Crysis Warhead crippled with DRM

[BoberFett]

Idiot, SecuROM itself "mucks up" your registry.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: drebo

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
Reformatting cleans the registry and allows my machine to run the way it should. There are too many software vendors that create buggy installs and bad code that, simply put, craps out your box. I, unlike you apparently, like to have a clean system that is optimized fully. Updating drivers over time also mucks up the registry, I never said anything about viruses or the like. (And I missed the HAD to part, I reformat about two or three times a year.)

Thanks for your totally uninformed criticism though, greatly appreciated. :thumbsup:

If you are careful about the way you use your computer, run a good antivirus application, and, in general, are not a moron, your registry will not get "mucked up". It doesn't do that on its own. Your computer will only get messed up if you do something that allows it to get messed up (go to porn sites and get crapware installed on your computer, etc). Everyday operation of your system will NOT screw with the registry.

As for drivers, check out drivercleaner.

I've been running the same hardware for 2.5 years now, and have only reformatted once, which was entirely my own fault. I screwed my video codecs up to the point where the Zune software (crappy as it is) would not allow me to transfer any video to my Zune. Before and after that, my computer runs just as well, gets just as high framerates, and runs just as smooth as it did the day I installed it.

As I said: the only reason you will ever NEED to reinstall Windows is because you screwed something up. You may want to reinstall because of some sort of masochistic desire or placebo effect that makes you think reinstalling solves world hunger. But you definitely do not need to reinstall your operating system.

You continue to astound me, there are things that you can't fix that WILL happen in every day computer usage,for example, like how a registry can get fvcked up. The only real way to clean it is to reformat.

What you seem to be saying is that if you don't use an OS for day-to-day tasks you'll never see a benefit of reinstalling. But that means your not evening using it, so null point.

Take your ignorance somewhere else, until your ready to accept the M$ sucks ass at making their OS stable and secure enough to run without slowing down for days, much less be stable after years of use, GTFO.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: drebo

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
Reformatting cleans the registry and allows my machine to run the way it should. There are too many software vendors that create buggy installs and bad code that, simply put, craps out your box. I, unlike you apparently, like to have a clean system that is optimized fully. Updating drivers over time also mucks up the registry, I never said anything about viruses or the like. (And I missed the HAD to part, I reformat about two or three times a year.)

Thanks for your totally uninformed criticism though, greatly appreciated. :thumbsup:

If you are careful about the way you use your computer, run a good antivirus application, and, in general, are not a moron, your registry will not get "mucked up". It doesn't do that on its own. Your computer will only get messed up if you do something that allows it to get messed up (go to porn sites and get crapware installed on your computer, etc). Everyday operation of your system will NOT screw with the registry.

As for drivers, check out drivercleaner.

I've been running the same hardware for 2.5 years now, and have only reformatted once, which was entirely my own fault. I screwed my video codecs up to the point where the Zune software (crappy as it is) would not allow me to transfer any video to my Zune. Before and after that, my computer runs just as well, gets just as high framerates, and runs just as smooth as it did the day I installed it.

As I said: the only reason you will ever NEED to reinstall Windows is because you screwed something up. You may want to reinstall because of some sort of masochistic desire or placebo effect that makes you think reinstalling solves world hunger. But you definitely do not need to reinstall your operating system.

can you even play crysis on a 2.5 year old computer?

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: drebo

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
Reformatting cleans the registry and allows my machine to run the way it should. There are too many software vendors that create buggy installs and bad code that, simply put, craps out your box. I, unlike you apparently, like to have a clean system that is optimized fully. Updating drivers over time also mucks up the registry, I never said anything about viruses or the like. (And I missed the HAD to part, I reformat about two or three times a year.)

Thanks for your totally uninformed criticism though, greatly appreciated. :thumbsup:

If you are careful about the way you use your computer, run a good antivirus application, and, in general, are not a moron, your registry will not get "mucked up". It doesn't do that on its own. Your computer will only get messed up if you do something that allows it to get messed up (go to porn sites and get crapware installed on your computer, etc). Everyday operation of your system will NOT screw with the registry.

As for drivers, check out drivercleaner.

I've been running the same hardware for 2.5 years now, and have only reformatted once, which was entirely my own fault. I screwed my video codecs up to the point where the Zune software (crappy as it is) would not allow me to transfer any video to my Zune. Before and after that, my computer runs just as well, gets just as high framerates, and runs just as smooth as it did the day I installed it.

As I said: the only reason you will ever NEED to reinstall Windows is because you screwed something up. You may want to reinstall because of some sort of masochistic desire or placebo effect that makes you think reinstalling solves world hunger. But you definitely do not need to reinstall your operating system.

