ramza

I just hope they will release a securom-free version...

My point of view: Or is it the limited activations? You do know that you can get those back, right? That is yet one more problem. To get those activations back, I need to install an extra program and do additional maneuvers. Why? I just want to play a game in peace. Just for one game, I need to install 2 extra program: the deactivation tool and the securom removal tool. Isn't that a bit too much?

Actually, there are workarounds but it is too much hassle for a game. I could use a crack, delete the paul.dll file and then uninstall securom with the official removal tool but why bother? I am just asking to play a game, not do all these things. I'd rather boycott the company that uses such DRM. It's just that I had a slight hope that things could be simpler and that I could play the game without having to go through any uninstallation. My problem with Securom is mainly about its intrusiveness and the compatibility problems it creates (Nero and other programs not working). Give me a good reason to install that crap on my pc.

Thumbs up, Obsidian! http://www.reclaimyourgame.com/index.php?o...8&Itemid=20

Mmmm, I have searched everywhere but there is absolutely no way to disable Securom while installing Mass Effect. Too bad... I just hope they will bundle Mass effect 1 and 2 and remove the drm for the first game...

The thing is that some people don't realize that not everyone has access to the internet, and usually this is not by choice. Even in western european countries, there's approximately 40% of the population that doesn't have access to it. So, unless things change, game developers should offer an alternative. Oh, and don't go telling me these people don't even have a pc. Many of them have but cannot afford to pay a monthly internet fee. In other cases, they live in some remote place where there is no possibility for them to have an internet connection. The world is not as developed as you may think...

Well, I have heard that using a crack will prevent the game from using up an activation. So, I guess Securom is rendered useless that way. I may be wrong though... I just don't want to install that freakish thing on my pc without being able to completely remove it later on. NWN2 uses Securom too but it's a softer version, if I might say so. The one in Mass effect is more aggressive. The problem is that if it installs itself along with the game, there's no way to play the game without putting that thing on your pc.

If I need a Steam account, I won't be buying that game. What happened to the old times when you simply had to purchase a game and insert the CDs to simply be able to play it?

I haven't heard of anything like that. I guess something like that is possible with every DRM out there, but that doesn't seem to happen often. Don't know about uninstalling securom, why you would even want to do that? The next securom game you install will just reinstall it again, and what harm does it do if it is there? The securom in ME works like this: When you install ME and start it up, it needs internet connection so it can validate and activate your copy. After that it doesn't do anything, you don't even need the DVD to play. But if you reinstall ME, windows or change some component in your PC, it needs to activate again. You have 5 activations you can use, so you can install ME on 5 different PC's at the same time. There is also a tool that you can use to deactivate ME to get that activation you have used back. So, does this mean that using a crack .exe will disable Securom?

I know, I have asked this question again. I keep seeing that copy of Mass effect that sits on my local store's shelves. For 15 euros, it could be mine but I am afraid of installing this specific version of Securom. From what I have read on the web, it is especially aggressive and may block certain programs for no particular reason. Moreover, there's no way to uninstall it even with the official tool provided on the Securom website. What do you think guys? Is there some way to prevent this from happening while enjoying the game?

I found Empire for 30 euros at my local store. Should I buy it or is it buggy as hell? Will there be an expansion that will include the latest patch?

does you got mods/fixes? we got no genuine advice save for what we always hears first from the tech-heads when a strange bug pops up so long after release: remove all mods. HA! Good Fun! You are actually right! Thanks!

I have exactly the same problem as the guy in the thread I link below. Is there a way to fix this? It prevents me from finishing the game. Thanks in advance! http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewt...5&forum=116

World Championship Decks are specially packaged versions of the top 4 decks used at the Magic World Championships. The cards are gold-bordered versions of the cards in each competitor's deck and stamped with that player's autograph. http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/World...mpionship_Decks My friends do play occasionally in tournaments but I wouldn't call them hardcore gamers either. Precon vs precon sounds nice but there are more than 150 theme decks out there. I have decided to ignore the 40 card decks. The 60 card decks that belong to expansion sets seem rather weak compared to the Duel sets. I will make a one-time purchase and never bother with new sets of Mtg. I simply view this as a board game. If I am not competitive enough for my friends, I will just tell them to play with the decks I have.

I really want to skip the deck-building aspect of the game. I have no time for this. I just need solid decks for casual play during the weekends. I might go exclusively for the Duel decks, the Planechase decks (they just got released), the Beatdown and Deckmasters box sets. They seem to be strong enough and able to provide some challenge. Moreover, there is something that I didn't mention: I might want to occasionally play with some of my friends who are deckbuilders. I don't know how strong their decks are compared to those I want to buy, but I am sure I won't be an easy target with those decks. On the other hand, the other precon decks seem rather weak (with only 2 rares each). I was thinking of buying the championship decks but these are recommended for medium level players like me. What do you think of my plans?

