945 réponses à ce sujet

[Lacan2]

This looks excellent. Very non-intrusive DRM system.

[GreyLord]

Indolence wrote...

Glaucon wrote...

Jonp382 wrote...
What happens if one of these 'background' checks fails for whatever reason? Or if the internet goes out while we are playing?

Worst case scenario is that you lose any in-game progress not saved and will have to reload:  As long as you have made the initial one time check (PC) you should be free to play off line.  You can prevent the repeat checks from occurring by disabling your network connections during before game play -- offline game mode if you like.  That's how understand it.

The background checks don't matter. The way I see it it's like your profile having a tiny newsfeed if you chose 'online' gameplay. I think the emphasis should be on tiny... 
As for Steam... Have any of the people complaining about Steam ever played a game downloaded from Steam? Or just getting a vague idea from smth they read about it on the internet? I have Shivering Isles + Knights of the Nine ( Oblivion expansion and DLC pack ) from Steam and a couple of days ago my internet failed halfway through my gameplay. I wouldn't even have noticed if I didn't alt-tab to see why my youtube stopped playing. Nothing happened at all. I didn't lose any progress at all. Why would things be any different with DA:2 ?

On the final version of the DRM, what can I say.... we won! (j/k) I have occasional internet downtimes (like a few days ago) and a regular check once every few days would have pissed me off. If I'm buying the game I'm cool with a one-time check. Even an internet check since odds are I'm gonna pick the Steam version anyway... It's like the old "let's write the omfg-long number and letter code" - a one-time thing. You checked that it's my game now I'll be offline for the rest of my life if I feel like it.
Glad to have this info, I can preorder now.

I have played games via Steam a while ago when my kids were younger.  At first it was a lot of a headache, since it automatically wanted to update things after I started it up, so instead of getting to be able to play a game I had to wait a half hour as it "updated" instead.

Then, I learned that you can actually go into the options and stop this from happening, and play offline without online checks (for all the games I had at least) after the initial download from Steam.  You don't have to be online to play Steam Games.

On the otherhand, now that the kids are older and on the internet, keeping a clean and smooth running computer is harder (as anyone with kids will probably know) and the differences of my gaming rig away from them and the one connected to the internet is $1700 ($2000 in the bedroom, $300 Walmart wonder for the kids and browsing).

Which leads me to repeat my original question, is there a Sunset plan in place that would remove the check for those who actually want to be LEGIT customers and NOT support pirates (aka, those who don't have their gaming rigs hooked up to the internet).?

As I probably am getting the PS3 version anyways I guess I'm not as big an impact on their sales as those they lose that are strictly PC gamers...but it would be nice to know that I could get the PC version since I prefer playing games on the PC.

[Seifz]

Mage One wrote...

Seifz wrote...

[...] How does online authentication verify that a product key is not in use?  Tying the game to our EA account does this, but authenticating the game every time we install doesn't seem to add anything.  Regardless, the system imposes an extra requirement that would otherwise not be necessary (Internet access).  DA:O was just fine without it.

[...]

The license appears to allow us to install the game on as many systems as we want.  The limitation says that we can only install the game on five systems in any 24-hour window.  The limitation seems pointless given that we can install the game on any number of machines.

Actually you can install it on as many PCs you want as often as you want.  You can only play it on five systems within any 24 hour period as a check against allowing it to install it on as many PCs as you want as often as you like.  The check-in that occurs when you're connected to the internet, then, is to check whether it's exceeded it's five systems within 24 hours limit, which, again, is for playing, not installing.

But that's entirely silly because then I could install it on any number of "offline" systems and bypass the 5/24 restriction entirely.  So that can't be right.

[AlanC9]

GreyLord, why would you need a sunset? Walk your PC over to the internet connection, plug it in, authenticate, and you're good to go. Or are you talking for the other folks who don't have it that easy?

[Mage One]

Seifz wrote...

But that's entirely silly because then I could install it on any number of "offline" systems and bypass the 5/24 restriction entirely.  So that can't be right.

Assuming you and everyone else whose computer you install it on (and assuming this piracy is hapenning locally and not spread far and wide accross the internet) was willing to disconnect themselves from the internet every time they play and go without online profiles, DLC, etc, then I suppose so.  As I see it, though, this was the developers' comromise with the players, as the original plan was to have manditory check-ins every few days.  So, while there are ways around this, as there are to every system, to a certain extent they're counting on their players not to exploit the fact, something I support them on.

