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Spore users turn game's own creation tools against it in DRM protest photo

This Spore debacle is genuinely fascinating if you're interested in the consumer side of the games industry. After the Amazon backlash and the ridiculously high piracy levels, you'd think that customers angry over Spore's "draconian" DRM would have made their point, but no. Now it would seem that gamers are using the title's own content creation tools against it -- creating creatures that are designed to protest against EA's use of SecuROM!

From the simple design of a creature (?) known only as EA Sux to the more detailed Veroflraptor, who lives on the planet "EAdisappointsME," it would seem that design-savvy Spore fans have strung Electronic Arts up with its own rope. Such sweet irony.

As I say, this is fascinating stuff and it's interesting to observe how gamers have united in protest over DRM. We so very often as gamers seem to just suck up and accept whatever bullsh*t a publisher feels like dishing out, so it's somewhat refreshing to see consumers continue to take Electronic Arts to task over something they feel strongly about, even if some of the methods of protest are questionable.

Check out more Spore protest creations here.








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30 comments | showing # 1 to 30
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grafkhun's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 21:27
grafkhun
Wow now that is really something, I like the one on the right.
SnakeDude4Life's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 21:31
SnakeDude4Life
Wow.

That's pretty good. It would be "LULZ" if they were made by pirates.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 21:34
eternalplayer2345
Best way to protest the issue.
Twisted Imp's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 21:34
Twisted Imp
Somebody explain to me what DRM is, and why it's a problem in Spore.
SnakeDude4Life's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 21:38
SnakeDude4Life
@Twisted Imp

"EA made the DRM far more draconian than it needed to be. Three activations and you’re out and one account per CD key (something that EA seems to have misled customers about initially) is really just squezing the buyer too much. These are limitations that even basic users can hit up against pretty quickly so it’s something that every buyer should care about."

Source:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=2617
's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 21:42
Clint
As clever as this is, they still bought the game, and EA still got there pretty penny so I'm not sure how much this will help.
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 21:46
pendelton21
Oh, you crazy kids and your anthropomorphic protests...
Chocobo Knight's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:12
Chocobo Knight
I wholeheartedly approve.
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:27
Maurice Tan
Wow, I don't even know how to make something like the EA Sux. Good job :)
Sidar's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:33
Sidar
They have no clue how more attractive torrents are thanks to DRM. They pushed Gamers away from the idea to actually purchase the games.

I love it DRM, is amazing. It gives people a reason to do piracy xD.
Brian Szabelski's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:39
Brian Szabelski
That's some talent right there.
Milkman519's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:44
Milkman519
Jesus christ, GET OVER IT!
Satsumomo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:48
Satsumomo
I love how people go around chanting "It's only the pirates that complain about this" when infact they don't have anything to complain about, the DRM didn't stop them at all and run the game hassle-free, unlike the people who legally bought it.
Clockwork's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:52
Clockwork
Why are people focusing so much more on the DRM crap than the game itself? Accept its flaws (no matter how annoying they are) and play the fucking game.
Zen Albatross's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 22:55
Zen Albatross
Everyone has the right to complain about this, because we are all consumers. We have the right to expect that when we buy a piece of software, we are paying to OWN that software, not the right to use it with severe restrictions. Will pirating the game and ridiculing EA rectify the situation? Probably not. But does that mean that EA has any right to complain or even be surprised that people are pirating the game in an act of spiteful backlash? FUCK no!
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 23:14
Volomon
@Scary Womanizing Pig Mask: This wasn't known until after it was released and many people had purchased it. DRM legal information is contained on the disc when you go to install it. As it is with all software media. The law gives consumers no rights so we must fight with outrage or never buying another EA product.

As you know in order to get to the DRM information you have to remove the disc from the package, once you do this you can no longer return it. However I believe that there is a return to EA procedure, which ultimately nets you another copy of the exact same game.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 23:26
Jim Sterling
"Jesus christ, GET OVER IT!"

