BioShock 2 PC Requirements, DRM Revealed

[mindcycle]

*UPDATE 1/25*

BioShock 2 publisher 2K Games is "scaling back" its DRM restrictions on PC, community manager Elizabeth Tobey has explained, potentially spelling the end of the scandal that may well have gone on to be wittily dubbed GateShock 2: Sea of DRMs.

There will be no SecuROM install limits for either the retail or digital editions of BioShock 2, and SecuROM will be used only to verify the game's executable and check the date. Beyond that, we are only using standard Games for Windows Live non-SSA guidelines, which, per Microsoft, comes with 15 activations (after that, you can reset them with a call to Microsoft.)

This implementation is identical to that of other titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum, says Tobey, which caused far less outrage and was apparently often cited to her as an example of reasonable DRM during BioScandal 2: The Gate of DRMs.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/62072

*ORIGINAL POST*

The listing has been updated to declare a high "15 machine activation limit," after which--if hit without any deactivations--players would presumably need to contact support before they could install and play BioShock 2 again.

The PC system requirements for BioShock 2 have been revealed by the Steam listing which also offers various discounts and pre-order bonuses for the subaqueous sequel.

While BioShock 2 shares BioShock's use of SecuROM DRM, there's no indication that the sequel follows its decision to limit the number of installations. This proved a thorny issue for BioShock and the limit was quickly increased then ultimately removed.

Minimum:

* Processor: AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3800+ 2.4Ghz or better, Intel Pentium 4 530 3.0Ghz Processor or better
* Memory: 2GB
* Graphics: NVIDIA 7800GT 256MB graphics card or better, ATI Radeon X1900 256MB graphics card or better
* Hard Drive: 11GB
* Sound: 100% DirectX 9.0C compliant sound card or onboard sound
* OS: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7
* DirectX: DirectX 9.0c

Recommended:

* Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Dual Core 2.60Ghz, Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Dual Core 2.13Ghz
* Memory: 3GB
* Graphics: NVIDIA 8800GT 512MB graphics card or better, ATI Radeon HD4830 512MB graphics card or better

Other Requirements:

* Initial installation requires one-time internet connection.
* Ability to save game, earn achievements, receive title updates and online play requires log-in to Games for Windows LIVE.
* Software installations required including Microsoft Visual C++2008 Runtime Libraries, Games for Windows LIVE client, Games for Windows LIVE Client Patch, Sony DADC SecuROM, Microsoft DirectX.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/62013

 

[mindcycle]

I don't know what a 15 install limit is really going to accomplish. It is definitely better than 3, but the game will still be cracked so i'm not sure what the point is. Maybe i'm missing something here..

Besides that, the fact that it requires GFWL automatically makes this a no-buy for me. No way I would willingly put myself through that torture again.

 

[mmntech]

This will be a Steam or PS3 buy for sure. Just get rid of these install limits.

 

[bullbert]

I don't know what a 15 install limit is really going to accomplish. It is definitely better than 3, but the game will still be cracked so i'm not sure what the point is. Maybe i'm missing something here..

Besides that, the fact that it requires GFWL automatically makes this a no-buy for me. No way I would willingly put myself through that torture again.

The same thing as always, namely to eliminate used PC game sales. They know they will never stop the crackers, but they know they can eventually stop the honest people from being able to buying used PC games.

 

[Magusigne]

O RLY?

I'm not sure why people fuss so much. I have NEVER ran into a install limit problem..and If I did (I can see why a 3 install limit could be annoying) all I'd have to do is call the customer support number.

DRM does accomplish really nothing...but is it really that big of a nuisance to honest people?

 

[BladeVenom]

I'm not sure why people fuss so much. I have NEVER ran into a install limit problem..and If I did (I can see why a 3 install limit could be annoying) all I'd have to do is call the customer support number.

Calling customer support is always fun. I love spending my time on hold, then getting to talk to someone in a 3rd world country who barely speaks English. I don't understand why more people don't want to pay to do that.

 

[coloumb]

Oh boy - another DRM thread that will be derailed into a huge flame war. Glad I always have my virtual popcorn and lawn chair.

DRM is a nasty little issue that doesn't like various configurations as many posts and complaints have shown - plus Used PC game market takes a serious hit - once they figure out or coordinate with hardware vendors - I'm pretty sure they'll do the same for console games as well [though - that would obliterate rentals - so it probably won't happen].

Weird # though - 15 machines? Maybe that's a value of [# of computers the average household has] + [# of people who unecessarily format/reinstall their OS] + [the notorious failed installs which people tend to try and re-install over and over again].

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

O RLY?

I'm not sure why people fuss so much. I have NEVER ran into a install limit problem..and If I did (I can see why a 3 install limit could be annoying) all I'd have to do is call the customer support number.

DRM does accomplish really nothing...but is it really that big of a nuisance to honest people?

It helps destroy the second hand market in a rather underhanded way, and yes it is a big nuisance to put up with just so a company can take away our rights. I don't buy second hand games, but I hate dealing with bs for no reason. I'm definitely not playing this game. Nice to see they didn't learn anything from the last time. Bioshock was somewhat succesful this game will do worse and whatever game they put out afterwards will do much much worse.

 

[Arglebargle]

I don't know what a 15 install limit is really going to accomplish. It is definitely better than 3, but the game will still be cracked so i'm not sure what the point is. Maybe i'm missing something here..

Besides that, the fact that it requires GFWL automatically makes this a no-buy for me. No way I would willingly put myself through that torture again.

