Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02 | reply to skuv
Re: BS
quote:
We'll re-authenticate when a player uses online features, downloads new content or a patch for their game.
Still doesn't strike me as much of a trade off. |
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skuv
@rr.com
| said by Karl Bode  : quote:
We'll re-authenticate when a player uses online features, downloads new content or a patch for their game.
Still doesn't strike me as much of a trade off. So you're saying that having to go online only for patches and new features is as bad as having to go online every 10 days no matter what?
If you want new features and patches, then you need an Internet connection to begin with.
So what does it matter that you have to have a validated version of the game to get the patches and online content? You had to go online to get it in the first place...
Even Stardock does this, and they have no copy protection on their discs. You cannot get patches unless you have a CD key registered online with them. And people say that Stardock has the least interfering copy protection around.
How is EA far off from that here?
I don't buy EA games anyway, but I certainly don't see the change in this DRM as not being significant for the better. I can't remember the last time I could play a game without a crack to play without the disc in the drive. |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| quote:
So you're saying that having to go online only for patches and new features is as bad as having to go online every 10 days no matter what?
I'm saying it's not much different. I still need a connection from the outset to use the product. Thereafter, I'm still authenticating every time I play multi-player, download a patch, or download new game content.
Other than eliminating the ten day authentication window, what actually changed here?
I still absolutely need an Internet connection to play a purchased product. I'm still authenticating constantly. I still am restricted to 3 PC installs per key and have to negotiate with EA if I want to install a product I purchased on a fourth configuration. I'm still using Securom, whose history is troubled at best.... |
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skuv
@rr.com
| Sounds like you're assuming that there is some kind of interaction required to validate the game when you go online.
I would assume the opposite, that when you sign in online, it reads your CD key, and verifies you without you having to do anything. So if you're going online ANYWAY, what would be the problem there? That is a far cry from being required to be online because you don't know when the 10 days is going to hit, and you'll no longer be able to play the game.
Also, this allows you to play the game completely offline, which the original DRM scenario did not, because of the 10 day validation.
I should also mention that your post says BioWare specifically, and they make Mass Effect, which has no online play, you'd only be going online for patches and downloadable content. So what are you worried about there? Are YOU even worried or are you just trying to make this look worse than it is by being sensational?
I never install a game on more than 2 computers myself, and I can certainly see that someone would install on more than 3. But you've got to be realistic and know that you and people that visit DSLR are NOT the norm. EA sadly isn't going to miss the few people that won't be this because they can't install it on 4+ computers simultaneously.
Everyone would have been affected by the 10-day requirement, but now a small percentage of people with access to 4+ computers they want to install the game on are going to be affected. EA certainly knew if they affected EVERYONE that they were going to have significant issues.
I would say that is a huge step in the right direction and not simply a weak trade off as you suggest. |
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tad2020
join:2007-07-17
Orange, CA
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to Karl Bode
3 install limit is a bit insane. I have 3 gaming computers: my desktop at home, my desktop at work, and my new laptop (which will be dual booting Vista and XP soon). I'd already hit my 3 limit before the end of the week.
What about many years from now and I want to replay this old game, but all the auth servers went off line years back because they switched to the neural-fingerprint tracking chip system instead. |
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tad2020
join:2007-07-17
Orange, CA
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to skuv
said by skuv :
I never install a game on more than 2 computers myself, and I can certainly see that someone would install on more than 3. But you've got to be realistic and know that you and people that visit DSLR are NOT the norm. EA sadly isn't going to miss the few people that won't be this because they can't install it on 4+ computers simultaneously. Does this proposed system limit its self to 3 simultaneous installations or 3 installations activations? The later is what I understood it to be, which could be troubling to anyone that plays a game several times over a couple of year period. |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
edit:
May 12th, @05:10PM
| reply to skuv
quote:
Also, this allows you to play the game completely offline, which the original DRM scenario did not, because of the 10 day validation.
My understanding is the DRM still requires online activation to play the game. Can you, anonymous defender of EA, show me where this is not the case? quote:
Are YOU even worried or are you just trying to make this look worse than it is by being sensational?
These solutions annoy more legit customers than pirates, and this one comes with a 3 PC limit, requires a connection for the first time ever, and comes from a company with a bad reputation (Securom). No, I'm not being sensational, I'm asking legitimate questions while everyone else is giving EA PR the benefit of the doubt for what seems to me like a very minor change in the overall DRM structure. quote:
I never install a game on more than 2 computers myself, and I can certainly see that someone would install on more than 3. But you've got to be realistic and know that you and people that visit DSLR are NOT the norm.
What if you install it on two PC builds and a laptop, then sell it? Is that "the norm"? What if you keep the game for five years and by the time you're ready to play it, the activation server no longer exists because EA has dropped out of the PC gaming business to do consoles exclusively? Still not the norm? |
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dynodb
Premium,VIP
join:2004-04-21
Minneapolis, MN
| reply to Karl Bode
said by Karl Bode : quote:
So you're saying that having to go online only for patches and new features is as bad as having to go online every 10 days no matter what?
I'm saying it's not much different. I still need a connection from the outset to use the product. Thereafter, I'm still authenticating every time I play multi-player, download a patch, or download new game content. Initial install aside... multi-player, downloading patches or new content already involve an Internet connection. I'm not sure what the gripe is here if they're authenticating when you're connecting to the Internet to update or play the game anyways. |
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skuv
@rr.com
| reply to Karl Bode
said by Karl Bode : Can you, anonymous defender of EA, show me where this is not the case? I'm far from an EA defender, so don't put words in my mouth, please. I hate EA for many reasons.
But I am being objective here, because they did take a huge step back with this DRM scheme.
However you must really hate them because you just cannot look at it objectively. |
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rahvin112
join:2002-05-24
Sandy, UT
| DRM that focuses on control is BAD, almost all DRM is bad by design. It doesn't stop piracy and all it does is annoy users. Since when does the publisher get to say that you can only install a game 3 times before you have to buy a new copy?
I'm fine with a DRM scheme like Steam where I am not limited and actually have far greater freedom with authorized use (including them keeping a backup copy for redownload) at the expense of authenticating online to initiate play along with offline mode.
I'm NOT ok with DRM that automatically assumes I'm a criminal and limits my use of the software to try to prevent unauthorized use which it won't prevent. |
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Mizzat
Will post for thumbs
Premium
join:2003-05-03
Atlanta, GA
·AT&T Southeast
| said by rahvin112 :. Since when does the publisher get to say that you can only install a game 3 times before you have to buy a new copy? You don't have to buy another copy, just call them to activate a new install. Just like you have to do with Windows, Scansoft, etc, etc.... |
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