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Windows 10 won't run old games with dodgy copy protection
Do you recall the bad old days of PC games in the mid-2000s, when titles were loaded with copy protection that was not only a hassle, but horribly insecure? Well, Microsoft does -- and that could be a problem if you're trying to run some of those vintage games on Windows 10. The company notes that games which depend on some versions of SafeDisc and Securom DRM (digital rights management) aren't allowed to run on Windows 10 at all. That could mean that your dusty copy of Grand Theft Auto III, Battlefield 1942 or The Sims won't load. As Microsoft's Boris Schneider-Johne says, their DRM intrudes so deeply into your system that they introduce a "possible loophole for computer viruses." Sure enough, at least one of the concerns about burdensome copy protection proved true -- it was more of a nuisance to honest gamers than to pirates.
Final Fantasy VII PC released early, then pulled
Yes, it is possible for a game to be considered "released early" in 2012 even after having been originally made in 1997. The new PC version of Final Fantasy VII showed up for sale on the website last night, according to reports on the forums.The problem is that the downloaded copies don't work yet. The automatic license activation (through the SecuROM DRM) failed for those who bought it, and manual serial number entry also didn't work. If that's how it is for early purchasers, it's probably a good idea that Square Enix pulled the apparently erroneous purchase links. The total price attached to these early sales was $12.70, so expect that to be the price when it's ready for prime time.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Mass Effect 2 system requirements revealed, restrictive DRM removed
We've got good news and great news for PC gaming space opera enthusiasts -- we'll start with the former and work our way up, building a beautiful good news crescendo. So, here's the good: EA recently announced the system requirements for Mass Effect 2, which we've posted after the jump. Now you can start fine-tuning your rig, making sure it plays host to all the necessary components required to play the title -- for instance, you'll need something called a "video card." Sadly, we don't think they're referring to our Blockbuster rental pass. Now, for the great: The retail version of Mass Effect 2 won't include the restrictive, pestering DRM featured in the franchise's first installment. Rather, the game will simply do a disc check upon boot-up -- the same piracy-preventing measure exercised by Dragon Age: Origins. Activate, dear friends! Activate your game to your heart's content.
PC game developers foretell the death of DRM
If you were one of the many recruits in last year's war on restrictive, invasive DRM, you may want to check out a recent article on Gamasutra that features opinions on PC gaming piracy protection (that's a mouthful) from a number of gaming industry movers and shakers.The general sentiment of these interviewees is that DRM is extremely ineffective when it comes to preventing piracy, and that developers should either come up with alternate ways of ensuring the retail product is more valuable than the pirated product, or determine a different way to make money altogether (such as micro-transactions). For interesting insight from fine folks like 2D Boy's Ron Carmel and Stardock's Brad Wardell, we highly suggest checking out the full article. [Image]
PC Dragon Age to forego SecuROM, relies on disc check
Remember all the fuss that Electronic Arts caused when it started shackling its PC games with ire-inducing -- and ineffective -- SecuROM DRM? It looks like BioWare was paying attention, as the company has announced that the EA published Dragon Age: Origins will not ship with the much maligned copy protection.BioWare's Chris Priestly stated on the Dragon Age forums that the game will rely on a simple disc check for copy protection and will not require any kind of online authentication. There is still no word on whether or not the upcoming pen-and-paper version will include any sort of anti-Xerox measures.[Via Big Download]
Gitcha SecuROM de-authorization tools! Git'em ova hur!
EA's perpetual joke -- on you -- comes to an ironic end on April Fools' Day with the release of de-authorization tools for each of its 19 PC games with SecuROM copy protection (full list and download links after the break). If you've been working on that class action lawsuit against EA for bundling SecuROM with The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff, you can drop it now -- your flat-pack furniture can finally be moved to a new machine. In the spirit of generosity, EA's giving you two options for managing your authorizations: Option 1: Download and install yet another "tool" in order to scan your computer for EA's SecuROM games and find out how many computer authorizations you have (or don't have) left for each title. Option 2: Cut to the chase and download the game-specific de-authorization tool you need.
