'll buy them at full price. Or if they just remove it in general.

[AHA-Lambda]

Considering they are published by EA I doubt they will put them on steam :(

[Ennui]

lol the pirate community will not take very long to figure out a way around this (and any other form of copy protection they can come up with).

I'm buying Spore anyway.

[Krynn72]

When they do shit like this it makes the crackers in the pirating community want it even more. This will be cracked in under two weeks, and in even less time for the second game.

[PaoloM]

Pirates do what they do regardless of DRM. The copy protection of Mass Effect seems acceptable and painless, better than Bioshock's, so I am definitely buying the game.

[nurizeko]

Phew that was close, Spore woulda been my first EA purchase in years.

Bah, the long wait for it made me all but lose interest, this copy protection (read: misguided in-effective measure that only punishes legitimate users) has put me right off.


*flips EA the bird*

[Gargantou]

Spore should be bought and played online, anyone who disagrees is a chuuuuuuuuuuuuump

[Mutley]

I can't understand how this won't be cracked?

[Gray Fox]

It took them a year to crack splinter cell chaos theory, if this is like that I won't be happy.

[Druckles]

This really pissed me off when I saw it. Even thought back to something someone had said on here (I believe it was Evo) about the gaming industry starting to harm legitimate users of games. In fact, I read an article just yesterday about old game packaging. It mentioned some of the ridiculous copy protection measures like huge charts and wheels and manuals and stuff. At least that was fun.

It's not particularly bad for someone who has constant access to the internet, but there are a whole load of other issues and questions that it raises. If anything, I can envision this raising pirating of Spore more than anything.

Nice going, EA. Nice going.

[Eejit]

This really pissed me off when I saw it. Even thought back to something someone had said on here (I believe it was Evo) about the gaming industry starting to harm legitimate users of games. In fact, I read an article just yesterday about old game packaging. It mentioned some of the ridiculous copy protection measures like huge charts and wheels and manuals and stuff. At least that was fun.


Aaaah yeah, didn't some games like ask you questions about what's written in the manual and stuff?

There was one game a friend gave us, he'd lost the manual but had written down the answer for 1 question so we used to have to keep restarting the game until it asked that specific question.
Can't even remember what game it was anymore though...

[Gorgon]

NVIDIA games boss Roy Taylor believes we're at a point where he doesn't believe anyone could possibly justify pirating a PC game.

Speaking exclusively to Eurogamer, Taylor said it was "really unfair" to be stealing from and effectively killing the developers trying to keep the PC market alive.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=137500

[Krynn72]

Halflife2.net member Krynn72 believes we're at a point where he doesn't believe anyone could possibly justify putting malevolent protection on a PC game which only affects paying customers.

Speaking exclusively to halflife2.net, Krynn said it was "really unfair" to be harassing customers and effectively killing the the PC market that those same developers who are trying to keep alive.

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2632511&postcount=74

[PaoloM]

I am against draconian copy protection schemes, this is a fact. A lot of people complained about Bioshock but publishers keep using SecuROM, Starforce and so on. The logical conclusion is that these methods are somewhat effective and do work, because I don't think that 2K, EA and other publishers are so masochist to enjoy losing customers. Just a marketing deduction, no personal opinion involved.
(Bioshock, in fact, was a hit)

[DEATHMASTER]

I wish these damn companies would get their heads out of their asses.

[Alterego-X]

What is your problem, guys?

None of you have an Internet connection to register the game? :P


As a Spore fan, I find this idea annoying, like waking up too late, losing $2 on a bet, or having a headache, but nothing more.
It definitelly doesn't stop me from legally buying both games.

[Unfocused]

Give me a ****ing break.

It'll be the legit gamers that will face more problems due to this than those that will pirate the game - and it will be cracked in a matter of days.

[Krynn72]

What is your problem, guys?

The problem is that it wont stop piracy, and it will only get worse and worse for legitimate customers if publishers continue to push more and more ridiculously hindering and completely ineffective shit on their games in the name of "Anti-Piracy".

[Druckles]

Aaaah yeah, didn't some games like ask you questions about what's written in the manual and stuff?

There was one game a friend gave us, he'd lost the manual but had written down the answer for 1 question so we used to have to keep restarting the game until it asked that specific question.
Can't even remember what game it was anymore though...

Hah, yeah. I believe Simon the Sorceror did something similar. As did Exodus. They were epic. Just annoying if you lose the manual, for instance -_-

None of you have an Internet connection to register the game? :P

I don't think that's the issue. I think the issue is we don't want to have an internet connection to register the game every 10 days!

[Neutrino]

None of you have an Internet connection to register the game? :P

I don't have one at home. Kind of annoying as it makes the game unplayable for me.

[AHA-Lambda]

:laugh: at krynn's post

also yeah I find this quite bad for obvious reasons. It may not be as bad if it were like once a month or something but 10 days?! The thing is you know you have a problem when people who pay $60 or ?30 at a gamestore and then sit through this crap and people who pay nothing get a better experience.

