Kingdoms SecuRom discussion - forum rules only

[Stig]

If it would be so bad and evil, why would companies be using it?

I think it's all blown up.

[Didz]

HANG ON!

Can someone post a link to this other thread for me? (NVM: just noticed that Tafferboy gives the link)

I have no idea what SecuRom is, but it doesn't sound good, and havng just received my two copies of Kingdoms from Play yesterday I want to know before I install them on my PC's.

(I may just send them back, which will be damned annoying)

[sapi]

It's a copy/piracy prevention system (wiki)

[R'as al Ghul]

From Wikipedia on SecuRom_v7

SecuROM v 7.x

Latest SecuROM Versions are all 7.x versions which are released and updated continuously.
SecuROM 7.x, if run under a non-admin user account, installs its own service called UAService7.exe — (ring 3), which works in ring 3 of the computer's operating system.
Securom has said: "it has been developed to enable users without Windows™ administrator rights the ability to access all SecuROM™ features"[1]

Known problems

* The version of SecuROM that comes with Armed Assault, S.T.A.L.K.E.R (European release only), Neverwinter Nights 2, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (patched to v1.04), Tomb Raider Anniversary (demo and full version), Overlord and Bioshock (demo and full version) prevents the game from running at all if Process Explorer, a free tool offered by Microsoft, has been run since the previous reboot, however a workaround for this Process Explorer v10.xx bug (v9.25 is not affected) can be found here[2].

* Certain games installed using SecuROM will prevent other select games from working correctly, and will continue to do so even after game is uninstalled.[citation needed]

BioShock game and Rootkit controversy

BioShock has been incorrectly accused of installing a Rootkit, as Securom is not a rootkit. An official announcement was even made stating that no rootkit is installed[3]. Users unfamiliar with computer security have taken to use a Microsoft tool known as RootkitRevealer, which flags issues on a computer that indicate areas needing additional scrutiny. Further scrutiny indicates that this flag was raised improperly on account of a null byte in a string of characters (a perfectly legal piece of data) being found in a registry entry. Null bytes in value strings are improperly interpreted by common registry visualization tools (RegEdit) as end-of-string characters; such tools then fail to display the whole string. This is a limitation of those tools, and not a problem in itself.

Bioshock/SecuROM also accesses the internet and attempts to bypass firewall permissions at some point during its installation, and installs files in a hidden directory[4] that cannot easily be deleted [5]. Users have stated that in order to install the game, their firewalls and antivirus programs needed to to be turned off and active virus monitoring services needed to be shut down with XP restarted with these programs and services properly disabled.[6]

...

[Stig]

Users have stated that in order to install the game, their firewalls and antivirus programs needed to to be turned off and active virus monitoring services needed to be shut down with XP restarted with these programs and services properly disabled.

From what I heard on .com loads of people didn't have problems installing, so this is not a real issue.

[Darkarbiter]

Stay away from discussing cracks, as happened in the other thread, and this'll be fine...

Our rules on that are quite clear, however, and aren't something that I can change, or bend...

Hasn't it already been cracked??

I mean, what is the point really?

[Didz]

OMG! I've just read through some of this stuff on SecuRom, including their official website.

Isn't it illegal to secretly instal software on equipment owned by another person?

I thought that was the very basis on which the law prosecuted hackers and virus writers?

Why would that law not apply to a commercial enterprise that hacks my system?

Having never in my life downloaded pirated software or films, I am now in the ironic situation of seriously contemplating just that in order to be able to play this game without compromising my system, as it seems to me that even if SecuRom's motives are honourable the fact that it exists on my PC means it can be exploited by others with less honourable intentions.

[Swiss Halberd Pike Landsknecht]

btw

am I right in saying that M2TW (main game) doesn't have any Securom?

I've only had the demo, but in a few days will buy the full version

[FactionHeir]

Kingdoms has SecuROM, M2TW has SafeDisc.
Using (illegal) methods to bypass SecuROM checks will still not get rid of the entry, as this is (as far as I understand) installed during the game's actual installation, so merely installing the game will create said entries.

As for someone exploiting SecuROM entries, you wouldn't be able to sue SEGA or CA for it, according to the M2TW EULA.

In no event shall Sega or its licensors be liable for special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from possession, use or malfunction of the Game Software, including without limitation the risks connected with lost profit, damage to property, lost data, loss of goodwill, console, computer or handheld device failure, errors and lost business or other information as a result of possession, use or malfunction of the Game Software, or personal injuries, even if Sega has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.

As SecuROM supposedly would be part of "Game Software".

I do agree with the person who posted in the earlier topic, that corporations should reward good behavior instead of punish bad behavior.
Afterall, if they were to include a great, illustrated, colored and detailed manual as well as say some bonus material like figurines, fancy CD packaging or cloth maps, there would be more incentive to buy the game.

[sapi]

OMG! I've just read through some of this stuff on SecuRom, including their official website.

Isn't it illegal to secretly instal software on equipment owned by another person?

I thought that was the very basis on which the law prosecuted hackers and virus writers?

Why would that law not apply to a commercial enterprise that hacks my system?

Having never in my life downloaded pirated software or films, I am now in the ironic situation of seriously contemplating just that in order to be able to play this game without compromising my system, as it seems to me that even if SecuRom's motives are honourable the fact that it exists on my PC means it can be exploited by others with less honourable intentions.

I suspect there's a clause in the EULA which indicates what Securom is installing (and which, by clicking 'okay' to, you are accepting and waiving your right to challenge).

btw

am I right in saying that M2TW (main game) doesn't have any Securom?

I've only had the demo, but in a few days will buy the full version

M2TW uses Safedisc v4, iirc - I haven't heard of any complaints about it.

[Swiss Halberd Pike Landsknecht]

ah OK

I was looking again at a trailer for Kingdoms, and just feel upset that I might not be able to use those new units, i.e byzantine flamer thrower troops, if I can't get the expansion due to the securom

[Spartan198]

M2TW uses Safedisc v4, iirc - I haven't heard of any complaints about it.

That's a relief. I just got M2TW today and just now read about this SecuRom thing. I'll shy away from Kingdoms for the time being,though. Thanks,guys.

[irishron2004]

If it would be so bad and evil, why would companies be using it?

I think it's all blown up.

I consider it an issue because of the way it works.

1.You get a bad download of update2. There have been a lot of them and a lot of bad uninstalls to go with it. Don't belive me, count the threads and the messages in the threads at TWC. 650 mb is one big download and if the phone company hiccups inthe middle you lose.

2. Securom or safedisc doesn't get removed from the registry on the uninstall. This one causes problems because the old install info is still being read by it and won't let you reinstall the game and/or updates. Too pervasive.

3.Securom and any other such malware Microsoft lets through must love Vista for all the hidden and read-only files the game puts in the adminstror folder totally unaware to the consumer.

With this combination and the game company keeping the buyers in the dark about these, no wonder the posts about it are angry.