Spore tops list of most pirated PC games of 2008
Despite possessing "draconian DRM" meant to thwart an internet that's currently teeming with PC gaming pirates, Electronic Arts' controversial (in more ways than one) life-sim Spore recently topped a list compiled by TorrentFreak which charts the most pirated PC games of 2008. With 1.7 million illicit downloads (much more than 2nd place finisher Sims 2, which had 1.15 million), it would seem that EA's strict anti-piracy measures led to ... extra piracy. Here's the top ten most pirated PC titles for the year -- with only BitTorrent downloads present and accounted for, we suggest taking the list with a SecuROM-protected grain of salt. Spore -- 1,700,000 The Sims 2 -- 1,150,000 Assassins Creed -- 1,070,000 Crysis -- 940,000 Command & Conquer 3 -- 860,000 Call of Duty 4 -- 830,000 GTA San Andreas -- 740,000 Fallout 3 -- 645,000 Far Cry 2 -- 585,000 Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 -- 470,000 [Via Big Download]
PC version of GTA IV to include SecuROM, no install limit
Don't go burning your pre-order slips for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV in effigy just yet, dear readers -- yes, according to an unnamed Rockstar staffer, the title will implement the oft-decried SecuROM to prevent piracy, however, its imposed limitations aren't too severe. Speaking to IGN, the Rockstar rep explained that the GTA IV disc will need to be in the drive in order to play the game, and the title must be registered online upon installation. However, we won't be seeing a repeat of the drama that recently plagued Spore -- there's no limit to the amount of times the game can be installed.Obviously, these rules are different for those who acquire the game via digital distribution, as retail services such as Steam have their own install limits and anti-piracy measures. We suggest checking out the aforementioned IGN interview if you're currently suffering from a DRM-related panic attack.[Via Big Download]
Fallout 3 relies on SecuROM 'only for disc check'
Bethesda's post-Oblivion, post-apocalyptic epic, Fallout 3, is the latest star in the ongoing "Does my PC game use SecuROM or not?" saga. Never fear, increasingly vocal consumers, for this implementation of the notorious and largely ineffectual anti-piracy software is considerably more basic than that found in other recent releases. Content with leaving the digital management up to consumers, the Bethesda blog notes that SecuROM is only present in the PC version of Fallout 3 to verify the game disc. "We do NOT limit the number of installs. We do NOT use online authentication or any other SecuROM functionality except for a disc check when you install the game and when you launch the game." The post further reads, "We do not install any other programs and we don't have anything that runs in the background while you're playing the game." If you're still having trouble launching the game, Bethesda suggests you run "setup.exe" directly off the disc. Also, make sure you put the disc shiny side down in the tray. We make that mistake all the time.
City of Heroes coming to Mac under Transgaming's Cider
Yet another MMO on the Mac -- EVE Online and World of Warcraft are already there, of course, and now NCSoft has announced that City of Heroes is coming to the Mac. Unfortunately, they're using Transgaming's Cider software to port the game, and as we've said before, the software isn't only unreliable, but it's got the dreaded SecuROM DRM attached*, as well. Not to mention that even the MacBook can basically run any game through BootCamp now, making a separate Mac version unnecessary in many cases.But there is one thing we really like about this release, and that's that NCSoft is actually releasing the game on the Mac as a "special edition": players who buy the Mac expansion (which apparently will be a digital-only release) will pick up a free ingame teleporter item, as well as a special "Valkyrie" costume set usable on their superhero character. So if you do go for Transgaming's software, at least you can pick up some free ingame stuff for it. We're not so much for the DRM-laden emulation, but the free stuff we do like.There's no set release date yet (they say it'll launch with the game's upcoming "Issue 13" update), but they're taking applications right now for an open beta, so if you're interested, sign on up.[via Massively]Update: NCSoft has contacted us to say that the Mac Special Edition of City of Heroes will not contain the SecuROM DRM. It was our understanding that all Transgaming releases would use the technology, but NCSoft says that theirs won't, so there you go.
