Lenart
Joined: 11 Feb 2008 |
 Posted: Monday, 05 May 2008 10:18PM |
Jeeze! As much as I agree that this is a topic that requires discussion, I've noticed Derek answering certain questions over and over again.
Lemme see if I can spell out the relevant issues here and spell out the bottom line until this info is made into a FAQ (feel free to correct me if any of this is wrong):
First issue: This measure will require fairly constant internet connection in order to be able to play the game. Personally this is no problem, but I am sure that many people that have high-end laptops or who do not have regular internet connection will suffer because of it.
Second issue: Hardware upgrades/dial-up connections to the computer *may* (emphasis on this word people) cause a problem in identifying your PC as the one where you installed your Mass Effect game.
Quite honestly the answer to this one is more simple than you think. You just have to trust the guys at Bioware/EA that their testing was thorough enough. If you do trust them, then you accept that there won't be any problems. If you don't trust them, then either you *may* have problems and need to phone tech support or alternatively, as I imagine, the more popular choice for many will be to simply replace it with a cracked .exe file if there will be one on the web or to simply not buy the game to start with.
Personally I will trust them, since Bioware is so far the only developer to have not let me down. In case they do however, well then...the above options summarize my choices I suppose. 
Third issue (very philosophical to be honest, but it still bugs many people on a mental level, so I mention it here): The world and the internet is changing. It has been ever since the end of the 90s when many people have attempted to seize control of the internet. It sounds silly, I know, but still companies like Virgin have certainly made great effort towards that goal. There are measures, like SecuROM, of which you haven't even heard of yet you agree to use every day without fully realizing it.
And now here you are with another such measure. Will you let this measure (one of many in the world) to prevent you from buying a game that you've heard is fun?
I know that this might seem a rather moot point for those that have ME on Xbox 360 already, but for me personally I was so thrilled when I heard MEPC was coming out since I've never wanted to own a console personally. And quite frankly I think this kind of measure is a small price to pay if you think of what the game itself offers.
Yes, the customer should be always right when it comes to accessability of the game. Yes, I too personally believe that SecuROM and similar measures are a pile of bull that only end up hurting the honest PC game buyer.
But do I think this is worth depriving Bioware of my purchase of something that they've worked on for so long and with such ambition? No. The game itself should always be in the forefront of all considerations. And hence I will buy the PC version, even if I personally don't agree with this move, it is worth the experience.
The only relevant question you have to ask yourself is wether you think this hassle is worth it. The way I see it, if you have choppy internet or no connection - then I must solemnly agree that it may not be worth it. But if you have any other gripe, then to be honest, I would let it go. Bioware is worth at least that much trust I believe. The only relevant question for you now is if you believe they're worth that much trust as well or if you do not and will not buy the game as a result.
Guess that's it. Meh...feel free to continue with this topic, but I doubt much new will be added to it.  Edited By Lenart on 05/05/08 22:31 | 
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TalarWolf
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Jade Empire:SE
NWN 2
NWN 2: MotB
Joined: 24 Dec 2003 |
Posted: Monday, 05 May 2008 10:31PM |
Quote: Posted 05/05/08 22:18 (GMT) by Lenart And now here you are with another such measure. Will you let this measure (one of many in the world) to prevent you from buying a game that you've heard is fun? I know that this might seem a rather moot point for those that have ME on Xbox 360 already, but for me personally I was so thrilled when I heard MEPC was coming out since I've never wanted to own a console personally. And quite frankly I think this kind of measure is a small price to pay if you think of what the game itself offers. Yes, the customer should be always right when it comes to accessability of the game. Yes, I too personally believe that SecuROM and similar measures are a pile of bull that only end up hurting the honest PC game buyer. But do I think this is worth depriving Bioware of my purchase of something that they've worked on for so long and with such ambition? No. The game itself should always be in the forefront of all considerations. And hence I will buy the PC version, even if I personally don't agree with this move, it is worth the experience. Guess that's it. Meh...feel free to continue with this topic, but I doubt much new will be added to it.
Yes, I will let it stop me from getting a game I was looking forward to getting. I don't mind copy protection. The games I have registered keys for should show that. I have more legal copies than that, I just didn't register the Diamond and Platinum editions. Plus the premium modules on disc.
I have noticed, however, that the games I have registered already don't keep checking every ten days to see whether I still have my legally purchased copy. For some bizarre reason, the copy I purchased and installed [years ago in a few cases] hasn't changed to an illegally pirated copy in the last ten days. Imagine that. Having people's legally purchased copies suddenly change into an illegal pirate copy is about the only reason I can think of to constantly revalidate the game key. Wonder if Symantecs or Norton has any information about a virus that mutates a legal copy of a game to a pirated version..... ::heads off to check Google:: | |
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Lenart
Joined: 11 Feb 2008 |
Posted: Monday, 05 May 2008 10:45PM |
What part of "I agree SecuROM is a pile of bull" didn't you get? I hear you and totally agree with you that it's totally bogus!
But in the end that isn't the real question, is it? The real question is the practical one. You can choose the honor of not purchasing this game because this single detail insults your pride or you can choose to ignore it (if it doesn't pose any technical problems of course) and instead enjoy a good game.
I thought that we played videogames because they're fun after all? When it stops being fun, I agree - don't buy it. But if you choose not to buy a game purely on a fairly abstract principle that doesn't affect anything practically and before even giving it a short trial period well...enjoy your honor instead of the game, for what it's worth. *sigh*
Anyway, it's late and I might as well cease. I doubt I'll change anyone's mind to be honest. | |
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rotator
Game Owner
 SW: KotOR PC
Jade Empire:SE
NWN 2
NWN 2: MotB
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 |
Posted: Monday, 05 May 2008 11:04PM |
I've never experienced an 5-day downtime at any ISP. Did anyone? I don't think so. Please don't make sad excuses for not buying this game.
Yes, those, who're living in a cave, or wanted to play MEPC on their laptop in the middle of the Atlantic are in trouble, it's true. The remaining 99 percent of the gamers won't even notice this activation, if EA provides enough servers. Hopefully they will... | |
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Gallaen Frost
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN 2
NWN 2: MotB
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 21 Jun 2002 |
Posted: Monday, 05 May 2008 11:07PM |
This is a very very bad direction for EA, in that say... 10 years from now, EA or Bioware no longer exist (God forbid) and guess what happens if you want to play your copy of ME? You can't.
Now ME has no longevity of it's product. Period.
Sad. Maybe they will make a STEAM version available?
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Stanley Woo
QA Ninja
Joined: 17 Oct 2001
From: The BioWare Compound |
Posted: Monday, 05 May 2008 11:22PM |
Quote: Posted 05/05/08 23:07 (GMT) by Gallaen Frost
This is a very very bad direction for EA, in that say... 10 years from now, EA or Bioware no longer exist (God forbid) and guess what happens if you want to play your copy of ME? You can't.
Unless we do as Derek French suggested earlier in the thread (several times, actually) and patch the game so that it no longer requires authentication, in that event.
People had the same reservations about the NWN Master Server and look, 6 years later people are still able to play NWN (and authenticate their CD keys) without much incident.
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Stanley Woo
QA Ninja
Joined: 17 Oct 2001
From: The BioWare Compound |
Posted: Monday, 05 May 2008 11:23PM |
Sorry, should have done this earlier. Since this thread has reached 10 pages it will be locked for length. If you wish to continue the discussion, please start a new thread. Thank you, good discussion.
End of line.
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