I can't remember where I read it I think it was evo but it was found through sales that games with copy protection sold LESS than games that did (i.e. sins of a solar empire) and then comparisons were drawn to the music industry and the rise in now DRM free downloads

[Druckles]

I can't remember where I read it I think it was evo

Evo's blog, I believe. When in doubt, just blame Evo.

Oh... *points out your nice round numbered post count*

[ríomhaire]

There's no way I'm getting spore while I'm still on dial-up then.

[PaoloM]

There's no way I'm getting spore while I'm still on dial-up then.

I think that the revalidation process will involve some kind of fast on-the-fly connection, not a lengthy communication with a server.

[Shoes_Buttback03]

My PC can't take HL2 so Spore's out of the question. I'm just going to have to depend on the Wii version. Which probably wont come out until one or two years after the PC. Oh well I can wait.

[ríomhaire]

I think that the revalidation process will involve some kind of fast on-the-fly connection, not a lengthy communication with a server.
Still no. Having to log on to play is the single reason I didn't buy CoH: Opposing Fronts. I can just about bear Steam and the update process needed to play Bioshock but there is no way I'm going to be logging in online every few days/every time I want to play.

[A True Canadian]

This guy from the Mass Effect FAQ thread provided earlier by PaoloM (here (http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2632107&postcount=34)) sums up most of my thoughts:

The problem is that you need a constant internet connection. Going to be changing ISPs and without net access for a few weeks? Bye-bye to the games you've legitimately purchased. Going on holiday with your laptop? No games after a few days. Someone manages to clone your CD key? bye-bye to the game suddenly without any warning.

There's also the ethical point about something you've paid money for having to constantly keep phoning home to work. Despite me owning a copy of this game, BioWare will have the right at any time to render it unusable. Sorry, but when I've paid for a game, installed it and activated it, I object to a company having that much control over something I own. How about if you had to ring up Ford every time you wanted to go for a drive in order to get their permission to use your car?

Lastly, there's the knowledge that the pirates can just install the game and play it regardless of net connections or anything else. Meanwhile, there's all sorts of potential problems which I may run into as a legitimate customer which could prevent me from being able to play the game one day. That annoys me. Intensely.

I also stumbled across this blog entry about 5 ways to combat piracy here (http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1558). A snippet:

3. Offer a demo

Given the capricious nature of PC software, lots of gamers want to make sure a game is going to run on their particular setup before sinking $60 of non-recoverable money into it. I see lots of people who pirate a game ?just to try it out?. We all know how that?s going to go. They get into the game, hours become days, and pretty soon they?ve had a blast, beaten the game, but never got around to buying it.

Don?t turn curious customers into pirates by denying them a way to try the game before putting their money at risk. Don?t give them an excuse to download a BitTorrent client and figure out how it all works. Make sure that the only people who turn to that stuff are people who are intent on stealing. Remember that P2P file sharing feeds on itself. The more people doing it, the easier it is to find files and the faster they download. The more people you can turn legit, the fewer seeds there will be, the harder files will be to find, and the slower they will download. Get the inertia going in the right direction.

And there's still the problem of limiting 3 activations (installations on seperate PCs), which was one of my biggest issues back when Bioshock was released. In theory, Mass Effect, Spore, whichever, will only last me 3 PC generations. You'll be less likely to let your friends borrow these games because having them install it on their PCs uses up your activations. Sure you can probably call customer support and have them reactivate them, but we've all had nightmares there. And why should we add to our phone expenses to spend an hour talking to someone who doesn't speak english as a first language to try and arrange it so that we can play a game that we've already spent $60 on? :O

I also forsee the modding community being hampered by this as well. The question I have is would the online validation stuff still work if the in-game data has been altered?

[Kyorisu]

I also forsee the modding community being hampered by this as well. The question I have is would the online validation stuff still work if the in-game data has been altered?

The check is run at launch time and is part of the games executable and maybe an external .dll or two. Modifying game data (modding) would not break the copy protection.

[Kadayi]

The bigger concern with this DRM is how long will it actually be supported. What are the odds in 5 years they are still going to have the validation server up?

[Asus]

And game devs shouldn't have to protect their games from pirates, because people shouldn't pirate, yet people do it anyway.

Action and Consequence.Should devs/distributors be able to protect their investment? Sure.
BUT if pirates avoid annoying measures through cracked versions, why burden paying customers with them in retail copies? (talking about drastic measures and not basic copy protection to discourage easy copying)

Through those copy protection measures how many people will it actually draw to buy the game because of them? (wtf who would be drawn to that?) And then how many paying customers will they scare away to not pay?

Sounds like a desperate knee jerk reaction affecting the wrong people and splitting the player base. Opposite of such things as...steam...steamworks. Which was a smart direction by Valve. Why can't more companies think through the piracy issue and come out on top with some smart choices instead of distancing customers and the games devs want to sell them.

[PaoloM]

And then how many paying customers will they scare away to not pay?

We are aware of all this technical stuff, but the buying masses will simply get the game from the shelf without worrying too much. In my opinion the copy protection schemes are not affecting sales in a significant way. There are marketing directors up there in the gaming industry, and they are looking for gains, not losses.

