JohnHusky JohnHusky

New copy protection comming for Spore and Mass Effect (EA)

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New copy protection comming for Spore and Mass Effect (EA)

requires activation every 10 days

http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=628375&forum=125
from Sins Forums
let me quote from Source


Mass Effect uses SecuROM and requires an online activation for the first time that you play it. Each copy of Mass Effect comes with a CD Key which is used for this activation and for registration here at the BioWare Community. Mass Effect does not require the DVD to be in the drive in order to play, it is only for installation.

After the first activation, SecuROM requires that it re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned). Just so that the 10 day thing doesn't become abrupt, SecuROM tries its first re-check with 5 days remaining in the 10 day window. If it can't contact the server before the 10 days are up, nothing bad happens and the game still runs. After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run.
End of quote


on page 2 he says:

Yes, EA is ready for us and getting ready for Spore, which will use the same system.
End of quote


They made a FAQ about the copy protection, heres a quote of the most relevant stuff

Q: Why does MEPC need to reactivate every 10 days?

A: MEPC needs to authenticate every 10 days to ensure that the CD key used for the game is valid. This is designed to reduce piracy and protect valid CD keys.


Q: What happens if I want to play MEPC but do not have an internet connection?

A: You cannot play MEPC without an internet connection. MEPC must authenticate when it is initially run and every 10 days thereafter.


Q: What happens if I install and activate MEPC with an internet connection, but then do not have an internet connection after 10 days? Can I still play MEPC?

A: No. After 10 days the system needs to re-authenticate via the internet. If you do not have an internet connection you will not be able to play until you are reconnected to the internet and able to re-authenticate.


Q: Does the game re-authenticate every 10 game play days or every 10 calendar days?

A: It re-authenticates based on calendar days, not game play days.
End of quote


WTH is this all about?? :( ha, they seem to be asking for people to pirate there game so they can play without an internet connection.

And whats with the every 10 day activation?? so if your internet is gone for more then 10 days, you CANT play your legal bought game... :(

worst copy protection in history
786,351 views 313 replies
Reply #251 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
BioWare has always listened very closely to its fans and we made this decision to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience to them. To all the fans including our many friends in the armed services and internationally who expressed concerns that they would not be able re-authenticate as often as required, EA and BioWare want you to know that your feedback is important to us.
End of quote


HogWash! ..... thats straight out of the marketing/PR manual. They have let the genie out of the bottle, and it will be a long time before it gets put back in.

..... and we made this decision to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience to them
End of quote


Translated means we got caught with our hands in the Till .... if they were so concerned they would have market tested for a response before going out with such a potentially devisive system. Any sane individual running a large Business would tread carefully in a similar scenario, the fact that they didnt speaks volumes for motivations.

The correct response should have been "We made an error, and our loyal fans let us know about that in no uncertain terms. Lesson learnt, we are going back to the drawing board on this one, and will let you know the outcome in a few days. Meanwhile, a big thank you to our customers for rattling our cage on this one, we do listen to you, and when we get it wrong, we'll say so, and put it right." Not the marketing hogwash he put out ....

If the 10 day activation was essential to the process why have they so quickly let it go? My guess is two unspoken reasons, first they still want the solid marketing database this will bring, second and equally likely - they are so divorced from the realities of their customers they really thought no one would mind .....

I want to deal with someone who I can at the very least half-trust, not someone who backs down immediately on what was previously stated as critical actions, then to see them glibly dump the "critical principles" on first sign of plummeting Sales.

I'm the first to agree that business is there to make a dollar, no problem with that - however you make the best dollars by looking after your customers, not by the saga that was just played out. Trust and Motivation are as big if not bigger part of any Sale, as is content and quality of the item or service. The latter may well be good, but the former is decidedly lacking in my view, so its still a no for me.

Regards
Zy
Reply #252 from Sins Forums Top
What's the point of requiring more authentication checks after it's been installed? This method has been cracked before..
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Reply #253 from Sins Forums Top
if they were so concerned they would have market tested for a response before going out with such a potentially devisive system. Any sane individual running a large Business would tread carefully in a similar scenario, the fact that they didnt speaks volumes for motivations.
End of quote


I'm wondering if BioWare didn't just do an end run around EA. Think about it: how many game companies that use DRM in their games come out before release and tell you exactly how it's going to work?

I think it's entirely possible that EA mandated that SecuROM was going to be in the game, BioWare got pissed about it because they didn't want to use this iteration of it, and they released the details knowing full well it was going to stir up a hornet's nest.

Of course they're only spewing out what's in the corporate manual though. They're owned by EA now, so they still have to toe the party line.
Reply #254 from Sins Forums Top
Haha! The more things like this come out, the more im convinced there are people in the copy protection industry trying to bring it down from within!
Reply #256 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This copy protection is forcing the rest of the world to play by americas rules, not all counties have laws that say piracy and software copyright even exists. Why should we have to but up with some overseas corpoate bs when technically we arn't breaking the law.Um, because the product was produced in the US?International products have to follow lowest-common-demoninator standards. Or, in this case, most-restrictive standards.BTW, your country almost certainly has basic software copyrights. There have been a variety of treaties on copyright law that most countries have signed. And if you're not in one of them, oh well.
End of quote


You did realise i said i'm in aus right ? Its the second america atm so laws are pretty similar, What i was trying to say (unsuccesfully) was that the these companies don't use common sense when dealing with consumers throughout the world. They are enforcing americas laws in other countries which is unethical, which leads me to blieve that they only care about the bottom line and not the product they are pushing.
Reply #257 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Glad to see they have changed their decision.

