Mass Effect DRM detailed

*polonyc2* · 05-07-2008, 02:41 PM

Mass Effect will require online authentication once every 10 days

We all remember the furor around Bioshock's copy protection, right? Well, I've got some bad news for you in that BioWare has just dropped the bomb that Mass Effect PC and Spore will also feature SecuROM copy protection software too - but in a more invasive form.

BioWare technical producer Derek French revealed that Mass Effect and Spore would feature a copy protection system similar to that used for BioShock, except that it will require online authentication once every ten days.

"After the first activation, SecuROM requires that [Mass Effect PC] re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned)," said French in a BioWare forum post.

If the game cannot authenticate itself over the internet within a period of ten days then the game will stop working.

"After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run...An internet connection is not required to install, just to activate the first time, and every 10 days after," said French.

French said that the method would be clearly described on the packaging for the game, but also that the same method would be used to authenticate Wil Wright's upcoming sim-game, Spore.

yamawho · 05-07-2008, 03:08 PM

Man ... glad I'm not much of a gamer.

The trend may push more towards console gaming and as less PC games get sold, the price will increase effectively killing off PC gaming.

Is it just me or it there much less games available these days ...

Cogar · 05-07-2008, 04:44 PM

So if you purchase a legitimate copy and someone else gets the key (by hacking BioWare's validation server or whatever) you get hosed?

Unless this changes they have a 0% chance of selling to me--and Mass Effect was one of those games I have been considering.

FearFactory · 05-07-2008, 04:49 PM

On more reason to download the game on a p2p network...

*polonyc2* · 05-07-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearFactory

On more reason to download the game on a p2p network...

but that's the reason more and more games are resorting to such strict DRM policies

ATINUT · 05-07-2008, 05:34 PM

This draconian activation scheme gives me an excuse to not get the game now.

FearFactory · 05-07-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

but that's the reason more and more games are resorting to such strict DRM policies

Yeah i know but this way more people will not buy the game because they don't want rootkits on their pc's or this kind of activation

*polonyc2* · 05-07-2008, 05:47 PM

the every 10 day thing is stupid...what happens if my internet connection happens to go down on the 10th day, will my game shut down permanently?...I didn't have any issues with Bioshock but this seems to be taking things a bit too far...so if my game does not get vaildated every 10th day they automatically assume I have a pirated copy and will no longer let me play the game I bought?

I hope they reconsider before the game actually is released

FearFactory · 05-07-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

the every 10 day thing is stupid...what happens if my internet connection happens to go down on the 10th day, will my game shut down permanently?...I didn't have any issues with Bioshock but this seems to be taking things a bit too far...so if my game does not get vaildated every 10th day they automatically assume I have a pirated copy and will no longer let me play the game I bought?

I hope they reconsider before the game actually is released

Or if i don't have an internet connection...? i have a friend that has no internet but he likes to play some games

ATINUT · 05-07-2008, 05:58 PM

What worries me, is what happens, if they all of a sudden decide, to claim my DVD key was pirated, and put it on the ban list. I'm screwed, not being able to activate the game or play it.

Why can't they do like Two Worlds does for the PC allow like 3 to 5 activations on the same system, and then after that many you call a toll free number to reactivate. Or if you don't have a connection to the net, call a phone number to activate and get an activation key that is only good for use on your computer.

*polonyc2* · 05-07-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATINUT

What worries me, is what happens, if they all of a sudden decide, to claim my DVD key was pirated, and put it on the ban list. I'm screwed, not being able to activate the game or play it.

Why can't they do like Two Worlds does for the PC allow like 3 to 5 activations on the same system, and then after that many you call a toll free number to reactivate. Or if you don't have a connection to the net, call a phone number to activate and get an activation key that is only good for use on your computer.

I think Bioshock allows you up to 5 activations as well...BioShock also released a activation revoke tool which allows you to remove an activation from a particular computer in case you decided to reformat your hard drive...they also mentioned getting rid of the activation all together after a few months...I wonder if they ever did that

ATINUT · 05-07-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I think Bioshock allows you up to 5 activations as well...BioShock also released a activation revoke tool which allows you to remove an activation from a particular computer in case you decided to reformat your hard drive...they also mentioned getting rid of the activation all together after a few months...I wonder if they ever did that

They never got rid of product activation with Bioshock. It's still there, even with the 1.1 patch. I've reinstalled Bioshock like I don't know how many times, and so far haven't had a problem with activating the game.

Microsoft does it this way with Windows, you get so many activatiosn over the net, before you have to call them. Then after so many months, the slate is wiped clean. Two Worlds as I said is the same way.

