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Crysis Warhead crippled with DRM

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I don't like the restrictions myself buy I can confirm that:

changing your vid card = authentication
installing a different OS = authentication.

With Mass Effect, I installed the game with an 8800GT Vista x64
Then I installed Server 2008.
then a swapped in my GTX280
Then again to Server 2008 <-- error message saying I had already eaten up all my authentications.

BUT when I went back to Vista x64 again, since it was one of the 3 authentications, it worked without issue...

3 is too little, IMO.

5 is a little better (warhead)
 
You should've posted this in the thread where there is already a discussion going on, keep it all in one place I mean. Anyway unlike what a lot of people for some reason think, formatting your computer monthly (which sounds like they have other issues to deal with) isn't going to count for more than one activation. Although it is surprising to see the same thing with Steam. Is that a first?
 
Originally posted by: duragezic
You should've posted this in the thread where there is already a discussion going on, keep it all in one place I mean. Anyway unlike what a lot of people for some reason think, formatting your computer monthly (which sounds like they have other issues to deal with) isn't going to count for more than one activation. Although it is surprising to see the same thing with Steam. Is that a first?
Click to expand...

I thought about that, but then I also thought that someone who didn't read the other thread would want this front and center, since it was such a major question. Mods, feel free to merge it if you like.

 
Originally posted by: CottonRabbit
I'm pretty sure you can email EA to give you a manual activation after you pass your activation limit. I've done it twice with Test Drive Unlimited. It's kind of annoying to wait another day to play a game, but by the 6th or 7th install, I don't think you'd be that anxious.
Click to expand...

You should never have to call the publisher/developer to activate a game. Those are finite. Again, look at BG2 or NWN1&2. Black Isle is gone and Atari has been on the verge of bankruptcy for a while. I sincerely doubt you'd be able to activate BG2 today if it'd had the same DRM as Spore or Warhead. With NWN1&2, Bioware and Obsidian still exist, but they won't always be around. They are successfully today, but will they be as successful in 3 years? 5? 7? With the incredible amount of user content for NWN1 and 2, its pretty much a certainty that people will be playing them years in the future. Shoot, NWN1 was released in 2002 and people still play it. Torment was released in 1999 and people still play it. DRM just fvcks the customer, thats all it does and all it ever will do.




I snipped this from the confirmation thread about SecuRom being in Steam, which means there is no chance in hell I will be buying it. Whats with Steam games coming with DRM now? First Bioshock, now this crap? Maybe Valve needs a Steve Jobs-like people to verbally wrestle the publishers into submission.

Help us, Stardock Impulse, you're our only hope.


Originally posted by: Anubis
lol i love how the 2nd post says 5 activations should last 2 years.... ive had to reformat more times then that in the past 8 months
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He must have bought an HP. 5 activations lasting 5 years, my ass. Not on a first person shooter. In five years time, the average gamer upgrades their machine how many times? Shoot, with MS wanting to release new Windows OSs every two years, there goes two activations right there if you 'upgrade' to the new OS.
 
Originally posted by: sticks435
Originally posted by: duragezic
You should've posted this in the thread where there is already a discussion going on, keep it all in one place I mean. Anyway unlike what a lot of people for some reason think, formatting your computer monthly (which sounds like they have other issues to deal with) isn't going to count for more than one activation. Although it is surprising to see the same thing with Steam. Is that a first?
Click to expand...

I thought about that, but then I also thought that someone who didn't read the other thread would want this front and center, since it was such a major question. Mods, feel free to merge it if you like.
Click to expand...
True, I was just not sure if you noticed it or not. Not trying to be a mod. 🙂
 
One of the mods will merge it, methinks. I, for one, will not be buying Warhead unless the DRM is removed. Not such a big loss to me, I was wondering when I'd find time to play it anyway, guess I get to enjoy The Witcher and my modded to hell BG2 some more. 🙂
 
The installation restrictions is the only thing that doesn't make any sense at all to me from their DRM scheme. Basically what it means is that we are all pirates and criminals until we have to call them to get our game installation/renewal "rights". We're guilty until proven otherwise, America is truly a special place to live in. And I do not agree nor support that philosophy.
 
Hmm... reading the crytek forums about this - seems like most are happy with 5 re-activation limit [which is on ALL versions of warhead - digital and boxed copies] because you're already putting up with similar re-activation crap when dealing with Windows [which is even more of a pain because it monitors hardware changes as well!].

I think they added the same install limit to STEAM games because those too are being cracked.

Personally - I have no problem with the "5 activation" limit because I rarely ever re-install a game once I'm done with it. I'll just have to start telling the buyer that I used up an activation... 🙁
 
While I didn't read every post, I skimmed and saw some people make mention of needing a paper receipt to re-activate with EA. Not real sure how you get that with Steam. Of course, it could be wild BS too.
 