I do a lot of web work, so I am constantly trying new editors, movie software (for embedded video, not pr0n), and the like. I probably go through a few a week, and we all know how well M$ uninstaller works...not. And, I have yet to find very many people that program their uninstall programs to actually remove EVERYTHING. It's also a problem with fragmentation, even with diskeeper it gets to be a problem. And I install everything on three separate drives, one is a fast 160GB, dedicated to my OS, and two 750GB drives for the other things. But, even though you install something to the other drives SHIT STILL GETS DEPOSITED IN YOUR REGISTRY AND WINDOWS DIRECTORY.

If you keep your drivers up to date, especially the video drivers, there is always (and I mean always) stray dll files strewn about. I don't care if you use their uninstall feature first or not, it happens.

Do I NEED to install a clean OS up to a few times a year? No. Do I want my system running at its peak performance? Yes, so I do. Once again it has nothing to do with viruses, porn sites, malware, or the like; it has to do with personal preference and performance.

Originally posted by: drebo
"As I said: the only reason you will ever NEED to reinstall Windows is because you screwed something up. You may want to reinstall because of some sort of masochistic desire or placebo effect that makes you think reinstalling solves world hunger."

Did you just start using computers or Microsoft operating systems? Because all I can say about that last comment is... "bwaaaahahahahaha..."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: Back on topic, there is a good link up this thread a bit that discusses the 5 activation issue on the EA site, good info.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: videogames101
Your an idiot.

Reformatting is THE best way to improve PC performance. Even Cleaning out all the crap even from surfing the web is almost impossible without a reformat. I say YOUR an total moron for thinking formating is such a big deal, because any true PC enthusiast knows reformatting is nearly always a good and smart thing to do regularly.

If "your" going to bold and CAPITALIZE a word for emphasis while simultaneously calling someone an idiot, at least get the word correct.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: jonks

Originally posted by: videogames101
Your an idiot.

Reformatting is THE best way to improve PC performance. Even Cleaning out all the crap even from surfing the web is almost impossible without a reformat. I say YOUR an total moron for thinking formating is such a big deal, because any true PC enthusiast knows reformatting is nearly always a good and smart thing to do regularly.

If "your" going to bold and CAPITALIZE a word for emphasis while simultaneously calling someone an idiot, at least get the word correct.

LOL, missed that. :thumbsup:

 

[drebo]

Hey, whatever. If you want to waste your time, I'm cool with that.

However, the majority of computer users either a) don't know what reformating their computer is, or b) are smart enough to realize that you don't need to do it all that often if you're smart. Thus, EA caters to the majority of their users. If you're too stupid or stubborn to fall in to that majority, that's your own problem, not EAs.

All I'm saying is that if you want to act in a way that is inconsistent with the majority of the market, you have no one to blame but yourself when the market chooses to ignore you.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: drebo

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

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

QFT

You had to reformat? No, the only thing forcing you to reformat was your own stupidity. What, did you get a virus that you were too lazy to clean out? Spyware? The only reason you HAVE to reformat is because you screwed something up, and if you're doing that more than 5 times in 8 months, it might be time for you to ditch the computer, as you're obviously incapable of running the damn thing.

While I don't support DRM in computer games, you should not be blaming EA for your own stupidity.

This is completely irrelevant. It is not EA's place to dictate how many times or why anyone should be allowed to reformat, upgrade, sidegrade, downgrade, or just generally alter their own PC and play a game they paid for.

I can't understand why some people will work so hard to defend a company that is screwing us all over...

All I'm saying is that if you want to act in a way that is inconsistent with the majority of the market, you have no one to blame but yourself when the market chooses to ignore you.

That doesn't make it right.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: drebo
Hey, whatever. If you want to waste your time, I'm cool with that.

However, the majority of computer users either a) don't know what reformating their computer is, or b) are smart enough to realize that you don't need to do it all that often if you're smart. Thus, EA caters to the majority of their users. If you're too stupid or stubborn to fall in to that majority, that's your own problem, not EAs.

All I'm saying is that if you want to act in a way that is inconsistent with the majority of the market, you have no one to blame but yourself when the market chooses to ignore you.

That doesn't make it an honest or customer friendly move on EA's part.

 

[mindcycle]

What most people don't realize is that the install limit is in place to severely disable the used market so EA can sell more copies. Not stop piracy, not to move the industry forward, not to cater the majority, etc.. The DRM is in place to make EA more money, period.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: mindcycle
What most people don't realize is that the install limit is in place to severely disable the used market so EA can sell more copies. Not stop piracy, not to move the industry forward, not to cater the majority, etc.. The DRM is in place to make EA more money, period.

:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:

bingo! You can no longer buy a game. You now buy a license to use a game x number of times.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: mindcycle
What most people don't realize is that the install limit is in place to severely disable the used market so EA can sell more copies. Not stop piracy, not to move the industry forward, not to cater the majority, etc.. The DRM is in place to make EA more money, period.

We know, that's already been discussed. Still doesn't mean they aren't going to get trashed on for it every time they release a title with it.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

Originally posted by: jonks

Originally posted by: videogames101
Your an idiot.

Reformatting is THE best way to improve PC performance. Even Cleaning out all the crap even from surfing the web is almost impossible without a reformat. I say YOUR an total moron for thinking formating is such a big deal, because any true PC enthusiast knows reformatting is nearly always a good and smart thing to do regularly.

If "your" going to bold and CAPITALIZE a word for emphasis while simultaneously calling someone an idiot, at least get the word correct.

LOL, missed that. :thumbsup:

damnit, grammar Nazi's everywhere!

 

[coloumb]

Hmm last time I checked there is nothing in the eula stating I can't resell the game.

Install limit is in place to simply prevent mass install of the same copy on different systems in a short period of time. Kinda sounds like a page ripped out of windows install limit feature doesn't it? I say we start compiling a list of ALL companies that implement install limits on their software and boycott everyone of them.

How DARE they try to be profitable!!!!

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: coloumb
Hmm last time I checked there is nothing in the eula stating I can't resell the game.

Install limit is in place to simply prevent mass install of the same copy on different systems in a short period of time. Kinda sounds like a page ripped out of windows install limit feature doesn't it? I say we start compiling a list of ALL companies that implement install limits on their software and boycott everyone of them.

How DARE they try to be profitable!!!!

It's actually exactly like MS' system, except that MS has a 24/7 toll-free activation number. I've re-activated my copy of Vista probably a dozen times by now, and they are available anytime of the day or night. Also, MS gives you a few days to activate, so if you can't do it right away for whatever reason, you can still finish your install and use your PC.

EA's 800-Number is (800) 959-7331... Go ahead, give it call sometime on an evening or weekend, which is most likely when you'll have time to play games. I hope you like voice mail...

 

[Raider1284]

Introduction
As we have promised, we have compiled a list of the most common questions, sent them off to the relevant people who deal with each specific area, and brought them all back together to give you this comprehensive Q&A below. Hopefully the information contained here will put your minds at rest, and be able to answer all the question you have.

Steam Q&A

* Where is Crysis and Crysis Warhead being installed to when I download it from steam?
The game is automatically installed in the SteamApps folder.

* If Warhead/Crysis are installed into the steamapps folder, how does it work with modifications then and the auto download functionality of Wars?
The auto-update feature doesn?t mind where the game is installed to. EA and Crytek will make patches available via Steam also, in which case the autoupdate feature will detect that you?re up to date.

* Can the Warhead retail copy be activated via the steam account so I can download it from there?
At this time, retail copies of Crysis and Crysis Warhead can not be activated via Steam.

* Will people be able to activate old crysis on steam via the cd-key?
At this time, retail copies of Crysis and Crysis Warhead can not be activated via Steam.

* Will the retail version be activated via steam or does it have an independent EA activation?
The Steam and retail versions both use SecuROM product activation online.

* Will the Steam version have an activation limit?
The Steam version of Crysis Warhead has the same activation limit as the retail version of 5 activations. The Steam version of Crysis Wars will only require authentication upon installation just like the retail product.

* How often can I install the game which I got from Steam?
Re-authentication is required only if you make significant changes to your PC's hardware, reformat your hard drive, or in some cases, upgrade your Operating System. Multiple installations of the game on the same computer that has not gone through significant changes will not count against the number of computers the game can be installed on.

* Does Crysis Wars have online activation?
Crysis Wars is authenticated upon installation. If you want to play through Gamespy Arcade, you?ll need a valid registration key like most online games that use that service.

* Can I play online only via Steam?
Online play for all versions of Crysis Warhead is done through Gamespy.

* Which language versions are available on steam?
Crysis Warhead is available in all languages on Steam (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Hungarian)

* How does the update functionality work via Steam and w/o Steam?
Steam will update your game automatically if you tell it to. The autoupdate functionality built into the game will check if a patch is available which has a newer version than the one you?re running and direct you to a download location for it. If your game has been updated to the latest patch via Steam, then the version check will pass and nothing will happen.

* Are Crysis and Warhead the same when being downloaded via Steam as the hard copy ones?
Yes, the binaries and content are identical.

* Is the ingame console the one from Crysis or the Steam one?
Crysis, although in the Steam version the Steam overlays are available (buddy lists etc).

