View Poll Results: What do you think about game DRM?

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  • A load of rubbish, stops genuine users buying, encourages piracy and should be removed!

    35 64.81%
  • Don't like it, but should be kept as long as it's made clear on game packaging.

    7 12.96%
  • Doesn't bother me.

    11 20.37%
  • It should be used to prevent piracy.

    1 1.85%
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Thread: DRM Poll

  1. #1
    Senior Member watercooled's Avatar
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    DRM Poll

    What do you think about game DRM? Securom mainly. Personally, I think it's a load of rubbish. Often you don't know it's on a game, it disables some software it doesn't like, has ring 0 access, is easily removed by pirates so alot of people will resort to cracked copies and turns away genuine users. It often limits the number of installs, even with a fresh install of Windows. After all, you bought the software so should be free to use it. You payed the purchase price, not the rental price which is essentially what you're getting!
    Last edited by watercooled; 08-01-2009 at 05:50 PM.

  2. #2
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I think you can't necessarily lump all DRM together.

    I don't personally object to a CD check, for instance, though it's a bit of a pain. piracy is a problem and software houses are entitled to seek to protect their work and to try to get paid for it. I have no problem with that. If they come up with a new technique that absolutely prevents copying, I won't have a problem with that provided it's not too onerous on me, as a legit buyer.

    But I DO have a problem with DRM that puts legit buyers through hoops. I'm simply not buying games that rely on activation servers, for instance. I'm not prepared to put up with that, nor with software that screws around with my PC at a low level. That is totally unacceptable to me.

    Nor am I prepared to buy games unless I know in advance what sort of DRM is being used, if any, and how it will affect me, before I buy, and at point of sale. I'm not prepared to have to research every game purchase on the net before I buy - I want to be able to browse the shelves, pick something that appeals and buy it, and then play it without getting jerked about by DRM. But right now, I can't, because it seems that most games have DRM which is too intrusive for me, and there's no easy way to be sure at point of sale which do and which don't.

    The result - I've stopped buying PC games altogether. If something comes to my attention, such as on Hexus, that I fancy and that doesn't include such obnoxious DRM, then fine, I'll buy. If it doesn't, then I've bought my last ever PC game.

    Software houses are entitled to use whatever DRM they like, and provided they make it clear what they're doing and using, then I can make and would make an informed choice to only buy stuff that isn't going to muck me about. But unless I can make that choice, I guess I'll just have to do without PC games.

    Oh, and by the way, that's from someone that's been computer-gaming since the days of battleships on an IBM mainframe in the '60s, has been buying computer games since the days of Apple II in the late '80s and has a HUGE collection of games I've bought, certainly into the hundreds over the years. But sadly, no more until this issue is sorted in a way I am happy with. Not that I'm expecting games companies to be impressed with my attitude or to change their tune, because I doubt sufficient people will do likewise to make them change their attitude. But they can and will have to do without any of my money unless they, as an industry, sort this situation out.

  3. #3
    S1L3NT danroyle's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    i think the fact spore had some super DRM on it and was one of the most pirated games of last year shows clearly that DRM doesn't work effectively.


  4. #4
    Senior Member Dreaming's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I don't mind having a licence and having a key associated with that licence. I do mind having to have background software installed, or having to 'jump through hoops' or other stupid things. Mount & blade works well. The executable is downloadable freely, then you plug in your key and it works. For the casual user it works well.

    I don't think you can stop piracy effectively with DRM though, at least not cost-effectively. However (conspiracy theory nut here) is that the story that's going to be told by the pro-drm lobby such as securom etc.? As far as I'm aware most game developers hate the idea of DRM but see it as a necessary evil.

    I think based on the limited evidence available it should be minimalistic because the monetary gain vs cost is minimal whereas the 'goodwill' cost from consumers might be more significant. As for the CD in drive thing, I didn't used to mind it too much but these days it's just daft when you can get a game from steam and download it and play it, but if you buy it in the shop you still need to keep the CD in the drive? What gives? (so like, the same game, something like medieval - rome total war i guess)
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    Re: DRM Poll

    Personally, I'm not interested in steam either.

    I want a game, I want to buy it in a shop. I want the CD (or DVD) and I expect to be able to stick it on my PC, even if that PC doesn't have an internet connection. I don't want to be reliant on some remote server, be it an EA activation server or steam, to validate the game. I bought the damn thing, and just want to play it. But it seems the industry isn't interested in people like me. Oh well, I'm sure I'll survive without new PC games.

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    Re: DRM Poll

    DRM doesn't both me at all. I have at least 5 games that have required activation and installation 'limits'. The only thing that would bother me though is if they all deactivated due to a hardware change, however I just need to remember to manually revoke the licenses before I change any hardware...

    Every game I have that has DRM has activated perfectly and runs perfectly.

  7. #7
    Senior Member watercooled's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I understand game publishers have the right to protect their games, but surely they must realise they are losing sales because of DRM? Why can't PC games be more like console games - game goes in, game plays - no activation required, no limited number of installs and yet very few people use cracked console games.

  8. #8
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    I understand game publishers have the right to protect their games, but surely they must realise they are losing sales because of DRM? .
    Of course, but not as many as they lose through casual piracy, obviously. Lesser of two evils.

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    Re: DRM Poll

    Quote Originally Posted by kalniel View Post
    Of course, but not as many as they lose through casual piracy, obviously. Lesser of two evils.
    And that, of course, is their call to make, just as not buying stuff that's got DRM I don't like is my call.

    I suspect, the two schools of thought are destined never to meet, or at least, not in the near-term.

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    Re: DRM Poll

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    I understand game publishers have the right to protect their games, but surely they must realise they are losing sales because of DRM? Why can't PC games be more like console games - game goes in, game plays - no activation required, no limited number of installs and yet very few people use cracked console games.
    Yep, I agree.

  11. #11
    Senior Member 2Cold Scorpio's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I chose the first option. I hate SecuROM, and its already been shown it doesn't stop piracy one bit; the crackers are too good at getting around it. All it does is disrupt legitimate users.

    Some DRM isn't bad, though; I like how Steam does it...

  12. #12
    Welcome to stampytown! Salazaar's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I don't like the mentality behind DRM or the execution but I like gaming more and I haven't encountered any DRM yet that's caused me any practical problems (yes, I've got Spore and Bioshock), so I'm going to carry on buying the games I want regardless.
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I see DRM as a necessary evil. I've given up caring about it when brand new PC games cost £25 and Console equivalents cost £40.
    Provided it doesn't affect me or my gaming experience. I wouldn't buy anything that needs to be conencted to the internet to play, though.
    "In a perfect world... spammers would get caught, go to jail, and share a cell with many men who have enlarged their penises, taken Viagra and are looking for a new relationship."

  14. #14
    Senior Member watercooled's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I think console games cost more because consoles are commonly sold at a loss to the mfr. They make up for the loss + make a profit with games.

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    Re: DRM Poll

    have had to re-activate windows twice and now crysis says iv have installed it on too many computers and need to buy a new activation code! this is an utter farce as it has only ever been installed on my one computer and never unistalled!

    Will EA accept this if i explain to them? because no way am i going to buy it again, this DRM is ruining the PC gaming experinece for hardware enthusiasts who upgrade or change componenets regurlarly!

  16. #16
    Senior Member watercooled's Avatar
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    Re: DRM Poll

    I agree. You bought the game, not rented it so should be able to use it forever, regardless of how many times you reinstall Windows. After all, it's none of EAs business what you do with your PC. Have a go at phoning/emailing them. They should be able to do something for you. If not, report it to trading standards!

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