Alpha Protocal PC DRM Info

For those of you concerned with DRM, read about it here: http://www.yougamers.com/news/28051_alpha_protocol_drm_detailed/

Personally, I think it's pretty reasonable, very similar to Securom in GTA4. I'm still not sure whether I'll get this game...the preview in PC Gamer is promising but I need to see more.

I've purchased one game (Settlers 7) with a DRM... never again. It doesn't allow you to play single player or any option of a LAN when the servers drop offline.

I've purchased one game (Settlers 7) with a DRM... never again. It doesn't allow you to play single player or any option of a LAN when the servers drop offline.

Anarchist-TKC-1

I lived to see the day where Gamespotters agree that BioShock styIe DRM is acceptable...

I've purchased one game (Settlers 7) with a DRM... never again. It doesn't allow you to play single player or any option of a LAN when the servers drop offline.

Anarchist-TKC-1

For those of you concerned with DRM, read about it here: http://www.yougamers.com/news/28051_alpha_protocol_drm_detailed/

Personally, I think it's pretty reasonable, very similar to Securom in GTA4. I'm still not sure whether I'll get this game...the preview in PC Gamer is promising but I need to see more.

spiderman120988

I understand this is a different DRM, but from first hand expierence of UBI's, I'm keeping away from them for sure. Why bother putting a DRM in the first place if these guys are going to remove it at a later date?!Anarchist-TKC-1

Every game has DRM, just about. There are very few exceptions. Even a simple disc check or CD-Key is a form of DRM, albeit relatively simple and easy. If you don't want any DRM, you will have to stop playing on the PC altogether, I'm afraid.

This isn't an unreasonable scheme. It allows a form of offline activation, gives you back activations without necessarily having to uninstall the game from a previous computer, and doesn't get in the way of the game. I'm normally against limited activations and online activations, but this is a pretty good way to give both while having none of the disadvantages. And compared to Ubisoft's obnoxious and criminally restrictive DRM, this is great.

I really like that they make it clear that they are going to remove the activation limit once they get through the first year or so. That makes it a lot easier to live with the limited activation system.

[QUOTE="Anarchist-TKC-1"]I understand this is a different DRM, but from first hand expierence of UBI's, I'm keeping away from them for sure. Why bother putting a DRM in the first place if these guys are going to remove it at a later date?!Royas

Every game has DRM, just about. There are very few exceptions. Even a simple disc check or CD-Key is a form of DRM, albeit relatively simple and easy. If you don't want any DRM, you will have to stop playing on the PC altogether, I'm afraid.

This isn't an unreasonable scheme. It allows a form of offline activation, gives you back activations without necessarily having to uninstall the game from a previous computer, and doesn't get in the way of the game. I'm normally against limited activations and online activations, but this is a pretty good way to give both while having none of the disadvantages. And compared to Ubisoft's obnoxious and criminally restrictive DRM, this is great.

[QUOTE="Royas"]

[QUOTE="Anarchist-TKC-1"]I understand this is a different DRM, but from first hand expierence of UBI's, I'm keeping away from them for sure. Why bother putting a DRM in the first place if these guys are going to remove it at a later date?!TerrorRizzing

Every game has DRM, just about. There are very few exceptions. Even a simple disc check or CD-Key is a form of DRM, albeit relatively simple and easy. If you don't want any DRM, you will have to stop playing on the PC altogether, I'm afraid.

This isn't an unreasonable scheme. It allows a form of offline activation, gives you back activations without necessarily having to uninstall the game from a previous computer, and doesn't get in the way of the game. I'm normally against limited activations and online activations, but this is a pretty good way to give both while having none of the disadvantages. And compared to Ubisoft's obnoxious and criminally restrictive DRM, this is great.

I'm taking a 'wait and see' approach to this Uniloc DRM.

It doesn't say anywhere in that FAQ whether it installs any software on your PC in the background, where and how it might be installed, how it might affect other programs on your PC, whether or not it's uninstalled when you uninstall the game, etc. Those are the kinds of problems I had with SecuROM 7.xx in the past, so I'm dubious about any new kinds of copy protection methods until they are proved safe.

[QUOTE="TerrorRizzing"][QUOTE="Royas"]

Every game has DRM, just about. There are very few exceptions. Even a simple disc check or CD-Key is a form of DRM, albeit relatively simple and easy. If you don't want any DRM, you will have to stop playing on the PC altogether, I'm afraid.

This isn't an unreasonable scheme. It allows a form of offline activation, gives you back activations without necessarily having to uninstall the game from a previous computer, and doesn't get in the way of the game. I'm normally against limited activations and online activations, but this is a pretty good way to give both while having none of the disadvantages. And compared to Ubisoft's obnoxious and criminally restrictive DRM, this is great.

Anarchist-TKC-1

Sorry, no I didn't know that. You werne't at all clear on that point in your original post. You said DRM, I assumed you meant, well, DRM. Not online DRM.

Another thing that is different about this announcement is their willingness to commit to removing the DRM eventually. Personally, I think 18-24 months is way too long (even Starforce's creators recommend 6 months, that's more than enough to nix the day one piracy) but most of the time you get a bunch of "maybes" and "we'll consider it". SEGA flat out said that they will patch it out in the future. I wish they'd give a more solid date, but at least they gave a time frame and a solid "we are going to do it" statement. Compare that to Ubisoft's wishy-washy, whiny statements about their DRM, and you'll see a clear difference.

