Grand Theft Auto IV PC version to use SecuRom

[Bateluer]

Another one shoots themselves in the foot.

Good thing, I guess, I needed to conserve money anyway.

How many times will I need to authenticate my retail disk? I've purchased the game? why do I need to constantly remind your company that I'm not a dirty pirate?

You will only need to authenticate the retail disk once per Windows account per machine. Even if you uninstall and re-install the game, it will not have to be re-authenticated.

There are some unique circumstances under which you may have to re-authenticate the software on a machine. For example, if you change any two 'major' components on your PC, i.e. CPU and video card, you will have to re-authenticate the title.

Also, if you install on a different PC or under a different Windows account on the same machine, you will have to authenticate that installation as well, but this is standard to any software needing a serial.

Hope you guys won't be playing under multiple user accounts too.

 

[Elcs]

What about the Steam version?

Plus, not *all* SecuRom is evil.

 

[CP5670]

Plus, not *all* SecuRom is evil.

Yes it is. Some implementations are just more evil than others.

 

[Piuc2020]

Originally posted by: Elcs
What about the Steam version?

Plus, not *all* SecuRom is evil.

Steam also has SecuROM + the additional steam protection layer, the only thing removed is the installation limit since you need to login to Steam to play anyway.

I think I'm gonna get this anyway, the PS3 version is very jaggy (640p + 0AA on a 32" 1080p display, you do the math) and has an anemic draw distance and blurry all over the place.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: Piuc2020

Originally posted by: Elcs
What about the Steam version?

Plus, not *all* SecuRom is evil.

Steam also has SecuROM + the additional steam protection layer, the only thing removed is the installation limit since you need to login to Steam to play anyway.

I think I'm gonna get this anyway, the PS3 version is very jaggy (640p + 0AA on a 32" 1080p display, you do the math) and has an anemic draw distance and blurry all over the place.

Having extra DRM on top of Steam defeats to whole purpose of buying from them. I want to have my account that I can use on any machine with only the steam client running in the background.

If they add nasty DRM that will mess with my system then I'm boycotting those games just like the regular box versions. If you are buying these games you are telling them that what they are doing is fine and they should continue, and don't give me that drop in the bucket BS.

 

[Piuc2020]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: Piuc2020

Originally posted by: Elcs
What about the Steam version?

Plus, not *all* SecuRom is evil.

Steam also has SecuROM + the additional steam protection layer, the only thing removed is the installation limit since you need to login to Steam to play anyway.

I think I'm gonna get this anyway, the PS3 version is very jaggy (640p + 0AA on a 32" 1080p display, you do the math) and has an anemic draw distance and blurry all over the place.

Having extra DRM on top of Steam defeats to whole purpose of buying from them. I want to have my account that I can use on any machine with only the steam client running in the background.

If they add nasty DRM that will mess with my system then I'm boycotting those games just like the regular box versions. If you are buying these games you are telling them that what they are doing is fine and they should continue, and don't give me that drop in the bucket BS.

No but I like gaming and I'm not going bored and bitter over something that doesn't even bother me that much.

 

[Eric62]

I'm not seeing a problem here.
I buy the retail version and I can play it on all my machines, just like every other game I've bought, or borrowed. Only difference is a internet connection is needed to activate - BFD.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: Piuc2020

No but I like gaming and I'm not going bored and bitter over something that doesn't even bother me that much.

I boycott all the games with bad DRM and I still have a mountain of games to finish or even start. I am by no means board, I also saved myself some money by avoiding games like Spore & Farcry 2, the only thing I regret is not playing Warhead but I can live with that.

Also, as EA proved if you give them a inch they try to take a mile. I assume you heard of the uproar over the 10 day ET phone home crap where if Spore didn't talk to EA's servers every 10 days it would not allow you to play the game. They only backed down after a large number of people canceled their pre-order stating that as the reason why. If everyone just went "Oh well, I still want to play it anyway" we'd be hearing of a lot worse down the road.

Now what really ticks me off is the install/system limits. I have a gaming laptop (i have my reasons) and a PC, I play games on both. I also reinstall windows fairly often, not to mention a upgrade every year or two. I can chew through these install limits in a few days some times which is why I refuse to buy these games. Yes I can go and call their tech support and hope they are feeling generous, but I'm a paying customer and will not be treated like a crook by default.

Say what you want, do what you want but you speak with your wallet and you Piuc2020 support bad DRM.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I can chew through these install limits in a few days some times

Acronis True Image might solve that. Backup just after activation, restore the image the next time you corrupt your windows install.

