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Bioshock game DRM results in considerable uproar
Posted on 31/08/07 00:50 by Seán Byrne
Since the launch of the Sony game BioShock, there has been a considerable uproar about its installation policy as a result of the new SecuROM copy protection software it uses. Like Microsoft Windows XP & Vista, the game requires product activation. After two installations, only manual activation by contacting support was allowed.
While the license agreement mentioned that one could use one copy of the software for their own personal use on a single console, there is no mention in the game's license agreement or activation error message about the number of installations one is entitled to, never mind any limit or DRM control at all. Despite what the community manager at a 2K games forum initially mentioned, uninstalling the game from one PC does not entitle the user to another activation. This means that once the game had been installed twice, if one or both installations were removed, it would not have been possible to install and activate the game on any other PC without contacting support. Going by Tom's Hardware Guide, the support numbers provided on BioShock's packaging did not work, however, new support numbers were published on the forum and 2K later upped the maximum installation limit from 2 to 5.
To show how frustrating product activation can get, 2K Game’s suffered an activation server crash on last Thursday, which affected the launch of BioShock in Australia. Its official website timed out most of the day as a result of the heavy traffic from users trying to solve their activation issue. While 2K plans offering a revoke application to allow a game to be uninstalled to install on another PC or after a significant hardware upgrade, this is of little use to customers who already reinstalled the game several times trying to get it to work. Finally, while game demos are usually designed to be shared around for people to try a game before buying it, apparently even the demo of BioShock was infected with SecuROM DRM.
While five activations may seem like plenty, just reinstalling the game on the same PC uses up another activation. Changing the motherboard, hard drive or reinstalling Windows will cause the software to require reactivation. In the end, going by an interview with Joystiq, the BioShock game creator Levine apologised for the “screw-ups” and the company would move back from online activation at some point.
Those interested can read the full in-depth article here on TwitchGuru. Thanks to Lenco for letting us know about this news.
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Once again Sony kills us with their screwed up copy protection measures.. Im sure everyone remembers the RootKit fiasco and this is sure to be no different..
People should ban/boycott DRM riddled garbage period.. 
By
Ariel (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 08:50
"Infected with SecruROM DRM" - This attutide against DRM is getting extrelemy repulsive; Once you all cried that software was 'infected' with StarForce, now it is SecuROM - there is NOTHING wrong with DRM systems, it all depends on the implementation. Glad that you are not the deciding majority.
Whew, glad I read this, was about to purchase a GeForce 8800GTX & this game, but I think I'll just go with the video card & play more Oblivion. Thank you for the heads up!By
darwin (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 13:57
After the last 2 games I purchased not working at all after installing (Kept telling me to insert original CD which was already in the drive) and having to go to the extra effort to track down on the net a solution to get the games to work and as I found it was purely caused by the crap DRM/copy protection they used.
Well I have not purchased and will not in the future, any Games or any other Software that use any form of DRM/Copy Protection as I refuse to pay large sums of money for something that is a pain to use.
All I can is those companies keep going the way they are and in a few years all those greedy companies will be extinct and then once again consumers may actually get what they paid for once again like it used to be.
Cheers
From a Pissed off ex-customer of certain software companies that will never get one cent of my money ever again.
My friend decided to stop pirating games and actually bought this one. He's not happy with his decision.
@ Ariel
You're an idiot. I wish I had your e-mail address so I could write you a scathing message of how stupid I think you are. I guess you're one of the few people who don't mind if software companies tell you how and when you can use their software that you bought with your hard-earned cash. I think I'll just wait for someone to upload a cracked version. $ony will NEVER again get a cent from me because of their moronic policies. They do everything in their power to p*ss off their customers. The last few years have seen them make alot of mistakes and I think we'll see a few more before they finally smarten up.
This message was edited at: 31-08-2007 14:45
By
Ariel (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 16:59
Well well, so we resort to name calling? nice. I never offended anyone, yet you are telling me that I am stupid - opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one - remember, it is the right of the company to incorporate such security measures in its products, as it is your rights not to buy the product - but it is still illegal for you to use cracked software. "Where and when you can use their software" - you never buy software; the intellectual property rights are never being transferred to you - the sole thing you buy is a LICENSE to use the software, and such license includes some restrictions and governs your usage of the software - don't like it, don't buy.
