Hurlshort

I think it's available on Fileplanet as well.

Actually the only reason I got involved in the thread is because a couple posters were clearly hinting that piracy is the solution to DRM problems. I think that's utterly idiotic and morally bankrupt. I support DRM protests. I also would be willing to actively go after EA to improve their customer support. But yeah, some folks are like broken records on this forum. Every Spore and ME thread doesn't need a post about how they are not getting it because of DRM. We got it when you made a topic about it.

Geez. They are just games, people. I'm not sure why you take them so seriously. What's the issue with consoles, anyway? I just don't understand why, if you enjoy playing games, you would put so many limits on which ones you can play.

I wouldn't worry about getting a fourth activation either if it were done like in Bioshock's and Two World's case - swift and with expediency while the supporting staff did it with a smile. Judging from the tales of the EA support on the bioware boards EA support is pretty much clueless about what they're doing - at least in the US. If you don't get a supervisor, your chances are very slim getting more activations than three. Another thing is that further activations are given out by 'a vse by case basis'. This actually means that a support staff can deny you the right to play the game you have paid good (and much) monbey for to play. If you want to set up multiple accounts on sporepedia you can't. You have to buy a game for each of the accounts - after you have registered (or activated) the game online. I'm happy that you don't have any problems; families with children do, however. Actually my daughter and wife both play the game. We use the same account. If they were dead set on their own, I'd happily purchase a separate copy. As is, I don't see why you need more than one account unless you want to play at the same time on different computers, which again would make me purchase another copy. I understand that the manual said you could have more than one account, but that was obviously a mistake. They happen. EA having bad customer support is a problem. But it's a problem that enough customer complaints will help change. This is what I'm saying: EA has committed to DRM. They clearly aren't abandoning it. It is not a battle that a few people who haven't bought the product can win. The battle for better customer support is much more reasonable. Customers can win this battle. You have paid money for the game, you should expect a certain level of service. Companies don't like to see their paying customers deluging them with complaints. EA can change their customer support, it's a much simpler process than totally reworking their DRM policies.

So I've installed Spore, and I've noticed nothing out of the ordinary. I really think folks are a bit over-dramatic about this DRM stuff. If I need to install it four times, I'll have to call EA. That seems like a fairly minor problem. I think people should get on their case about getting a toll free number and stop complaining about the DRM.

I like endings that wrap up plot lines, like Fallout. Quest for Glory I and IV were awesme, it was a big party at the end. Hitman: Blood Money had a sweet ending too.

Free? We have junior colleges, which are much cheaper, but nothing is free in this world.

You lost my interest there. Really? They did put Firefly on the air.

You have to head into the Central Valley to find what would be called a college town. San Louis Obisbo to the South, Chico to the North. Fresno isn't too far. You can get student loans to cover rent. It's easier to get it if you live in the dorms, but then again the dorms are often more expensive. And student loans are really not a bad way to go. The interest rates are miniscule, you have forever to pay them off, and you don't start paying until 6 months after you stop being a student.

It's hard to look at the Dawson's Creek kid and buy into his 199 IQ. But I really like the mad scientist, so I'm willing to watch the season and see if it improves. The lead female is a bit meh as an actress (is she trying for Jodi Foster?) but she's not atrocious.

I worked as a security guard in college. It was a great gig, about $10 and I got a lot of time for reading. Many security companies do not use guns. You just patrol around buildings and call the police if anything suspicious happens.

I think you overestimate your numbers.

I think I make like $50 an hour. I'm not really sure, but that sounds about right. That way I can limit myself to about 7 hours at work and take a bunch of time off. So go get a job that pays twice as much slug. Simple

Damn, why is this so common with EA sports games? You should be able to return it to the store.

Heh, comparing video game prices to movie ticket prices makes me realize how good we have it! "Don't think twice about the $5 you're blowin'"

That's why Pandora was so great. It introduced me to all sorts of new bands of similar style and genre. I actually started buying new albums again when I listened to Pandora. And then the music industry went and sued them out of existence. Honestly the entertainment industry is its own worst enemy. As much as people like Hurlshot try to paint them as the victim, I just don't feel it. On that note, I suggest people use of this before purchasing music in future: http://www.riaaradar.com/ You'd be surprised how many artists don't fall under the thumb of the RIAA. Just because someone is extremely wealthy doesn't mean it is ok to go in and steal little stuff from them. The issue really isn't about the victim, it's about the perpetrator. When you pirate, you are committing a crime. There is no moral justification for it. This is entertainment stuff, you don't need it to live or survive. It is theft, plain and simple. I'm very supportive of going after publishers and the music industry in order to get them to change their faulty business plans. I'm not a supporter of DRM when it complicates life for the consumer. But piracy is not the way to battle it. edit: For Gorgon and anyone else, it's Gametap.

Does anyone take issue with the DRM used by the MP3 stores that offer unlimited music for a flat monthly fee? Or is that not considered DRM? I haven't bought a CD for myself in over two years. Krezack, it really sounds like you are trying hard to justify piracy. All your arguments fail to convince me that it isn't theft.

A Series of Unfortunate Events is well written. The humor is very dry. It's difficult to judge fully, given that he's been writing for children, but I think it will be serviceable at worst. That being said, you really can't replace an author. But I don't think that's the goal here, it's probably more of a tribute.

As I said earlier, it was the financial catalyst to the genre. Wolf3D was great, but it didn't sell millions. There were also FPS games before Wolf3D, but none achieved any recognizable fame. The guys at id all bought Ferrari's after Doom hit it big (ok, maybe not all, but I remember two of them did!.) It raked in major moolah for them. Every genre needs a financial catalyst. Sure, Dune II might be the first RTS game, but Command and Conquer kicked the genre into the big time.

They can also deny you a new code if you do not prove to them that you actually own the game. Also its not a toll free number. Its long distance for everyone except those who live in the call center's local area. They like to put you on hold as well. I assume you prove you own the game by giving the key, so I don't know why that would be an issue. I've dealt with a lot of customer support folks and I've never had an issue where they "don't believe me". Customer support people aren't trained to be detectives. Not having a toll free number does seem to be a problem, I'm surprised a huge company like EA would have that issue. That sounds like something the customers might actually be able to fight to change, rather than this fruitless attempt at wrestling with DRM. I'd sign a petition for an EA Customer Support toll free number.

It's a little more complicated than that, and the new codes are given out on a "case by case basis." You mean like when I re-install Windows? Because case-by-case means I give them the old code, they give me a new one, and the story ends right there. I really think people are making mountains out of mole hills here.

So wait...after the 3 installs, you just need to call in and get a new code? That doesn't seem all that draconian.

I couldn't disagree more. Doom created the FPS market. Before Doom, you had a couple shareware titles that raked in a few bucks. Doom was a huge financial success in a market dominated by adventure games.

Huh, you're about 2 hours from me too. Central Valley is a tough place to be right now, the housing market slump affects everything out there. What level of education do you have? What type of job do you want?

I think so. I actually didn't turn it on until about 15 minutes in. It didn't get good until the mad scientist showed up. The other show I caught the pilot for was Sons of Anarchy. I don't like it. The main guy is terrible, he walks weird, and he's probably going to smoke around his premature newborn son. I can't watch that trash. The supporting cast is great, but it's not enough.