Originally posted by: coloumb
Hmm... reading the crytek forums about this - seems like most are happy with 5 re-activation limit [which is on ALL versions of warhead - digital and boxed copies] because you're already putting up with similar re-activation crap when dealing with Windows [which is even more of a pain because it monitors hardware changes as well!].

I think they added the same install limit to STEAM games because those too are being cracked.

Personally - I have no problem with the "5 activation" limit because I rarely ever re-install a game once I'm done with it. I'll just have to start telling the buyer that I used up an activation... 🙁
Click to expand...

It's still bullshit... I'm about to rebuild this system with a new motherboard, which means one of my installs is already gone for Warhead and Wars. T
 
Originally posted by: PieIsAwesome
Meh, just crack/patch it. Problem solved. Hopefully without any viruses, keyloggers, etc. . .
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That is also bullshit. I paid for the game, should I have to steal it too?
 
Originally posted by: nitromullet
Originally posted by: PieIsAwesome
Meh, just crack/patch it. Problem solved. Hopefully without any viruses, keyloggers, etc. . .
Click to expand...

That is also bullshit. I paid for the game, should I have to steal it too?
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According to EA, yep.

Edit - If Dragon Age includes a DRM scheme like this, I swear, I'll probably snap and pay a personal visit to EA's corporate HQ.
 
Preordered it 🙁 Had to install some other crap together with the game too (WTF?). Punkbuster and something called GameSpy Comrade... Not to mention my PC is now infected with SecuROM that won't disappear after I finish and uninstall Crysis Warhead. If I go home to my old folks to play it and also try it on some new machines I'll have later the 5 activation limit will be a total dealbreaker (not to mention I won't be able to use Steam as advertised...). Never ever preordering from Steam for me. Not to mention I'll think twice before purchasing anything on it.

On top of that all the optimalization talk was pure bullsh!t. Game's running the same as Crysis at Very High, looks worse imo (heavily overused HDR!) and I hardly have a sucky rig! Quad at 3.2GHz, 4GBs, HD4870... Game hiccups, stops sometimes for a brief moment and is not smooth at all. At 1680x1050 no AA all Enthusiast plus Cat 8.9s! I think I am done with Crytek in general.
 
Same with bioshock on steam, why I didnt even think of buying it.

I love steam but this could destroy steam in the long run.
 
images/avatars/avatar-4638.jpg





one day after release is better than 2 weeks before the game even ships officially. Again, this is not the place to discuss about piracy and all.

We just announced on the front page that EA is working on a system that will allow consumers to de-authorize machines and move authorizations to new machines.

I think by then no one really can complain anymore. Wink

-alex
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oh yes... rootkit hello?
 
One of the big problems with this crap is the companies, and EA in particular, have abandoned support for titles after some point. In a case like this it doesn't matter if they give you a 1000 install limit if they turn off the authentication server.
 
I'm not totally against DRM. What I'm against (along with many many others) is the limit on the number of installs that can be done. I have hundreds of games and like to keep them installed and ready for play. Perhaps EA will do as 2K has done with BioShock. 2K removed this limitation caused by SecuROM not too long ago.
 
I have the Steam version. What do I need to do to check for SecuROM? I'll relay my findings when I get home.
 
Originally posted by: AdamK47
I'm not totally against DRM. What I'm against (along with many many others) is the limit on the number of installs that can be done. I have hundreds of games and like to keep them installed and ready for play. Perhaps EA will do as 2K has done with BioShock. 2K removed this limitation caused by SecuROM not too long ago.
Click to expand...

You have a link to this?

EA has said they intend to release a 'deactivation' tool for Spore to allow the customer to remove activations without calling EA, but there's no release date yet. And it won't make a difference if EA shuts down the activation servers. What they need is a patch, preferably a re-release, with no DRM at all.
 
Originally posted by: Bateluer
Originally posted by: AdamK47
I'm not totally against DRM. What I'm against (along with many many others) is the limit on the number of installs that can be done. I have hundreds of games and like to keep them installed and ready for play. Perhaps EA will do as 2K has done with BioShock. 2K removed this limitation caused by SecuROM not too long ago.
Click to expand...

You have a link to this?

EA has said they intend to release a 'deactivation' tool for Spore to allow the customer to remove activations without calling EA, but there's no release date yet. And it won't make a difference if EA shuts down the activation servers. What they need is a patch, preferably a re-release, with no DRM at all.
Click to expand...

I think it's been stated in the FAQs that if they were to shutdown the activation server's, they would patch all the games to remove the DRM. But by that time, no one will care so..

 
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