PC Gaming DRM List

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: YEPP
Steam version of Stalker: Clear Sky is crippled by a 5 time activation limit and comes bundled with Tages as well.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20510/

http://techgage.com/news/stalk...time_activation_limit/

Thanks for the heads up. I've updated the listing.

 

[yepp]

Originally posted by: mindcycle

Originally posted by: YEPP
Steam version of Stalker: Clear Sky is crippled by a 5 time activation limit and comes bundled with Tages as well.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20510/

http://techgage.com/news/stalk...time_activation_limit/

Thanks for the heads up. I've updated the listing.

Think you misunderstood, the limited activations only apply to the Steam version, which is just odd.

The retail version does not have an acitivation limit, as far as i know.

Think the same might applies to X3: Terran Conflict. Just the Steam/digital versions of Tages comes with the crippling activation limit. While the hard/DVD copies are not effected.

http://forums.steampowered.com...&p=8278259&postcount=9

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: YEPP

Think you misunderstood, the limited activations only apply to the Steam version, which is just odd.

The retail version does not have an acitivation limit, as far as i know.

It's on the retail version as well. I actually bought the game before I found out about the DRM. That really pissed me off.

The Russian version has Starforce. :disgust: Thing is, even with Starforce, would that be a better version over the TAGES version with limited installs.. It's sad to even have to ponder that question.

 

[yepp]

I see, thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: YEPP
Think the same might applies to X3: Terran Conflict. Just the Steam/digital versions of Tages comes with the crippling activation limit. While the hard/DVD copies are not effected.

http://forums.steampowered.com...&p=8278259&postcount=9

That's confirmed then. I just read through the thread. Thanks for the link. I guess it's good that the DVD version doesn't have the install limit. Still, what a mess.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: YEPP

Think you misunderstood, the limited activations only apply to the Steam version, which is just odd.

The retail version does not have an acitivation limit, as far as i know.

Ok, I did some more research and it looks like the install limit version of TAGES is only on the steam version of Stalker CS as well. I thought it was also on the retail version since everywhere you look it talks about install limits, but a guy on the forum below installed and played the game without an internet connection. I've updated the list.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/act...4886&pid=942067&page=1

 

[mindcycle]

Added -
Call Of Duty: World At War
and
Silent Hill: Homecoming

 

[Pia]

I want to clarify this: is the copy of The Witcher that you download from Impulse a real, standalone install package that you can backup and use for installation(s) without touching the network again?

 

[Pia]

Found the answer to my own question. Apparently, The Witcher EE can't be installed without going online with the Impulse client, even if you had a backup of a previous download. Therefore, it effectively has network activation despite no DRM code running after install is done. The game should be taken off the list or moved to its own section.

Meh. I would have bought immediately if it really turned out to be DRM free, but activation is the one thing I refuse to deal with.

 

[AdamK47]

Ahhhhh DRM! Ahhhhhhhhhh!

*Runs away screaming with arms in the air.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Pia
Found the answer to my own question. Apparently, The Witcher EE can't be installed without going online with the Impulse client, even if you had a backup of a previous download. Therefore, it effectively has network activation despite no DRM code running after install is done. The game should be taken off the list or moved to its own section.

Meh. I would have bought immediately if it really turned out to be DRM free, but activation is the one thing I refuse to deal with.

I looked through the Impluse faq and it looks like your right. Apparently they leave DRM up to the publisher, but until I can verify exactly what type of DRM The Witcher EE is using, i'm going to create an Impluse DL section and throw it under there.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: AdamK47
Ahhhhh DRM! Ahhhhhhhhhh!

*Runs away screaming with arms in the air.

lol


OMFG You're on fire! *tackles* roll roll!

 

[coloumb]

Originally posted by: mindcycle

Originally posted by: coloumb

Actually - the EULA's do cover what is installed - most people blindly click on "accept" without reading the EULA. Here's an example from Dead Space:

That's true. The only problem is by the time you read those you've already bought and opened the game. Most stores won't accept returns on opened games.