I agree about the GFWL. It's a super negative for me in any buying decision. So far, I have been able to dump it after setting up the few enjoyable games that were saddled with the monstrosity.

I sure wish the game distributers would move to a model where they only inflict their troublesome DRM for the first 6 months or year after release, and drop it to something more reasonable after the first blush of the early adopters has been run through.

 

[mindcycle]

I sure wish the game distributers would move to a model where they only inflict their troublesome DRM for the first 6 months or year after release, and drop it to something more reasonable after the first blush of the early adopters has been run through.

The install limit was eventually removed from the original Bioshock after awhile, but SecuROM remained. I just don't understand why they would include this crap again after all the controversy it caused last time. It's not good for anyone, does nothing to stop piracy, and only serves to create lost sales.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53236

 

[ZzZGuy]

Still not buying it, even if they gave you a 1000 install limit it still requires online activation. Maybe if I can find it for $5.

 

[Lonyo]

The same thing as always, namely to eliminate used PC game sales. They know they will never stop the crackers, but they know they can eventually stop the honest people from being able to buying used PC games.

How does a 15 install limit eliminate used game sales?
Unless you plan to install it 10 times and then try and sell it and the person buying it also plans to install it 10 times, I don't see how a 15 install limit would become an issue.


How many games have you personally installed lets say more than 5 times?
Bear in mind that you're also selling this game on, so you only have a limited period in which to resell it (while it still holds some resell value).
So are you going to install a single game >5 times in lets say 12 months? If not, I don't see the elimination of used game sales.
And I'm expecting the person buying a used game won't install it >5 times and then try and resell it again.

 

[Bateluer]

delete me

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Can people explain to me the problem with GFWL? I've always found it super reliable and have never had a problem with it. It's awesome for keeping lists of "friends" for games like DoWII so you can always have a match with someone you have played before and who you know won't drop on you or anything. I also like the achievement thing a lot.

I'm fairly sure most GFWL haters are either just anti-MS or resent it because it looks too XBox-like.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Still not buying it, even if they gave you a 1000 install limit it still requires online activation. Maybe if I can find it for $5.

I had this attitude a few years ago, but these days the odds of online activation getting in the way are miniscule. Everyone has a reliable and fast internet connection and just about every piece of software on your computer uses the internet in some way or another.

 

[mindcycle]

Can people explain to me the problem with GFWL? I've always found it super reliable and have never had a problem with it. It's awesome for keeping lists of "friends" for games like DoWII so you can always have a match with someone you have played before and who you know won't drop on you or anything. I also like the achievement thing a lot.

I'm fairly sure most GFWL haters are either just anti-MS or resent it because it looks too XBox-like.

I've personally experienced a few problems with it. Gear of War wouldn't install properly or allow me to save because of some bug in GFWL. I finally figured that one out by essentially removing some GFWL files for the GOW directory and creating an offline profile to save. Major PITA that took several days to figure out. The next game to have issue was Fallout 3. I wanted to purchase one of the DLC packs but every time I tried to login to actually make the purchase I got a GFWL error message. Suffice to say I just quit playing FO3 at that point since it wasn't worth the hassle to me.

I own a 360 and the LIVE service works fine on it. It's quite apparent MS didn't feel like putting the necessary resources into GFWL to make it on par with the 360.

 

[Bateluer]

So, you have to activate over GFWL, which is probably among the worst services ever invented. And, to rub salt in the wound, you have to be logged into GFWL to save the game, earn achievements, title updates, play online. So in a nutshell, you have to be logged into GFWL to play the game.

Another title I'll be passing on until its 5 dollars in the Steam Bargain Bin and disconnected from GFWL.

 

[mindcycle]

So, you have to activate over GFWL, which is probably among the worst services ever invented.

Absolutely.

 

[wanderer27]

The game will feature DRM security. If you buy the game via Steam, you'll have to be logged in to Valve's service, wait for BioShock 2 to unlock, wait for SecuRom activation (and install limits too, probably), then log in to Games For Windows Live once the game has loaded, and then use it exclusively for multiplayer

If you use Steam, you're really getting put through the ringer . . .

Is it really worth it?

Additionally:

#

Other Requirements & DRM:
# Initial installation requires one-time internet connection; Ability to save game, earn achievements, receive title updates and online play requires log-in to Games for Windows LIVE; software installations required including Microsoft Visual C++2008 Runtime Libraries, Games for Windows LIVE client, Games for Windows LIVE Client Patch, Sony DADC SecuROM, Microsoft DirectX.

 

[F1N3ST]

GFWL is the hardest ass fucking I've ever gotten, having been fucked in the ass several times.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Is it really worth it?

Bioshock was one of the most overrated games ever. I never even finished it, I found it rather boring after I got over the awesome environments. Boring weapons, boring enemies, repetitive corridor gameplay. I might grab Bioshock 2 if I see it on special somewhere.

 

[waggy]

wait! to save you have to log into Games for Windows live? WTF!

 

[s44]

You're only going to play the game once, so who cares?

Of course, that's a reason to wait for a sale.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

GFWL is the hardest ass fucking I've ever gotten, having been fucked in the ass several times.

Details? Like I said I've never had a problem personally (not to say others haven't) so for me the benefits of GFWL far outweight the negatives. Although I think GFWL and Steam is kind of redundant, Steam offers pretty much every service that is available in GFWL.

 

[wanderer27]

Steam offers pretty much every service that is available in GFWL.

Yeah, but you need both . . . why?