Spore, Mass Effect PC to Require Validation Every Ten Days
BioWare technical producer Derek French has said that the PC versions of both Mass Effect and Spore will make use of copy protection that will require online validation every ten days in order for the games to continue working.
"After the first activation, SecuROM requires that [Mass Effect PC] re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned)," said French in a post on the BioWare forums.
If customers do not come online after ten days, the game will cease to function.
"After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run," added French. "..An internet connection is not required to install, just to activate the first time, and every 10 days after."
The check is run when users activate the game's executable file, with the first re-check coming within "5 days remaining in the 10 day window."
According to French, Maxis' Spore will also make use of the same scheme: "[Electronic Arts] is ready for us and getting ready for Spore, which will use the same system."
French also noted that the online requirement will be clearly labeled on the games' packaging.
SecuROM has been a developing pain in the ass for a while now.
All Bioware releases on PC for the last few years have had some form of it, and it's a pita for pirates, but it's even more of a pita for actual paying customers. There were lots of issues with NWN2 and Jade Empire:SE.
Check Bioware's boards on any of their recent PC games, there's much wailing and gnashing of teeth over SecuROM.
I like Relic games because they run off your HD with no disc or crack required. I have Company of Heros, the Dawn of War series, and Supreme Commander on my laptop for this very reason. I really wish more companies would jump on that bandwagon. Requiring a disc is such a pita.
patched COH is different now. requires a connection to relicnet to be able to play.. and without that you need the CD in the drive to play offline. its really a bit silly because it only prevented people from pirating the offline campaigns, because online play was already being authenticated
if you only want it for the campaign- dont patch it!
I TOLD YOU ID SHOOT! BUT YOU DIDNT BELIEVE ME! WHY DIDNT YOU BELIEVE ME?
"EA have announced that they are to ditch a 10-day periodic re-authentication for Spore after many people threatened to boycott the game. The news comes after Bioware announced they were also dropping the 10-day periodic re-authentication for Mass Effect PC."
Hey Spore Fans -
We wanted to let you know that we’ve been hearing your concerns about the online authentication mentioned earlier this week. I didn’t want to head into the weekend without getting back to you with some information about how Spore is planning on using this new system.
A few things we wanted you to know:
– We authenticate your game online when you install and launch it the first time.
– We’ll re-authenticate when a player uses online features, downloads new content or a patch for their game.
– The new system means you don’t have to play with the disc in your computer. And if you are like me, always losing discs, this will be a huge benefit.
– You’ll still be able to install and play on multiple computers.
– You can play offline.
We do hope that players will play online - sharing creatures, buildings and vehicles with other players is something that is unique to Spore and one of the coolest features of the game. Every day, when I play the Creature Stage, I get to see wacky and awesome new creatures from my Buddies on the team coming over the hill at me and I can’t wait to see what happens when our creative, passionate community starts sharing their creations.
I’d love to write more - but I need to get back to work. We’ve got a game to finish.
-caryl
-----------
Q: What is the difference between the old PC disc authentication solution and the new online model?
A: Two things have changed:
• First, authentication of discs has now gone from the physical format to the online format, freeing the Need for consumers to have a disc in the drive at all times.
• Second, with online authentication consumers now connect to the Internet the first time the game is launched and are required only to reconnect if they are downloading new game content.
Q: Will EA or BioWare take any personal information from my computer during an authentication?
A: Absolutely not. We do not take any personal information from your computer. The system simply verifies that a valid CD key has been provided and assigns that activation to that PC.
Q: What happens when I’ve reached the maximum # of computers for my game and I need more, say due to theft of computer, computer crashes, etc?
A: EA customer service is on hand to supply any additional authorizations that are warranted. This will be done on a case-by-case basis by contacting customer support.
Q: Why are BioWare and EA implementing this new authentication process?
A: This serves to protect our software from piracy. It has the added benefit of allowing consumers to activate the game on multiple machines without needing the DVD in the drive when playing the game.
Q: Did BioWare and EA change their mind on requiring that the game be re-authorized every 10 days?
A: BioWare has always listened very closely to its fans and we made this decision to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience to them. To all the fans including our many friends in the armed services and internationally who expressed concerns that they would not be able re-authenticate as often as required, EA and BioWare want you to know that your feedback is important to us.
Q: If the game isn’t going to require an authentication every 10 days, will it ever require re-authentication?
A: Only if the player chooses to download new game content.
Hallelujah, about time someone listened to reason and dropped the draconian anti piracy measure that only bother the buyers, not the pirates.
I feared i had to pull the same stunt as i had to do on Dreamfall: buying the game, then downloading a copy to aviod having my computer infected (and yes, i will call it infected) by Starforce copy protection. I still got my original Limited Edition Dreamfall up on the shelf, and then inside i also got a DVD with a copy without Starforce, so i can play it again someday.
"Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich"
