21 replies to this topic

[Icendoan]

I am conducting a poll on my own board, about the inclusion of SecuROM and the influence of DRM on EA/BioWare games.

http://z10.invisionf...dex.php?act=idx to poll.

Icen

[DeusEx]

I'm not in the mod for registering so here is my answer

because I would like to try it out before buying it (eventually)

Every game is cracked in a very short time.

[Icendoan]

I know, but I can't poll multiple times.

Icen

[SConrad]

Moved to General Gameplay.

You might want to consider posting the poll here on SHS, too. You might get more responses that way.

[Icendoan]

That was suggested over at BioWare, but I want to try and keep the results all in one place, if that is alright

Icen

[Azkyroth]

Since I don't feel like registering either...

"Digital Rights Management is a category of software whose function is to briefly amuse copyright infringers, while presenting a formidable obstacle to use of software products by legitimate customers." Enough said, for the moment.

[Lysan Lurraxol]

Kill it with fire.

I have the added fun of my gaming computer not having an internet connection. Basically meaning that laying aside the horrible software that infects your computer from SecuRom and its spawn, I can't even play the game in the first place. Not fun.

Of course, it's not just Bioware that use it, the reason Mysteries of Westgate has been delayed so long is because Atari are implementing some bizarre anti-pirate software. Not really worth delaying a finished game for over a year, really, especially not considering it was made by an independent studio, is only a tiny expansion to NWN2 and doesn't cost much anyway.

The poll is meaningless, sadly, Bioware never listen to their customers, and do not like having their policies and ideas questioned.

[Gabrielle]

I refuse to buy anything that uses SecuRom or any other intrusive or any other type of software that makes the consumer jump through hoops in order to get the bloody game working. Yeah I'm looking at you Bioware. No more Bio games for me. The CD keys they used to use was a fine way of dealing with copying or whatever and they should stick with it or just give up on it. Hackers will find a way through that useless encryption, copy protection junk so they might was well deal with it as a cost of business.

Edited by Gabrielle, 14 August 2008 - 05:35 PM.

[Icendoan]

I know, and we all know this. Heck, there should be ~25 threads on it over in the BioWare Off Topic. It is convincing them that is the problem.

Icen

[Lysan Lurraxol]

More chance of convincing Hell to freeze over.

Have you seen the way Bioware deals with complaints, or hell, even suggestions on their boards?

I remember when the SecurRom thing first kicked off, massive thread full of seriously p*ssed off fans, asking questions about wht the software did, what people w/o internet connections were supposed to do and more. Bioware replied about 3 times and only to obscure technical questions. And that's nothing compared to when Bioware revealed they use the same plot formula for every game.

I've given up on Bioware; they patronise their customers, treat them like criminals and produce an endless stream of mediocre games with identical, cliched plots and characters.

[Miloch]

They'll go the way of Interplay, which is straight down the toilet only to reincarnate in some more odious form, if that. Eventually, their sole source of revenue will be a MMORPG based entirely on pro wrestling. It will be enormously popular, but largely only in Eastern Europe and other places with hordes of rampant hackers who can get around any sort of hardware or software controls in a matter of seconds.

[vilkacis]

"Digital Rights Management is a category of software whose function is to briefly amuse copyright infringers, while presenting a formidable obstacle to use of software products by legitimate customers."

Kill it with fire.

QFT, and thus I feel my opinion has been sufficiently expressed.

[Rastor]

Which games does this apply to? I've played NWN and Jade Empire without a working internet connection and they worked just fine. Haven't tried Mass Effect yet, but I doubt that Jade Empire (their newest game other than ME) wouldn't have this DRM on it.

I have absolutely nothing against DRM but I agree that I'd prefer other ways of doing it than SecureROM. A good firewall will stop SecureROM from granting access to your computer though so perhaps I don't mind it as much as some.

[Icendoan]

ME has this internet DRM issue.

Icen

[Gabrielle]

Don't buy anything by Bioware. Hurt them where it counts, in the wallet. When they don't get sales, they may see the light of day. Bioware has gone to shit since EA took over them, which isn't surprising considering EA ruins ever company they assimilate.

[theacefes]

Okay...so you bought Mass Effect (or you wish you did).