What is happening is that finally gamers are taking the initiative and saying "No, I will NOT buy this product if it has THAT copy-protection".

I personally have not bought any game with Starforce on it for over 2 years now, even though I wanted the games that had it on (Freedom Force Vs. 3rd Reich, Silent Hunter 2).

This is the most powerful form of protest there is, and can change the policies of companies. After all, if you are not going to buy their product because it has X copy protection on it, there is little they can do except change it or lose sales.

The irony of this is that people who badly want the game and would have legally paid for it, but didn't want the copy-protection will probably get the pirate CP-free version.


In ending:

MEPC needs to authenticate every 10 days to ensure that the CD key used
for the game is valid. This is designed to reduce piracy
End of quote


This is designed to reduce piracy. Insane and hilarious.
I've never heard a more deluded and ludicrous statement.

Such a bad system and policy would wave a FLAG in front of crackers to break this CP.

The most complex and invasive CP systems, along with strict and user-unfriendly company policy on CP is exactly what attracts the best crackers around to break the CP.

This system would be cracked within weeks or even days.

worst copy protection in history
End of quote


No, that award goes to Pace Interlock (read whole article):

http://www.prorec.com/Articles/tabid/109/EntryID/134/Default.aspx

Responsible copy protection is:

1. Unintrusive. Copy protection schemes that employ invasive procedures are irresponsible.

2. Interoperable. Copy protection schemes that are not compatible with standard operating systems or other common applications should be avoided.

3. Stable. Copy protection must not jeopardize the stability of the operating platform or application software.

4. Cost-effective. If a company spends all of its time supporting the copy protection, then it is quite conceivable that the cost to support the copy protection will quickly exceed the cost of piracy.

5. Available. Copy-protection that requires the user to have their software "turned on" by the vendor leaves them exposed to prolonged periods of downtime.

6. Effective! At the end of the day, if people are still stealing the software, then what was the point?


Pace Interlock fails miserably on all six counts.

Reply #258 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm wondering if BioWare didn't just do an end run around EA.
End of quote


That occurred to me too, but judging from the first days of Derek French's responses in the Mass Effect forums, I don't think it's likely.
Reply #259 from Sins Forums Top
6. Effective! At the end of the day, if people are still stealing the software, then what was the point?
End of quote


7. Not existent. Because not a single CP has been able to fulfill requirement 6. Ever.
Reply #260 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
6. Effective! At the end of the day, if people are still stealing the software, then what was the point?7. Not existent. Because not a single CP has been able to fulfill requirement 6. Ever.
End of quote


Agreed.
Which is exactly why GC2 copy protection works-It has none and it still sells. Amazingly sells:

Link to topic
Reply #261 from Demigod Forums Top

Agreed.Which is exactly why GC2 copy protection works-It has none and it still sells.
End of quote

Well, the retail version of GC2 has no protection. But the updated version of GC2 (since 1.1) requires a one time activation per windows install.

Reply #262 from Sins Forums Top
this is such a load of crap every time i move i may not have internet for a couple months. Im extremely close to just swearing off all EA P.C. products. Because of the piracy software they use i cant run either of the B.F.M.E. which i legally bought. This is going to kill EA.
Reply #263 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think it's entirely possible that EA mandated that SecuROM was going to be in the game, BioWare got pissed about it because they didn't want to use this iteration of it, and they released the details knowing full well it was going to stir up a hornet's nest.
End of quote


Good thoughts, you may well be right.

Its just the sort of dirty politics that goes on in many Corporates, and why I will never work for one again. Some people dont mind that kind of Culture, for me its a big Turn Off.

Regards
Zy
Reply #264 from Sins Forums Top
It'll last a week tops before the pirates find a way around it. Not that it matters because securom is not coming anywhere near my pc.
Reply #265 from Sins Forums Top
I'm betting that it'll be cracked within 24 hours actually..... hmmm... wasn't Supreme Commander's SecuROM (before GPG/THQ removed it) cracked before they even released it?
Reply #266 from Sins Forums Top
The Ray Muzyka PCG interview was so full of bullcrap and spin I thought I was in the sphincter of a bovine in a centrifuge.

I really... REALLY want to support Will Wright in his endeavour to make the world a better place through his innovative game, but I cannot, will not support Sony DADC in their insane attempts to infiltrate my system in the pursuit of Digital Rights Management.

Incidentally, I did some research and found out that DRM systems like SecuROM might actually be violating Canadian privacy laws, specifically PIPEDA, (Privacy Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).

The article I found is here. http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,137404-c,mp3players/article.html

This part makes me laugh though...

