Why Online Activation Sucks

[mindcycle]

Today, Shamus Young offered a commentary on why EA's removal of third-party DRM for it's Steam-based games was hardly the gaming nirvana gamers should have been praying for. In a nutshell, the problem is that online activation offers hardships that gamers shouldn't have to deal with. It's a hassle, especially for gamers like me who are inclined to play games long after the publisher has written off their remaining inventory.

I don't disagree. However, there are some positive aspects to online activation that I would like to note:

#1 - No need to spend a few minutes digging through your old discs to find the game you want to play right now (maybe that's only a problem for me...)

#2 - No more worries about your copy-protected disc going bad

#3 - If you've lost your activation code, you can contact customer support and get it back. Uh - probably.

Do these advantages outweigh the fact that your games effectively have a self-destruct time-bomb on them? Maybe. Depends on how you roll, I guess.

Is piracy making it impossible to do it any other way? I don't know the answer to this one, either. My personal feeling is that consumer rights should and ultimately will have to trump those of the publishers - not from a legal standpoint, but from a business standpoint. The idea of paying $60+ to rent a new game, for an indefinite period until such time as the provider is unwilling or unable to grant explicit permission to install (or, worse, to play) still doesn't wash too well with me, either.

But my tirade notwithstanding, I'm actually not completely against online activation / authorization. I just think the use of it as an absolute gatekeeper is stupid - and sucks. As Shamus notes, not only is it a pain in the patootey for legitimate consumers, too often it is no obstacle at all for the pirates. In other words, piracy provides a superior product than what can be provided by the publisher.

That's bad business, folks. If I am buying new shoes, and my choice is between a brand name and a cheaper no-name knockoff, my concern is usually weighing the difference between quality and price. I'm too old and too geeky to let the brand affect my self-image. But if the cheaper no-name knockoff is actually a far superior product, sure to last longer and provide me with better support - there IS no choice.

Read the rest here.. http://www.rampantgames.com/bl...-activation-sucks.html

 

[KeithTalent]

I'm sorry, but this ridiculous blog posting did nothing but make me think of this:

Blog: The word "blog" is literally shorthand for "boring;" a vulgar, overused word that strikes your ear with the dull thud of a cudgel to the soft spot of a child's head. It's an abbreviation used by journalism drop outs to give legitimacy to their shallow opinions and amateur photography that seems to be permanently stuck in first draft hell. Looking in the archives of the blogs, one would expect someone who has been at it for years to slowly hone their craft and improve their writing and photographs, since it's usually safe to assume that if someone does something long enough, he or she will eventually not suck at it. Even with lowered expectations, you'll get a shotgun blast of disappointment in your face.

He contradicts himself, makes terrible analogies, and does nothing to convince me that online activation is a bad thing. I've read articles that make decent, coherent points against online activation, but this posting just piggy-backs off another article and recycles a few of the same old tired arguments, and doesn't even recycle them very well.

/storms off in a fit of internet rage

KT

 

[frostedflakes]

I'd hope that in the event something like this happened, the developer would release a patch that disables the need for the software to activate or do something to set it right for customers.

You just need to look at the MSN and Yahoo music fiascos to see the big downside of online activation.

http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...06/microsoft-msn-music
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...c-throws-away-drm-keys

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
He contradicts himself, makes terrible analogies, and does nothing to convince me that online activation is a bad thing. I've read articles that make decent, coherent points against online activation, but this posting just piggy-backs off another article and recycles a few of the same old tired arguments, and doesn't even recycle them very well.

/storms off in a fit of internet rage

KT

I don't see where he contradicts himself, but he may be. It's a rant yes, but it's at least worth a read IMO.

I think the important part of the article is where he mentions the pirated copy being superior to the actual purchased copy.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: mindcycle
I think the important part of the article is where he mentions the pirated copy being superior to the actual purchased copy.

Isn't this the case for every game?

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: mindcycle
I think the important part of the article is where he mentions the pirated copy being superior to the actual purchased copy.

Isn't this the case for every game?

How is it superior? Just because it's free?

More than anything I have a problem with the justification of "because I have to activate, or it has some sort of DRM, I'll just pirate it instead".

I don't really feel ilke discussing piracy again, for what feels like the 100th time, so I'll just leave it at that. I think it's pretty clear where I stand.

KT

 

[Pelu]

only reason to buy a game... Multiplayer... thats it!

for the rest... World of Piratecraft!

 

[mindcycle]

It's superior because you get the game, install it, then play it. You don't have to activate it online, run into install limits, etc.. I don't condone piracy whatsoever, I just said that to point out the main reason I posted the article. If the game i'm thinking about purchasing has any of that junk I just skip it.

 

[videogames101]

I'd rather buy games on steam then retail, d/l them anywhere, stored in one place, etc, it's DRM that makes my life easier.

 

[mindcycle]

gog.com is an example of what all digital distribution should be like IMO. I can buy a game, copy it to a DVD, and install it 3 years from now on a laptop without internet access. I also have access to it through my account online if I ever need to download it again. Plus, most games are already patched and ready to play on newer machines. It's these little extra incentives that make purchases through GOG worthwhile. I do understand they sell only older games, but the basic concept is clear. But the game, install the game, play the game. If your hard drive crashes and you need to download it again, or you want to install it from a DVD backup, you can do that.

In the case of GOG, the purchased product is far superior to the pirated copy. It's a business model more people in the industry should start paying attention to.