[Gray Fox]

The bigger concern with this DRM is how long will it actually be supported. What are the odds in 5 years they are still going to have the validation server up?

They have said that in that case they will release a patch that lets it play without authentication.


In any case, why all the steam love here? just yesterday I tried to start steam in off line mode and it failed. If you have a game could you start up steam indefinitely in offline mode, because off line mode never worked perfectly for me, and the times it did work it worked for about a week until I had to connect to the internet, so as far as I know steam is worse.

[VirusType2]

Speaking exclusively to Eurogamer, Taylor said it was "really unfair" to be stealing from and effectively killing the developers trying to keep the PC market alive.
that's a load of crap. Call it what it is. They are trying to make some money. "trying to keep the PC market alive" - that is the biggest load of crap anyone in the industry has ever said. Trying to come off as some kind of savior. :rolleyes:

I had to tap into my neighbors internet connection in order to activate Bioshock.

I buy a few games a year, and I was planning on buying Mass Effect and Spore. After hearing this, I won't be buying either! Also not buying anything that uses Steam again. At least not anytime soon.


When a crack comes out for these 2 games, I might buy them and use the crack. I am against piracy, and don't have a reason to do it. It takes a long time to download, it's illegal, it doesn't reward good developers. I'd rather just buy a game and install it, and put the disc in a safe place. Having to have the disc in the drive really annoyed me, but I can understand that.

I've never pirated a game before, but the pirated version will be the only way I'll be able to play the game until there is a crack. I should have internet for a couple more months. Just in time to download them.

Hopefully the outrage will change their minds about this copy protection in advance, so that they don't do something so foolish.

I really feel bad at how much money they will lose for making this incomprehensibly stupid choice. But hey, after seeing threads like this, they have plenty of time to re-evaluate their copy protection scheme.


It's been said over and over, but this only hurts them, and their paying customers. I honestly don't believe that it will keep 1 (ONE) ****ing copy from being pirated. I honestly believe that it will start a wildfire. These games will be the number 1 and 2 most pirated games in history.

I am angry and feel betrayed.


Comparable to a friend that constantly accuses you of stealing something from them, every 10 days, even when you haven't

[AmishSlayer]

These games will be the number 1 and 2 most pirated games in history.

I don't know about that. TONS of people d/led Crysis as a benchmark.

[PaoloM]

In any case, why all the steam love here? just yesterday I tried to start steam in off line mode and it failed. If you have a game could you start up steam indefinitely in offline mode, because off line mode never worked perfectly for me, and the times it did work it worked for about a week until I had to connect to the internet, so as far as I know steam is worse.

Totally agreed. I love Steam and I have no problem admitting that it needs a fast internet connection to properly work (patches, fixes, updates, and so on). In my opinion Steam is very good and the protection of Mass Effect (as Bioware describes it) is not so worse.

[Teta_Bonita]

I'm tempted to pirate this now.

[Kyorisu]

Totally agreed. I love Steam and I have no problem admitting that it needs a fast internet connection to properly work (patches, fixes, updates, and so on). In my opinion Steam is very good and the protection of Mass Effect (as Bioware describes it) is not so worse.

Except.

1. Steam DRM works as of RIGHT NOW.
2. Mass Effect/Spore DRM has not been let loose in the wild yet.

Just look at how well the Bioshock launch went. Retail guys got screwed yet my Steam copy worked perfectly from the get go. Although both used the same copy protection (ignoring steam). the Steam version got it's updates from steam mirrors whilst the retail activation server died. How about the COH expansion that refused to take my legitimate key? I predict lots of rage when these games release.

[FishBulb]

I like how by using this every 10 days validation policy to try and stop piracy, it has instead provoked most of the members here to pirate it. :laugh:

[Druckles]

I can guarantee it will be no more difficult to obtain a pirated copy of spore than it would be of, say, Crysis. The biggest difference is I can play one without the internet, or risk of "banishment" after a certain time period. So which would I be more likely to pirate?

What the hell was wrong with CD keys, or registration keys? Damn, I miss them already!

[Zeus]

What the hell was wrong with CD keys, or registration keys? Damn, I miss them already!

Apparently it wasn't enough for them. I don't know what they were thinking by putting this in. I mean I have the internet connection so it wouldn't likely be a problem as far as activations go (for me at least, but it's still inconvenient for people), but they're not installing that secuROM rootkit on my PC. I'm not fattening a company's wallet who is going to treat PC gamers this way. They're taking this DRM stuff too far, they did it with Bioshock already, it seems like the only way to get them to stop is to hit them where it hurts, in their wallets.

[sea]

I'm really thinking about changing my mind with buying this game, actually. I've been thinking about it, and treating your paying customers like criminals while the pirates get away with the better game experience just doesn't sit right with me. It's not so much the authentication's frequency or limited installs (which I'm sure they'll get rid of eventually) that bug me, but just the principle of it.

Oh, and speaking of BioShock, it's only $26-30 these days. Maybe I should finally pick it up.

