Yesterday, we ran a story about ire over
Fallout 3 using SecuROM’s glorious protection. A recent posting on
Bethesda’s official blog is attempting to smother the message board firestorm. According to Bethesda,
Fallout 3 is using the mildest form of SecuROM possible and shouldn’t cause any issues amongst consumers.
From the blog posting:
We only use SecuRom’s disc check functionality for copy protection. We do NOT limit the number of installs. We do NOT use online authentication or any other SecuROM functionality except for a disc check when you install the game and when you launch the game. We do not install any other programs and we don’t have anything that runs in the background while you’re playing the game.
A disc check sounds fair to me. It’s certainly not nearly as invasive and inconvenient as EA’s preferred method. While I would love to go back to the passwords-in-booklets method, I really don't see that happening. The PDF and e-mail trumped my favorite copyright protection method.
Have any of you been experiencing issues with Fallout 3? Are you tired of the SecuROM shenanigans?
[Via GamePolitics]
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Contest:
12:23 PM on 10.31.2008
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Disc checks were why people hated SecureRom and it's ilk in the FIRST place, because it doesnt work with every drive. I personally had to crack a game I owned because it didn't work with the drive I owned.
I think everyone should use StarDock's method of copy protection, which is NONE. They just don't allow you to download updates if you don't have a registered copy.
Uh, most games require some sort of disc check. It's not a big deal. Most people don't have problems with it.
This is acceptable DRM.
STOP THE FUCK DEFENDING STUPID THINGS LIKE DRM!
DRM = bad for you. PERIOD.
I love you Bethesda!
No seriously though, I don't see where the problem in this form of DRM is. It does exactly what it is intended to do that is check if there is an original copy of the game present in the drive and it does so without harming the honest buyer. The only difficulty with this is, that it's easy to crack. But that's Bethesda's problem and they don't seem to mind so what the heck. So I'm just gonna join in by saying: I love you Bethesda.
You've must have never run into Starforce then. A nasty little DRM that gave itself root access and actually introduced system instabilities and insecurities.
I understand DRM is a fact of life. But I also use my computer for my livelihood, not just gaming fun. If companies did a better job of laying out what DRM they use, it would be better for everyone like me.
Many of us have already put in hours and hours into the game, started it and restarted it many times the past few days, only to have (2 days ago) the game crash on us anytime we try to start it up now.
It all happened around the same time, and a LOT of people are having this problem.
http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=894991&st=0&gopid=13079689&#entry13079689
http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=892812&st=40
This is a bigger deal than any SecuROM crap with the game considering the DRM hasn't messed with anybodys copies yet, and the PS3 version at least RUNS for a little while.
Post a story on this, because this shit needs to be addressed with some sort of patch or SOMETHING, because this is really, really disheartening.
Even through all of the crap though, this game is my GOTY material, hands down. So Bethesda, FIX IT. I WANT TO PLAY :(
- Kaspersky alerted me about it trying to secretly edit the registry.
- It does appear to run from the hard disk, even if it was only to check the disk.
However, I already have secuROM on my PC thanks to Mass Effect and there didn't seem to be any conflicts, nor did it complain about the fact I had Daemon Tools installed.
I can play the game fine and the DRM doesn't seem too invasive, even if it does have to install to the hard-disk (which is logical if you need to run a disk check).
I'm no fan of copy protection, but this method is pretty much the best you can hope for these days. Good job Bethesda.
No...It's even worse for Steam. Try and sell me that copy of <insert game x> that you bought from steam. Can't can you. At least with a SecuROM disc you can resell it.
Steam/XBLA/PSN/VC are worse for the industry than SecuROM.
I hate DRM in all forms, but if I play Fallout 3 it's going to be on a console, so this doesn't really effect me.
That doesn't work unfortunately. Steam uses a different kind set of verification keys I guess.
Huh? Digital distribution is bad for the industry because I can't resell a game?
While I can't sell my seven Half Life 2 install CDs for five bucks at Gamestop, I am still able to download the game free off Steam faster than I could find the damn things and run an install across seven CDs. I suppose in twenty years there might not be a Steam any more, but I can live with that.
Not sure if that's good for the industry, but it works out pretty well for me.
On topic, I had less trouble getting this to start than many who paid full price, as tends to be unfortunately common with DRM, but that didn't save me from the bugs.
And everyone knows that the most awesome form of copy protection that has ever existed was the retail copy of the original sam and max - with sam and max in ridiculous outfits you had to match
it's ridiculous that a standard disk check gets all this attention when basic stability issues are unreported. it's time to stop being so reactive and actually focus on issues that affect real gamers (ie not pirates).
It just simply doesn't help.