SecuROM Discussion Thread

[Schadenfroh]

Another fellow Anandtecher falls to SecuROM

 

[quadomatic]

Is there any way to play Bioshock and avoid SecuROM?

What problems does SecuROM cause, and is my privacy at risk?

I suppose if it's not a huge deal, I'll just do what I do now, and use Linux for everything, and just use Windows for games...

I hear Supreme Commander was cool about DRM. Why can't everyone be like the Supreme Commander publishers?

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: quadomatic
Is there any way to play Bioshock and avoid SecuROM?

What problems does SecuROM cause, and is my privacy at risk?

I suppose if it's not a huge deal, I'll just do what I do now, and use Linux for everything, and just use Windows for games...

I hear Supreme Commander was cool about DRM. Why can't everyone be like the Supreme Commander publishers?

Nope.. For unknown reasons, SecuROM is still installed in the Steam version of teh game, which is completely pointless since the fact that its tied to your Steam account eliminates any need for SecuROM to be there (if one could justify I need for any version of the game I suppose)

 

[CP5670]

Maybe they think it's not enough. Soon enough, we'll have games with Securom, Starforce and Steam all in the same exe.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: CP5670
Maybe they think it's not enough. Soon enough, we'll have games with Securom, Starforce and Steam all in the same exe.

And you'll have to leave a webcam on at all times so they can verify its actually you playing the game.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Capitalizt
I can't get any of the no-CD cracks to work.

I would suggest against using no-cd patches. Sometimes they violate the EULA (due to modification of the game's executable itself), they could also result in a ban from certain multiplayer games (they think you may be cheating because the game has "changed" in a way that was unintended), or worse still it could be a trojan.


There are however virtual drives that do not modify the game's executable and will not result in a false positive when it comes to anticheating measures. If you make your own image, then you do not have to worry about malware. Alcohol 52% allows you to make your own images and to mount them in a virtual drive, so you will never need the CD / DVD. Although please read the EULA to see if you are allowed to make a backup of your game's DVD / CD and/or if they allow this type of thing, if the EULA says that you are not allowed, then I would have to recommend that you just play the CD / DVD shuffle. Alcohol will only work if you have a legit license key for the game.

You're a little misinformed.

First off contracts (a EULA) does not trump the law.
Secondly, copyright law EXPLICITLY allows you to make backups.

Know the facts, know your rights, and don't bother pussy-footing around some EULA.

 

[308nato]

For an old fart such as myself who has gamed since the beginning the joy and fun is gone. It resembles work and dealing with the man to much for my liking now.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Next Generation SecuROM requires activation every 10 days or else your game ceases to function.

Well, most multiplayer games check to make sure duplicate accounts are not in use, guess this is the logical extension to single player games.


Any guesses if they are going to take out the CD check or not? It seems that it would not need to verify that you have the CD if it is doing this...

Update: CD Check removed

 

[Daverino]

Wow. That's pretty insane. For anyone who though Steam was off the hook, this level of paranoia is totally nuts.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Atari considers the removal of SecuROM from NeverWinter Nights 2

Can you speak if they at least are willing to implement this security system in NWN 2 and a possible Securom removal?

we're looking into that possibility.

Good news! From what I have heard, SecuROM even makes a small impact on the performance of NWN2 itself.

 

[bodhammer]

Originally posted by: 308nato
For an old fart such as myself who has gamed since the beginning the joy and fun is gone. It resembles work and dealing with the man to much for my liking now.

I pretty much concur with this post. The last three games I have purchased are Orange Box (Retail), Sins of a Solar Empire, and Bioshock. One has SecurROM, one is on Steam as I actived the serial number only, and one has nothing. Only Bioshock requires me to have the disk installed and it is really annoying as I have a 2-year old that like to push the buttons on my shiny computer and play with the shiny disks.

Stardock to me is where the industry should be. First and foremost, put out a quality product. Treat your loyal customers with respect as as honest people - most people are honest. Support your product publically and frequently.

I do not like Sony and all the crap they have done over the last couple of years with DRM. I would not piss on them if they were on fire! I did not buy a PS3, PSP, flatscreen, or a blu-ray from Sony because of their policies or actions. 10 years ago they were my first choice for electronics. Sony, are you hearing me?

I did not know that Securom was on Bioshock or I would not have bought it, the only reason I did was I found a hack for SM20B and it was on sale for $14.99.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Atari considers the removal of SecuROM from NeverWinter Nights 2

Can you speak if they at least are willing to implement this security system in NWN 2 and a possible Securom removal?

we're looking into that possibility.

Good news! From what I have heard, SecuROM even makes a small impact on the performance of NWN2 itself.

Is this is the new security system they've been 'working' on since the middle of 2007? Supposedly, its going to go live with the 1.14 patch, which they claim will launch in July. But, given the delays with the 1.12 and 1.13 patches, it could likely be august or september before 1.14 goes live.

 

[BassBomb]

I personally have never had problems with SecuROM but I have had problems with Starforce, I couldn't play Splinter Cell Chaos Theory when I PURCHASED it! It was a real kick in the pants.

I don't like the fact that so many programs like to hide from you in your Windows installs, that really bugs me.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: bodhammer

Originally posted by: 308nato
For an old fart such as myself who has gamed since the beginning the joy and fun is gone. It resembles work and dealing with the man to much for my liking now.

