(off-topic) DRM again

[Admiral]

Another week, another potential Impulse Buy.

http://impulsedriven.com/dawndiscovery

Well... I almost impulse bought this (to add to my library of games I bought and don't have time for, I should really control myself) and then noticed it has DRM above and beyond what Impulse puts in (e.g., for Galactic Civilizations). Seriously?

I wrote Stardock and told them they should be putting that information in big, huge red letters across the top of the page and in every shopping cart page.

I'm glad I noticed it, whatever this "Tages" is, before I was impulsive!

</rantoff>

Cheers!

[Huw]

Normally I'd be 100% behind you; I loathe DRM like this.  But I've seen worse and, frankly, Dawn of Discovery (real name: Anno 1404 ) is an absolutely amazing game.  I don't feel bad for buying this one.  Besides, I picked up the collector's edition - who could resist this?!

[Warnstaff]

Well, we can look at the bright side: They put it right in the front page - most companies try to hide it, sometimes even outright lie.

[Revenantus]

I'm with Admiral on this one, I'm completely opposed to any sort of DRM that limits my ability to activate a game. Once I've purchased a game I want nothing to do with any external activation servers of any sort.

It's unfortunate that Stardock would agree to distribute a game with such DRM as it seems somewhat counter to their general philosophy and their Gamer's Bill of Rights.

[Admiral]

It's unfortunate that Stardock would agree to distribute a game with such DRM as it seems somewhat counter to their general philosophy and their Gamer's Bill of Rights.

This is what shocked me - that it had activation and limitations on activations. I rebuild and modify my computers way to much to tolerate this sort of thing (although not as much as I used to when I was younger and had more free time).

He does have a point though - at least it really is on the front page.

I do think, however, that they shouldn't be distributing their games with DRM at all, though. It's Stardock/Impulse. I can't even tell you how many computers I have installed Galactic Civilizations on. It must be well over a dozen by now... And not a single copy of those are running anymore. I don't think I even have it on my latest two computers (see the other computer thread) as it won't install from Impulse! (That's a joke and another sad story.)

[Tankor Smash]

Well speaking on behalf of Anno 1404, it is the best city builder that I have ever played period. Top notch graphics for one thing, very complex. Not a spectacular campaign though. Amazing production values all around.

[eRe4s3r]

Agreed Anno 1404 is by far one of the best anno games ever. Though there are still niggles but the mods will fix these.. I too hate DRM but a game like Anno which is 100% singleplayer i can sort of understand why they limit activations to some extend. I don't like it but sometimes one has to.... succumb to the graving

Stardock is just the provider for the download - the DRM is the same as in worldwide dvd versions - which is serial based activation (and not dvd-based activation) .. not great that it has it, but if you are a building simmer then there is no way around 1404 (and for that price !)

By the way Admiral. Have you yet started playing Nexus? The start is probably mighty confusing ;P The game has a lot of depth after all ^^

[Tankor Smash]

Oh speaking of Nexus, I just googled it because you guys were talking about it. It looks awesome, it's just not available on Impulse so I can't get it.

[Echo35]

It's unfortunate that Stardock would agree to distribute a game with such DRM as it seems somewhat counter to their general philosophy and their Gamer's Bill of Rights.

That Bill of Rights was merely for a publicity stunt, and they only follow it in their own games.

[eRe4s3r]

Impulse is also DRM though 

[Tankor Smash]

I would say Impulse is the best form of DRM yet, completely non-invasive and you only need it to install the game, otherwise you could hypothetically uninstall it once you've downloaded your game.

[Admiral]

The guys at Stardock have really let me down. I have asked them several times (in various ways) via support what kind of DRM the new EA games they're hawking will have and they have given me nothing.

I intentionally never bought Spore because of their brain-dead DRM. I can't get an answer from Stardock what DRM their version of Spore will have.

Wardell is really letting me down. I have pages of games on my Impulse account now (with all their sales over the ages) and it's disappointing not to be able to get a straight answer.

Not that I necessarily would have bought Spore (it apparently was a reasonably lousy game) but my son might have liked it.

Cheers!

[Coleman2]

Sorry, I realize that this is an old topic, but I wanted to chime in because I feel like a lot of people have been complaining about this issue lately. While I understand the frustration for gamers of material that has a heavy DRM procedure with it, I understand the company's motives even more. They're protecting their games from copyright and trademark infringement. With all of the piracy that has come with the digital age, we should be more forgiving with the companies on issues like this. That's just my two cents!

[Cyborg]

Sorry, I realize that this is an old topic, but I wanted to chime in because I feel like a lot of people have been complaining about this issue lately. While I understand the frustration for gamers of material that has a heavy DRM procedure with it, I understand the company's motives even more. They're protecting their games from copyright and trademark infringement. With all of the piracy that has come with the digital age, we should be more forgiving with the companies on issues like this. That's just my two cents!

Forgiving? What is this, charity? You can respect the motives, but limiting activations/Internet connections required is really going too far. I am very proud of my gaming collection, full of original boxes and cases, the original manuals, and going back decades. I would be heartbroken if I found out I could no longer install my old Diablo game, for example, because I ran out of "activations." I'm already running into that problem with bioshock. I don't want to buy a new copy but their DRM killed it for me.

You know who DRM really hurts? Paying customers. I bought these games; some of them at new release prices. Pirates, hackers, whatever you want to call them... I guarantee you they are playing whatever game they want with no DRM, enjoying their experience and having a grand time while I'm getting screwed because I paid for it.

[zespri]

Yep, TAGES sucks and starforce sucks.

Look what the did with Spore. It's basically "activate 3 times" thing and then throw away your DVD because it becomes useless.

Also note, that these are the big companies that are already making big $$$ who put draconian DRMs in. And indies mostly use light-weight protection if any, so that when you bought a game you really feel like you own a copy and not that you just a allowed to play until your OS crashes or something.

Look at AI War. No protection apart from a serial and perhaps a check that in multi-player distinct serials are used by each client. And believe me, this is not because Arcen promote piracy, and feel that all their hard work should be used by anyone for free. This is because, Arcen do not want to inconvenience the real customers and treat them like criminals.

This is quite an old debate, a lot has been said about it. There is nothing to be "forgiving" about. These big companies already have won, because many people will buy their games regardless draconian DRMs. I can't forbid other people buying their games, but this is what I personally can do: vote with my wallet, and not pay for / play their games because I don't feel I'd be treated fairly by their DRM if I did.

And still... sometimes the game is just too good. And I buy it anyway. Some companies patch the DRM out a year after release or so. And I'm grateful for that.