Also, Bioware has said they have sunset plans to patch out the DRM of all their titles.

Modifié par Mage One, 27 février 2011 - 03:48 .

[Seifz]

Mage One wrote...

Seifz wrote...

But that's entirely silly because then I could install it on any number of "offline" systems and bypass the 5/24 restriction entirely.  So that can't be right.

Assuming you and everyone else whose computer you install it on (and assuming this piracy is hapenning locally and not spread far and wide accross the internet) was willing to disconnect themselves from the internet every time they play and go without online profiles, DLC, etc, then I suppose so.  As I see it, though, this was the developers' comromise with the players, as the original plan was to have manditory check-ins every few days.  So, while there are ways around this, as there are to every system, to a certain extent they're counting on their players not to exploit the fact, something I support them on.

I'm sorry, but this system is exactly the same as the original proposal for the vast majority of players who won't disconnect from the Internet every time they play.  If it's not possible to firewall DA2 and play without the periodic check ins, well, I've said before what my solution is.

Regardless, I don't see why they chose such a pointless, ineffective system.

Also, Bioware has said they have sunset plans to patch out the DRM of all their titles.

I don't see why we should be so quick to trust EA.  Until the sunset provisions are in the license agreement, we have nothing but "we promise".

Modifié par Seifz, 27 février 2011 - 04:13 .

[Mage One]

Seifz wrote...

[...]

I don't see why we should be so quick to trust EA.  Until the sunset provisions are in the license agreement, we have nothing but "we promise".

I think at this point we can safely agree to disagree on the DRM.  As for trusting EA, there's inherent no reason to.  How much you trust them depends on you.  The question was, though, whether or not there were any plans to sunset the DRM, not whether or not there was a guarantee written into the EULA.  The answer to that question is, basically, yes.  A guarantee, if given, likely wouldn't be written into the EULA anyway.  The EULA is a End User License Agreement, and in many cases isn't even legally binding. 

[Seifz]

Mage One wrote...

Seifz wrote...

[...]

I don't see why we should be so quick to trust EA.  Until the sunset provisions are in the license agreement, we have nothing but "we promise".

I think at this point we can safely agree to disagree on the DRM.  As for trusting EA, there's inherent no reason to.  How much you trust them depends on you.  The question was, though, whether or not there were any plans to sunset the DRM, not whether or not there was a guarantee written into the EULA.  The answer to that question is, basically, yes.  A guarantee, if given, likely wouldn't be written into the EULA anyway.  The EULA is a End User License Agreement, and in many cases isn't even legally binding. 

I'm just saying that without a written guarantee we have no reason to believe they'll ever patch out the DRM.  As an example, see every game made since EA bought BioWare.  That leaves us in quite a pickle if they ever take the servers down.

Modifié par Seifz, 27 février 2011 - 06:38 .

[Zigzaggy]

Oh indeed....and EA do close servers down.

http://nexus404.com/...t-for-the-chop/

[Mage One]

I am aware of this, but as regards the subject of sunset plans for this DRM, the answer still stands. They do have sunset plans for it. If you're skeptical, than to you that probably reads as, "They claim they have sunset plans," which is fine. The most likely reason for them to have, or to claim they have, these plans, though, is because they acknowledge the possibility of problems with the servers in the future. The only issue that remains, then, is whether or not we can take them at their word. While I think saying we don't feel we can take them at their word as regards sunset plans for this DRM is fine, I think discussing how much they can be trusted as a whole and/or as regards the sunset plans to for the DRM of all of their games goes beyond the breadth of this thread. As I've noted multiple times, though, they've yet to patch Mass Effect's DRM. I still think they'll follow through with their promised patch, I just think if ME is any indication, it'll be a while before they do.

[Leonick91]

Seifz wrote...

Mage One wrote...

Seifz wrote...

[...]

I don't see why we should be so quick to trust EA.  Until the sunset provisions are in the license agreement, we have nothing but "we promise".