[Druckles]

I'm really thinking about changing my mind with buying this game, actually. I've been thinking about it, and treating your paying customers like criminals while the pirates get away with the better game experience just doesn't sit right with me. It's not so much the authentication's frequency or limited installs (which I'm sure they'll get rid of eventually) that bug me, but just the principle of it.

Oh, and speaking of BioShock, it's only $26-30 these days. Maybe I should finally pick it up.

It's a very good game, if not slightly repetitive in certain instances. The atmosphere of the place really was brilliant. At ?15GBP, I'd certainly buy it.

When I first read about this and Spore, I was incredibly disappointed. To the extent I considered not purchasing it. We should organise some form of "legal-gamers" protest. I think fancy-dress would be a must.

[Evo]

Don't go pointing fingers at me! Yeah I have done some writings on my own about these issues, but I think some of you are thinking about a Rock, Paper, Shotgun article which I then took and wrote a response to.

[PaoloM]

Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Knights Of The Old Republic... don't you think these guys need to be supported? Definitely buying Mass Effect.

[Alterego-X]

I like how by using this every 10 days validation policy to try and stop piracy, it has instead provoked most of the members here to pirate it. :laugh:

I think this is really overreacted.

Games are not politics. You don't have to protest against an idea, or boycott games, to control the market.

If you don't have an Internet connection at all, don't buy these games.
If you really think that these (btw great) games don't worth $50, don't buy them.


But refusing them just because when you start the game, SecuROM automatically checks online, if you have a vaild copy??? This is ridiculous!


This is what causes these systems, like SecuROM: Stupid people who pirate games with the first possible excuse.

If you pirate this game, they will invent something worse.
Yes, they are stupid, and it won't lead anywhere, but someone must stop it first.

[Wanted Bob]

The only problem is that Internet connections can come and go, whereas a disk with a code will be there forever (provided you take care of it).

[Asus]

But refusing them just because when you start the game, SecuROM automatically checks online, if you have a vaild copy??? This is ridiculous!I'd like to think I keep my PC clean of crap that can mess it up. And for those who don't mind pirating then that is a key factor to have their cake and eat it too. Personally, I just wouldn't play the game.

This is what causes these systems, like SecuROM: Stupid people who pirate games with the first possible excuse.

If you pirate this game, they will invent something worse.
Yes, they are stupid, and it won't lead anywhere, but someone must stop it first.But the thing is the pirates don't get stuck with the 'something worse'. They run the games without system checks and less bloat/annoying issues.
The solution to piracy seems to be like a chinese finger trap. And the gaming companies just keep pulling. Giving the paying customer more advanced copy protection. whoo hoo...

I've been thinking about it, and treating your paying customers like criminals while the pirates get away with the better game experience just doesn't sit right with me. It's not so much the authentication's frequency or limited installs (which I'm sure they'll get rid of eventually) that bug me, but just the principle of it.I agree. Although I'm sure the limited installs and such will piss off a few customers a great deal.

[PaoloM]

I'd like to think I keep my PC clean of crap that can mess it up.

I surely trust Bioware more than warez when it comes to safety. The last time I played a pirated game I was asked to do very weird things with my system. Piracy? Thank you but no, thank you.

[Kyorisu]

I surely trust Bioware more than warez when it comes to safety. The last time I played a pirated game I was asked to do very weird things with my system. Piracy? Thank you but no, thank you.

Care to elaborate? From what I gather you downloaded a very poor release. Generally it's mount, install, crack and play.

The only problem is that Internet connections can come and go, whereas a disk with a code will be there forever (provided you take care of it).

CDs and DVDs don't last forever. Good for 10 years or so and then who knows.

[Kyorisu]

/bloody hell double post.

[PaoloM]

Care to elaborate? From what I gather you downloaded a very poor release. Generally it's mount, install, crack and play.

I had to use Daemon Tools, and we know that DT use rootkit technology. Are we fighting SecuROM-rootkit with other rootkits? ;)
The Tools caused my cdrom to malfunction because of a low-level driver issue. I am tech savvy and computers are my job but in that particular case I was not skilled enough to solve the mess. I had to reinstall.

[Kyorisu]

I had to use Daemon Tools, and we know that DT use rootkit technology.

Proof? Oh wait you don't have any. In the case of daemon tools you know what you are installing and if not you better uninstall it and start to inform yourself about what you are installing before you do that for any further software you want to use. Besides Daemon tools isn't the only program capable of mounting images.

The Tools caused my cdrom to malfunction because of a low-level driver issue. I am tech savvy and computers are my job but in that particular case I was not skilled enough to solve the mess. I had to reinstall.

Again proof? I've never seen such a thing happen and I can pretty much guarantee you cannot reproduce the problem. Now tell me how can you rate this untested DRM any higher than what you've experienced? It could cause any matter of conflicts with your system. As opposed to people putting things up at there own detriment. they get nothing out of it

[PaoloM]

Again proof? I've never seen such a thing happen and I can pretty much guarantee you cannot reproduce the problem.