I pretty much concur with this post. The last three games I have purchased are Orange Box (Retail), Sins of a Solar Empire, and Bioshock. One has SecurROM, one is on Steam as I actived the serial number only, and one has nothing. Only Bioshock requires me to have the disk installed and it is really annoying as I have a 2-year old that like to push the buttons on my shiny computer and play with the shiny disks.

Stardock to me is where the industry should be. First and foremost, put out a quality product. Treat your loyal customers with respect as as honest people - most people are honest. Support your product publically and frequently.

I do not like Sony and all the crap they have done over the last couple of years with DRM. I would not piss on them if they were on fire! I did not buy a PS3, PSP, flatscreen, or a blu-ray from Sony because of their policies or actions. 10 years ago they were my first choice for electronics. Sony, are you hearing me?

I did not know that Securom was on Bioshock or I would not have bought it, the only reason I did was I found a hack for SM20B and it was on sale for $14.99.

I would piss on them, but only if the flames went out already

 

[Martimus]

Ever since I installed Bioshock a couple of weeks ago, my computer takes about 5X longer to boot up (it takes like 5 minutes now), and my OS will no longer recognize by IDE drive (although it is recognized in BIOS). Could this be from SecuROM, or does this sound like some other issue (Maybe I contracted a virus around the same time I bought BioShock?)

 

[Schadenfroh]

2K removes Bioshock's SecuROM install limit

SecuROM remains in the game and one still has to activate it, but there is no longer a cap on the number of times you can activate it.

Our other methods of copy protection remain. You will still have to activate your copy, and you will still need to keep the disc in the drive. SecuROM has not been removed -- just the activation limits on number of installs and number of computers you can install BioShock on simultaneously.

As I promised that the activation limits would go away, I can promise that if we ever stop supporting BioShock in the ways you speak of, we will release a patch so that the game is still playable. I believe, as you seem to, that BioShock will be the kind of game we will want to revisit 5, 10, 15 or more years from now. I want my copy to be playable, just as you do, and so does 2K.

 

[PiMpY]

I bought Mass Effect for PC, later on read about the wonderful DRM built inside.
3 Installs before you have to get authorized to install it again, wow.

Jank!

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
2K removes Bioshock's SecuROM install limit

SecuROM remains in the game and one still has to activate it, but there is no longer a cap on the number of times you can activate it.

Our other methods of copy protection remain. You will still have to activate your copy, and you will still need to keep the disc in the drive. SecuROM has not been removed -- just the activation limits on number of installs and number of computers you can install BioShock on simultaneously.

As I promised that the activation limits would go away, I can promise that if we ever stop supporting BioShock in the ways you speak of, we will release a patch so that the game is still playable. I believe, as you seem to, that BioShock will be the kind of game we will want to revisit 5, 10, 15 or more years from now. I want my copy to be playable, just as you do, and so does 2K.

Thats good to hear. Now, I can consider buying the game.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Alone in the Dark SecuROM details:

Atari has announced that the PC version of Alone in the Dark, the adventure game developed by Hydravision and Eden, is certified Games for Windows and is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. The PC version of the game is protected using SecuROM online activation. This requires that in addition to the content on the game disk, players download an additional component via an internet connection in order to install and run the game. Once the game has been correctly installed and activated, it can be played whilst offline. To install the game on a different computer, players must revoke the serial number when uninstalling from the first machine (this is an automatic option during the uninstall process).

http://www.gamershell.com/companies/atari/451270.html



I have two game machines at home and I can't have it installed on more than one PC at a time. That is lame.

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Next Generation SecuROM requires activation every 10 days or else your game ceases to function.

Well, most multiplayer games check to make sure duplicate accounts are not in use, guess this is the logical extension to single player games.


Any guesses if they are going to take out the CD check or not? It seems that it would not need to verify that you have the CD if it is doing this...

Update: CD Check removed

Not for Spore and Mass Effect:
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52618

 

[Chosonman]

So which anti virus program can I use to detect this?

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
Alone in the Dark SecuROM details:

Atari has announced that the PC version of Alone in the Dark, the adventure game developed by Hydravision and Eden, is certified Games for Windows and is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. The PC version of the game is protected using SecuROM online activation. This requires that in addition to the content on the game disk, players download an additional component via an internet connection in order to install and run the game. Once the game has been correctly installed and activated, it can be played whilst offline. To install the game on a different computer, players must revoke the serial number when uninstalling from the first machine (this is an automatic option during the uninstall process).

http://www.gamershell.com/companies/atari/451270.html



I have two game machines at home and I can't have it installed on more than one PC at a time. That is lame.

I heard Alone in the Dark is crap anyway.. Even so, they won't be getting my money.

 

[Foxery]

What about approaching SecuROM removal from a slightly different angle: Have any methods or utilities been invented which prevent it from being applied to your system when performing the original install from CD? Something along the lines of the way antivirus programs quarantine/delete threats as soon as they see them.

 

[nova2]

@Foxery:

you could use Deep Freeze
http://www.answers.com/topic/deep-freeze?cat=technology

but i don't see why you would want to bother, because we're talking securom here, and not something else that could be much worse.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: mindcycle

I heard Alone in the Dark is crap anyway.. Even so, they won't be getting my money.

Shit game plus worst DRM. Great job Atari!