Bioshock 2 DRM a warning before you buy

Gwarsbane · 01-23-2010, 02:04 PM

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/01...s-and-bears.ars

A couple of links in the above URL

Quote:

Bioshock 2 DRM: SecuROM, activation limits, and bears
By Ben Kuchera | Last updated January 21, 2010 2:30 PM

Bioshock 2 will come both as a boxed retail product and a for-pay digital download if that's more to your taste. Looking at the game's page on Steam reveals something disappointing for those of us against invasive DRM: the game will utilize SecuROM and comes with a five-machine activation limit.

2K Games dealt with this decision head-on via its official forum. "BioShock 2 is using a standard Games for Windows Live activation system, much like other games you have played in the past," a 2K Community Manager writes. "That doesn't mean you always have to be online to play or save the game—you can create an offline profile for the Single Player portion of the game (you just won't earn achievements and you can't play Multiplayer, of course.)" Of course.

"We are using SecuROM only as a disc check method for the retail copy of BioShock 2. That is it's [sic] only use."

Well, there is also that pesky five-machine limit, which many of our readers find intolerable. Will this lead to lower sales? Who knows. It's important to know what you're buying for your money, however. A quick note: Shacknews lists the activation limit at 15 machines, but as of this writing the listing claims five. We've included a shot of the screen so you can see for yourself. It's very possible that could change before launch.

Update: To be clear, it looks as if only the retail version of the game will include SecuROM, the Steam should be free of the program.

Then another update...

http://www.bluesnews.com/s/106619/la...-2-drm-for-now

Quote:

Last Word on BioShock 2 DRM, For Now

[Jan 22, 2010, 10:27 pm ET] - 29 Comments
A new post to The Cult of Rapture by 2K Elizabeth called "Scaling Back BioShock 2's DRM," recaps plans for digital rights management in the submerged shooter sequel. The plan is essentially the same as our most recent understanding, but it is now laid out in one place from soup to nuts. In short, there will be no SecuROM limits on either the retail or digitally distributed editions, though it will have a 15 installation limit through Games for Windows LIVE:

Quote:

Over the past two days, I’ve fielded a lot of questions and concerns about the DRM for both the retail and digital versions of BioShock 2. Because of this feedback, we are scaling back BioShock 2’s DRM.

There will be no SecuROM install limits for either the retail or digital editions of BioShock 2, and SecuROM will be used only to verify the game’s executable and check the date. Beyond that, we are only using standard Games for Windows Live non-SSA guidelines, which, per Microsoft, comes with 15 activations (after that, you can reset them with a call to Microsoft.)

What does that mean for your gameplay experience? This means that BioShock 2’s new DRM is now similar to many popular games you advised had better DRM through both digital and retail channels. Many of you have used Batman: Arkham Asylum as an example to me, which uses the exact same Games for Windows Live guidelines as us as well as SecuROM on retail discs, and now our SecuROM is less restrictive on Steam.

I know that the variables of PC gaming can be frustrating and confusing, and when you say there is a problem, we listen, and use your suggestions to make things better. Feedback like this does not go unheard, and while this might not be the ideal protection for everyone, we will continue to listen and work with you in the future when formulating our DRM plans.

GenghisTron · 01-23-2010, 05:08 PM

More proof DRM sucks cock, and is increasingly leading to legitimizing piracy.

Etzell · 01-23-2010, 05:38 PM

Didn't the first one have DRM problems until people started bitching and got it removed?

Anshinritsumai · 01-23-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etzell

Didn't the first one have DRM problems until people started bitching and got it removed?

Yep.

VentuSag3 · 01-24-2010, 04:07 AM

Oh boy, more expensive game renting!

Dumbass CEO 1: Derp hurp need to stop piracy hurp

Dumbass CEO 2: Hurf durf I have a great idea! Lets make our retail version have shity restrictions so that hackers can later remove them, effectively causing the pirated version of our shit to become superior to the original! DURP HURP DURP!