Say what you want, do what you want but you speak with your wallet and you Piuc2020 support bad DRM.

In your opinion of course. I expect to go at least several years before needing to call EA for an extra activation of Mass Effect.

The one time I've had a SecureROM issue (KOTOR 1 under Vista) I contacted their support and they gave me a new exe that fixed it.

I'd like to like in sunnier world where piracy was less prevalent and companies trusted gamers, but I've been living with copy protection since the '80s and I don't expect it to go away any time soon.

"War. War never changes . . . "

 

[cheesehead]

I don't like grand theft auto.

But if I did, I'd buy the game and download a cracked version through Bittorrent.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Piuc2020

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: Piuc2020

Originally posted by: Elcs
What about the Steam version?

Plus, not *all* SecuRom is evil.

Steam also has SecuROM + the additional steam protection layer, the only thing removed is the installation limit since you need to login to Steam to play anyway.

I think I'm gonna get this anyway, the PS3 version is very jaggy (640p + 0AA on a 32" 1080p display, you do the math) and has an anemic draw distance and blurry all over the place.

Having extra DRM on top of Steam defeats to whole purpose of buying from them. I want to have my account that I can use on any machine with only the steam client running in the background.

If they add nasty DRM that will mess with my system then I'm boycotting those games just like the regular box versions. If you are buying these games you are telling them that what they are doing is fine and they should continue, and don't give me that drop in the bucket BS.

No but I like gaming and I'm not going bored and bitter over something that doesn't even bother me that much.

You obviously don't care about it, so why are you joining the discussion? To express your indifference?

If you don't care about it, do whatever you want. As for me, SecuROM is a shitty piece of software that effectively infects my computer like malware, so I refuse to play games that use it.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

I'd rather the companies use safedisc but I still want to play Crysis: Warhead, Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Fallout 3.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
I'd rather the companies use safedisc but I still want to play Crysis: Warhead, Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Fallout 3.

And all those titles are sub-par at best.

By continuing to buy titles that use this DRM BS, you <I>are</I> telling them its okay and that they can continue.

Dave Simmons, have you played any old classic titles, Ultima, BG1/2, PS:T, etc? Those companies don't exist anymore. Good luck calling them for another activation. You're out in the cold with no choice but to violate the DMCA. You paid for them, you have the right to continue to use them for as long as you desire.

Electronic gaming is a cut throat industry for most devs. It only takes one abysmally bad title to put a dev out of business.

Incorporating DRM that limits activations and installs on Steam versions is idiot, plain and simple. I have three machines with Steam installed that I use to play various games. My main desktop, certainly, my notebook for when I'm traveling, and a 3rd PC that's tailored for older games. Most likely, I just burned two activations right there. The desktop gets upgraded twice a year, so before 12 months, my activations are gone and I either have to DL a crack or beg the publisher for another activation. Neither of which I should ever be forced to do on a product that I legally bought.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

I can chew through these install limits in a few days some times

Acronis True Image might solve that. Backup just after activation, restore the image the next time you corrupt your windows install.

Huh? I need to pay additional software in order to make sure that I can play for what I already have paid for?

And it doesn't work for RAID-based installations.

 

[coloumb]

Ok - so if you buy the retail disc version: "How many times can I install and uninstall GTA IV using the retail disc I purchased? As many times as you would like, if using the retail disc version." But if you buy the digital version, then there is the possibility of limited re-installs. So if you plan to buy this game - get the retail disc version...

I found this part of the FAQ quite funny:

"In the seemingly inevitable event that some dirty pirate manages to crack GTA IV PC and make it available, what are the advantages and disadvantages to using a legitimate copy over a pirated one?

Aside from the fact that warez are a great place to pick up a Trojan or key logger, using a cracked copy of GTA IV PC will result in varying changes to the game experience. These can range from comical to game-progress-halting changes. Rockstar Games rewards loyal, paying customers and will offer incentives and downloadable content that will only be available to registered users of the game, running non-hacked copies, via Rockstar Games Social Club"

And then this about install limits:

"SecuROM offers a diverse toolset to publishers to help safeguard their IP and interests. Vocal 'board posters' seem to be most down on the SecuROM feature that limits the number of installations. But this SecuROM functionality is really nothing different than what iTunes has used for years now, which is used in over 500 millions files purchased from iTunes store.

We recognize that the installation limits have been a major issue, so we have not limited the number of installations for the retail disk version of GTA IV PC. The only installation limits will be the ones used by our digital distribution partners. If users are concerned about install limits, they should buy the retail disk version of the game."

