Moatilliatta Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 If ME is on steam then it will loose the securom protection right? I've become more and more accustomed to steam and wouldn't mind buying it there if possible.
Tale Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 If ME is on steam then it will loose the securom protection right? Doubtful. On both the topics of it being on Steam and it losing the Securom if it were. Though, I wish it would. I now have to debate between entertainment and politics. Whether I want to purchase Mass Effect or show my contempt for this retarded protection scheme. I certainly don't want to see it become standard practice. But, even if I don't purchase it, they may likely miss the point altogether and take it as meaning PC games simply don't sell at all. "Show me a man who "plays fair" and I'll show you a very talented cheater."
Jediphile Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 [it is absolutely misdirection and obfuscation to trivialize my comments because I used the term PC, and then you decide to focus specifically on the term "PC" as in IBM/Compatible computers. Platforms such as the Apple II, Amiga, and Atari ST all suffered from the exact same type of piracy issues as the IBM/Compatibles did since they were all personal computers. If you're going to discuss gaming history, don't try to demonstrate how "PC" gaming was significantly different than gaming on the Commodore 64. With the deaths of platforms like Amiga, Atari ST, and the Commodore 64, came a consolidation of computer gaming onto the IBM PC/Compatible (x86) home computers. I fail to see what is so terrible about looking at the claim that pc games (as of today) have more piracy than console games in a broader historical context. However, since you can apparently find only fault with anything I say here, I shall simply let the matter go, as any other response seems destined to be counterproductive. Visit my KotOR blog at Deadly Forums.
Hurlshort Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 To be honest, I've had this on other games and I've never even noticed it. My connection is always up, so it's a bit of a non-issue. Are there still people that use their computer off-line?
Moatilliatta Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Soldiers on duty is one group that will most likely be hit hard by this and I don't see why they should be shafted. It isn't so much the online authentication part that worries me but more the three-systems-without-'proper'-removal-of-the-game system that worries me. Essentially it means that you will have to uninstall all games using this system before changing system if you want your game to last more than three systems. I got over the online authentication part when I started buying games on steam as steam has a wonderfull offline mode, securom doesn't.
thepixiesrock Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 To be honest, I've had this on other games and I've never even noticed it. My connection is always up, so it's a bit of a non-issue. Are there still people that use their computer off-line? Yeah, I play games on my laptop, and usually when I do this it's in a place that I don't have connection, such as on vacation. Of course, I already have Mass Effect for 360, and I don't PC game as much as I do consoles. Lou Gutman, P.I.- It's like I'm not even trying anymore!http://theatomicdanger.iforumer.com/index....theatomicdangerOne billion b-balls dribbling simultaneously throughout the galaxy. One trillion b-balls being slam dunked through a hoop throughout the galaxy. I can feel every single b-ball that has ever existed at my fingertips. I can feel their collective knowledge channeling through my viens. Every jumpshot, every rebound and three-pointer, every layup, dunk, and free throw. I am there.
random n00b Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 (edited) I've read the thread but I haven't really got much to add.. so perhaps this will be fuel for the fire for some, but Mass Effect PC copy protection will require internet authentification EVERY 10 DAYS until eternity. Not buying that piece of crap, then. What, you guys are going to check up on me more often than the police checks up on sex offenders? Giving a sale to the PC version is out of the question, I'll just have to borrow the friend's Xbox360 again to finish it. I'm thinking of buying it, then cracking it, which shouldn't be too difficult with the speed cracks are released at and all. Problem is that might cut me off from updates, which is a rather undesirable side-effect of playing the game I have paid for at my leisure, essentially leaving me with the same thing as if I had pirated the game to begin with. So, this kind of crap protection system is actually encouraging people to download the game illegally rather than buying it legit, QED /pragmatism Edited May 7, 2008 by random n00b
Nick_i_am Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Don't worry, piracy doesn't hurt the PC market. (Approved by Fio, so feel free to use it)
Nick_i_am Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Can't You're right though, QED. If i had any interest in games that used Starforce i'd just torrent them, i'm not paying to fill my PC with spyware. (Approved by Fio, so feel free to use it)
Tale Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Can't You're right though, QED. If i had any interest in games that used Starforce i'd just torrent them, i'm not paying to fill my PC with spyware. I think it's fascinating how often Securom is confused for Starforce. "Show me a man who "plays fair" and I'll show you a very talented cheater."
LostStraw Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Spore will have the same system. But spore has an online component in its gameplay -- there's actually a reason to want to connect to the internet to get the most out of it. I think it's one of the better ways to fight piracy, having a compelling online system that only registered uses can access (much like an MMO). I wont buy Mass Effect in boxed form knowing about the authentication but if it's offered on Steam I'd probably get it.