Proof? I don't think I have to prove anything. We are discussing, this is not a trial. ;)

[Kyorisu]

Proof? I don't think I have to prove anything. We are discussing, this is not a trial. ;)

Well it's hard for me to believe what you say without proof now isn't it? Calling warez unsafe just because you had a couple of conflicts with software which could have been caused by a whole bunch of things other than that software itself such as your rom drive. Who's to say this new DRM won't cause any problems?

[PaoloM]

Calling warez unsafe just because you had a couple of conflicts with software which could have been caused by a whole bunch of things other than that software itself such as your rom drive. Who's to say this new DRM won't cause any problems?

Well, I don't want to be the defender of the law 'cause the market has its faults and we have every right to criticize it, but talking about software piracy I will never hold a position to defend, justify or promote it. Piracy is bad. It's a crime and it undermines the production of games and applications.
This is my starting point for every discussion.

Note: as for my issue with DT, I really had it but I am not using that to attack piracy. Piracy is bad on its own.

[Neo_Kuja]

More worrisome is that the Technical Producer doesn't even know the specifications and effect of the security software he's putting on the disk ! :

http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=628375&forum=125&sp=15

Quote: Posted 05/03/08 20:00 (GMT) by Delerius_Jedi

Hmm, what information specifically is transmitted here, Derek? Is it just the CD key or are things like system information also transmitted?

__________________________________________________________________________

Off hand, I do not know. Its the CD Key and a unique machine identifier of some type. Its the same system that SecuROM has been using for digital activation for years (if you have purchased through Direct2Drive, etc, they all use this same SecuROM system). We used the exact same system for Jade Empire PC when purchased through the BioWare Store.

Another rootkey infestation on my PC, or a hidden application which sends out my PC specs to the databanks of EA without my knowing it ? No thanks.

[99.vikram]

I'll be sure to pirate this. I've had it with backfiring anti-piracy measures that keep me from playing games.

[VirusType2]

Just to be more clear - I will never buy a game that requires an internet connection for any reason other than to actually use the internet for online play.

And I was thinking about this . Fuc* you very much.

[Gargantou]

VirusType2, that still doesn't justify piracy, it does NOT justify copying another persons work without their permission, seeing as no-one is forcing you to get the game, if you don't want a game that requires an internet connection for any other reason than multiplayer, then don't get the game.

But I know all too well how warezers find any excuse they can to try to justify their immoral actions.

[Cormeh]

I will never buy a game that requires an internet connection for any reason other than to actually use the internet for online play.
You never bought Half Life 2? ;)

[VirusType2]

VirusType2, that still doesn't justify piracy, it does NOT justify copying another persons work without their permission, seeing as no-one is forcing you to get the game, if you don't want a game that requires an internet connection for any other reason than multiplayer, then don't get the game.

But I know all too well how warezers find any excuse they can to try to justify their immoral actions.

as I said in another thread, I've never pirated a game, yet this actually does give me a reason to. There is no way I can play these games without at least a crack to bypass online checks.


But if I don't have internet anymore - for example, a friend from work I may be moving in with doesn't have internet, and it's her house, and I don't know how long I'll be there, so I won't be having internet installed.

I move around a lot, and I've been lucky to have internet access in my past couple residences.. ever, since I have never actually had it installed, and never have had to pay for it yet.


I had planned on buying both as soon as they come out. I make $500 a week and $350 of that is spending or saving money.

I have no reason to steal a video game, when my addiction is satisfied with a couple games a year... No reason to steal one, until now. These are the games I want, yet because of their 'piracy protection' I am not allowed to play a game that I would pay $50 for, even just offline.

Their 'piracy protection' doesn't make sense since I would have the disc in the drive to play them. Doesn't that prove I'm not a pirate?


And sure, I could just not buy the games. In fact that's what I'm going to do. And now you see why I'm pissed. Hardly any good PC games, and the only good ones require internet. Well **** that. People don't pay over $350 for a video card when there aren't any good games for.

And **** consoles too while I'm at it. Give me a huge slot to stick my huge cock in, so I can do just that. They have so many other useless expansion ports, why not a cock slot?


I will never buy a game that requires an internet connection for any reason other than to actually use the internet for online play.
You never bought Half Life 2?


I bought HL2 because I had an internet connection, and I knew I was going to live there for a few years. I will never again buy a steam game.

[Blackthorn]

Am I the only one that doesn't see a problem with this? I'm always connected to the internet, and if you're not then here's a box of tissues and an R.E.M. CD.

[PimpinPenguin]

So we the legit customers have to prove we are not criminals every 10 days and we have to rely on EA to play the game as they are in charge of the Servers. Are you kidding me, **** it anyway i'am gonna download it since you feel i'am i pirate i might as well be one, least then i know the game will work. It's a very sad day when the pirated version works better than the legit version.

[Gargantou]

Technically its not the pirated version, seeing as warezed games aren't usually installed pre-cracked, you have to install the game which is an ordinary copy of the game in question, THEN you apply a crack, you can just as well buy the regular game, install it, then apply crack, thus you both spare yourself from the copyprotection system, but you still give the devs your money.

[VictimOfScience]

Yay! They have decided to stop this crap because we yelled so loudly over teh webnets!!
Ten-day regular activation silliness dropped; one-time activation implemented, re-activation required when official mods installed; one-time activation removes need to have DVD in drive while playing.