And we can RESELL the game

"Once I finish playing GTA IV, how can I go about giving it to my brother or friend as a gift? I bought it in the store just like all my other games, I can still hand it off to others once I'm done with it, right?

You can give the game out to anyone you want, at any point. If you bought the disc version, only the user who currently has the disc in the drive while playing will get to do so"

 

[NYHoustonman]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Fallout 3.

And all those titles are sub-par at best.

...
:Q

I wish publishers would do away with copy protection but I can understand very well the frustration, so I choose not to complain about it.

In any case, this isn't a big deal for me, I've never had problems with any kind of copy protection and I'll be picking up GTA4 on Tuesday.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman . . . and I'll be picking up GTA4 on Tuesday.

The cycle continues . . .

People, until you stop buying there crap, they will not change their playbook of screwing over their customers.

 

[Red Storm]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman . . . and I'll be picking up GTA4 on Tuesday.

The cycle continues . . .

People, until you stop buying there crap, they will not change their playbook of screwing over their customers.

Unfortunately, if people stop buying their "crap" (subject to each individual's opinion; I personally think Mass Effect is one of the best games ever), then developers aren't going to say, "They aren't buying our games! I guess we'll remove the DRM." Instead, they'll simply stop making games for the PC (as we've seen many developers do).

We don't live in an ideal world. It's either PC games with DRM, or no PC games at all (with some exceptions). I'll swallow the DRM (which I have not had any issues with so far) and be grateful that there are still developers out there who are making PC games, a luxury I enjoy.

 

[Renob]

Wow another post of poeple crying about DRM, I find it funny how many people say stuff like this "Im not buying that game" well I just feel you are missing out on good gaming!!!

I have had multiple systems builds running both XP and Vista with many games using DRM and have never had a problem, I think many have made a big deal out of nothing, sure I bet a very small % of people have had issues with DRM but hell there is always going to be a % of people having issues with games with out without DRM!

If you are buying these games you are telling them that what they are doing is fine and they should continue, and don't give me that drop in the bucket BS.

PC gaming is on the down swing, if people stop buying the games fewer and fewer games will be made so I dont think this is the answer.

 

[lupi]

If I'm reading this right and I could install over the course of a day on 100 computers 5 times each (for different user accounts) and then continue future installs at my leaiser, this isn't as bad a method; with the real implementation as a CD check when you start up.


Of course this doesn't mean that some of the fuktards above posting that DRMs are a good thing have a grasp of reality, but I hope they enjoy their EA games, at least then someone will still be buying those.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I have never had any issues with SecuROM or software activation (any game or software that I have bought that exceeded the activation limit was promptly reactivated upon calling / emailing the company). That does not mean that other users are having problems. I hope that Sony gets any issues worked out of their SecuROM DRM to address any issues that its legit users are having so that it can be as painless as possible. When you buy a game, just think of it as doing it for the developers and yourself and not the DRM scheme

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Dave Simmons, have you played any old classic titles, Ultima, BG1/2, PS:T, etc? Those companies don't exist anymore. Good luck calling them for another activation. You're out in the cold with no choice but to violate the DMCA. You paid for them, you have the right to continue to use them for as long as you desire.

I have three machines with Steam installed that I use to play various games. My main desktop, certainly, my notebook for when I'm traveling, and a 3rd PC that's tailored for older games. [..] I either have to DL a crack or beg the publisher for another activation. Neither of which I should ever be forced to do on a product that I legally bought.

So SecuROM is bad because if the publisher dies, you won't be able to activate anymore, but Steam is fine, and if Valve go out of business...?
I don't get the scaremongering over SecuROM/activations and then people saying "I use Steam" like it doesn't have the exact same issues.

Until there's an actual problem where a studio goes out of business and leaves people unable to play a game they paid for due to SecuROM activation, it is absolutely no worse than Steam. So if you're going to boycott SecuROM games for that issue, then please, please, boycott Steam too, because they both carry the same risk.

 

[Eric62]

If my memory is correct GTA: SA sold about 6 million copies of their console versions. Then they sold about 200,000 of their PC versions. So they don't have a huge motivation to put out a PC version - correct? That doesn't even factor in the lawsuits from "coffee cup" LOL.

I'm just glad they decided to release GTA: 4 in a PC version at all!

 

[roid450]

wasn't it "hot coffee" not "coffee cup" ?

 

[chizow]

I actually buy games now just for the DRM. I loves me some SecuROM. Also the makers of BG1/2 are alive and well (BioWare) and wholeheartedly support SecuROM. Ban teh classics!!!11oneeleven!!!1