Attitudes like this annoy me. This right there is the apathetic 'sit back and take it' attitude that has allowed publishers to run roughshod over consumer rights for years. Continue to get over it by all means, just don't be surprised when publishers are able to get a complete lockdown on the industry and exert as much control as they wish over the "rights" you have paid top dollar for.
Captain Morgan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 23:39
Captain Morgan
Using the game to protest will definitely draw some attention. Truly awesome idea.
RWarrior1CO's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 23:42
RWarrior1CO
I still don't believe excessive copy protection justifies piracy (you don't *NEED* the game, just don't buy it), but EA has definitely botched the release of this game and irritated its consumers for no real reason. And if you want to put the game up on Goozex or something like that, you might get negative feedback when the guy who gets your copy discovers he can't play it. Then again, that might be fine with EA. They can't make money off of used game sales/exchanges.
Blind assassin's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/15/2008 23:53
Blind assassin
I'm too lazy to read the comments but I'm sure about half of them are defending EA and DRM. Honestly, unless you're totally on EA's side (or against them) then shut up. No one cares about fence sitters condemning people over something when you have no real opinion and just want to wag your finger smugly.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 00:31
Excel-2011
@Blind assassin:
Actually none of the above comments are defending DRM.
TehBoognish's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 00:39
TehBoognish
I got it because it was there to be gotten. Because of the bad press I've had 4 co-workers ask me how this "torrent stuff" works and what they needed to make not getting ripped off by EA for a crappy game that will have 20 expansion packs a reality for them.

I am more than happy to oblige. The release of a game that is this boring and had soooo much potential deserves to be held up, and ridiculed at every opportunity.


to be long winded about it, no bad press, nobody asking me those questions.
whormongr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 00:41
whormongr
the problem with DRM is that it is just plain wrong- the piracy argument itself is even wrong- the thing that consumers understand with their gut and IP holders don't get at all is that if you want people to want to pay for your stuff you need to give them a reason to do it- crippleware and crying poor little millionaire game publisher doesn't cut it. I am a musician, so one thing that I can tell you is that the minute you stop valuing the audience you might as well quit. Creatively you do what you want and take risks, but in the end if the audience doesn't like it you STILL value them. Why? simple- because if you want to control your IP with heavy chains and locks, don't let anyone else see it. If you want to put it to the public then it is up to YOU and not the audience/consumer to make them like you enough to value the material and he who produces it as much as you do, when you don't do this you devalue the IP and yourself. EA has devalued themselves plain and simple. There aren't a few "crackpots" out there complaining- you are looking at a very sizable amount of consumers that are upset and angry. I was seriously going to buy spore, but I 100% will not buy any EA install limit online activation game period. I couldn't really give a shit as to whether EA looks down on me for it, or for talking people out of buying it (I can say that I have easily cost EA about 25 sales) because when the company doesn't value you, why should you value them?
Giggles With Crabs's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 01:41
Giggles With Crabs
Firethorne and Newbunkle deserve a big ol' batch of eCookies for those.
Altered Beets's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 02:31
Altered Beets
I'm usually in defense of EA as I think they get a bad rap just for being big. They make a lot of sequels, but they do publish some great original games like Spore.

That said, Spore's middle chapters and specific DRM seem to be hurting them and their customers. Much like my experience with books.

Why, it's the subject of my first Blog post. I have a blog!
Bloggggggg!
Satsumomo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 04:26
Satsumomo
DRM aside, the game itself is disappointing. It's been dumbed down severely, although it's quite fun, it's not challenging and it loses it's appeal within the first 10 days of playing it.
Jaffacakelover's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 05:34
Jaffacakelover
@Scary Womanizing Pig Mask: Did the protestors buy it, rather than pirating it? Not bloody likely: Would you use your ONE game account to make a novelty EA Sux beast that probably can't walk?

I find it funny how much time was devoted to creating the Spore creature on the left, yet they didn't get a good grasp on English first. The initials for Donald Ronald Sop are D.R.M.? Really?
Demtor's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 06:57
Demtor
DRM is killing PC gaming for people who buy PC games, not pirates.
DR EGG's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2008 09:08
DR EGG
Who owns a PC anyway?
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