Schadenfroh
Elite Member
- Mar 8, 2003
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Originally posted by: HardWarrior
Does SecuROM do anything more than validate a game CD and blacklist certain types of software?
Yes
1. It creates undeletable (without special tools) registry entries, rootkit revealer points them out.
2. It is known to cause incompatibilities, resulting in legit buyers being unable to play their purchased games on their systems (and thus could possibly breed a new generation of pirates, for the "patched versions" lack SecuROM and thus work)
3. Blacklisting legitimate software (like Microsoft's Process Explorer) is just plain wrong.
4. It causes the game to run slower (especially the startup), from what I have read (although I have not done so as it is illegal), the "patched" version of SecuROM titles without SecuROM run faster overall with a decrease in the time it takes to start the game. But, like I said, I have not verified this and will not as I refuse to use "no cd patches"
5. Certain versions install a service when a limited account is detected
6. It also limits your ability to control your system, link
It installs a shell extension that, for example, prevents Windows Explorer from deleting 16-bit executables.
7. Several gaming companies have listened (supreme commander's makers comes to mind) to their customers and have removed SecuROM due to the trouble that it has caused their paying customers. Other companies, such as Atari, EA and 2K continue to use and/or expand the use of SecuROM despite massive customer protests:
Removal of SecuROM petition on Atari's forum
Fear's SecuROM thread
Search the technical support forums of any SecuROM 7 protected title to find how much trouble this piece of DRM causes. While it is no Starforce, it is certainly bad news.