By
Ariel (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 17:01
BTW, why don't you complain about DAEMON tools? do not they include adware in some versions? does not DT PRO force you to have an active internet connection to use/activate it? lose the double standards.
By
Ginsu Victim (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 17:16
Ariel...just who exactly is it you work for?
By
Ariel (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 17:20
I just knew it - any PRO-DRM reaction ALWAYS provokes the "Who do you work for?" question. So here is your answer - I work for a software company unrelated to DRM, our products are not sold in the general consumer market.
I am just SICK of this anti-DRM trend. People who create software products are fully within their right to incorporate technologies to restrict illegal use.
This is amazing, anywhere on the web I dared to express my PRO-DRM views, I was asked this question - why do you think that the general agenda should be "HATE DRM AT ALL COSTS" - DRM is essential, and it is here to stay, whether you like it, or not.
Hey Ariel:
Has it ever occurred to you that because of the DRM restrictions software vendors placed on their products that prevents them from interacting with other software and hardware is because of the fact that we're being told what to do with the various items and software WE purchased is why we're so anti-DRM? Not to mention the fact that if you didn't have such software DRM restrictions in place that you would actually sell MORE product than with the DRM restrictions?
Take a good look at why some music sites now sell DRM-free music (and have their own sales increase as a result of the move) and you might want to look at your own software DRM practices and whether or not you're shooting yourself in the foot. Just a suggestion.
By
Ariel (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 18:11
You are rightfully being told what to do with software you purchase - such directions and requirements are stated in the software's EULA. Further, as I said before - you never purchase a software product, nor the intellectual property rights to it - all you purchase is a limited license to use that software package, and as such, this package may be subject to DRM restrictions - this is as simple as A-B-C. It is needless to say that a software vendor or retailer should accept returns of software packages (including software licenses, media, packaging and documentation) which did not work on a client's PC due to a DRM-related issue (or any other issue of which the consumer was not aware at purcase time), or alternately, provide a solution to the problem in question. Removing DRM or DRM-less software does not invoke a drastic increase in sales - this is due to a fact that the anti-drm brainwashed consumers are a minority; they do not pose a significant share of the general consumers, potentially buying a given software product - e.g. games.
About the music industry - DRM there is pretty much useless IMHO, since music is static content, and could always be analogically pirated (although with some quality loss), software is an entirely different issue.
The uprising against XCP or any CDDA audio protections in my eyes are justified - that is due to the fact that they are very troublesome. However, protection of digital downloads (although, imho, is inefficient) is still legitimate, and is being abandoned only due to pressure from brainwashed consumers.
By
Rick (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 18:23
No drm on the 360 version 
It never really is that simple Ariel: EULAs are fine, because they serve the purpose (albeit poorly) to protect the intellectual copyrights of the software creators. DRM is NOT fine, because affecting devices and other software as a result of the installation of DRM-secured software From the invasion of people's PC content and exposing them to malicious threats (now occurring with Sony's USB fingerprint drives), to not enabling them to port their content to other formats. Also, you coming in here and calling us brainwashed, is probably not real condusive to your cause. 
Also, you citing music as relatively static, is also protected by the same intellectual copyrights that software is protected by.
Here's a more productive thought: instead of worry about your intellectual copyright and collection royalties, how about asking us what you can do to make your software better so your company can sellmore of it. As long as there is a product to be had, people will find a way around its restrictions. Usually, people don't like being told what to do with stuff they've purchased.
Also, you citing music as relatively static, is also protected by the same intellectual copyrights that software is protected by.
Here's a more productive thought: instead of worry about your intellectual copyright and collection royalties, how about asking us what you can do to make your software better so your company can sellmore of it. As long as there is a product to be had, people will find a way around its restrictions. Usually, people don't like being told what to do with stuff they've purchased. By
nyarrgh (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 18:54
"Since the launch of the Sony game BioShock, ..."
Bioshock is not a Sony game. The DRM may be, but the game is not. I tested the 360 version in a friends house and it ROCKS! I will not buy it however, until they come out with a PC- SecruROM free version. Not even if they come up with a patch you apply after installing.
