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Drm

drm

Spore To Use Online Authentication

Despite some hand-wringing by fans, EA today announced that their hugely anticipated Will Wright game Spore will not make use of SecuROM's 10-day periodic re-authetication and instead use a modified version to require online authentication.

The announcement comes on the heels of news that Mass Effect will also be ditching the ten day re-authentication.

We wanted to let you know that we've been hearing your concerns about the online authentication mentioned earlier this week. I didn't want to head into the weekend without getting back to you with some information about how Spore is planning on using this new system.

A few things we wanted you to know:

— We authenticate your game online when you install and launch it the first time.
— We'll re-authenticate when a player uses online features, downloads new content or a patch for their game.
— The new system means you don't have to play with the disc in your computer. And if you are like me, always losing discs, this will be a huge benefit.
— You'll still be able to install and play on multiple computers.
— You can play offline.

We do hope that players will play online - sharing creatures, buildings and vehicles with other players is something that is unique to Spore and one of the coolest features of the game. Every day, when I play the Creature Stage, I get to see wacky and awesome new creatures from my Buddies on the team coming over the hill at me and I can't wait to see what happens when our creative, passionate community starts sharing their creations.

Sounds like Electronic Arts got the message, here's hoping that other publishers do too.


bioware backs down

BioWare Backs Down From Draconian Mass Effect Authentication

When Mass Effect comes to the computer it will not use SecuROM's 10-day periodic re-authentication and instead will instead use a modification to do only a one-time online authentication, Bioware announced today.

The developer said the decision came after listening "very closely" to its fans and that the new system will also allow gamers to play the game without the DVD in the drive.

The system will allow gamers to authenticate their game on just three computers, but EA does have the ability to give additional authorizations if they are warranted.

Hit up the jump for the official FAQ and to let us know what you think about this change of heart.

More »

xbox 360

How To Get Around Microsoft's Shitty DRM

It's a safe assumption: many of you will have been jerked around by Microsoft's bum digital rights management setup for the 360. You've bought content, lost a console, and now can't play arcade games or use DLC unless you're online. Chin up, eh? Courtesy of Consumerist reader James, there's a way around it! James called up Microsoft support and hassled them about transferring the license from his old console to his new, replacement one. VoilĂ ! The content was tagged to his new 360 instead of the old one, and James can play with the stuff he paid for whenever and wherever he likes. As should always have been the case. Only downside? There's two: it took 32 days for Microsoft to transfer the license, and there's no way of confirming whether this was due to some new Microsoft policy or the fact James is an expert at complaining.
Microsoft May Slowly Be Fixing Their Broken XBOX DRM [Consumerist] [Pic]

drm

Sony: DRM Holding up PSP Download Service

I recently had a chance to talk with John Koller, the senior marketing manager for the Playstation Portable for a story I was working on for the Rocky Mountain News. The story ran online today. It mostly looks at the Playstation Portable's identity crisis: Is it a portable gamer or is it a multimedia player. There are plenty of other juicy tidbits packed into the story as well. More »

sony

Sony Refutes the "No Secondhands" Rumor

Sony's UK PR manager Jennie Kong spoke out against the recent rumor that the media monster is planning to restrict sales of used copies of PS3 games. More »

legal

$5M Class Action Lawsuit Against Ubisoft for Starforce


Hate Starforce? Want to sue them? Well, Christopher Spence has already done it on your behalf. Christopher has filed a $5M class action lawsuit against Ubisoft for using Starforce DRM in their games, and if he wins, you'll be entitled to collect if you've ever had your system infected by Starforce. More »

starforce

Starforce Asks Customer To Apologize For Being A Liar

More Starforce wackiness! After warezing critics' games and accusing others of being affiliated with the Russian mafia, what's next for gaming's most beloved Russian son? How will they entertain us today? More »

starforce

Is Starforce With You?

If you think you may have already installed Starforce onto your gaming PC, what do you do? Well, if you're a Russian mafioso like most Starforce detractors you get one of your gangster lackeys to take the rig out to the woods and shoot it. If by some chance you're not, the Boycott Starforce site has a list of games that incorporate the copy protection software, and instructions for removing it. More »

drm

Starforce Reboots Your PC Without Warning. Don't Like It? You're Mafioso.

Are you still not convinced that you shouldn't buy games that use Starforce? From Gadget Life: More »

starforce

Starforce to Stardock: "Sorry for warezing your game, dudes"

Starforce is sleazy, no doubt. Their first transgression was programming and marketing a highly-invasive form of copy protection to begin with. Then they began threatening their critics with frivolous lawsuits. And as icing on the cake, they decided to post torrent links to Galactic Civilization 2 on their website in response to Stardock's criticism of copy-protection in general. It's enough to make a gamer want to break a Starforce-infected cd in half and jab the shards through the vitreous humor of Starforce CEO's eyeballs. More »

copy protection

Ars Technica Looks At The Future Of Copy Protection



ArsTechnica has a column up with the intriguing title "Do copy protection firms encourage piracy?" Then, rather interestingly, they don't bother asking or answering that question at all. More »