Multianna's Blog
requires activation every 10 days
Published on May 5, 2008 By Multianna In PC Gaming
let me quote from Source


Mass Effect uses SecuROM and requires an online activation for the first time that you play it. Each copy of Mass Effect comes with a CD Key which is used for this activation and for registration here at the BioWare Community. Mass Effect does not require the DVD to be in the drive in order to play, it is only for installation.

After the first activation, SecuROM requires that it re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned). Just so that the 10 day thing doesn't become abrupt, SecuROM tries its first re-check with 5 days remaining in the 10 day window. If it can't contact the server before the 10 days are up, nothing bad happens and the game still runs. After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run.


on page 2 he says:

Yes, EA is ready for us and getting ready for Spore, which will use the same system.


They made a FAQ about the copy protection, heres a quote of the most relevant stuff

Q: Why does MEPC need to reactivate every 10 days?

A: MEPC needs to authenticate every 10 days to ensure that the CD key used for the game is valid. This is designed to reduce piracy and protect valid CD keys.


Q: What happens if I want to play MEPC but do not have an internet connection?

A: You cannot play MEPC without an internet connection. MEPC must authenticate when it is initially run and every 10 days thereafter.


Q: What happens if I install and activate MEPC with an internet connection, but then do not have an internet connection after 10 days? Can I still play MEPC?

A: No. After 10 days the system needs to re-authenticate via the internet. If you do not have an internet connection you will not be able to play until you are reconnected to the internet and able to re-authenticate.


Q: Does the game re-authenticate every 10 game play days or every 10 calendar days?

A: It re-authenticates based on calendar days, not game play days.


WTH is this all about?? ha, they seem to be asking for people to pirate there game so they can play without an internet connection.

And whats with the every 10 day activation?? so if your internet is gone for more then 10 days, you CANT play your legal bought game...

worst copy protection in history

Comments (Page 16)
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on May 09, 2008
Dude, you take your laptop camping?


Well...memory cards only hold so many pictures, you know.



on May 09, 2008
Theres another issue at hand that hasnt been discussed, This copy protection is forcing the rest of the world to play by americas rules, not all counties have laws that say piracy and software copyright even exists. Why should we have to but up with some overseas corpoate bs when technically we arn't breaking the law.

I myself am not in this situation becuase im an Australian where we have similar laws (we can legally modchip consoles though so   ) but some euro countries are in this boat.

I will probably buy spore just becuase its the kind of game i've always wanted to play, i own mass effect on my 360 already so this issue probably won't affect me. But i can still have an opinion.


Oh btw the people who decide to make these decisions are usually 50 year old plus suits that think life is work, a huge salary and a sunday drive in a porshe. Who the hell are they to say whats in the bet interestes of the consumer ?
on May 09, 2008
WWW Link. Look down a little bit and you will see they AMENDED the phone home to initial install AND when downloading new content. Looks like the backlash was so great they they decided aganist every 10 days. Now the game is back on a list of ones to get if-my-PC-can-play-them (3 yrs old)
on May 09, 2008
I'm still waiting to see if they're willing to raise the number of allowable activations (or just eliminate the limit entirely). If that happens, then I might consider allowing that bloody SecuROM on my system. Maybe.
on May 09, 2008
This copy protection is forcing the rest of the world to play by americas rules, not all counties have laws that say piracy and software copyright even exists. Why should we have to but up with some overseas corpoate bs when technically we arn't breaking the law.


Um, because the product was produced in the US?

International products have to follow lowest-common-demoninator standards. Or, in this case, most-restrictive standards.

BTW, your country almost certainly has basic software copyrights. There have been a variety of treaties on copyright law that most countries have signed. And if you're not in one of them, oh well.
on May 09, 2008
Just like the supposed 'sex in videogames' garbage from earlier in the year (Mass Effect has had a tough run, no?), the amendment of bioware's decision to run with this kind of anti-piracy software is another testament to the community's ability to right the wrongs done against our beloved past-time.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I know I feel pretty elated about this turn of events.

/cheers
on May 09, 2008
I think it's a great thing to see that the community of gamers can effect this sort of change. While I'm quite pleased, I'm not elated yet, however. What has been revoked is the least of the issue, IMO. I'm waiting to see what, if anything, happens re the activations. That's a far bigger issue as far as I'm concerned.

Now, ideally, I'd like to see them just get rid of SecuROM altogether, but I know that's not going to happen. So, if they loosen up the restrictions on activations, I may actually buy the game(s).
on May 10, 2008
Personally, I don't pirate and I think it is wrong to do so. But I think it is even worse to treat all of your customers like they are criminals. I can understand and even tolerate passive copy protection. I don't like it, but I do understand. Active copyright protection such as this and a few others that actually destroy your system are a step too far. I don't care how good a game is, if it has active protection I will just refuse to buy anything from that company EVER.