Dumbass CEO 1: DERP OMGZORZ DATS DA BEST IDEA EVERZ !!!1111oneonee!!!eleven!!!

~Both together in harmonious unison~ DURP DUUUURP DUUURP DUUUUUP HERP HUURP HURF DURF DERRRP DUUUURP DURP DURP HERF DERP DURP DURRRR DUUURR DERP

Circuitous · 01-24-2010, 10:26 AM

Even when you're right you're colossally fucking annoying. You should really knock that off.

Credge · 01-24-2010, 01:44 PM

Cool.

Looks like I won't be buying Bioshock 2!

stray kitten · 01-25-2010, 06:49 PM

I'll get Bioshock 2 the same way I got Bioshock 1.

BT

Mikael_hs · 01-25-2010, 10:29 PM

stray kitten · 01-27-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikael_hs

This falls into the lol WTF category.

FrenchToast · 01-27-2010, 03:09 PM

Dude... not cool. Too soon after his death to be putting those pictures up.

01-23-2010, 05:08 PM	#2
GenghisTron AKA LittleAndroidMan D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dystopia Class/Position: Demo/Medic Gametype: CTF Affiliations: [TALOS] [SR] Posts Rated Helpful 11 Times	More proof DRM sucks cock, and is increasingly leading to legitimizing piracy. __________________ The Catacombs Steam Last.fm

01-24-2010, 04:07 AM	#5
VentuSag3 Join Date: May 2009 Class/Position: [O]Spy [D]Soldier Gametype: CTF \ DM Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Oh boy, more expensive game renting! Dumbass CEO 1: Derp hurp need to stop piracy hurp Dumbass CEO 2: Hurf durf I have a great idea! Lets make our retail version have shity restrictions so that hackers can later remove them, effectively causing the pirated version of our shit to become superior to the original! DURP HURP DURP! Dumbass CEO 1: DERP OMGZORZ DATS DA BEST IDEA EVERZ !!!1111oneonee!!!eleven!!! ~Both together in harmonious unison~ DURP DUUUURP DUUURP DUUUUUP HERP HUURP HURF DURF DERRRP DUUUURP DURP DURP HERF DERP DURP DURRRR DUUURR DERP Last edited by VentuSag3; 01-24-2010 at 04:07 AM.

01-24-2010, 10:26 AM	#6
Circuitous Useless Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Class/Position: D Soldier, O Scout Gametype: AvD Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	Even when you're right you're colossally fucking annoying. You should really knock that off. __________________ Look at all those dead links.

01-24-2010, 01:44 PM	#7
Credge FF Loremaster Beta Tester Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 4 Times	Cool. Looks like I won't be buying Bioshock 2! __________________ "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Ronald Reagan

01-25-2010, 06:49 PM	#8
stray kitten mjau D&A Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Class/Position: kittens are sneaky, spy Gametype: Capture the mouse Posts Rated Helpful 2 Times	I'll get Bioshock 2 the same way I got Bioshock 1. BT __________________ 6 of the 10 richest counties in America now surround Washington D.C. Our "capitol" edged out Silicon Valley as the nation's richest metro area. Reality Distortion Field = 1. Stream the distractions: One percent, hoodies, and kony oh my.

01-23-2010, 05:38 PM	#3
Etzell D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Didn't the first one have DRM problems until people started bitching and got it removed?

01-25-2010, 10:29 PM	#9
Mikael_hs Beta Tester Join Date: May 2009 Affiliations: Wazzazzaza Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Last edited by Mikael_hs; 01-25-2010 at 10:32 PM.

01-27-2010, 03:09 PM	#11
FrenchToast The 1337est D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Omagosh Canada. Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	Dude... not cool. Too soon after his death to be putting those pictures up. __________________ James, while John had had 'had', had had 'had had' ; 'had had' had had a better effect on the teacher.

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