It never really is that simple Ariel: EULAs are fine, because they serve the purpose (albeit poorly) to protect the intellectual copyrights of the software creators. DRM is NOT fine, because affecting devices and other software as a result of the installation of DRM-secured software From the invasion of people's PC content and exposing them to malicious threats (now occurring with Sony's USB fingerprint drives), to not enabling them to port their content to other formats. Also, you coming in here and calling us brainwashed, is probably not real condusive to your cause.
Also, you citing music as relatively static, is also protected by the same intellectual copyrights that software is protected by.
Here's a more productive thought: instead of worry about your intellectual copyright and collection royalties, how about asking us what you can do to make your software better so your company can sellmore of it. As long as there is a product to be had, people will find a way around its restrictions. Usually, people don't like being told what to do with stuff they've purchased.
Also, you citing music as relatively static, is also protected by the same intellectual copyrights that software is protected by.
Here's a more productive thought: instead of worry about your intellectual copyright and collection royalties, how about asking us what you can do to make your software better so your company can sellmore of it. As long as there is a product to be had, people will find a way around its restrictions. Usually, people don't like being told what to do with stuff they've purchased. By
Backlash (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 20:52
And piracy is here to stay as well, whether you and any other company likes it or not. So I guess they can just have fun pissing off the people that actually buy there games and software, pushing more people to just pirate the stuff. Smart IMO.
By
Ginsu Victim (guest),
Friday 31 August 2007 21:14
This isn't even a piracy issue, Ariel. People who BOUGHT the software are unable to run it properly, and after that, they are restricted in the amount of times they can install it. As someone who constantly removes software I'm not using, I can't see how this is a good thing IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. Upgrade? There's a hit against you, too. I understand wanting to protect your business, but don't sell me a car with keys that stop working after a few months.
I never understood the EULA. I mean if I buy a painting from an artist, is it not mine? Can I share it with other friends and family so that they might gaze upon it or am I restricted to me only viewing it? And if that is true, will I have to turn the painting around when I have company over or my wife and child are trying to look at it? Will I have to register the painting online so that I might be able to view it? All of this crap is just absolute silly. I remember no one, the music companies and hollywood, having a problem back in the 80's or early 90's with someone giving their buddy a copy of a tape or movie. WHy didn't they have a hissy fit then when they were LOSING ALL OF THAT REVENUE? Why, the outrage of those people for doing that! And ohh, we OWNED the material that we bought. Not this, hey, you only are LICENSED TO USE IT crap!
(rolls eyes)This message was edited at: 31-08-2007 21:55
Sony's game Bioshock?
This game is not published by Sony! I know this site or some of its users like to bash Sony but publishing blatantly erroneous news like this? Come on! The article doesn't even mention that the game is published by Sony! It does mention that SecuROM is owned by Sony.
This game is only published on M$ Windows and M$ X360. It's not even published on any Playstation platform! I guess you should call this more a M$ game, no? By the way, the DRM crapola works only if you use the M$ crapola OS. Dump it and a good deal of DRM goes right out of the window. There's a thought for you, anti-DRM crowd...
By the way, any anti-Sony and/or anti-DRM proponent is using M$ Vista? M$ XP? Careful because they have DRM mechanisms. Any self-respecting anti-DRM proponent wouldn't use such a thing, right?By
User (guest),
Saturday 01 September 2007 10:14
johnzap: you're right about the Sony point, but
"By the way, any anti-Sony and/or anti-DRM proponent is using M$ Vista? M$ XP? Careful because they have DRM mechanisms. Any self-respecting anti-DRM proponent wouldn't use such a thing, right?"
is pretty lame. I'm sure most ant-DRM people (like myself) are using Windows. As you damn well know, Windows is the only mainstream OS out there and is the only way to run 99% of premium applications and mainstream hardware (graphics cards, scanners, etc). So people are forced to eat the DRM sh*t that they are fed and that's how MS gets away with crap like product activation and the rest.
So yes, I'm a self-respecting anti-DRM proponent and I use Windows. Now you can understand why.
User (Guest): 99% of premium applications and mainstream hardware? Do you really know what you're talking about? Doesn't look like you do.