People that buy games with all these requirements are stupid and deserve the treatment they get. Companies need to be forced to have more ethical and consumer friendly practices if they wish to stay in business. If you buy games from companies that think it is OK to alter your hardware and make you have an internet connection just to play a game, watch a movie, or listen to music than you are saying it is OK to treat me like a thief.

The companies behind these games should all be boycotted until they either go out of business or until they change their business practices. Buying their products only says you are OK with the way they treat their customers. I have no respect for companies that use such draconian measures to protect their product or the people dumb enough to support them by purchasing their products. We don't need companies like that in the stores or people that buy from those companies in the gene pool.

By the way, even though pirates are the problem and the reason for these measures, you can be sure they will find a way to obtain and play the games unhindered. Only the person that does the right thing and purchases the game will be inconvenienced and harassed.
on May 10, 2008
SecuROM


Quite possibly the worst DRM company. Ever. I've had nothing but troubles with their products, even though I have never pirated any of their software or the software they protect. Now it looks like they've made their products even worse.

I'm sorry, but I'm not a criminal. I shouldn't be treated like one.

Honestly, how often is you internet down?


Sometimes I have been away from the Internet for more than a month. I'm a dependent of an Army soldier. Which means we move sometimes. When that happens, it is not unusual to be away from the Internet for longer than ten days.

Am I a criminal for being away from the Internet for more than ten days?

In addition, is a cracker going to be inconvenienced in any way with a ten day limit?

How precisely does a ten day limit affect copying in any way, shape, or form?
on May 10, 2008
from ME forums:

"The solution being implemented for Mass Effect for the PC changes copy protection from being key disc based, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive, to a one time online authentication.

This system has an added benefit of allowing players to seamlessly play the game without needing the DVD in the drive. "





cd-check... lol... cool though... it answer one big problem...
on May 10, 2008
http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=87577

There has been a lot of discussion in the past few days on how the security requirements for Mass Effect for PC will work. BioWare, a division of EA, wants to let fans know that Mass Effect will not require 10- day periodic re-authentication.

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.

The solution being implemented for Mass Effect for the PC changes copy protection from being key disc based, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive, to a one time online authentication.

This system has an added benefit of allowing players to seamlessly play the game without needing the DVD in the drive.

Key points---

•This solution allows gamers to authenticate their game on three different computers with the purchase of one disc. 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.

• Games are authorized to the machine when the player installs and launches the software for the first time.

• We’ve all had those times when the discs get lost or scratched and you can’t play a game you’ve bought because you need a working disc in the drive. With the new system players will no longer need the disc to play the game, but can instead simply retain the disc as back up for re-installation.


One-time online activation doesn't sound too horrible. Also, I like how I won't have to have a disc check every time I want to play.
on May 10, 2008
Another point in the console vs PC discussion:
Consoles come without stupid DRM measures that break the system. You put in the game and it works.
On PC you have to worry that the DRM will make your PC less functional.

About the online-activation:

A while ago people were absolutely shocked when Half Life 2 introduced it. There was an outrage that people have to get online to play a single player game.
Now a company announces totally over the top insane copy protection measures and then goes back to "just" very bad ones. And everybody is happy with it? Welcome in the psychology trap!
It still is a stupid DRM and it still sucks for many customers and there still is no need at all to activate a single player game and most importantly it will be cracked within a day anyway, leaving only honest customers to deal with the inconvenience and leaving pirates with a DRM free enjoyable product.
on May 10, 2008
I just went to the link Hollow Man gave regarding a revision in DRM policy for spore. The dev posted there said there will be some changes. In the end, it saids that if we think spore's DRM policy is harsh, then it saids:

"Oh yes, and if you think EA's DRM is harsh wait until you see the new DRM that Blizzard is working on for S2 and D3...." Ah, what is this all about?? Does anyone know??? Wait, is this have something to do with after the fact that blizzard merged with Activision. I mean, it sounds like after SC 2 comes out, and if Diabolo 3 also comes out, then there will be the similar, if not worse problems like Mass effect for gamers.
on May 10, 2008
but we don't have a choice for that matter... they leave only two option: buy it or don't buy it(so in the end the consumer always lose on this part) from my point there is still a high percentage that people will buy the game with or without the DRM(probably because of the hype or game is just so cool it's a must have)...
on May 10, 2008
It still is a stupid DRM and it still sucks for many customers and there still is no need at all to activate a single player game
Have you played GC2 version 1.1 or newer ?
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