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: coloumb
Hmm last time I checked there is nothing in the eula stating I can't resell the game.

Install limit is in place to simply prevent mass install of the same copy on different systems in a short period of time. Kinda sounds like a page ripped out of windows install limit feature doesn't it? I say we start compiling a list of ALL companies that implement install limits on their software and boycott everyone of them.

How DARE they try to be profitable!!!!

Of course it doesn't specifically say you can't resell the game, that would most likely be deemed illegal and they know that. What they are trying to do is severely disable the used market.

If that's ok with you, then by all means keep on buying EA games and supporting DRM. Just remember that once the used market is gone us as consumers will have little to no impact on the price of games. I like to buy older games off eBay, maybe walk into Gamestop and pick up a used copy of something. I'd hate to see that go away and be forced to buy everything new.

With all the talk about PC gaming dying, why add fuel to the fire and make it harder to obtain games? It's not good for us as consumers and it's not good for the industry. Just remember that when you buy a game with SecuROM, you are basically voting for the continued use of it.

 

[mindcycle]

I like how it took them this long to actually confirm info about the Steam version. I can imagine that they probably didn't want the whole SecuROM thing to hurt initial sales of the game. It does seem a bit wrong to keep people in the dark as to what they are downloading and installing on their computer..

I'm passing on this one and anything else that's released using SecuROM. It's too bad, it looks like a nice game.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: coloumb
Hmm last time I checked there is nothing in the eula stating I can't resell the game.

Install limit is in place to simply prevent mass install of the same copy on different systems in a short period of time. Kinda sounds like a page ripped out of windows install limit feature doesn't it? I say we start compiling a list of ALL companies that implement install limits on their software and boycott everyone of them.

How DARE they try to be profitable!!!!

Plus with Crysis Warhead and Spore there is no need to have the disc in the drive to play.
Honestly how else are they going to stop people abusing games except by either limiting installs and requiring an activation for installing (current method) or requiring a connection pretty much all the time (Steam method).

It's a fix to an unfortunate problem, but it's one that could be done better (by having a revoke tool - which they say they may be working on, and other Securom protected games have the option of revoke tools).

Honestly I'd prefer Securom + revoke to Steam, since then I can resell my game, rather than being locked to one account.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Honestly I'd prefer Securom + revoke to Steam, since then I can resell my game, rather than being locked to one account.

I agree. If a revoke tool exists and you can easily resell the game after revoking everything then it would be much better than what it currently is. Not great, but better.

Sacred 2 (which is going to use SecuROM) will supposedly included a revoke tool. I just wonder if you'll be able to easily resell the game if you register it to download additional content and end up tying your serial number to a user name. Like what happens with Mass Effect if you want the "bring down the sky" addon. That's Bioware doing that though, so it might not apply to all games.

Anyway it goes, something needs to change.

 

[nerp]

People reformat their computers every four months? ahaha. what a waste of time. Or waht a dumbass downloading porndownloader.exe or someting. Or you're running XP still.

Systems don't 'crud up' at all. You're doing something wrong if you have to format so frequently. Seriously.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: nerp
People reformat their computers every four months? ahaha. what a waste of time. Or waht a dumbass downloading porndownloader.exe or someting. Or you're running XP still.

Systems don't 'crud up' at all. You're doing something wrong if you have to format so frequently. Seriously.

I like to do it just to get rid of all of the misc. files that are left everywhere after a long time of use. Anyways, like other people have said..it shouldn't matter - you bought the damn game, you should be able to put it on 20 computers, as long as they're all yours. It doesn't stop piracy at all, and I was personally thinking about buying the game (wanted to hear how good multiplayer was) but now I'm not going to just to save myself the future frustration.

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: nerp
People reformat their computers every four months? ahaha. what a waste of time. Or waht a dumbass downloading porndownloader.exe or someting. Or you're running XP still.

Systems don't 'crud up' at all. You're doing something wrong if you have to format so frequently. Seriously.

Ugh, you don't have to, it just helps to keep things clean and optimized to the fullest.

 

[KeypoX]

It seems pretty obvious they dont care about PC gamers. This is just part of the move away from PC gaming. Maybe PC games will have a place for pay to play's, but prob not for much longer 10 years maybe.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: KeypoX
It seems pretty obvious they dont care about PC gamers. This is just part of the move away from PC gaming. Maybe PC games will have a place for pay to play's, but prob not for much longer 10 years maybe.

I wonder WTF Crytek is thinking... they design two revolutionary engines far ahead of their time, then go and focus on 100% outdated hardware, citing bullshit reasons. Maybe they lost one of the key engine designers or something.