DRM Trouble Brewing for Electronic Arts

Is that Rob Wright agreeing yet again with me? Not only that, but he agrees with one of my analogies? Oh Snap indeed.

Fixed, thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I think we agree actually agree on more than we think -- just not the definition of stealing

And I think we can all agree that this SecuROM stuff is going too far. But please, let's not embolden EA's argument for DRM by pirating Mass Effect.

And to think that I was looking forward to buying this game.... Now I'm really unsure wether I'll choose to buy it or not. I find these kind of protection scheme to be totally abusive, especially in regard with the fact that this is a solo game.

Basically, this makes a working internet connection a requirement for the game which I find to be very restrictive. Moreover, the opacity of the system, as well as the need for regular updates forces you to give all kind of informations to the people at EA / Bioware without having any real control on that imformation. They don't trust you at all, but you have to trust them all the way, the very idea is disturbing.... And that's not even mentioning all the problems that might occur because of it, like the game refusing to run if certain programms are running or such things.

Honestly, I don't see how piracy justifes that we should have to submit to such things. This reminds me of the problems concerning private liberties and the alleged war against terrorism. There's just a moment where the end doesn't justify the mean no more, no matter the fact that you agree with the objective....

Because of this drm I will not buy either of these games. This will probably be a trend, a trend that will be blamed on pirates. If I do realy want this game I will download it make sure it works all the way to the end then buy it! There is not much chance of this happening so I guess I lose out again. Crapy sony malware!!

I hope the ps3 starts supporting the mouse and keyboard for shooters so I can continue to play them.

This has the potential to make alot of honest people pirates just to make a point. After all why should the paying customer be punished?

Count me in for causing more complaints about piracy since I won't be buying (or pirating) Mass Effect and apparently not Spore either.

We all know that if sales are poor, it's only due to piracy.
Record labels have used that excuse for years now.

I just don't get why ANYONE would be even a little upset at DRM. What a bunch of crybabies. The Amazon thing is ridiculous -- why are you babies messing up my ability to get good reviews? That's just nasty.

I LOVE DRM -- it is a small step in the right direction by game manufacturers, one giant leap for all PC gamers! With this, we can finally be free from the "insert disk" copy protection crap that is such a pain with multiple computers in the same household or on a travelling laptop and at home.

You idiots are protesting freedom and justice. You are protesting YOURSELVES. This amazing, and beautiful DRM protection online is something I have been suggesting for a long time as a way of saving PC gaming and the need to buy a console (stripped-down computer) and another computer.

With this type of copy protection, game makers will not need to rely on their proprietary consoles which are basically forcing you to buy another inferior PC so that they can be sure their games are not being hacked... DRM is a breath of fresh air by comparison -- fresh air saving you $600.00!!! -- which you can then spend on hotrodding your PC into SUPERCOMPUTER which does it all.

This DRM is here to stay -- for very very GREAT reasons. Lets not forget to put on our thinking caps, folks.

You fail to realise that limiting a user to 3 "installs" is too limiting. Remember, that changing components counts as an "install", so for most users, it will be fewer than that. After those installs are up, you have to hope that EA will find that you have a legitamite reason to get the game re-activated.

If it was 3 installs per 6 months or something, that I think we could live with. But 3 installs over the LIFE OF THE GAME? Seriously...

now stop being a troll and stop gravedigging old threads.

Let the free market decide what a game with DRM and a limit of 3 installs is worth.

If I had known before I bought Spore that it was limited to three installs, that it installed software which monitors your system and sends info to EA I would not have paid $49.99.

I would like it if there was a law which forced the seller to disclose on the package such severe limitations. The market needes full disclosure so the buyer could make an informed descision. As it is now you are buying a "pig in a poke".

On the Spore box (that I hold in my hands), the only limitations revealed that you can read before buying it says: "Internet connection, online authentication and end user license agreement required to play. To access online features, you must register online with the enclosed serial code. Only one registration available per game. EA terms & conditions and features updates can be found at WWW.EA.COM. You must be 13+ to register online. EA may retire online features after 30 days posted on www.EA.com."

This does not reveal the severe limitations of only three installs that the software contains; nor the reporting software it installs on your computer. You should not have to go to any other place to get the information at the time of purchase. You can not agree to something about which you know nothing. A contract is a mutual agreement.

With 20/20 hindsight I believe that Spore was worth $9.99.

In the future I will wait at least a week before buying any new games, and resist the pressure from my children to buy. And no I am not a babe in the woods, but a retired lawyer in the U.S.

Exactly. In the UK, you would be protected by the "Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations". It's a very useful piece of legislation (have successfully used it against a former landlord).

The question is - was the installation limit in the EULA when you installed? (this wouldn't actually affect the UTiCCR, but it may be important in US contract law?)

I may have mentioned this in another of the many similar threads, but NY (and I suppose CA but I don't live there) legislating gaming has already proven to be much worse than any DRM. I'm all for consumer advocacy but please do not dilute yourself into thinking government is going to make this better. I'm a friggin liberal but even this is a case were the free market has to work itself out. I neither want to see gaming companies targeting individuals who receive pirated software with legal action nor do I want to see any government sticking their nose into gaming. It's only going to end badly.

In NY, the law that we have protects against anything that is installed on a computer without user consent. Since no mention of the SecureRom rootkit is given, its installation is illegial in the state of NY.

If the current lawsuit fails, I plan to throw that law right back at them.

Gamerk316 - isn't Securom mentioned in the EULA?

I've not got the game myself, but other people on other threads have stated that the EULA does state that the game also installs other software (other than the game), briefly describes the nature and purpose of the additional programs, and gives you the choice to cancel the install. It even mentions that there are a limited number of installs.

If this is true, your claim will fail if it is based upon lack of consent.

Flakes - you would be able to get a refund. If not from the retailer, then from the publisher.

Actually, in the UK I've successfully taken back I game that I installed but returned because it was too buggy. The shop (a major high-street store specialising in games, no less) gave me store credit against another purchase.

It's a smart move for retailers - if they can't undercut online stores on cost, they can provide a better service instead. But that's a different discussion...

very interesting, cheers llama. ill be checking at the game store next time i go, im sure they always say you cant get get refunds, but if you can do it through the publisher of the game, then it might just be worth it.