There has been a lot of discussion in the past few days on how the security requirements for Mass Effect for PC will work. BioWare, a division of EA, wants to let fans know that Mass Effect will not require 10- day periodic re-authentication.

BioWare has always listened very closely to its fans and we made this decision to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience to them. To all the fans including our many friends in the armed services and internationally who expressed concerns that they would not be able re-authenticate as often as required, EA and BioWare want you to know that your feedback is important to us.

The solution being implemented for Mass Effect for the PC changes copy protection from being key disc based, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive, to a one time online authentication.

Whinging works, who'd have thunk it?


Source. (http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/38570/Draconian-Mass-Effect-DRM-Removed)

Good Penny Arcade about it before it changed:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2008/20080509.jpg

[PimpinPenguin]

I also hear that EA are also going to drop the 10 day activation in Spore as well, thank God for that. Seems they have learned their lesson, I'm definatly going to buy Mass Effect now :)

[Ren.182]

I also hear that EA are also going to drop the 10 day activation in Spore as well, thank God for that. Seems they have learned their lesson, I'm definatly going to buy Mass Effect now :)

Yup, seems like that's what they've done.
Instead it will check the game is legit everytime yo do something online (i.e. download a new creature/building/car or upload one etc.)

You can also play the game without a disk due to this.

http://kotaku.com/5008454/spore-to-use-online-authentication

[Zeus]

They still have the 3 computers limit like bioshock though, so I still won't be buying. Maybe next time they should just go with steam

[Sir Phoenixx]

They still have the 3 computers limit like bioshock though, so I still won't be buying. Maybe next time they should just go with steam

It's actually 5 computers, simultaneously, for Bioshock. And unless you're going to share your game with all of your neighbors, this limit is irrelevant to you.

[sea]

Well, supposedly patches will get rid of the install limit later on; they're just doing it initially to combat early piracy by stopping the same CD keys from being used over and over. A one-time activation is no problem at all in my book. EA and BioWare have made the right decision, though it's unfortunate they had to garner so much negative press to do it.

[Zeus]

Well, supposedly patches will get rid of the install limit later on; they're just doing it initially to combat early piracy by stopping the same CD keys from being used over and over. A one-time activation is no problem at all in my book. EA and BioWare have made the right decision, though it's unfortunate they had to garner so much negative press to do it.

Source? (about the install limit patch)

It's actually 5 computers, simultaneously, for Bioshock. And unless you're going to share your game with all of your neighbors, this limit is irrelevant to you.

Well I'm going to be upgrading my computer soon and don't feel like going over the install limit due to reformats and having to call up EA begging for permission to play a game that I already paid $50 for. And in the early days of Bioshock's release a lot of paying customers went over the install limit from reformats, installing on their laptop, ect called up securom who basically said call 2k who basically said go call securom and in general were just met with abysmal customer support.

[Jintor]

Mass Effect PC for life.

Hope the copypastaprotection a) works or b) doesn't work, depending on what exactly it is that I want.

It seems likely to me though that it will be cracked within days (hours) and will only inconvenience actual customers.

[Lucid]

Faith is restored!

[Javert]

Why, hello Mass Effect, again.

[Asus]

It's actually 5 computers, simultaneously, for Bioshock. And unless you're going to share your game with all of your neighbors, this limit is irrelevant to you.I'm not positive but I heard that if you don't uninstall properly (deactivate) or something that it takes up one of those installs each time. Such as a hard drive loss or if you reformat a few times.

[PaoloM]

I was positive about the 10 days activations and I am really positive now. Bioware deserves our support. Anyway, we are now talking about the same copy protection of Bioshock, right? It was not well received, if you remember 2K forums on the release days. Are we starting to accept it?

[VirusType2]

Putting the News on this page too.

Quote:
Ten-day regular activation silliness dropped; one-time activation implemented, re-activation required when official mods installed; one-time activation removes need to have DVD in drive while playing.

There has been a lot of discussion in the past few days on how the security requirements for Mass Effect for PC will work. BioWare, a division of EA, wants to let fans know that Mass Effect will not require 10- day periodic re-authentication.

BioWare has always listened very closely to its fans and we made this decision to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience to them. To all the fans including our many friends in the armed services and internationally who expressed concerns that they would not be able re-authenticate as often as required, EA and BioWare want you to know that your feedback is important to us.

The solution being implemented for Mass Effect for the PC changes copy protection from being key disc based, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive, to a one time online authentication.

Whinging works, who'd have thunk it?



Am I the only one that doesn't see a problem with this? I'm always connected to the internet, and if you're not then here's a box of tissues and an R.E.M. CD.

Maybe your Mom will pay for my internet too. :hmph:


I know...

... Maybe I'll move in with your momma, and be your step Daddy. Guess what the first rule will be? No internet for you, my red-headed step-child!



Seriously I could use those tissues right now. Thinking about doing your mom has got me all worked up.


BTW what REM CD is it that you are giving me? :angel:



Hopefully the outrage will change their minds about this copy protection in advance, so that they don't do something so foolish.