Nick_i_am Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 I think it's fascinating how often Securom is confused for Starforce. Starforce doesn't do that? (Approved by Fio, so feel free to use it)
Slowtrain Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 WHy does the idea of authentication, internet check-ins, etc bother people so much? I'm curious, since I've never really understood why people get so lathered up about authenticating windows and so forth. Is it a matter of principle? That you just shouldn't have to do it? Or is there a pragmatic concern that makes you not like the idea? Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Moatilliatta Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 (edited) Both. There are enough people out there for whom it could be troublesome that I've seen several anecdotes by now. Personally I think, as I've already written, that the real problem lies in how many different pc-systems that you can install it on without having reedemed copies (either through uninstallation or calling some hotline), 3. Edited May 7, 2008 by Moatilliatta
Deadly_Nightshade Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 There are several common reasons why players distrust or dislike on-line verification - some of them based on principle, others on logical worries. If a company was to go under without its assets being bought, and maintained, by another, that could cause the authorization severs to be taken off-line - something that would make the game unplayable unless a patch had been released that disabled the protection*. There is also the fact that almost all copy protection is cracked within weeks, if not days, of a release and the continued build-up of anti-pirate mechanisms is only really annoying those people who have legitimate copies of the game. I know that I have not bought copies of games because of this, although I simply did not play the title and did not download illegal copies. *Some companies, like Steam, have said that they would make such patches available in the event that they cease to exist. "Geez. It's like we lost some sort of bet and ended up saddled with a bunch of terrible new posters on this forum." -Hurlshot
Slowtrain Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 There are several common reasons why players distrust or dislike on-line verification - some of them based on principle, others on logical worries. If a company was to go under without its assets being bought, and maintained, by another, that could cause the authorization severs to be taken off-line - something that would make the game unplayable unless a patch had been released that disabled the protection*. Has that ever happened? There is also the fact that almost all copy protection is cracked within weeks, if not days, of a release and the continued build-up of anti-pirate mechanisms is only really annoying those people who have legitimate copies of the game. I know that I have not bought copies of games because of this, although I simply did not play the title and did not download illegal copies. I don't disagree about the essential foolishness of taking anti-piracy measures to an extreme, and if they were to break my machine I would be really irritated to be sure. But simply authenticating or checking in every ten days doesn't seem to be an issue in that sense. @moat: Have you ever installed a game to more than three machines? Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Tale Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Has that ever happened? http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/...25&from=rss "Show me a man who "plays fair" and I'll show you a very talented cheater."
Deadly_Nightshade Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Has that ever happened? I believe it has, although I cannot think of the games off the top of my head. As for your other point, I'll address that later - I'm going to go off-line, or, rather, in-game, for awhile. "Geez. It's like we lost some sort of bet and ended up saddled with a bunch of terrible new posters on this forum." -Hurlshot
Slowtrain Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Has that ever happened? http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/...25&from=rss SO does that mean that peoples downloaded songs are stuck to whatever computer they downloaded it to? I would assume that MS would have offered a solution to people who wanted to bring their songs forward. Did they? Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Kaftan Barlast Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 (edited) I dont like DRM's messing up my OS anymore than anyone else, but if its a good game I'll buy it anyway. But the one truth about all DRM's is that they always end up hurting the legal users, not the pirates. In a way, its encouraging people to dowload cracked versions, instead of paying for something thats filled with more malware than a russian porn site. Kind of like "Dudes, If we make all the candy taste like ****, people will stop shoplifting! Hooray!" SO does that mean that peoples downloaded songs are stuck to whatever computer they downloaded it to? I would assume that MS would have offered a solution to people who wanted to bring their songs forward. Did they? It means that the songs wont play anymore, since the player authenticates with the servers everytime you start it. and MS did not plan to compensate users, but since this whole thing has causd quite an uproar, they might have to in the end. Edited May 7, 2008 by Kaftan Barlast DISCLAIMER: Do not take what I write seriously unless it is clearly and in no uncertain terms, declared by me to be meant in a serious and non-humoristic manner. If there is no clear indication, asume the post is written in jest. This notification is meant very seriously and its purpouse is to avoid misunderstandings and the consequences thereof. Furthermore; I can not be held accountable for anything I write on these forums since the idea of taking serious responsability for my unserious actions, is an oxymoron in itself. Important: as the following sentence contains many naughty words I warn you not to read it under any circumstances; botty, knickers, wee, erogenous zone, psychiatrist, clitoris, stockings, bosom, poetry reading, dentist, fellatio and the department of agriculture. "I suppose outright stupidity and complete lack of taste could also be considered points of view. "
Slowtrain Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 I dont like DRM's messing up my OS anymore than anyone else, but if its a good game I'll buy it anyway. But the one truth about all DRM's is that they always end up hurting the legal users, not the pirates. I don't disagree with that at all. The only way for publishers to "win" the battle against piracy would be to implement measure of such a draconian nature that they would alienate every run of the mill user and consequently end up costing the war. But I guess I don't see some of the methods discussed in this thread as Draconian. I'm just curious why others do. Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Slowtrain Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 IIt means that the songs wont play anymore, since the player authenticates with the servers everytime you start it. and MS did not plan to compensate users, but since this whole thing has causd quite an uproar, they might have to in the end. I can definitely understand why that would piss people off . On the surface, that woudl definitely seem to be either arrogance or ignorance on the part of MS. Unless it is mention in the EULA it would probably be grounds for a class action lawsuit. It might be grounds even if it is mentioned in the EULA. Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Slowtrain Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 ars technica has a better article on that: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080...c-drm-keys.html MSN Entertainment and Video Services general manager Rob Bennett sent out an e-mail this afternoon to customers, advising them to make any and all authorizations or deauthorizations before August 31. "As of August 31, 2008, we will no longer be able to support the retrieval of license keys for the songs you purchased from MSN Music or the authorization of additional computers," reads the e-mail seen by Ars. "You will need to obtain a license key for each of your songs downloaded from MSN Music on any new computer, and you must do so before August 31, 2008. If you attempt to transfer your songs to additional computers after August 31, 2008, those songs will not successfully play." It seems they will play OK, but will be forever stuck on whatever computers you had authrorized as of AUg 2008. That ios not so bad for one or two songs, but what if you have invested thousands of dollars getting music from MSN over the years? Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Slowtrain Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 (edited) ANother instance: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071...-with-fans.html Some hardcore baseball fans have been left stranded on third base by Major League Baseball after it decided to change DRM systems. As a result, game footage purchased under the old DRM scheme are no longer viewable, leaving fans with unwatchable footage Edited May 7, 2008 by CrashGirl Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
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