Spore and Mass Effect copyright protection discussion

**Lemur** · 05-23-2008, 15:52

Re. Crysis, also consider how many people stayed away because of steep system requirements. I read a few snippets about how Crysis was a showcase for DX 10. Do I care? No. Then I read how Crysis would bring my rig to its knees with ultra-realistic leaves and crabs. Do I care? No.

I don't mind a game that takes advantage of the hardware, but why place it at the outside edge of unreasonable? The hype certainly kept me away.

Doubtless they blame my non-sale on piracy. Idiots.

**Lemur** · 05-30-2008, 22:35

Just for the history books:

They released Mass Effect PC on the 28th, correct? And today is the 30th. That's two days. That's all they bought for themselves, since reliable sources indicate that the bad guys have already broken the SecuROM and posted their results.

So the pirates have it. So what's the excuse for keeping the SecuROM on the game now? What's the logic of keeping paying customers like me away from their product?

**TinCow** · 05-30-2008, 22:45

Even more amusing, another game released on the exact same day, the next expansion pack of Europa Universalis, has not yet found its way onto bittorrent (at least as far as I am aware). This, despite the fact that it has very primitive and easy to circumvent copyright protection. Sure, Mass Effect was bound to get more focus from the hackers due to its popularity, but I suspect the general contentment of Paradox's customers with their games is also a major factor. The EUIII expansion pack hasn't been mass-pirated yet simply because the people who want to play it are more than happy to pay for it, despite the fact that it's easy to crack.

Customer Satisfaction > Strong-arm DRM

**Marius Dynamite** · 05-31-2008, 00:59

What is the purpose of the 3 PC limit anyways? I mean, I assume if you want to play the game you have to have the disk in the drive? So then the only reason for the PC limit is to prevent you from lending the game to friends to play?

Is this illegal? Is this what they are trying to prevent with this?

If it is illegal surely its not one of those things you want to clamp down on? I often swap my friends my 360 games for a few days.

Games like 'The Darkness' was passed between 2 of my friends and myself. It was a pretty unknown game and was mainly single player, not the kind of game you buy.

The ironic thing is since my friend and I played it we have agreed its definetely worth buying Darkness 2, and we'll be first in line!

**TB666** · 05-31-2008, 01:00

Originally Posted by Marius Dynamite

I assume if you want to play the game you have to have the disk in the drive?

No, according to Bioware you do not need the disc while playing.

**Marius Dynamite** · 05-31-2008, 01:08

No, according to Bioware you do not need the disc while playing.

I suppose the limit makes a little more sense then. But then wouldnt it be simpler to cut down the copyright stuff but force people to use the disk? In your opinions.

**TB666** · 05-31-2008, 01:21

Originally Posted by Marius Dynamite

I suppose the limit makes a little more sense then. But then wouldnt it be simpler to cut down the copyright stuff but force people to use the disk? In your opinions.

Personally I rather have none of them.
Stardock has the right idea of things, no CP no discs and it is working fine for them.
Same with Paradox.

**Xiahou** · 05-31-2008, 01:45

Originally Posted by Lemur

Just for the history books:

They released Mass Effect PC on the 28th, correct? And today is the 30th. That's two days. That's all they bought for themselves, since reliable sources indicate that the bad guys have already broken the SecuROM and posted their results.

So the pirates have it. So what's the excuse for keeping the SecuROM on the game now? What's the logic of keeping paying customers like me away from their product?

Yet another situation where the paying customers are getting an inferior product to the pirates. I would happily shell out the cash for Mass Effect if they removed SecuRom. As it stands now, I guess I won't be playing it.

Originally Posted by TB666

Personally I rather have none of them.
Stardock has the right idea of things, no CP no discs and it is working fine for them.
Same with Paradox.

I really can't say enough good about Stardock. They have a great business model that others should emulate.

**Timsup2nothin** · 05-31-2008, 03:25

Originally Posted by TinCow

Even more amusing, another game released on the exact same day, the next expansion pack of Europa Universalis, has not yet found its way onto bittorrent (at least as far as I am aware). This, despite the fact that it has very primitive and easy to circumvent copyright protection. Sure, Mass Effect was bound to get more focus from the hackers due to its popularity, but I suspect the general contentment of Paradox's customers with their games is also a major factor. The EUIII expansion pack hasn't been mass-pirated yet simply because the people who want to play it are more than happy to pay for it, despite the fact that it's easy to crack.

Customer Satisfaction > Strong-arm DRM copy protection system

I think you have the wrong reason here. Mass effect was bound to get more attention from people who crack protection because it has the quote-state of the art- endquote protection system. Most people who produce no-disk patches and such do it for the challenge, not because of the number of people who want the file. Point of fact, they only produce an exe file, so someone somewhere has to buy the game to get the data and graphics files. If they were interested in preventing sales they'd post up complete games...of course if they did that it would be illegal.

**Lemur** · 05-31-2008, 04:36

From what I'm reading in the carefully hidden BioWare forum thread about the DRM, the SecuROM implementation was cracked in under 48 hours. I guess news filtered out slowly.

This is just sad. If the rationale for imposing product activation on a single-player game is that it prevents or slows piracy, said rationale is dead, or at the very least gasping its last breaths. So what's the new rationale for punishing paying customers?

**Whacker** · 05-31-2008, 08:28

Originally Posted by Timsup2nothin

I think you have the wrong reason here. Mass effect was bound to get more attention from people who crack protection because it has the quote-state of the art- endquote protection system. Most people who produce no-disk patches and such do it for the challenge, not because of the number of people who want the file.

Erm. Without trying to sound too old, or delving into territory that's too grey, I would respectfully disagree here based on my experiences. Many moons ago in my (stupid) youth I was associated with several... "groups" of individuals, and still know several who are involved in the warez scene. Quite simply, demand drives effort, very little of it is based on it being a technical challenge. If one knows where to look, one will notice a distinct trend that the more popular games are kept up with, while the less popular ones generally get something at release and that's it. Likewise, releases of cracks by individuals (as opposed to groups) tend toward both ends of the spectrum, with the vast majority concentrated around popular games, and the other end being niche games that few play. In this regard, my assessment is that the individuals create isolated projects due to dissatisfaction with what's currently available (or not available), not really as a "hah, I can do this" from a technical challenge perspective.

Anyway. Just a little commentary on my personal observations. Take it with a grain of salt as always.

I would like to echo the sentiment towards Stardock. These guys deserve every single cent we can throw at them. They have the right attitude and mindset, they listen to their customers, and they can put out decent/good/great games. A rare combination these days, they should be singled out and rewarded.

**drone** · 06-17-2008, 22:24

Update on this one.
http://consumerist.com/tag/mass-effe...hats-it-period
Bioware Forum Thread
Apparently, uninstalling Mass Effect does not get you an activation back. Reinstall the OS or change hardware, and you use up one of your "licenses". After 3, you are stuffed and have to buy more keys. Well done EA!

You don't own ME, you are just renting it.