DRM Trouble Brewing for Electronic Arts
Another SecuROM copy protection controversy seems to be brewing, and this time it's with Electronic Arts. Two of the mega-publisher's major titles this year will come with a version of Sony's notorious SecuROM digital rights management software.
The PC version of BioWare's Mass Effect, which is scheduled to launch on May 27th, will include SecuROM software that will not only require online activation of the game but will also demand that users reconnect online so that the SecuROM program can re-verify that the game's activation key is still authentic and hasn't been made public. On BioWare's official Mass Effect forum, Derek French, technical producer at BioWare, issued the following post on May 3rd:
"Mass Effect uses SecuROM and requires an online activation for the first time that you play it. Each copy of Mass Effect comes with a CD Key which is used for this activation and for registration here at the BioWare Community. Mass Effect does not require the DVD to be in the drive in order to play, it is only for installation," the post read.
"After the first activation, SecuROM requires that it re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned). Just so that the 10 day thing doesn't become abrupt, SecuROM tries its first re-check with 5 days remaining in the 10 day window. If it can't contact the server before the 10 days are up, nothing bad happens and the game still runs. After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run."
After several forum members responded negatively to the news, French posted several more messages to clarify the situation. "I believe that the SecuROM settings are for up to 3 activations," French wrote. "There is no banning or such if you go beyond the 3 activations, it just won't activate. If you run into any issues with this, you will be able to contact EA tech support and they will help you resolve any problems you have getting your game to run, including issues with SecuROM."
French also stated on the forum that EA's blockbuster title Spore would come with the same SecuROM copy protection software. In addition, he wrote that this was the same DRM program that BioWare used for the Jade Empire PC version that was sold through BioWare's online store. It's unclear, given BioWare's past use of the DRM program, whether the decision to use SecuROM rests with the developer or its parent company EA (go here for BioWare's thoughts on piracy). French also said that EA's support staff and authentication servers would be ready for Mass Effect's launch at the end of the month. BioWare was unavailable for comment.
After reaching 13 pages and more than 100 posts, the discussion thread was officially closed by BioWare. The majority of the posts were concerns from BioWare fans and gamers anticipating the PC version of Mass Effect that were puzzled as to why a single player RPG would require repeated online authentication every five to 10 days, not to mention upset over the hassle of having to reconnect with EA's servers to play Mass Effect.
When last summer's BioShock debacle occurred, many PC gamers wondered if DRM could get any worse than SecuROM. After all, BioShock's copy protection software limits the number of installs for the game. But the DRM for Mass Effect and Spore - and most likely other titles from EA - will not only restrict the number of activations but will also require users to regularly authenticate their purchased product. It's a little like buying a can of paint at a Home Depot and having the guy in the orange apron check your receipt on your way out the door and then have the orange apron show up at your house every 10 days to check the receipt again and again.
While it's inarguable to suggest that rampant PC game piracy hasn't led to such measures as SecuROM, such DRM will likely only make the situation worse by encouraging gamers to find cracks, as many Mass Effect forum members have pointed out. It seems the only thing that EA learned from Take-Two's experiences with SecuROM is that it's better to warn consumers that heavy-handed DRM is coming instead of springing it on them unannounced. As the saying goes, those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
For further reading, check out BioWare's forum discussion on Mass Effect's PC system specs, SecuROM and general FAQ. Stay tuned for more news on Mass Effect for the PC and SecuROM.
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