You can run a LOT of Windows applications inside Linux (pretty good emulation like Wine and derivatives or you can simply create a virtual machine for some Windows applications [which ones?] you really, really need to use and can't find a Linux substitute). As for hardware compat, I guess Linux is more compatible than Vista and not very far behind XP. Things are progressing, you know? Truths from years or months ago, are no longer.By
bill (guest),
Saturday 01 September 2007 19:10
I was actually considering buying this instead of pirating it. I hate activation scheme so much i will just pirate it instead. 
By
bill123 (guest),
Saturday 01 September 2007 19:18
john zap- i just installed linux ubuntu and tried the latest wine from their website - i could not even play old windows games like tzar, which is a very old game that i like. so wine still has a Looong way to go.
By
User (guest),
Saturday 01 September 2007 19:20
johnzap: Run Windows apps under Wine on Linux; are you serious?
At best, this allows you to run some apps with degraded performance. It\'s a case of cross you fingers and hope it works.
If a Linux/Wine setup had been truly viable it would be taking over the desktop, making headlines and Microsoft would *really* have something to worry about.
No, Wine on Linux is more a proof of concept project for techies.
I don\'t see much in the way of Linux drivers for mainstream hardware, either.
Can you run Steam and Half-life2 under Wine for example? If you can, frame rates will be much lower than on Windows and stability poorer. Hardly viable.
By
User (guest),
Saturday 01 September 2007 19:21
Bill: totally agree. I played the demo and it's very impressive.
However, I'm boycotting it solely because of the DRM. I'm toying with the idea of writing to the company and letting them know, but I don't think they will care.
bill123: it seems you still have a looong way to go to understand how all that stuff works, what Linux emulation software is available, how to configure, etc. Also keep in mind that compatibility efforts are not towards "old windows games like tzar" but popular and more useful Windows software. But don't despair, there are lots of help available on the Web. Search and all will be revealed. 
User (guest): there's Wine and there are evolutions of Wine. Codeweaver's Crossover (they have a database with known compatibility support), for example. Not for techies but for people serious about running popular Windows software under Linux. You'd be surprised how fast it runs, for the better supported apps (the most popular ones). Some games also run but bear in mind that game compatibility is not the main goal. Remember you said that people need to run Windows because there are "must have" applications that must run. My question to you is: which applications? Or are you thinking about games?
No Linux drivers for hardware? OK, that's your opinion. Fortunately, the reality is quite different.By
Mr Nobody (guest),
Sunday 02 September 2007 14:00
Sony game? Give me a break, for a site that claims to be the largest digital storage community of the world you need to get the basic fact right really.
By
hjc (guest),
Sunday 02 September 2007 22:55
oke i can understant that the company\'s want to protect there games...but it not working at all..because the protection of some games..they don\'t work anymore..and there are smarter guys that find a way around the protection..B.T.W.there is already a 100% version out..
so i think it\'s beter that the software company\'s stop protecting there games..they will be cracked for sure
so i think it\'s beter that the software company\'s stop protecting there games..they will be cracked for sure Regarding the Linux issue - I run some games under Wine including Diablo II, Baldur's Gate, Warcraft III, and The Temple of Elemental Evil. Half-Life, Steam, and World of Warcraft are well supported. Some games work better than XP, some worse. Age and popularity has a lot to do with it. Popular middle-aged games are generally more stable because they have been tested on more systems and have more bugs fixed. Many older Windows games don't work on XP (Vista is even worse). DRM adds complexity to the platform support and it's entirely possible that older Windows titles will not work on new OSes due to DRM issues.
With Wine you have even more problems with DRM than Windows. DRM systems are designed around Windows drivers and their limitations and it's hard to emulate them. Even with original discs DRM is often activated (false positive). But some cross-platform games like UT2004 and Doom3 do not have copy protection on the Linux versions, only the Windows ones. Some Windows developers remove the DRM with updates after the game has been in the market for a while. The USA DMCA has exemptions for DRM circumvention: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMCA#DMCA_Title_IV:_Miscellaneous_Provisions
"Tzar: The Burden of the Crown" is functional in Wine once the SafeDisc copy protection is removed:
http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?iVersionId=2952
In general, I agree with Ariel about DRM and the EULA. It's just that nobody noticed the DRM until it started really getting in the way of how they wanted to use the software. Digital Rights Management does not allow the user to control their rights - only the developer. I got tired of behavior of the closed-source market and switched to Linux. It's been more productive than just ranting and raving about closed-source software and DRM. Tremulous, Nexuiz, and lots of other games (http://happypenguin.org) keep me plenty busy.