I think at this point we can safely agree to disagree on the DRM.  As for trusting EA, there's inherent no reason to.  How much you trust them depends on you.  The question was, though, whether or not there were any plans to sunset the DRM, not whether or not there was a guarantee written into the EULA.  The answer to that question is, basically, yes.  A guarantee, if given, likely wouldn't be written into the EULA anyway.  The EULA is a End User License Agreement, and in many cases isn't even legally binding. 

I'm just saying that without a written guarantee we have no reason to believe they'll ever patch out the DRM.  As an example, see every game made since EA bought BioWare.  That leaves us in quite a pickle if they ever take the servers down.

Well there isnt exactly a reason to patch the DRM out of the game if the servers are still up now is there?
And if the servers would be shut down and no patch would be in sight you can get rid of it just the same way the pirates will a few days after launch

[wolfsite]

Zigzaggy wrote...

Oh indeed....and EA do close servers down.

http://nexus404.com/...t-for-the-chop/

Okay you are going to compare Dragon Age 2 with a bunch of sports games that get new versions annually.  First off that is a joke of a comparison as well as being a completely different argument entirely.

[Daniteh]

Can a dev comment on the date that the download will be available for Ea (EADM)?

[Lurchibald]

"You can play offline thereafter - the game will NOT require any subsequent login checks. If online, a game ownership check happens each time you play."

That... is awesome.

[Eurypterid]

AlanC9 wrote...

GreyLord, why would you need a sunset? Walk your PC over to the internet connection, plug it in, authenticate, and you're good to go. Or are you talking for the other folks who don't have it that easy?

Speaking for myself, this is one resaon why I'm disgruntled about on-line activations. I have a second gaming rig upstairs in my house, which has no internet connection and which I often use to play through my games using different characters/paths in the game. It's a huge pain in the nether regions to disconnect that sucker, haul it downstairs, connect it to authenticate a game, then haul it back upstairs. For one game? That's something I miught be willing to do. But for every game that comes out? Not so much. It's one of the reasons why I'm among the camp that complains about activation DRM.

[darkwonders]

If I bought the Disc version of DA2, will I be able to play it through Steam?

[Eurypterid]

darkwonders wrote...

If I bought the Disc version of DA2, will I be able to play it through Steam?

No. The only version that is or can be tied to Steam is the one bought through Steam.

[darkwonders]

Eurypterid wrote...

darkwonders wrote...

If I bought the Disc version of DA2, will I be able to play it through Steam?

No. The only version that is or can be tied to Steam is the one bought through Steam.

Well that sucks. I got the disc version because Steam didn't have the free upgrade to the Signature Edition when I pre-ordered it.

[Inzhuna]

This is very nice!

I've seen EA store offers pre-load for digital copies; does anyone know if Steam does the same?

[Zaknaberrnon]

Excellent! just like in mass effect 2 or DAO

[Persephone]

"Sole purpose is to check with a server to validate whether the game release date has passed or not."

Awwwwwwwwwwww. I preordered the Sig Edition on Amazon.at. Release Date here in Austria is March 11th. I just gleefully switched to the quickest Shipping Option (Additional 13 Euros) to get it as fast as possible. (According to Amazon between the 8-9th). Does that mean I'll be staring at a DVD case, unable to play for 2-3 days because I am willing to pay more to get it faster? 

[darkwonders]

Persephone wrote...

"Sole purpose is to check with a server to validate whether the game release date has passed or not."

Awwwwwwwwwwww. I preordered the Sig Edition on Amazon.at. Release Date here in Austria is March 11th. I just gleefully switched to the quickest Shipping Option (Additional 13 Euros) to get it as fast as possible. (According to Amazon between the 8-9th). Does that mean I'll be staring at a DVD case, unable to play for 2-3 days because I am willing to pay more to get it faster? 

Just switch the shipping back. There's still time.

[Persephone]

darkwonders wrote...

Persephone wrote...

"Sole purpose is to check with a server to validate whether the game release date has passed or not."

Awwwwwwwwwwww. I preordered the Sig Edition on Amazon.at. Release Date here in Austria is March 11th. I just gleefully switched to the quickest Shipping Option (Additional 13 Euros) to get it as fast as possible. (According to Amazon between the 8-9th). Does that mean I'll be staring at a DVD case, unable to play for 2-3 days because I am willing to pay more to get it faster? 

Just switch the shipping back. There's still time.

Oh, I know. But why would Amazon even OFFER this, given Bioware's setup?