The way it looks, is I'm going to pass up getting the PC version of Mass Effect, and instead get Diskeeper Pro Premiere 2008, which I need worse than a new PC game right now, along with registering TuneUp Utilities 2008. This is the plan, unless Bioware/EA catch enough grief, and change things to be more like Two Worlds's product activation.

I also gotta get Neverwinter Nights 2 back to working, without locking up during a cut scene on Windows Vista, and this problem could be a video driver bug.

They could also do like THQ does for Company Of Heroes now with the newer patches, log on create an nickname and password, and then let you play without the cd.

Rickwell · 05-07-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by FearFactory

On more reason to download the game on a p2p network...

Quote :
but that's the reason more and more games are resorting to such strict DRM policies.

Or is it DRM like this makes more people do p2p downloads ?I can see maybe one activation.But not every 10 days.I know that it'll just get hacked anyway like Windows does.I know a guy that bought windows and hacked it so he doesn't need to activate.

zapionics<alt> · 05-08-2008, 05:14 AM

If they gave some value-add to the product then maybe people would be prepared to pay the $50 for the game and we wouldnt need all this invasive buggy DRM.

You get that 2nd DVD with movies sometimes which offers extra stuff. If you like a particular movie that can be an attractive offer.

And they could also offer comps every now and then based on the serial number or something. Hey, imagine a comp where every month you were in the draw to win a new top end vid card. They could run that for months and it would cost relatively small bucks. And they could package T shirts and official guides and so on with the games. And maybe a voucher for 10% off any expansion they release. The ideas are endless. You gonna dl some potentially hacked and spyware infested exe of a game and miss out on all that?

But nooo, they gonna spend $hundreds of millions implementing DRM and hunting down customers because they so paranoid and unable to keep up with the new way of selling entertainment. Too rich and fat. Much like the music industry.

TQ · 05-08-2008, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearFactory

On more reason to download the game on a p2p network...

And thereby justifying their use of SecuRom and doing your part to kill PC gaming. If people didn't steal games security wouldn't be necessary. But since they do (and in vast numbers) security is something those of us who don't steal
are forced to live with.
It's the Worm Ouroboros.