I really feel bad at how much money they will lose for making this incomprehensibly stupid choice. But hey, after seeing threads like this, they have plenty of time to re-evaluate their copy protection scheme.

I like to think I personally changed their policy. I am that ****ing awesome that I can do shit like that. I'm just joking. It takes more than a 10 page thread on Halflife2.net/forums to change it. I'm certain there were similar threads all over the internet.

Regardless, do you know why they changed their mind? Because we cried about it in a way that makes sense. Outrage!


Anyway. Sweet news. REALLY Looking forward to playing these games. :D

[Gargantou]

Erm, afaik they only announced a change to their policy for Mass Effect, not for Spore.

Anyway, I'm dissappointed in you VirusType2, resorting to making insulting comments regarding people not in any way related to the argument(Such as GreatBlackThorns parents).

But then again, I sometimes forget you were the same guy that made posts bragging about your "HUGE DOOM3 MOD!!111" :)

[Kadayi]

Well I'm going to be upgrading my computer soon and don't feel like going over the install limit due to reformats and having to call up EA begging for permission to play a game that I already paid $50 for. And in the early days of Bioshock's release a lot of paying customers went over the install limit from reformats, installing on their laptop, ect called up securom who basically said call 2k who basically said go call securom and in general were just met with abysmal customer support.

Well if you're so technically inept it's going to take you about 5 attempts to install windows to successfully upgrade your machine, perhaps you should maybe not install Mass Effect until after you happy your PC is working properly, rather than the first thing you do. :dozey:

Also if you don't like the notion of having to call EA up to validate your game, you going to really enjoy having to validate your OS once you go past the 3rd install of that. :rolleyes:

[AHA-Lambda]

Erm, afaik they only announced a change to their policy for Mass Effect, not for Spore.


No they've went back on it for spore as well.

http://kotaku.com/5008454/spore-to-use-online-authentication

[Gargantou]

Oh, that's great.:)

Maybe EA ain't so bad afterall.

[Jintor]

Maybe EA ain't so bad afterall.

OHSHI-

[CR0M]

Good grief, some of youz guys are so naive. This is a blatant popularity ploy.

1 Suddenly point an empty gun at peasant's head and say 'you're dead, mellonfarmer'
2 Let peasant cry and beg for a bit
3 Lower gun and say 'well gee now i'm all choked up too, tell you what i'll let you live'
4 Stand back and watch peasant worship the peanuts in your shit
5 Make mental note to shoot peasant next year

Also works well in Rio de janeiro and English politics.

[sea]

Good grief, some of youz guys are so naive. This is a blatant popularity ploy.

1 Suddenly point an empty gun at peasant's head and say 'you're dead, mellonfarmer'
2 Let peasant cry and beg for a bit
3 Lower gun and say 'well gee now i'm all choked up too, tell you what i'll let you live'
4 Stand back and watch peasant worship the peanuts in your shit
5 Make mental note to shoot peasant next year

Also works well in Rio de janeiro and English politics.EA is far too big and far too intelligent to think that absolute shit publicity (leading to thousands of canceled preorders for their biggest games) is good publicity.

[nurizeko]

Awesome news, I get to play Spore after all.

Goes to show someone in EA looked over the copy protection and was paying attention and not in moron mode.

[VirusType2]

Anyway, I'm dissappointed in you VirusType2, resorting to making insulting comments regarding people not in any way related to the argument(Such as GreatBlackThorns parents).
it's a joke. Your mom is so fat, your mom is so stupid, your mom is so ugly, etc. Big deal, I was joking with him. Me and my friends do yo' momma jokes all day at work. I was messing with Blackthorn as a friend.

But you wouldn't know anything about friends since you literally don't have any, and it's your own fault because you haven't made an effort to make any.

You are offended because you wanted to be offended. You have been trolling me since I joined this forum less than a month after you did. If he had a problem with it, don't you think he can say so himself? Or are you just looking for an excuse to insult me? Thought so.


But then again, I sometimes forget you were the same guy that made posts bragging about your "HUGE DOOM3 MOD!!111" :)
/Facepalm

ahhh no. You don't know the definition of the word bragging. Bragging is what you do.


This is you bragging in the other thread named "Should I buy a 360 or PS3?"

Here is roughly what you said -

"I've got all 3 game systems and a computer that costs 1000's of pounds" "They cost 1000's of pounds, and I bought them myself,with my own money" "why can't everyone just buy all 3 game systems + a 1000's of pounds computer."



My 'Doom mod!!!a1111" as you put it, is something I've showed off (maybe two years ago) to get feedback and generate interest. I used positive comments to inspire me to keep working on it. It required thousands of hours of mostly difficult and tedious work and it was my first ever attempt at a game mod, so I was proud of it. But you wouldn't know about work since you get your money for free.

I was obsessed with it, and spent all of my free time working on it for many months. When you spend all your free time doing something, for months on end, what else will you have to talk about?



You don't appreciate anything. That's why you don't respect my work, you waste your money on redundant game systems, and disrespect me at every opportunity, and I don't ****ing appreciate it.


