Sega Talks Alpha Protocol DRM

[tavelkyosoba]

Ok, it sucks. Not nearly as much as Ubi's DRM, but it still sucks. But hey, at least it's a step in the right direction...

Why does this suck? Activation limits aren't pleasant, but they're logical, and 5 isn't overly restrictive like Spore's initial 3. A single, one-time web-based check seems fine to me, too. So what's the issue?

It restricts the way I use something I have paid for. Granted, five activations are generally sufficient, but there is still a limit. It's by no means as bad as Ubi's crap, but it's not exactly perfect either.
Generally speaking, such a system only makes the illegal version more appealing to me, as it lacks all of these restrictions. Not that I would pirate this game, but it's still worth noting that I wouldn't have any problems if I did.

You pay for a license so use software, and they're giving you FIVE CONCURRENT and transferable licenses. Microsoft gives you ONE, Adobe gives you TWO...they give you FIVE.

Get things in perspective.

This sort of DRM isn't meant to stop "real" piracy, I think SEGA realizes you can't and it's pointless to throw money at it. But you CAN stop "casual" piracy, when someone buys it and then passes the CD around to all his friends...friends who would ideally buy it but don't bother because it's so darn easy to get for free.

That's what this does, I think it's very fair to paying customers because you're probably pirating if you need more than 5 concurrent licenses, seriously.

EDIT: and no one actually buys a game after they've "demoed" a pirated version. Does anyone know someone who has?

 

[A Pious Cultist]

cknowledging that the Uniloc servers won't be around forever, Sega has also promised to release an "unprotected patch" for the game in the future which will remove all DRM and activation requirements.

Didn't another one of the Escapist's crew point out that when the time comes to close the doors and knock off the power to the server room releasing patches isn't a priority (especially when you won't have an official channel of distribution anymore)? That said, it works "in theory".

 

[Bruce Edwards]

I ... actually like this. SEGA has successfully made DRM palatable.

5 concurrent licences is actually pretty generous. The EULA agreement on most of my older games specify that you shouldn't install concurrently on more than one machine at a time, so this gives me even greater control.

It also means I can tell my miscreant, cheap-ass friends to go out and buy the game rather than 'borrowing' my copy. I can't stand it when they ask to 'borrow' all of my games. Although they are slowly learning I never say 'yes', they don't seem to understand my reluctance to condone piracy.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Atleast Sega is willing to compromise, Ubisoft.

Didn't another one of the Escapist's crew point out that when the time comes to close the doors and knock off the power to the server room releasing patches isn't a priority (especially when you won't have an official channel of distribution anymore)? That said, it works "in theory".

Since they have stated the intention to do it, it is reasonable to assume that the patch already exists. Hopefully they will see the end coming and release it before that happens.

 

[Seydaman]

EWWWWW! I'm kinda excited, but I'm all "moral choiced out" after ME1, ME1, and DA:O.

To be fair, Mass Effect isn't really about "moral" choices so much as it is about your attitude towards particular characters. It's less "am I being a good person" and more "how much do I feel like cooperating with these asshats?"

You know what I mean...I'm sick of choices. Time for a nice, no dialogue options RPG.

Then you aren't role playing
Roleplaying games?

Hey, my idea of an RPG is a game that is stat focused. Thus making Mass Effect barely qualify as an RPG. Here's a few skill points!

Those are called rpg elements

AHA! You fell for it. If RPGs are about "role playing" and "choices" then why are the commonly described "RPG elements" always stats and leveling? BECAUSE YOU DON'T NEED CHOICES TO BE AN RPG.

Okay fine mr von dickenstine
Common Rpg elements
There

 

[Starke]

Le sigh. You just can't win with DRM. It's either a waste of money, an insult to customers, or both. Someone smarter than me needs to come up with something that works without sucking.

Online section closed off with an activation code and release new/unique weapons or items through that. Then give every weapon/item it's own ID number based on CD-key/digital signature and ban the items(accounts/computers) that appear on torrent sites.
It's not a perfect system but it should discourage a lot of casual uploaders and in a way the activations(tracked by the digital signature) could prevent that someone whose account got hacked gets banned.

The people that need to download their activation could also potentially download the new items that way. Again, it's not perfect but the downloaded activation could also include a once-a-month system notice that there might be new items available for download(maybe include a key code to start the download?), with the last free item also disabling that message.

While the people that wouldn't pay for the game could still get the items and game, it's a relatively non-invasive and somewhat user friendly approach to DRM. A bit like steam, but that's a good thing when the bonus content is optional and updates aren't forced.(two things I hate about steam get fixed this way)

Though... that would screw over random customers because some jackass got their hands on a keygen.

As I recall, I think I have a banned Diablo II key code because that was exactly what some jackass did... and then they went and got themselves banned.

