Online Activation

[Waaghpowa]

If it doesn't work why are they still using it? -.-

How does it prevent piracy? I can´t think of a single game that hasn't been cracked.

Nobody said it works...

Well ... why are they still using it then?

Probably because they figure that without DRM, nothing will stop even the honest customers from pirating it.

 

[shrekfan246]

Hasn't affected me yet. Though I am bothered when I can't play games offline....
You know, in case your internet goes down and you need something to do while waiting for them to come out and fix it.

Like I said in my above post, the only true instance of "Always online" DRM is Ubisoft, and they suck major ass.

Actually, EA put an "Always Online" DRM onto Darkspore. I know that hardly anyone has actually played that game, but for the single-player game you must maintain a constant internet connection at all times.

And I won't put my input on this matter in further than the following sentences, because there's already going to be a flamewar rising from the people who vehemently defend DRM as "ending piracy" (which it doesn't) and the people who say that DRM causes piracy (Which it does, but it's certainly not the chief cause. It's the chief cause of people hunting cracks, I'd say, but those aren't technically illegal in and of themselves, last I knew).

 

[Waaghpowa]

Hasn't affected me yet. Though I am bothered when I can't play games offline....
You know, in case your internet goes down and you need something to do while waiting for them to come out and fix it.

Like I said in my above post, the only true instance of "Always online" DRM is Ubisoft, and they suck major ass.

Actually, EA put an "Always Online" DRM onto Darkspore. I know that hardly anyone has actually played that game, but for the single-player game you must maintain a constant internet connection at all times.

And I won't put my input on this matter in further than the following sentences, because there's already going to be a flamewar rising from the people who vehemently defend DRM as "ending piracy" (which it doesn't) and the people who say that DRM causes piracy (Which it does, but it's certainly not the chief cause. It's the chief cause of people hunting cracks, I'd say, but those aren't technically illegal in and of themselves, last I knew).

Is that for JUST Darkspore? Because Ubisoft is for everything last I checked.

 

[Valiance]

DustArma[]

Bought DNF a week and a half ago.

Game proceeded to install Steam, two versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Libraries, Direct X, all before it installed the game.

I was hoping to install it on two machines so my dad can play it too, but...Looks like I can't do that, since it's "bound" to my steam account...

You technically can, just install the game on his PC using your account then set the game to offline mode, it should in theory run fin as long as you don't tell steam to go online again.

Of course that is a breach of the SSA AFAIK and could very well lead to repercussions for you, so use at your own risk

He'll still have to install Steam...Which he doesn't want to on that computer...And like you said, it breaks the SSA, so....I don't want to lose access my dozens of games for something like this.

 

[shrekfan246]

Hasn't affected me yet. Though I am bothered when I can't play games offline....
You know, in case your internet goes down and you need something to do while waiting for them to come out and fix it.

Like I said in my above post, the only true instance of "Always online" DRM is Ubisoft, and they suck major ass.

Actually, EA put an "Always Online" DRM onto Darkspore. I know that hardly anyone has actually played that game, but for the single-player game you must maintain a constant internet connection at all times.

And I won't put my input on this matter in further than the following sentences, because there's already going to be a flamewar rising from the people who vehemently defend DRM as "ending piracy" (which it doesn't) and the people who say that DRM causes piracy (Which it does, but it's certainly not the chief cause. It's the chief cause of people hunting cracks, I'd say, but those aren't technically illegal in and of themselves, last I knew).

Is that for JUST Darkspore? Because Ubisoft is for everything last I checked.

I think it's just for Darkspore, but it's not like EA has a stunning history of easy-going DRM in their past. I assume you mean that Ubisoft does the same sort of DRM, but for everything they release?

Captcha: Melbourne otifell. Wow. That sounds intense.

 

[Waaghpowa]

I think it's just for Darkspore, but it's not like EA has a stunning history of easy-going DRM in their past. I assume you mean that Ubisoft does the same sort of DRM, but for everything they release?

Captcha: Melbourne otifell. Wow. That sounds intense.

Yes, I mean Ubisoft uses "Always online" DRM for most, if not all, of their games.

 

[Wintermoot]

I like the fact that Steam gives me cloud gaming (installing games wherever I want whenever I want even if the discs become useless/lost) but it,s kinda stupid if the data is on my laptop but requires a internet connection to run.

 

[Jodah]

Online Activation = Good, moderately useful anti-piracy technique. In the long run the pirates will always crack it but that, at least, slows them down a bit. Lets face it, just about anyone with a computer can get online for five minutes to activate a game.

Always Online DRM = Bad, moderately useful anti-piracy technique. As stated previously, the pirates always win in the long run. Always online DRM just drives away legitimate customers.

 

[J. Reed]

Spoiler: WTF?

This has happened to me a few times. Steam and I have our issues.

Is there a work-around for this? I'm not the most tech-savvy guy.

 

[Simeon Ivanov]

Online Activation = Good, moderately useful anti-piracy technique. In the long run the pirates will always crack it but that, at least, slows them down a bit. Lets face it, just about anyone with a computer can get online for five minutes to activate a game.

Always Online DRM = Bad, moderately useful anti-piracy technique. As stated previously, the pirates always win in the long run. Always online DRM just drives away legitimate customers.

Agreed. But what about smaller countries (like mine) who's internet connection is really shifty. To this day, I STILL can't play Assassins Creed Brotherhood (original copy), despite my really fast internet connection.

 

[Aris Khandr]

If it doesn't work why are they still using it? -.-

How does it prevent piracy? I can´t think of a single game that hasn't been cracked.

Nobody said it works...

Well ... why are they still using it then?

Imagine you own a store. That store has a problem with burglary, but still turns enough profit that you feel your investment is worthwhile. Still, are you going to be happy just accepting the burglary? I doubt that. So you try to fight it. Even if they'll eventually get through the lock, it's worth trying.

 

[Entropyutd]

It prevents piracy, and piracy is bad. And if it prevents bad things, it's good. Ergo... good. Not much more I can say.

The thing is it doesnt.
If someone wants a pirated game there are thousands of sites who can supply a copy of any game within days if not hours of release.

I do not use pirated software, however I do use torrent sites. Duke Nukem Forever for example was cracked and posted within 3 hours of its European release.
Irreardless of the authentication method used the pirates will always find a way.

I am not a fan of requiring an internet connection to play, my work means I travel a lot and it is not always possible to be online, even in a country with arguably one of the best technological infrastructures in the world. (Sweden)
If I buy a game I should be able to play it whenever, no questions asked.

 

[shrekfan246]

I think it's just for Darkspore, but it's not like EA has a stunning history of easy-going DRM in their past. I assume you mean that Ubisoft does the same sort of DRM, but for everything they release?

Captcha: Melbourne otifell. Wow. That sounds intense.

Yes, I mean Ubisoft uses "Always online" DRM for most, if not all, of their games.

Hm, guess I'll continue skipping out on Ubisoft PC games then and buy them for a console if I'm going to get them at all. Online Activation I can handle, even if it is slightly annoying, but always online? Nope. Sorry.

 

[Simeon Ivanov]

Ok, so I somewhat understand the online activation now, thank you.
But what about DRM? What is it's function? And who the hell thinks it's a good idea to constantly put it in their games (Yeah, looking at you Ubisoft)

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

I deal with that from time to time, if my internet is down i play offline and if i've got signal i play normally but as for online activation i find it's one of the best routes for improved ways to combat piracy.