A better option would be including DRM info on the box and online in the game description, or at least a link to find out more info. It can be in the fine print, but the fact that it's almost never present bothers me. We should have the right to know what we're going to be installing on our computer.

/agree - I just looked at a few box covers [there's actually a website that has this] - and only 1 game [Assassin's Creed] details that it "contains technology intended to prevent copying that may conflict with some disc and virtual drives".

It would be interesting to see if you could return a game based on your argument [most stores apply a sticker stating if the game was opened, you can't return it].

Perhaps we should get the industry reps [those folks who continue to fight the good fight for the gaming industry] to petition software companies / developers / publishers to require this info be printed on the cover?

 

[Pia]

Originally posted by: mindcycle
I looked through the Impluse faq and it looks like your right. Apparently they leave DRM up to the publisher, but until I can verify exactly what type of DRM The Witcher EE is using, i'm going to create an Impluse DL section and throw it under there.

Impulse is almost exactly the same as Steam. In lieu of a better name, the DRM type is "Impulse".

Stardock support says there will be a notification for any additional DRM on the store page:
http://forums.impulsedriven.com/328900
Chances are that The Witcher EE has no other DRM.

I'd only wish developers and distributors did not make it so effing hard to find out the real limitations attached to their products. Now we are left to dig and dig for it, and then infer the truth from what they don't say. And then there is the occasional lie. (Yep, I'm looking at you, "we removed activation from Bioshock!" 2K Games.)

It only takes one line of text to identify and/or describe any DRM scheme currently on the market. That line of text should sit right on the official Tech Specs page (several lines if there are different versions of the game). The one-page "What is...?" FAQ/summary of a download service should contain "the XYZ client needs network connection each time you install the game", if that is the case.

And if your game does not have DRM? If it does not have network activation? Please, *please* say that in writing. Even small niche titles get infested these days. If you say nothing, I'm going hunt for the information from a 3rd party, that may or may not be reliable. Maybe I won't find that information at all. Either way, there is a real chance I will just forget it.

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: mindcycle

Originally posted by: Pia
Found the answer to my own question. Apparently, The Witcher EE can't be installed without going online with the Impulse client, even if you had a backup of a previous download. Therefore, it effectively has network activation despite no DRM code running after install is done. The game should be taken off the list or moved to its own section.

Meh. I would have bought immediately if it really turned out to be DRM free, but activation is the one thing I refuse to deal with.

I looked through the Impluse faq and it looks like your right. Apparently they leave DRM up to the publisher, but until I can verify exactly what type of DRM The Witcher EE is using, i'm going to create an Impluse DL section and throw it under there.

Thanks for the heads up.

Just post the question on the Stardock forum. They usually get you a full answer by the end of the working day, and if they can't they usually point you in the right direction of who can help you.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: coloumb

/agree - I just looked at a few box covers [there's actually a website that has this] - and only 1 game [Assassin's Creed] details that it "contains technology intended to prevent copying that may conflict with some disc and virtual drives".

It would be interesting to see if you could return a game based on your argument [most stores apply a sticker stating if the game was opened, you can't return it].

Perhaps we should get the industry reps [those folks who continue to fight the good fight for the gaming industry] to petition software companies / developers / publishers to require this info be printed on the cover?

That's a good idea man. It really is something that should be adopted industry wide IMO.

I wonder about returning the game as well.. Telling them you didn't install it because you didn't agree to the EULA.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Pia

Stardock support says there will be a notification for any additional DRM on the store page:
http://forums.impulsedriven.com/328900
Chances are that The Witcher EE has no other DRM.

I'd only wish developers and distributors did not make it so effing hard to find out the real limitations attached to their products. Now we are left to dig and dig for it, and then infer the truth from what they don't say. And then there is the occasional lie. (Yep, I'm looking at you, "we removed activation from Bioshock!" 2K Games.)

It only takes one line of text to identify and/or describe any DRM scheme currently on the market. That line of text should sit right on the official Tech Specs page (several lines if there are different versions of the game). The one-page "What is...?" FAQ/summary of a download service should contain "the XYZ client needs network connection each time you install the game", if that is the case.