 

[antipunt]

I don't know why, but after Ubisoft, everything else looks relatively benign.

OK, actually, I do know why.

 

[Fenixius]

It restricts the way I use something I have paid for. Granted, five activations are generally sufficient, but there is still a limit. It's by no means as bad as Ubi's crap, but it's not exactly perfect either.

So it doesn't suck at all, as you previously tried to tell me. It is slightly, barely worse than optimal. That is not really worth complaining about.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

It restricts the way I use something I have paid for. Granted, five activations are generally sufficient, but there is still a limit. It's by no means as bad as Ubi's crap, but it's not exactly perfect either.

So it doesn't suck at all, as you previously tried to tell me. It is slightly, barely worse than optimal. That is not really worth complaining about.

I live in a mostly binary world; things either suck or they don't. Anything less than optimal does suck, albeit less than getting stuck in a swarm of angry wasps

 

[Fenixius]

I live in a mostly binary world; things either suck or they don't. Anything less than optimal does suck, albeit less than getting stuck in a swarm of angry wasps

Given that you're realistically assessing something before translating it into "suck" or "not suck", surely you can draw the line somewhere better? Like, put it at the halfway line? So if something is actually bad, you can call it suck? Having such a high "non suck" threshold must be depressing

 

[thethingthatlurks]

I live in a mostly binary world; things either suck or they don't. Anything less than optimal does suck, albeit less than getting stuck in a swarm of angry wasps

Given that you're realistically assessing something before translating it into "suck" or "not suck", surely you can draw the line somewhere better? Like, put it at the halfway line? So if something is actually bad, you can call it suck? Having such a high "non suck" threshold must be depressing

What's halfway between sucking and not-sucking? Blowing, perhaps?
yeah, my life is pretty depressing, but alcohol helps...

 

[Royas]

This isn't as bad as most other limited activation systems. My biggest problem with those is that you can't get your activation back if you have a major hardware failure, or if you even forget to uninstall your game before reformatting. Really, you shouldn't have to worry about uninstalling 20 games or so every time you reformat, it's too much to ask. But this system allows you to deactivate older installs without having the older install on hand. Even if your computer catches fire and explodes, you can still use that activation on another computer in the future. Of course, you have the small problem of your house burning down, but nothing's perfect.

 

[James Raynor]

I like this DRM idea much more then the previous.

 

[HentMas]

incredible!!

its just amazing... i really hope people get to do this things more and more, i mean, its not prefect but its a start to get a better working process in piracy controll

 

[Emphraim]

While the DRM is still bad, they did say they will eventually release a patch to remove it, so I guess I will be able to buy the game within a few years. It's good to see more developers adapt an approach like this. Egosoft follows the same "no drm patch after a year or 2" and it's the reason why I got X3 Reunion and Terran Conflict.

Let's hope more developers do something like this, or better yet, use no DRM.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

If the developers can make a patch to remove the DRM then so can pirates. Sorry SEGA, your DRM failed before it was even put into action.

 

[Doug]

Why can't they go back to the old days where you got a key, you entered your key, and you played?

The irony of getting people without internet access to activate via a Web Based Activation system is almost too much for me.

Because people just uploaded the key and DVD to the internet, effectively rendering it pointless. So if your going to bother with DRM CD keys are pretty pointless, heh.

 

[RelexCryo]

For once, I am rather...content with the way they are dealing with this. I read the DRM FAQ and I applaud them for the effort and clarity. However, this and will remain too much of a hassle.

Ubisoft, take note, this is how it should be done if you consider implenting DRM. Idiots

Agreed. I ordered for 360 though. I am glad Sega is doing smart things again.


EDIT: I mean smart by not pissing off customers, not making successful DRM.

 

[Flour]

Though... that would screw over random customers because some jackass got their hands on a keygen.

As I recall, I think I have a banned Diablo II key code because that was exactly what some jackass did... and then they went and got themselves banned.

If that happened, a new key should be mailed if you have proof of purchase(scan of receipt showing date of purchase combined with the CD-key).

Again, it's not a perfect system, but publishers want to stop the used games sale, and this prevents it. Pirates.. why should anyone bother with them, not like they'll ever buy the product so anything to stop them is a huge waste of money.

 

[mogamer]

A world without pirates is a world without DRM. I was holding out to see if it was going to be some kind of Ubisoft deal, pre-ordered now.

I don't believe that to be true. DRM is being used to control the software that a publisher sells, and to hurt second hand sales. More DRM in pc games has gone hand in hand with reduced second hand selling of pc games. A coincedence? I don't think so. And as you can see piracy hasn't been stopped. So why bother with ever more costly and complex solutions? A simple CD Key/Disc check will stop 99% of people from pirating a game. It won't stop the hardcore crackers, but what does?

As a side note, how come Obsidian is developing a game that doesn't have a "2" in it's name? It just doesn't seem right!