Second Take: SecuROM is Baaack

[bennyblanx]

The notorious D.R.M. is back in two major PC releases: Spore and Mass Effect. Fan uproar about the Sony software forced EA to modify the requirements. But did they do enough?

Watch Video: http://www.tomsgames.com/us/site/flash_videos/second_take_securom_is_baaaaack.html

Would you buy a game with SecuROM? Is there any DRM that makes sense?

-Ben

 

[voort]

Excellent review on the drama at hand, I hope to see a follow up!
A few things missed from the 'complaints'

If this type of drm becomes common place where every game we own could have this., imagine a few years down the track, we upgrade our pc, buy a new pc, install the new windows OS etc. We go to play our favourite games to find dozens of games no longer work and require dozens of calls or email and wait, just to play the games we bought, that is assuming the company exists or supports the game. It would be scary if this became a standard, but if it is fine for one company to do it, it should be fine for all.

We also cant resell our games now with this DRM, even if the game really sucks and we want to recoup our losses, and fund our next purchase. The game cost the same yet the real value is alot less. Suddenly PC game customers have had their cashflow shot in the foot. I wonder how that reduces piracy.

 

[Maxor127]

The big questions I have about this type of DRM is will it have a way to "uninstall" activations so that you can get back one of your 3 activations or are you just screwed and have to deal with tech support to play the game and get it activated again. Because if it's just 3 activations and you're done with no way to get them back, then that's a sure way to get people to pirate it.

My other concern is what happens after a few years when the game is no longer popular or supported? What happens if the activation server is no longer operating? Would they release a patch to remove the DRM restrictions? I doubt it, especially since we're dealing with EA here.

 

[Sinclare]

If they continue to do this, it WILL kill PC gaming. Go look at places like amazon.com and see what kind of comments people are posting for Mass Effect.

I too was one burned by BioShock last year and I will never allow this kind of thing on my computer again no matter how much I want the game. BioShock was cracked within about a week or two and I was still suffering the effects of Securom a month later when I had to wipe my whole system after it killed access to my DVD burner while trying to burn some vacation video's.

As a side note, considering that Securom is a root kit and does open security holes in peoples systems (and considering the number of PC's this will get put on all over the world); this might be a boon to hackers and might even be bigger.....

Consider this, a virulent program opening up security holes en mass around the world could be a threat to Nation Security......Home Land Security anyone?

 

[pocketdrummer]

SecuROM sucks. People constantly come up with work-arounds. IT WON'T STOP PIRACY. But, it will stop legitimate customers from purchasing the game.

Piracy prevention should not use rootkits or anything LIKE a rootkit. It shouldn't be creeping around your system and sending information out without consent, it shouldn't IMPEDE YOUR ABILITY TO PLAY THE FRIGGIN' GAME!

I thought they dropped it entirely, but, I guess I'm not buying it still. Hell, this kind of thing tempts people to pirate more so they DON'T have that crap on their computer.

 

[voort]

This release (mass effect) doesnt make much sense at all,
they pay a whole heap of money for this drm that sends alot of legimate customers away, alot of long term loyal fans. Get bad publicity. It wont stop piracy, they would be very stupid if they thought so.
They release the game in other parts of the world weeks or more after the inital release. This I believe is a very big incentive to pirate. The game is out, people are talking about it, yet you cant buy it. Yet likely it will be available to pirate before most of the world sees it in stores!
The value in many countries, we all know that the short term and long term value is alot less than most games, (eg no resale value, or no promise of long term) but it sells the same price as every game, and in some countries the prices dont compare, eg in Australia, the games costs about $100, (about US$95). Seriously, if the game cost in US, $95, how would this help sales!
It is like they want to test everyones morals and see who will be the last to pirate or something! Alot of very dumb decisions by EA.

 

[impar]

Greetings!

And all for nothing.
Mass Effect is already cracked.

Whats the point in gaming DRM? Screwing the paying customers?