Far Cry 2 bundled with Spore DRM
Time for 0.2 percent of you to form an "online PR cabal" again? Perhaps. Ubisoft forum manager "bukowski113" has posted details about the Far Cry 2 DRM, which happens to be the same SecuROM technology tied to Spore and other EA PC (and sometimes Mac) titles. According to bukowski113: Purchasers have up to 5 activations on 3 separate PCs Uninstalling Far Cry 2 "refunds" an activation; this process is known as "revoke" (as long as you properly uninstall the game, you'll be able to re-install it an unlimited number of times on the 3 machines) A computer can be upgraded an unlimited number of times (using "revoke") Ubisoft is willing to provide additional activations, if necessary "Ubisoft is committed to the long-term support of our games: you'll always be able to play Far Cry 2" Welcome to "the future of DRM," people. Get comfy.[Via Shacknews]
BioShock PC install limits removed, DRM remains
Big Daddy is now free to roam on as many PCs as possible. According to 2K Community Manager Elizabeth (via 2K Forums), BioShock for PC can now be installed on as many computers as you want. The SecuROM protection still remains, however, and you still need to both activate the game upon installation and keep the disc in the tray.Elizabeth does provide some assurance to those who worry about the DRM. "I believe, as you seem to, that BioShock will be the kind of game we will want to revisit 5, 10, 15 or more years from now. I want my copy to be playable, just as you do, and so does 2K," she said. We know Mr. Bubbles would be happy, and we'd hate to see him feeling otherwise.
BioWare drops 10-day validation from Mass Effect PC
After stirring up a hornets' nest of gamer contempt last week by announcing that the forthcoming PC flavor of Mass Effect would require re-validation every 10 days, BioWare community manager Jay Watamaniuk has come forward as the voice of reason on the game's official forums, stating that the developer has now removed the "feature" from the game.Instead of employing the previously revealed DRM madness, Watamaniuk explained that Mass Effect will include just a one time online authentication, allowing players to play the game once validated without the disc in the drive at all. That said, if any new content is downloaded, the game will again have to bite the disc to make sure it's real. The caveat to all of this, however, is that each Mass Effect purchase will only be able to be installed a maximum of three times, news that has again incited us to pick up our torches and pitchforks and join the mob outside.
Spore, Mass Effect to require online validation every 10 days
BioWare technical producer Derek French lit up the Mass Effect forums this past week announcing that both their game and (on page 2) fellow Electronic Arts title Spore come with SecuROM, a DRM system that requires activation the first time you play the game and then a re-check every ten days, with the first check on the fifth day.French explained that there is no external program installed and the check will be run through MassEffect.exe (or Spore.exe, presumably), the data transfered will be the CD key and a "unique machine identifier of some type" and that he has been told, "there will be clear labeling on the package."Despite all these reassurances, an unfortunate scenario brought up by one poster -- of ignoring the game 11 days and then trying to play with no internet -- was proven true, as French confirmed you wouldn't be able to play the game under that situation. Of course, it's not like you're gonna put any of these games down for ten days, right? Right? Eh, we hate DRM.(Note: We do understand the irony of making a Samara/The Ring joke when -- spoiler -- her primary goal was to have people make as many copies as possible.)[Via Shacknews]
Sony's back for more, running BioShock DRM with a rootkit
BioShock is undoubtedly a critical darling, but it's not without its share of technical woes. 2K Games is already on the ball with the widescreen field of view "issue," and has even slackened activation requirements, allowing for up to five SecuROM activations per copy of BioShock. Unfortunately, activation problems go deeper than that, since the Sony-owned SecuROM has deemed it necessary to pack in a rootkit with the BioShock installation, both for registered versions of the game and, inexplicably, the demo. We would've hoped 2K games chose its DRM provider carefully, and screened for such shenanigans, but Sony's SecuROM really has no excuse, since we've certainly been down this path before.Update: Our pal Dan at PC Gamer points out that while he thought it was goofy to have the DRM on the demo too, it turns out that they pretty much always do this -- if they don't, pirates can use the unprotected exe to figure out what the difference between the demo and retail exe is, and that makes it easier to hack out.Update 2: 2K has a statement up about BioShock's DRM. According to them, SecuROM isn't an actual rootkit, it's just hiding some registry keys on your system. Gaming Bob, who originated this story, has also retracted his analysis of the DRM as being a rootkit, and posted up some easier instructions for removing the SecuROM service, so it looks like it's indeed safe to come out and play.[Via Fergie's Tech Blog; thanks Nfinity]