05-07-2008, 02:41 PM	#1
polonyc2 Helter Skelter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 7,009	Mass Effect DRM detailed Mass Effect will require online authentication once every 10 days We all remember the furor around Bioshock's copy protection, right? Well, I've got some bad news for you in that BioWare has just dropped the bomb that Mass Effect PC and Spore will also feature SecuROM copy protection software too - but in a more invasive form. BioWare technical producer Derek French revealed that Mass Effect and Spore would feature a copy protection system similar to that used for BioShock, except that it will require online authentication once every ten days. "After the first activation, SecuROM requires that [Mass Effect PC] re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned)," said French in a BioWare forum post. If the game cannot authenticate itself over the internet within a period of ten days then the game will stop working. "After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run...An internet connection is not required to install, just to activate the first time, and every 10 days after," said French. French said that the method would be clearly described on the packaging for the game, but also that the same method would be used to authenticate Wil Wright's upcoming sim-game, Spore. __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB Intel E8400 * Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital RE2 500 GB WD5001ABYS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX620 AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Lite-On DVD-RW w/LightScribe LH-20A1L-06 * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Windows XP Pro w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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05-07-2008, 03:08 PM	#2
yamawho Linux user Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 3,979	Re: Mass Effect DRM detailed Man ... glad I'm not much of a gamer. The trend may push more towards console gaming and as less PC games get sold, the price will increase effectively killing off PC gaming. Is it just me or it there much less games available these days ... __________________
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05-07-2008, 04:44 PM	#3
Cogar Sleuth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: It varies, but usually within 100 feet of a keyboard. Posts: 7,170	Re: Mass Effect DRM detailed So if you purchase a legitimate copy and someone else gets the key (by hacking BioWare's validation server or whatever) you get hosed? Unless this changes they have a 0% chance of selling to me--and Mass Effect was one of those games I have been considering.
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05-07-2008, 04:49 PM	#4
FearFactory The FC.Porto dragon! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Portugal Posts: 3,914	Re: Mass Effect DRM detailed On more reason to download the game on a p2p network... __________________ P4 3.0E@3.4, Zalman CNPS7000B-Alcu, Asus P4C800-E Deluxe, 2x 512MB DDR500 Twinmos Twister, Gigabyte Geforce 6800 128MB (OC 16x6vp 385/900), NEC 2500a 8x DVD+RW/-RW (flashed to dual layer 2510a), Liteon DVD-ROM 16X, Samsung 500GB SATA, Seagate 200GB SATA (lLinux), WD80GB SE 8MB, SB Live 1024 Player USRobotics ADSL2+ router, PSU Eurotech 560W, Samsung 17' 795MB Flat
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05-07-2008, 05:34 PM	#6
ATINUT Just Plain Crazy! Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,140	Re: Mass Effect DRM detailed This draconian activation scheme gives me an excuse to not get the game now. __________________ Intel D975XBX2 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 8GB's of Mushkin HP2 6400 memory(DDR2 800) Visiontek Radeon 3870X2 videocard HT Omega Claro(Cmedia 8788HD chip) 120GB&200GB&320GB Western Digital harddrives LG DVDROM & LG DVDBURNER HP Deskjet 920C Logitech X-540 speakers Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch Widescreen LCD Windows Vista 64 Ultimate Who'se the fool that approved the design for this place. - The Dwarf, Sacred Underworld.
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05-07-2008, 05:47 PM	#8
polonyc2 Helter Skelter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 7,009	the every 10 day thing is stupid...what happens if my internet connection happens to go down on the 10th day, will my game shut down permanently?...I didn't have any issues with Bioshock but this seems to be taking things a bit too far...so if my game does not get vaildated every 10th day they automatically assume I have a pirated copy and will no longer let me play the game I bought? I hope they reconsider before the game actually is released __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB Intel E8400 * Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital RE2 500 GB WD5001ABYS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX620 AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Lite-On DVD-RW w/LightScribe LH-20A1L-06 * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Windows XP Pro w/SP2 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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05-07-2008, 05:58 PM	#10
ATINUT Just Plain Crazy! Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,140	Re: Mass Effect DRM detailed What worries me, is what happens, if they all of a sudden decide, to claim my DVD key was pirated, and put it on the ban list. I'm screwed, not being able to activate the game or play it. Why can't they do like Two Worlds does for the PC allow like 3 to 5 activations on the same system, and then after that many you call a toll free number to reactivate. Or if you don't have a connection to the net, call a phone number to activate and get an activation key that is only good for use on your computer. __________________ Intel D975XBX2 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 8GB's of Mushkin HP2 6400 memory(DDR2 800) Visiontek Radeon 3870X2 videocard HT Omega Claro(Cmedia 8788HD chip) 120GB&200GB&320GB Western Digital harddrives LG DVDROM & LG DVDBURNER HP Deskjet 920C Logitech X-540 speakers Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch Widescreen LCD Windows Vista 64 Ultimate Who'se the fool that approved the design for this place. - The Dwarf, Sacred Underworld.
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05-07-2008, 10:22 PM	#13
Rickwell Last user turn off lights Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,564	Re: Mass Effect DRM detailed Quote: Originally Posted by FearFactory On more reason to download the game on a p2p network... Quote : but that's the reason more and more games are resorting to such strict DRM policies. Or is it DRM like this makes more people do p2p downloads ?I can see maybe one activation.But not every 10 days.I know that it'll just get hacked anyway like Windows does.I know a guy that bought windows and hacked it so he doesn't need to activate. __________________ Water Cooling-DangerDen Cooled Core 2 Extreme qx9650 3.00 Ghz Asus X48 DDR2 Rampage Formula XFX 280 GTX 1.0GB Video Card 4GB Corsair Twin 2X4096-8500C5DF 2 x 74 GB Raptors Matrix Raid 0/0 Corsair CMPSU-1000HX PSU Corsair 4GB Voyager GT (Ready Boost) Dell 2405 LCD Flat Panel Monitor WinXP x64 sp2 / WinV x64 sp1
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05-08-2008, 05:14 AM	#14
zapionics<alt> <unknown level> Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 2,751	Re: Mass Effect DRM detailed If they gave some value-add to the product then maybe people would be prepared to pay the $50 for the game and we wouldnt need all this invasive buggy DRM. You get that 2nd DVD with movies sometimes which offers extra stuff. If you like a particular movie that can be an attractive offer. And they could also offer comps every now and then based on the serial number or something. Hey, imagine a comp where every month you were in the draw to win a new top end vid card. They could run that for months and it would cost relatively small bucks. And they could package T shirts and official guides and so on with the games. And maybe a voucher for 10% off any expansion they release. The ideas are endless. You gonna dl some potentially hacked and spyware infested exe of a game and miss out on all that? But nooo, they gonna spend $hundreds of millions implementing DRM and hunting down customers because they so paranoid and unable to keep up with the new way of selling entertainment. Too rich and fat. Much like the music industry. __________________ "To Boldly Go..."
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