Mine came with a key actually, but after installing it, it ran the auto launch screen and then I was asked to configure it before playing. I didn't have to go to ANY websites or log on to ANYTHING. It simply detected my system specs and said things were okay from the config window. I closed it and removed the DVD, the game having now been validated and no longer needing the disc to run (you can do this for up to 3 computers).

When I game, I've found that turning off my internet connection improves game performance in a lot of the games, so the same applies to Mass Effect, at least on my system.

I'm not sure what is up with all the Bioware bashing...this is starting to sound like a Microsoft rant..

[Solar's Harper]

Summary Impression for SecuRom? "Waste of life and funds. Worthwhile investment prospects: Nil."

The Explaination?

From all the evidence displayed, it seems SecuRom has more problems than qualities, and that doesn't even get started on the significance of each cons vs pros.

Essentially, no one wins. The user, pirate or no, generally suffers incredible problems especially when their system is not adequately protected against something of malware nature. The very idea of allowing such software on board in the first place, is chilling at best - even if for a so-called good end, it doesn't really justify the means.

As a by-product result of the user's problems, the company distributing/promoting the software also suffers a hit on consumer confidence and the less reliable they seem, the less inclined someone is to actually pay for the company's product. Hells, piracy in theory could skyrocket because of it, which is a reverse of the anti-piracy policy that seems so popular these days with companies like EA, Blizzard and many others.

It isn't a wise thing to invest in, especially given the amount of controversy and headaches that is happening on its account. The most concerning element lies in my opinion, with the overriding authority the software is given to a customer's computer. Basically leeching a different kind of hacker into the computer, without any regard for morality or whether it'll screw things up for the user. Utter recklessness, and almost criminal in nature.

Personally, I'd advise against purchasing or accquiring any game/product that uses SecuRom, and I'd strongly discourage any company forcing this upon their customers either. Anti-piracy in the form of dressed-up piracy, is just another way of hitting yourself in the eye with an active chainsaw.

PG Rated Graphical Statement Warning:

Spoiler

(And no, I mean the bladed side.. very painful, lethal even.)

I'm not sure what is up with all the Bioware bashing...this is starting to sound like a Microsoft rant..

A little shorter in comparison but some, admittedly, is warranted. Just not in excessive amounts, lest the topic be forgotten, and for the sake of fairness too, since we've yet to get a representitive defending them..

[Rastor]

To be fair, piracy protections are usually something mandated by the publisher, not the game developer. Most of BioWare's newest titles are published by 2K games which is well known for mandating SecureROM. Some of the criticisms of just what that program does are unwarranted anyway (for example, it does not disable burners). The implementation matters somewhat - I have Sims2, NWN2, and Jade Empire installed on my PC - all three games are users of SecureROM. I just had a look at my registry and SecureROM is not in there... and yes, I do know what to look for. I do not have Mass Effect so cannot check on that one.

The best way to prevent piracy is to use encrypted morphing code that only decrypts one line at a time and only when it's in use. Due to the randomized encryption, this technically cannot be broken except by brute force. Well, it would take the fastest machine of today something along the lines of 10^100 decades to break this if it's properly implemented. Ergo, this cannot be pirated, torrented, etc. I have no idea why game publishers don't want to do this - probably because it would cost a fortune to implement.

[Azkyroth]

I have no idea why game publishers don't want to do this - probably because it would cost a fortune to implement.

Between the cost to implement and the enormous judgements that have been known to be awarded in civil cases against copyright infringers, it's probably vastly less profitable that way.

[Yovaneth]

If DragonAge comes with SecurRom attached.... I'll wait until it's hacked before I go out and buy it. I don't mind putting in CDs/DVDs for verification but my gaming PC is not attached to the internet. Simple reason why: I then don't have internet security packages running in the background slowing everything down.

Surprisingly, I actually have something to say in favour of Microsoft. At the time I had one 'real' Windows XP Home CD and three sets of 'recovery discs' for various of my PCs (Acer, Dell and Toshiba). I never used the recovery discs because anyone who has fallen victim to that will know what a sh!t method of rebuilding it frequently is. I was reinstalling Windows XP Home for the Xth time and it refused to register online, thinking I was trying to pirate it. I called the registration line and explained the situation viz-a-viz the recovery discs and was told 'oh, that's okay. Here's your registration number'. As easy as that.

-Y-

Edited by Yovaneth, 17 August 2008 - 02:31 AM.