Online activation for single player games is never acceptable to me. You all shouldn't let your rights be so easily trampled. Having to activate online in order to play offline gaming is outrageous. Always has been, always will be.

[QUOTE="Anarchist-TKC-1"][QUOTE="TerrorRizzing"] if you dont want drm, youll have to stop playing games period.Royas

Sorry, no I didn't know that. You werne't at all clear on that point in your original post. You said DRM, I assumed you meant, well, DRM. Not online DRM.

Another thing that is different about this announcement is their willingness to commit to removing the DRM eventually. Personally, I think 18-24 months is way too long (even Starforce's creators recommend 6 months, that's more than enough to nix the day one piracy) but most of the time you get a bunch of "maybes" and "we'll consider it". SEGA flat out said that they will patch it out in the future. I wish they'd give a more solid date, but at least they gave a time frame and a solid "we are going to do it" statement. Compare that to Ubisoft's wishy-washy, whiny statements about their DRM, and you'll see a clear difference.

Online activation for single player games is never acceptable to me. You all shouldn't let your rights be so easily trampled. Having to activate online in order to play offline gaming is outrageous. Always has been, always will be.

Falconoffury

Since when did any DRM become tolerable?shakmaster13

No DRM is going to stop me from getting this game!

I think what speaks volumes about this information is what they DON'T tell you. Now I have no problem with this Uniloc jobbie, if they must have limited activations then they must also allow me do deactivate my installs (which they have done). However what they haven't bothered to tell us is what DRM system are they using with GFWL.

The GFWL service contains more DRM and they aren't telling us which version they are using. The GFWL service uses two different types of DRM, there is SSA which links the cd key to your gamer tag and can never be unlinked (very few games use this). Then there is non-SSA DRM (used by most games such as GTA 4 etc) which does not link your cd key to your gamer tag but comes with 15 life time activations once all 15 are used up you have to contact MS and beg to be able to play your game.

So this is another skipper to me, I refuse to touch any Games For Windows Live titles for various reasons as well as the hidden drm I have just stated.

This isn't a Games for Windows LIVE game, it's a Games for Windows game but DOES NOT integrate LIVE in it. I think you can rest easy!spiderman120988

Since when did any DRM become tolerable?shakmaster13

This isn't a Games for Windows LIVE game, it's a Games for Windows game but DOES NOT integrate LIVE in it. I think you can rest easy!spiderman120988

My mistake I was under the assumption this had multiplayer so it would be using the GFWL service to facilitate that. I don't necessarily have a problem with the GFW branding after all it doesn't actually do anything other than establish a few standards that most devs can ignore :P oh yeah and puts an ugly header on game boxes which is irrelevant to me since I buy my stuff from steam.

I was having a read around about this Uniloc protection and it does give you a decent amount of control over the activations. I believe you can even get activations back if you end up formatting your OS. I think some publishers are FINALLY understanding where their customers are coming from. I am not against having limits but it is only right and proper I have the tools at hand to control and manage these limits.

I can't say I am majorly hyped for this title though, looking at some of the gameplay videos it didn't come across as something I would enjoy playing. So I will wait to see what the reviews say about it first. However kudos to Sega and obsidian for showing a smattering of intelligence with regard to their DRM

This DRM is very acceptable imo. Especially since they said that they will completely remove it sometime after release.

And personally, I prefer one-time online activation to always having to put the disc in drive (and with horrible copy protection that kills my hardware - StarForce I'm looking at you) or having to look up words in the manual like back in the 3.5 floppy days. It's just a one-time activation and that's it. Honestly, no offense but if you're a PC gamer and don't have ANY access to internet in this day and age you're doing something really wrong. Or living in a very, very poor country. Which would make me question how you'd have the hardware to run the game anyway.

In any case, it doesn't bother me at all. The only bad thing is that it gives some "hardcore PC gamers" a nice excuse to pirate the game instead of buying it. :roll:

It's alright, I guess. Much better, than, say, Assassin's Creed 2 or Splinter Cell Conviction. At least you don't need constant internet access....

It's alright, I guess. Much better, than, say, Assassin's Creed 2 or Splinter Cell Conviction. At least you don't need constant internet access....

gashoe13

Ubisoft did the unthinkable and made us accept other forms of DRM now that we know how bad it really can get.Bigsteve3570

Ubisoft did the unthinkable and made us accept other forms of DRM now that we know how bad it really can get.Bigsteve3570

[QUOTE="Bigsteve3570"]Ubisoft did the unthinkable and made us accept other forms of DRM now that we know how bad it really can get.TerrorRizzing

[QUOTE="TerrorRizzing"]

[QUOTE="Bigsteve3570"]Ubisoft did the unthinkable and made us accept other forms of DRM now that we know how bad it really can get.dakan45

[QUOTE="dakan45"][QUOTE="TerrorRizzing"] most of us have accepted drm, even consoles have drm. Soon you will have to pay extra to play online if you didnt buy the game new on console. This on top of the fact that all consoles have built in drm.

TerrorRizzing