So, the best family value investment would be to get the Duel decks instead of the precon theme/intro decks. The Duel decks seem to have more rare cards compared to any individual theme deck, so it may be worth buying them. The thing is that they are pretty expensive. I noticed that my local shop doesn't have the older sets. I found on ebay Elves vs Goblins for 40 dollars (shipping included). Is it worth the money? It should cost me around 28 euros. Same goes for the other 2 Duel decks... Mmmm, tough choices... Maybe I should go for the 40 card single color theme decks from the core sets (7th to 10th editions)... Replayability is a must for me. For example, in my first game, I will use deck A vs deck B. In a second session, I will try deck A vs deck C and so on. My decks need to be quite solid so as to offer some challenge for both parties and I want to have a decent number of decks so as to add variety. Many people tell me that the precon theme decks are weak though...

Mmm, I am quite lost here. I don't know if I should go with single colored 40 card decks or go with the more complex mixed-colored 60 card decks. I have thought about getting the duel decks but there is something bothering me: they are sold for 25 euros each. At the same price, I get 4 or 5 decks from any of the expansion sets. Moreover, I don't know if it is possible to mix up the duel decks among them (for example: goblins vs demons). Have you check the card lists from the Urza theme decks (see the wikipedia link listed above)? Are they strong enough or are they simply average? Generally speaking, do theme decks only play well against decks from the same expansion set or can they compete with decks from other sets as well. It's really tough deciding what to buy... The shop even has the famous championship decks (those used by the finalists in the tournaments)... I don't want to get crappy decks and want them to have some decent rares. I want my sessions to be challenging and interesting. The more decks I will be having, the more variety it will add to my games. http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/World...mpionship_Decks http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/Duel_Decks http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/Theme...econstructed%29 Thanks for the advice anyway!

Actually, I will be skipping the collectible aspect of the game. I will just be buying some preconstructed decks and keep playing with those with my family mainly just as if it was a board game. The thing is that I do not know which decks to choose as there are more than 100! I just need strong ones and about 12-20 of them just to have some variety. We will be using different decks each time.

You definitely have a Super Dog! Treat it well!

I have heard a couple ghost stories: 1) Some friend of mine was studying in Oxford (UK) and was living in some old house with other students. He claims that there were strange things happening there like hearing voices or being pushed away by some mysterious force. The last straw that made him leave the place was when he was typing an essay on his pc. He saw at some point in front of him some guy/spirit from the Victorian period. He instantly left the place. My friend never believed in the existence of ghosts until that moment. I was surprised by his tale as he is a very rational and down-to-earth person. 2) Me (I was 2 years old or less, so I don't remember anything at all), my parents and a dozen other friends were doing a trip in Turkey. We visited at some point St Nicolas' grotto and something weird occurred there. There was a blurry humanoid shape within the grotto that would "teleport" itself from one place to another. Everyone got s*** scared and left the place immediately. It seems to be true since everyone recalls seeing the figure. Was it a mass hallucination?

stop the crack just joking... Maybe you saw this?

Thanks for the replies. I am mostly interested in the older decks since those are available at my local shop. Any suggestions are welcome.

Please, disregard/delete my post on the P&P forum, I am starting a new thread in the Way of topic forum: I have been playing MtG with my friends' cards but I do not own any of my own. I have decided to start buying some of the preconstructed decks ONLY (I won't be buying any boosters) but I am pretty much lost as to what to choose. Magic 2010 and post-Alara sets do not interest me. Moreover, I do not wish to participate in championships. I just play with my friends for fun. I may also want to introduce the game to the rest of the family. I have found a bargain bin in a local shop where they sell packages of all 4 theme decks for each of the Urza block expansions for 25 euros each set (meaning 75 euros for all 3 Urza sets). Is it worth buying them? I heard the Urza sets are the strongest out there. If yes, do I need anything else or will I be fine with these? Since the shop has preconstructed decks from all the old sets, I was wondering if I should also get theme/intro decks from sets other than those from the Urza block. The shop has all the decks mentioned in the wiki page I link at the end of my post. I have heard the 3 sets from the Tempest block are also good. Is it worth spending more money for other sets or are the Urza ones enough for a lifetime? I was also considering buying the 40 cards theme decks from the core 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th editions. There may be some other expansion sets worth buying but I don't know that much about them. I just want to avoid anything weak. Just note that I am a casual player and that I am not playing more than once or twice per week. I just want my decks to give some challenge to my opponents. When playing with my family, we will be using exclusively the decks I will have bought and I would like to have some alternatives (to be able to choose from different decks at each session). So, I just need around 10-15 decks, and strong ones at that. Here's the list of preconstructed decks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic:_The_Ga...ecks#Shadowmoor

I haven't posted more than twice in this thread. I just wanted to express my general dissatisfaction towards TG.

I think they deserve all this negativity. It's ok to me if they don't have the time to finish the mod, but they should have at least the decency to admit it. After their announcement like "2 weeks" (for a one year old video!) and their overall snobbish behavior, it's clear to me that they love being at the center of everyone's attention. They should know that there are many modders out there that are waiting for them to complete their project so that they may make their own mods compatible with TSLRP. I really don't understand why they don't ask for help from some new modders to finish the project. With an attitude such as this, they won't get any sympathy and people will turn away from them. I simply don't care anymore and I wish the other team manages to release their mod before TG. TG simply deserves the humiliation.