From what I understand of the DRM scheme included with Mass Effect, it limits the number of unique PC installs. I do not own the game, nor do I personally know anyone who owns the PC version. I stopped trying to read all the threads on the Bioware forums about the DRM. Most threads get "locked down" for being off topic. Plus it is so hard to tell fact from fiction. I don't know if EA will help someone who buys a used copy of the game that has all 3 unique installs already activated.
To me, this DRM scheme is licensing. I don't know what gamers can do about it. The purpose of this seems to limit the resaling of the item. At least with Commercial software, what you are paying for is normally a non-transferable "license" to use the software under specified terms. You don't own the software - you can't resale it to someone else. In a way, you are renting the software.
Unless someone challenges EA ( game publishers in general ) in court, I guess it is legally their right to limit how the consumer uses a game. At minimum, a game with this restrictive licensing should clearly state on the outside of the box that you are buying a non-transferable license to use the game. You are not buying a game. You are buying the right to use the game.
I have never purchased a digital download of a game. My guess is they work the same way. Once you download it, it is yours to use - as long as you don't lose the download / activation key / whatever. I assume you can't sale or transfer it to someone else.
Why do I care, and why does EA care? Well, they should know they can't stop piracy. Regardless of what any study says, reduced piracy does not mean increased sales. But what if they can legally stop the resale of their merchandise? This would lead to more sales. When I buy a game used off of eBay, it doesn't help the game publisher. - Technically, maybe the person who bought it new for $50 told their wife, "but honey, I can finish the game and sell it on eBay for $20. So the it REALLY only costs $30. See? " So maybe knowing you can resale a game slightly increases original sales. For me, if I can't buy a used copy of Mass Effect that I KNOW will work, I will eventually buy a new copy.
I will start another thread on why the gaming industry hates me for buying used games and doesn't hate the pirates who also buy new games.
Dig
To me, this DRM scheme is licensing. I don't know what gamers can do about it. The purpose of this seems to limit the resaling of the item. At least with Commercial software, what you are paying for is normally a non-transferable "license" to use the software under specified terms. You don't own the software - you can't resale it to someone else. In a way, you are renting the software.
Unless someone challenges EA ( game publishers in general ) in court, I guess it is legally their right to limit how the consumer uses a game. At minimum, a game with this restrictive licensing should clearly state on the outside of the box that you are buying a non-transferable license to use the game. You are not buying a game. You are buying the right to use the game.
I have never purchased a digital download of a game. My guess is they work the same way. Once you download it, it is yours to use - as long as you don't lose the download / activation key / whatever. I assume you can't sale or transfer it to someone else.
Why do I care, and why does EA care? Well, they should know they can't stop piracy. Regardless of what any study says, reduced piracy does not mean increased sales. But what if they can legally stop the resale of their merchandise? This would lead to more sales. When I buy a game used off of eBay, it doesn't help the game publisher. - Technically, maybe the person who bought it new for $50 told their wife, "but honey, I can finish the game and sell it on eBay for $20. So the it REALLY only costs $30. See? " So maybe knowing you can resale a game slightly increases original sales. For me, if I can't buy a used copy of Mass Effect that I KNOW will work, I will eventually buy a new copy.
I will start another thread on why the gaming industry hates me for buying used games and doesn't hate the pirates who also buy new games.
Dig
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