some small amount of sanity on DRM

Iphinome · 05-28-2010, 08:21 AM

At least for video games but we can always hope...

Blizzard boss says DRM is a waste of time

http://www.thinq.co.uk/news/2010/5/2...waste-of-time/

zelda_pinwheel · 05-28-2010, 08:23 AM

interesting quote at the end of that article :

"We need our development teams focused on content and cool features, not anti-piracy technology."

if only all companies were thinking that way.

omk3 · 05-28-2010, 08:34 AM

Iphinome · 05-28-2010, 08:36 AM

It isn't perfect they still make you check with them online once to unlock the thing sort of like windows activation but compared to some of the other DRM schemes out there it's like getting dinner and flowers.

FlorenceArt · 05-28-2010, 08:41 AM

Hah! Imagine a publisher saying "we need to concentrate on publishing e-books with good typography and no errors, not on preventing buyers reading them on the device of their choice".

zelda_pinwheel · 05-28-2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Hah! Imagine a publisher saying "we need to concentrate on publishing e-books with good typography and no errors, not on preventing buyers reading them on the device of their choice".

you're right florence, what a ridiculous idea !

omk3 · 05-28-2010, 08:46 AM

I don't think we can expect "perfect" anytime soon. Telltame games has something like that. An online activation before you start playing, and that's it. Plus you have a high number of activations (25 or something) and it doesn't need to be on the same computer every time. That's good enough for me.

Warcraft and Starcraft would never have been so popular if it weren't for 'piracy', by the way. More people should see the marketing power of a little unlicensed distribution now and then.

FlorenceArt · 05-28-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omk3

I don't think we can expect "perfect" anytime soon. Telltame games has something like that. An online activation before you start playing, and that's it. Plus you have a high number of activations (25 or something) and it doesn't need to be on the same computer every time. That's good enough for me.

I like Ambrosia Software's scheme: you get an activation key when you buy their software online. It has a limited validity in time, so if you need it again later (say if you change computers or do a clean install) you have to apply for a new one by submitting the old key. I think the idea is that if too many people suddenly start to apply using the same key, that key is deactivated. I've had some of their games for years and regularly have to get new keys, and I've never had a problem with that procedure. Of course, you do need an Internet connexion to get a key.

zelda_pinwheel · 05-28-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

I like Ambrosia Software's scheme: you get an activation key when you buy their software online. It has a limited validity in time, so if you need it again later (say if you change computers or do a clean install) you have to apply for a new one by submitting the old key. I think the idea is that if too many people suddenly start to apply using the same key, that key is deactivated. I've had some of their games for years and regularly have to get new keys, and I've never had a problem with that procedure. Of course, you do need an Internet connexion to get a key.

i would be a bit wary of a scheme like that ; what happens if the company goes out of business ? then you can't get a new key and you can't play the game anymore ?

FlorenceArt · 05-28-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i would be a bit wary of a scheme like that ; what happens if the company goes out of business ? then you can't get a new key and you can't play the game anymore ?

Yes, that's true, I hadn't thought of that. They have been in business for quite some time, but you never know.

zelda_pinwheel · 05-28-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Yes, that's true, I hadn't thought of that. They have been in business for quite some time, but you never know.

well, i don't know about that company and hopefully they are doing well and it won't ever be a problem. but i know that a lot of drm-ed music plateforms have gone out of business in the past and left their customers stuck. i think there was another story like that pretty recently if memory serves, within the past year maybe, but i could be wrong. that's what made me think of that.

omk3 · 05-28-2010, 08:59 AM

Every company going out of business should automatically put their games in the public domain

Problem solved.

FlorenceArt · 05-28-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omk3

Every company going out of business should automatically put their games in the public domain

Problem solved.

Good idea, but I doubt the creditors would agree

DarthV · 05-28-2010, 09:23 AM

You have to take this info with a grain of salt. Blizzard is not allowing pure LAN play in SC2. So if you want to play multiplayer, you're playing through battle.net with a valid key. And the game's largest draw is for multiplayer. So it is nice that they aren't using copy protection, but it's not like the entire game is wide open to pirates anyways.

Edit: And yes, I've already pre-ordered the CE

Iphinome · 05-28-2010, 09:32 AM

The lack of LAN plan is probably a form of DRM to keep people form installing it in every internet cafe on earth but someone will end up with a battle.net emulation system that works.

Still it's nice to see someone in the buisness world say this is getting crazy I'm going to just try and out out a good product and not sweat the small stuff.

05-28-2010, 08:21 AM	#1
Iphinome Paladin of Eris Posts: 3,119 Karma: 20849349 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USAland Device: Kindle 10	some small amount of sanity on DRM At least for video games but we can always hope... Blizzard boss says DRM is a waste of time http://www.thinq.co.uk/news/2010/5/2...waste-of-time/

05-28-2010, 09:23 AM	#14
DarthV Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Nook WiFi	You have to take this info with a grain of salt. Blizzard is not allowing pure LAN play in SC2. So if you want to play multiplayer, you're playing through battle.net with a valid key. And the game's largest draw is for multiplayer. So it is nice that they aren't using copy protection, but it's not like the entire game is wide open to pirates anyways. Edit: And yes, I've already pre-ordered the CE Last edited by DarthV; 05-28-2010 at 09:24 AM. Reason: adding a comment

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05-28-2010, 08:23 AM	#2
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	interesting quote at the end of that article : "We need our development teams focused on content and cool features, not anti-piracy technology." if only all companies were thinking that way.

05-28-2010, 08:34 AM	#3
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4

05-28-2010, 08:36 AM	#4
Iphinome Paladin of Eris Posts: 3,119 Karma: 20849349 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USAland Device: Kindle 10	It isn't perfect they still make you check with them online once to unlock the thing sort of like windows activation but compared to some of the other DRM schemes out there it's like getting dinner and flowers.

05-28-2010, 08:41 AM	#5
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	Hah! Imagine a publisher saying "we need to concentrate on publishing e-books with good typography and no errors, not on preventing buyers reading them on the device of their choice".

05-28-2010, 08:46 AM	#7
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	I don't think we can expect "perfect" anytime soon. Telltame games has something like that. An online activation before you start playing, and that's it. Plus you have a high number of activations (25 or something) and it doesn't need to be on the same computer every time. That's good enough for me. Warcraft and Starcraft would never have been so popular if it weren't for 'piracy', by the way. More people should see the marketing power of a little unlicensed distribution now and then.

05-28-2010, 08:59 AM	#12
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	Every company going out of business should automatically put their games in the public domain Problem solved.

05-28-2010, 09:32 AM	#15
Iphinome Paladin of Eris Posts: 3,119 Karma: 20849349 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USAland Device: Kindle 10	The lack of LAN plan is probably a form of DRM to keep people form installing it in every internet cafe on earth but someone will end up with a battle.net emulation system that works. Still it's nice to see someone in the buisness world say this is getting crazy I'm going to just try and out out a good product and not sweat the small stuff.