BTW you are wrong, Spore's anti-piracy policy has been changed as well.

I do not want you to reply to me again. Please put me on ignore now.

[Kyorisu]

And the winner of the internet tough guy award goes to...

[VirusType2]

How's this: I will punch your face repeatedly until it looks like a rotted apricot.

It's like revenge of the nerds around here. ****ing christ.


anyone else have a vendetta?

[Jintor]

I have a pen. Does that count?

[Kyorisu]

It's like revenge of the nerds around here. ****ing christ.

Indeed and unless it isn't perfectly clear by now berating people on forums isn't a very productive way to be spending your time people.

As for the topic at hand I have no problem with internet copy protection schemes as long as they are flexible enough to suit my needs without interrupting my ability to play, even steam fails here. For the sake of argument let's say new ground breaking game X comes with copy protection Y. I create an account on the game publishers server and link my CD-Key to it, the game launches and connects to the server with my credentials and verifies I own the game. Now here's the part copy protection fails. When I try to play the game offline a connection to the auth server will fail. Logically the protection system then should scan the cached encrypted data which contains my credentials and all the games I own for offline use. I should be able to remain offline for weeks at a time and still play the game without being hassled.

So yes the game will check the auth server every time you are online and confirm all your details and the list of games you own. For example you add the CD-Key for another game but don't play it straight away. When launching an older title the copy protection confirms you can play that and notices new license information for the key you added earlier. Now you can launch the new game offline first time. This system would be cracked pretty quickly but for the legitimate consumer it doesn't burden them and will always allow them to play their games as long as they connect to the auth server once for every game they add. You can mix this with systems that provide patches to legitimate consumers only for example.

[Gargantou]

Do you wanna know the most funny part? VirusType2 added me to his FRIENDS LIST, while at the same time telling me to ignore him.:)

Kinda ironic, sorta like slapping someone in the face then saying "HEY LETS BE FRIENDS!"

[Kyorisu]

Do you wanna know the most funny part? VirusType2 added me to his FRIENDS LIST, while at the same time telling me to ignore him.:)

Kinda ironic, sorta like slapping someone in the face then saying "HEY LETS BE FRIENDS!"

Accident mayhap? Anyway I can be your friend :) but you probably wouldn't want to be the type of friend I'm after ;)

[Gargantou]

Depends on if you're willing to use lubricants or not.;)

[VirusType2]

I was trying to send an enemy request.

[Danimal]

How's this: I will punch your face repeatedly until it looks like a rotted apricot.

It's like revenge of the nerds around here. ****ing christ.


anyone else have a vendetta?

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Bad^Hat]

I was trying to send an enemy request.
Not to jump on a bandwagon or anything, but this is like the gayest thing ever. It's like passing a note in class that says "Do you hate me? Y/N."

[VirusType2]

Not to jump on a bandwagon or anything, but this is like the gayest thing ever. It's like passing a note in class that says "Do you hate me? Y/N."
I just sent you one too.

Is this awesome? Y/N

[Lucid]

Hey, yeah, so um... how about that Mass Effect and Spore eh?

[VirusType2]

Hey, yeah, so um... how about that Mass Effect and Spore eh?

I was wondering if I'll be able to enjoy Spore without having a reliable internet access. I should still have 'net long enough for the game to come out so I activate it, but beyond that it's really up in the air.

Like what all can you do? I hear you download content? What about the ability to play the game? It's an offline game though right? The internet is used for sharing files or multiplayer, or what?

[Gargantou]

It's an "MMOSPG", A Massively Multiplayer Online SinglePlayer Game, you don't HAVE to have internet to be able to actually enjoy the game afaik, but it sure helps, seeing as Spore was designed around the concept of shared user generated content.

[Alterego-X]

I was wondering if I'll be able to enjoy Spore without having a reliable internet access. I should still have 'net long enough for the game to come out so I activate it, but beyond that it's really up in the air.

Like what all can you do? I hear you download content? What about the ability to play the game? It's an offline game though right? The internet is used for sharing files or multiplayer, or what?

Spore is a "Massively Singleplayer Online" game, as the developers called it.

After the registration, you can play with the game without having an Internet connection at all.

You can create your own content, play through the gameplay phases, and interact with other species that the developers made before the release, and they put on the disc.

If you have an Internet connection, you can use the "Sporepedia", an Online, in-game content browser, where you can download other players' creations. (The system is said to be similar to MySpace and other user-orientated sites)

Theoratically you can download thousands of creaturs in an hour, turn off the Internet, and play with them for years, offline.


There is no traditional multiplayer in the game.

[Wanted Bob]

No they've went back on it for spore as well.

http://kotaku.com/5008454/spore-to-use-online-authentication

Great News :D

It still uses authentification, but only when you are online, so I am down with that :)

[Krynn72]

The last two pages give me hope for the future of PC gaming. Im back on the buying side for these games now!

[Kyorisu]

I'll be getting Spore or should I say I'll be forced to get Spore. No matter what happens I'll have to buy the damn thing to stop a certain person from eating me alive.