Steam is ok, but I don't buy games off Steam because they cost the same as a boxed copy (sometimes more), need to to be activated online, plus the fact that Steam forces you to update the game even if you're only playing single player. So if I come back to a game a few weeks later I have to sit through that before I can play, even if the patch is only for MP. Steam is also notorious for releasing game patches later than the ones you can get for store bought retail copies. So same price for extra hassles.. No thanks.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

i don't think EA or Valve is going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
i don't think EA or Valve is going anywhere anytime soon.

I think people thought that about Enron too.

Not saying that anything will happen, but stranger things have happened.

 

[videogames101]

Valve is epic win,

HL
HL2
HL2:1
HL2:2
Portal
TFC
TF2
L4D
CS 1.6
CS:S

/thread

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: novasatori

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
i don't think EA or Valve is going anywhere anytime soon.

I think people thought that about Enron too.

Not saying that anything will happen, but stranger things have happened.

Wait 'til Microsoft buys them out...then we'll hear screaming from the Steam fanbois...

I still don't understand why I have to go online in order to play my Single Player game :|

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: mindcycle
I think the important part of the article is where he mentions the pirated copy being superior to the actual purchased copy.

Isn't this the case for every game?

How is it superior? Just because it's free?

More than anything I have a problem with the justification of "because I have to activate, or it has some sort of DRM, I'll just pirate it instead".

I don't really feel ilke discussing piracy again, for what feels like the 100th time, so I'll just leave it at that. I think it's pretty clear where I stand.

KT

In no way am I condoning piracy. That is a bad assumption on your part, and becoming hostile upon assumptions is a stupid thing to do.

I just simply said that all pirated games are superior to their purchased counterparts; they always have been, even before the times of online DRM.

 

[I4AT]

Originally posted by: tk149
Wait 'til Microsoft buys them out...then we'll hear screaming from the Steam fanbois...

I still don't understand why I have to go online in order to play my Single Player game :|

You have to go online to get updates, you don't actually have to be online to play.

 

[ZzZGuy]

It sucks for me because I live in fear of having to reformat my laptop when I'm not able to get internet access for prolonged periods of time when I travel to various jobs.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: novasatori

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
i don't think EA or Valve is going anywhere anytime soon.

I think people thought that about Enron too.

Not saying that anything will happen, but stranger things have happened.

Wait 'til Microsoft buys them out...then we'll hear screaming from the Steam fanbois...

I still don't understand why I have to go online in order to play my Single Player game :|

you don't need to, you retard. how long will this steam FUD go on

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy
It sucks for me because I live in fear of having to reformat my laptop when I'm not able to get internet access for prolonged periods of time when I travel to various jobs.

make a back up disc :roll:

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: novasatori

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
i don't think EA or Valve is going anywhere anytime soon.

I think people thought that about Enron too.

Not saying that anything will happen, but stranger things have happened.

Wait 'til Microsoft buys them out...then we'll hear screaming from the Steam fanbois...

I still don't understand why I have to go online in order to play my Single Player game :|

you don't need to, you retard. how long will this steam FUD go on

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy
It sucks for me because I live in fear of having to reformat my laptop when I'm not able to get internet access for prolonged periods of time when I travel to various jobs.

make a back up disc :roll:

Win. All you do is DL everything you want, and back it up. Done. Period. I personally make backup images of my Desktop/Laptops HDDs just in case I have to reformat. I just set Steam to offline, create image, and prosper. I could reinstall without an internet connection and play away just fine.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: novasatori

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
i don't think EA or Valve is going anywhere anytime soon.

I think people thought that about Enron too.

Not saying that anything will happen, but stranger things have happened.

Wait 'til Microsoft buys them out...then we'll hear screaming from the Steam fanbois...

I still don't understand why I have to go online in order to play my Single Player game :|

you don't need to, you retard. how long will this steam FUD go on

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy
It sucks for me because I live in fear of having to reformat my laptop when I'm not able to get internet access for prolonged periods of time when I travel to various jobs.

make a back up disc :roll:

Win. All you do is DL everything you want, and back it up. Done. Period. I personally make backup images of my Desktop/Laptops HDDs just in case I have to reformat. I just set Steam to offline, create image, and prosper. I could reinstall without an internet connection and play away just fine.

NO! STEAM SUX AND SO DO YOU

 

[Anubis]

online activation sucks for those without internet, yes many many of them exist and many many of them enjoy playing single player games

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: mindcycle
I think the important part of the article is where he mentions the pirated copy being superior to the actual purchased copy.

Isn't this the case for every game?

How is it superior? Just because it's free?

More than anything I have a problem with the justification of "because I have to activate, or it has some sort of DRM, I'll just pirate it instead".

I don't really feel ilke discussing piracy again, for what feels like the 100th time, so I'll just leave it at that. I think it's pretty clear where I stand.

KT

In no way am I condoning piracy. That is a bad assumption on your part, and becoming hostile upon assumptions is a stupid thing to do.

I just simply said that all pirated games are superior to their purchased counterparts; they always have been, even before the times of online DRM.

I never said you were, I was stating what I do have a problem with, which is that justification that I hear all the time. Nowhere did I say you were condoning piracy, but it is true that many people do and use those sort of statements as a crutch.

Wouldn't multiplayer mean the pirated copy is quite inferior to the legitimately purchased copy? I would say definitively yes.

KT

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: Anubis
online activation sucks for those without internet, yes many many of them exist and many many of them enjoy playing single player games

I would die to see statistics of gamers that don't have Internet access. I bet it's an absurdly small minority.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: Anubis
online activation sucks for those without internet, yes many many of them exist and many many of them enjoy playing single player games

I would die to see statistics of gamers that don't have Internet access. I bet it's an absurdly small minority.

itll varry wildly by how you define "gamer"