This how I see it,
Suppose many people buy this game original.
And I don't care if the publisher is Sony or not.
When you come home and try to install this game, you would at least expect the game to run or not ????
Flame me for it, but when it doens't I think there will be a lot off cursing behind the pc-screen.
I saw the demo and thought of buying the game original until I read the article at TwichtGuru.
And guss what, kept my hand on my wallet and pirated the game (go ahead and flame me) !
I got a exspensive PC and when I buy a game original I expect it to work and not get a whole heap of frustration.
The game (at leat in my eyes) is to expensive for that, and if you have three kinds running around, well go figure.
I'am now at LVL 3 and having big fun !
Lenco
This message was edited at: 03-09-2007 17:46
or not.
When you come home and try to install this game, you would at least expect the game to run or not ????
Flame me for it, but when it doens't I think there will be a lot off cursing behind the pc-screen.
I saw the demo and thought of buying the game original until I read the article at TwichtGuru.
And guss what, kept my hand on my wallet and pirated the game (go ahead and flame me) !
I got a exspensive PC and when I buy a game original I expect it to work and not get a whole heap of frustration.
The game (at leat in my eyes) is to expensive for that, and if you have three kinds running around, well go figure.
I'am now at LVL 3 and having big fun !
LencoThis message was edited at: 03-09-2007 17:46
This how I see it,
Suppose many people buy this game original.
And I don't care if the publisher is Sony or not.
When you come home and try to install this game, you would at least expect the game to run or not ????
Flame me for it, but when it doens't I think there will be a lot off cursing behing the pc-screen.
I saw the demo and thought of buying the game original until I read the article at TwichtGuru.
And guss what, kept my hand on my wallet and pirated the game (go ahead and flame me) !
I got a exspensive PC and when I buy a game original I expect it to work and not get a whole heap of frustration.
The game (at leat in my eyes) is to expensive for that) and if you have three kinds running around, well go figure.
I'am now at LVL 3 and having big fun !
Lenco
or not.
When you come home and try to install this game, you would at least expect the game to run or not ????
Flame me for it, but when it doens't I think there will be a lot off cursing behing the pc-screen.
I saw the demo and thought of buying the game original until I read the article at TwichtGuru.
And guss what, kept my hand on my wallet and pirated the game (go ahead and flame me) !
I got a exspensive PC and when I buy a game original I expect it to work and not get a whole heap of frustration.
The game (at leat in my eyes) is to expensive for that) and if you have three kinds running around, well go figure.
I'am now at LVL 3 and having big fun !
LencoBy
Morglum007 (guest),
Tuesday 04 September 2007 10:42
Just one tip.
To those who says Wine and other emulation/virtual machines will launch windows games, indeed they have just only 50% truth.
To sum up, NON-Protected games WILL work under wine/virtual machines over linux.
ANY protected ring0 game (most actual and one or two years old SD, SecuROM, Starforce or Tagès) WONT work under any wine/virtual machine over linux. The inherent way the protection works is the inherent way the os DOESN'T works.
Once ring0 check is gone, game will play normally (crack or patch).
Easy to say, protected game, LINUX is f*cked, unprotected game, LINUX is cool.
Simple, any moron who puts DRM into their games is asking for trouble. PLENTY of people hate the idea of it and it's actually hindering the playability of a game.
Hello, I want to install a game, play it and have fun with minimal fuss. If I can't I will avoid all games with DRM and all never buy one again.
That's the opinion of many people. They are getting too protective over things. Great games will make money regardless of piracy. If you focus on making a great game and not a great copy protection to put on your game, you will gain more profit.Simple, any moron who puts DRM into their games is asking for trouble. PLENTY of people hate the idea of it and it's actually hindering the playability of a game.
Hello, I want to install a game, play it and have fun with minimal fuss. If I can't I will avoid all games with DRM and all never buy one again.
That's the opinion of many people. They are getting too protective over things. Great games will make money regardless of piracy. If you focus on making a great game and not a great copy protection to put on your game, you will gain more profit.Top news
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Written by Michael Barkoviak
Written by Michael Barkoviak
Written by Michael Barkoviak
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