"The focus of the DRM system is to encrypt a piece of media, manage the licence key, profile to that licence, and deliver it -- that's it," Levy said. "It's unfortunate that consumers have been misled by a lot of vocal critics because the truth is DRM is no more evil than the lock and key that's on your door, the alarm on your car, or the authentication system in your cell phone."

Partially wrong analogy. DRM is no more evil than the lock and key on your door, except the control of that key does not belong to you, but to the door manufacturer, and they decide when and where tolet you in.
Reply #267 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This copy protection is forcing the rest of the world to play by americas rules, not all counties have laws that say piracy and software copyright even exists. Why should we have to but up with some overseas corpoate bs when technically we arn't breaking the law.Um, because the product was produced in the US?International products have to follow lowest-common-demoninator standards. Or, in this case, most-restrictive standards.BTW, your country almost certainly has basic software copyrights. There have been a variety of treaties on copyright law that most countries have signed. And if you're not in one of them, oh well.You did realise i said i'm in aus right ? Its the second america atm so laws are pretty similar, What i was trying to say (unsuccesfully) was that the these companies don't use common sense when dealing with consumers throughout the world. They are enforcing americas laws in other countries which is unethical, which leads me to blieve that they only care about the bottom line and not the product they are pushing.
End of quote


Ok, I agree with you for the most part, but putting absurd copy protection allegations souly on American companies is inaccurate at best. Take Earth 2160 by the European company Reality Pump. Alot of people had issues activating their copy because they were forced to "phone in" with their serial code upon install and many times the activation system itself didnt work. It was an unnecessary system because the hackers cracked the game (it was a European port released several months before the American version came out so there were many versions to pirate) and the legitimate customers got the shaft. And this is one of several Euro produced games that have attrocious protections that really do nothing more then ruin the products for the legitimate customers.

But my point is simply that American companies arent the only ones with shady business practices. Just look at Nintendos history of business. Look at how Sony deals with their customers (SOE anyone?). Granted these companies have branches in the US, but they are both based in Japan. Any they all alienate (or alienated) their customers so that they can fulfill this misguided preconception that "its not that THEIR product is bad, its the pirates!" that are infringing on their profits.

Anyway, towards pirates. If you cant or wont purchase a product, then dont use it. Simple as that. Get these corporate monkeys off our backs. That will send a clearer message toward the heart of the big businesses that you inadvertently want to cripple. Then all they are doing is hurting themselves.

I should add that SecuROM IS in fact a Sony product. And Sony pushes their products aggressively upon many customers whether they know it or not.
Reply #268 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
From Bioware forums (sorry if it's already been posted, I didn't have time to read all 11 pages and stopped half way through):

There has been a lot of discussion in the past week on how the security requirements for Mass Effect for PC will work. BioWare, a division of EA, wants to let fans know that Mass Effect will not require 10- day periodic re-authentication

(this is a revision to their original statement of the copy protection which had a 10-day constant re-authentication system built in)

I just hope the same is true with Spore. The 3 times limit on installation/activation sure is a pain, but at least it's not as crazy as before - with the old system it seemed like they were trying to force customers to run pirate copies of the game by making the legal one such a nightmare to use!
Reply #269 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yes it's been posted here, and yes the 10-day phone home has also been removed from Spore.

-HM
Reply #270 from Sins Forums Top
Just got off the BioWagon.

I did some digging around and found about 7 threads on Bioware's forum (the longest being 123 pages) regarding DRM and SecuROM concerns, all of which were rediverted to new threads, and locked down. The new threads even now are being locked down due to a "10 page limit" on threads.

It seems the dogs of war at Bioware are trying to censor some of it's fans in order to Bring Down The Hype, of MEPC going "gold" (see what I did there?).
Reply #271 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Considering there's a thread that's 123 pages long, it's highly unlikely they're trying to quiet people.

-HM
Reply #272 from Sins Forums Top
Considering there's a thread that's 123 pages long, it's highly unlikely they're trying to quiet people.-HM
End of quote


Actually that thread was locked, diverted to another thread, then that thread was locked and diverted to a topic regarding just on Mass Effect and SecuROM, which was split into two parts, locked, then diverted again into the "Off Topic" section.

Then of course you have the announcement that Mass Effect has gone gold, which again sparked massive amounts of 'Edit: Please keep this on topic" as people expressed unhappiness that SecuROM would STILL be in the game.
Reply #273 from Sins Forums Top
Bioware is not owned by EA. They are just deveolping ME for them. BW has been working for alot of other Publishers in the past like Atari(NWN) and Lucas Arts(KOTOR).
Reply #274 from Sins Forums Top
Bioware is not owned by EA. They are just deveolping ME for them. BW has been working for alot of other Publishers in the past like Atari(NWN) and Lucas Arts(KOTOR).
End of quote


Actually, EA did buy VG Holding Corp, Bioware and Pandemic a few months back. Bioware is owned by EA now.

Here is one of many articles on the subject:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/826/826662p1.html
Reply #275 from Sins Forums Top
Ouch, EA spreading like a plague.