And if your game does not have DRM? If it does not have network activation? Please, *please* say that in writing. Even small niche titles get infested these days. If you say nothing, I'm going hunt for the information from a 3rd party, that may or may not be reliable. Maybe I won't find that information at all. Either way, there is a real chance I will just forget it.

I just read a post on the Stardock forums where a mod said that The Witcher EE contains no DRM. http://forums.stardock.com/328485

But if they require you to authenticate before you can install the game, then that would be DRM. I might post a topic over there to find out what the deal really is.

 

[derdrache]

Fyi, if you launch Fallout 3 from its exe in the bethesda/fallout3 directory it skips the cd check. the cd check is only for the splash screen, which isnt needed since all clicking play does is launch fallout3.exe and not fallout3splash.exe or whatever it is.

Im just glad i dont have to keep spinning up the dvd in my drive when i play, since i launch it a lot.

 

[Pia]

Originally posted by: mindcycle
I just read a post on the Stardock forums where a mod said that The Witcher EE contains no DRM. http://forums.stardock.com/328485

But if they require you to authenticate before you can install the game, then that would be DRM. I might post a topic over there to find out what the deal really is.

It's pretty obvious they have a weird doublespeak going where Impulse is simply defined as "not DRM" while any other DRM is recognized as such. The one thing they can legitimately argue is that with Impulse, the *installed game* does not contain DRM. The game just happens to always require Impulse to install, which does have DRM and will ask permission for install.

Impulse FAQ skirts the issue, but they could not help sideswiping it in these, tucked-away explanations of UI bits: http://www.impulsedriven.com/h...hiving_&_Other_Options

"Re-Activate
Re-activates a program, which is the same as the Activation of a program when you run it for the first time."

The obvious hypothesis is that this re-activation will have to be carried out when...

"Archive Application (If installed)
Allows you to make a backup of the software. This useful if you want to backup the program before an update, in case you think the update may cause problems. Also, if the program is a part of a subscription this allows you to back it up prior to expiration. Once expired, if something happens to your computer you can not download it again without renewing your subscription. Creating an archive packages the software into one file ending in ".impulse" (no quotes) which only Impulse can read."

... you have installed from one of these .impulse backup packages, only readable by Impulse.

But better to get the info directly from the horse's mouth and maybe get a little visiblity to the issue. If you end up asking it on their forums, would you mind leaving feedback (after Q/A:s are over and done with) that these things deserve clarifying in the FAQ?

 

[Emultra]

Is the DRM on Tombraider: Underworld present in the demo as well?

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: derdrache
Fyi, if you launch Fallout 3 from its exe in the bethesda/fallout3 directory it skips the cd check. the cd check is only for the splash screen, which isnt needed since all clicking play does is launch fallout3.exe and not fallout3splash.exe or whatever it is.

Im just glad i dont have to keep spinning up the dvd in my drive when i play, since i launch it a lot.

That's good to know. I just got the game last week but haven't installed it yet. Still working on Stalker Clear Sky.

Thanks for the info.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Pia

But better to get the info directly from the horse's mouth and maybe get a little visiblity to the issue. If you end up asking it on their forums, would you mind leaving feedback (after Q/A:s are over and done with) that these things deserve clarifying in the FAQ?

I posted a message over there, but all signs point to no so far. I'll let you know when I get a response. It looks like they may be working on an offline activation program, but it hasn't been implemented yet.

http://forums.stardock.com/329649

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Emultra
Is the DRM on Tombraider: Underworld present in the demo as well?

It uses SecuROM disc check, so since you don't have a disc with the demo I doubt it's on there.

 

[CP5670]

Actually, a lot of demos have the same DRM as the retail game, supposedly to deter crackers. It may still install the Securom driver even though there is no CD check.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Pia
But better to get the info directly from the horse's mouth and maybe get a little visiblity to the issue. If you end up asking it on their forums, would you mind leaving feedback (after Q/A:s are over and done with) that these things deserve clarifying in the FAQ?

I got a response about needing to activate The Witcher EE online before you can play it. So it really does contain DRM..

http://forums.stardock.com/329703