Jay Watamaniuk
Community Manager
Joined: 19 Nov 2001
From: Edmonton, Alberta |
 Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 06:44PM |
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.
FAQ---
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.Edited By Jay Watamaniuk on 05/09/08 18:48 |
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perkyporcupine
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
Joined: 06 Dec 2003 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 06:56PM |
I'm feelin' the lurve here!!!
I have to admit I was sceptical that we'd make a difference at EA, and I'm extremely pleased to say how wrong I was. Kudos to the folks there and at Bioware for listening to people's concerns and acting on them. |
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Obturator
Joined: 09 May 2008 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 06:59PM |
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It looks like Securom is still a part of the picture. Is this the case? If so I still wont purchase this. |
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perkyporcupine
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
Joined: 06 Dec 2003 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:01PM |
Quote: Posted 05/09/08 18:59 (GMT) by Obturator
It looks like Securom is still a part of the picture. Is this the case? If so I still wont purchase this.
Not from my understanding of what Jay wrote? Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick though?  |
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gstommylee
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
NWN 2
NWN 2: MotB
Joined: 04 Jul 2003 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:01PM |
Obturator
Most games use securom but not in this degree that bioware/ea wanted to do. |
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Obturator
Joined: 09 May 2008 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:04PM |
Quote: Posted 05/09/08 19:01 (GMT) by gstommylee
Obturator
Most games use securom but not in this degree that bioware/ea wanted to do.
That is a patently false statement. Most games do not use Securom.
That being said I still object to it. Securom is a horrible idea. And until they get rid of this I will refuse to support any EA or Bioware products. |
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xman26
Joined: 07 May 2008 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:06PM |
Quote: Posted 05/09/08 18:56 (GMT) by perkyporcupine I'm feelin' the lurve here!!! I have to admit I was sceptical that we'd make a difference at EA, and I'm extremely pleased to say how wrong I was. Kudos to the folks there and at Bioware for listening to people's concerns and acting on them.
While this is good news for all, the fact that EA is still using spyware for its DRM is very disappointing. And I view it as EA stealing my property by using SecuROM. PE is a very legit and licensed piece of software and I should be allowed to protect my system by any means neccessary and no software or company has any right to dictate to myself or anyone else how to do that.
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Kenuudar
Joined: 07 May 2008 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:07PM |
The primary concerns for me were always the install limit and SecuROM.
I doubt EA would let you remove SecuROM, but with a limited number of installs I still won't be buying. Dealing with customer service over a phone if I upgrade my computer, etc., is not an experience I want to pay for - especially if it happens years from now, after support for the game is dropped.
I'd have enough concerns with the initial authorization - again, what happens 10 years from now when I want to run through the game again? Maybe someday you'll release a patch that will remove it, but until it actually exists I'm not willing to take that risk, at least as long as those other measures are in place.
If it was only one of those three things then I would probably buy MEPC. But like I said, the 10 day reactivation was never my biggest concern.
Still, I applaud the move - especially as it concerns gamers serving in the military.
Edit: Also, I've never minded needing my CD/DVD in the drive to play a game. Now, the constant switching back and forth with Baldur's Gate and similar games was a pain, but just needing it to play? Never bothered me. I realize not everyone feels that way, but, just me.Edited By Kenuudar on 05/09/08 19:10 |
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Vèñöm
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Joined: 26 May 2004
From: Calgary |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:07PM |
Quote: Posted 05/09/08 18:59 (GMT) by Obturator
It looks like Securom is still a part of the picture. Is this the case? If so I still wont purchase this.
++;
would like to know as well... |
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Mudface90210
Joined: 07 May 2008 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:08PM |
Excellent, well done indeed. Hopefully the good publicity you get from this sensible move will translate into better than expected sales.
I'm still not particularly happy about having to activate online, due to potential and almost inevitable problems, and the 3 installations needs to be very carefully considered- perhaps with a revoke tool a la Bioshock- but at least this is a step in the right direction. |
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Raider_MXD
Joined: 08 May 2008
From: Germany |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:09PM |
Quote: Posted 05/09/08 18:44 (GMT) by Jay Watamaniuk
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.
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.
Obviously you didn't listen closely enough. I am not willing to accept any form of activation for a single player game / the single player mode of a game.
If I am not able to install a game whereever and whenever I wish without being dependent on the good will of the call center agents of the creators and the availability of their authentication infrastructure I will not buy it.
Quote: Posted 05/09/08 18:44 (GMT) by Jay Watamaniuk
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.
Saying that is easy, but where is the proof ?Edited By Raider_MXD on 05/09/08 19:14 |
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The Coordinator
Game Owner
 NWN
SW: KotOR PC
NWN 2
Joined: 17 Oct 2001
From: Asylum |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:09PM |
Heheh, who thought I´d be grateful to my friends in the armed services one day. 
Not perfect, but fair enough.
Game on!
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Gulk'aush: Oh my love, my love. Your flesh stuck in my teeth, my love! You were too salty, too salty, my love. When I belch... I still smell your sweet parfume. My love... |
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perkyporcupine
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
Joined: 06 Dec 2003 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:10PM |
Quote: Posted 05/09/08 19:06 (GMT) by xman26 Quote: Posted 05/09/08 18:56 (GMT) by perkyporcupine I'm feelin' the lurve here!!! I have to admit I was sceptical that we'd make a difference at EA, and I'm extremely pleased to say how wrong I was. Kudos to the folks there and at Bioware for listening to people's concerns and acting on them.
While this is good news for all, the fact that EA is still using spyware for its DRM is very disappointing. And I view it as EA stealing my property by using SecuROM. PE is a very legit and licensed piece of software and I should be allowed to protect my system by any means neccessary and no software or company has any right to dictate to myself or anyone else how to do that.
So is that definite, I have misunderstood, and SecuRom is still installed? |
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Ctbmasseffect
Joined: 09 May 2008 |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:10PM |
I came here looking for some word on this, having just heard about it, and now I feel I have to comment.
Simply put, DRM and any other anti-piracy measure has only had one type of impact on me, ever, across all types of media: bad.
I'm not going to get into a bunch of hand-waving and screeching about it, I just won't buy it. I'm sorry, it looks like a great game, but I'm just tired of being inconvenienced by these things. You can spin it all you want, but I'm not going to take the risk that bugs, or downed servers, or anything else will prevent me from using my game.
I'm just not going to buy it. I'm just not paying for broken media anymore. It's not any lofty moral response to some capitalist "evil", or some sneaky revolt to take down the "man" as some people frame the argument, it's just that these things inevitably cause me problems - maybe I'm just unlucky - and I'm tired of it. I'm disappointed, but I'll get over it eventually. |
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DarthTelvanni
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Mass Effect Xbox
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
From: Dublin Ireland |
Posted: Friday, 09 May 2008 07:10PM |
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Help out a mac man who will soon be dual booting with windows. What programs exactly doesn't SecuROM like? Any program dictating what I can and can't run on my machine is scary as heck but I would love to know what it targets? |
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