BioWare backs down on Mass Effect

PC News | Upcoming PC game will no longer re-check authentication every 10 days.

After the public outcry from gamers, BioWare has officially backflipped on the proposed anti-piracy measure that was to be implemented in the PC version of Mass Effect.

The SecuROM security measure would have periodically authenticated a gamer's CD key for Mass Effect approximately every ten days, as was revealed by BioWare Technical Producer, Derek French earlier this week. However, the outcry that has erupted over the proposed measure has forced the company to rethink its plans.

In a post to the masses over at the official Mass Effect community forums, Community Manager Jay Watamaniuk has written that the game will no longer require you to periodically validate your game. Instead, when you install the game, it will check online to authorize the key that single time with no further checks to follow. Each CD key can be activated up to three times - meaning that you can install the game on three different computers. If you require further activations, you'll have to contact EA customer support service, which Watamaniuk has said will handle these requests on a case-by-case basis.

Watamaniuk cited that fan opinion meant much to the company, stating: "BioWare has always listened very closely to its fans and we made this decision to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience to them".

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14 Comments

GooberMan

3 years ago

So... that means it's still using SecuROM, right?

Hooray for owning an Xbox. Never thought I'd say that.

evil_kenshin

3 years ago

i hate that, when you can only install software you brought X amount of times before you have to call the company to get them to reactivate it

truth be told in a way this is worse than the 10 days thing, since atleast you can install your copy as many times as you want

Lord Haart

3 years ago

Stupid. The 3-activation policy was the worst part of the deal.

I'm even tempted to go as far as suggesting that the server validation announcement was a PR move - they decided to announce it and then renounce it to make fans believe they cared, and to move the focus off the real issue, which is the severely limited number of installs.

Haven't they learnt from Bioshock? You should give at least 10 - if someone is going to share the game with their friends, they car do it with 3 activations anyway. But it means that alot of people will mess up their installs and require more that 3, and be unable to play.

10 activations is enough to prevent serial key piracy to a fair extent, too.

Mr Waffle

3 years ago

Is it just me, or does anyone get the feeling the whole DRM thing was a strawman designed to be shot down anyway?

1) Announce super-harsh DRM
2) Public outcry
3) Back down to "lesser" DRM after "listening to fans"
4) Win applause from public while still having DRM in place
5) Profit!

Aftershock

3 years ago

This is very sneaky of them.
Its back to what Bioshock was at the start, 3 installs.
Hopefully they will rectify this Bioshock style.
Their tech support lines will be so bloody full for the first week or so after launch.

GooberMan

3 years ago

Lord Haart wrote

10 activations is enough to prevent serial key piracy to a fair extent, too.

If you've ever read up on how SecuROM works, you wouldn't try to justify even a saner number like 10 activations.

ZNMS

3 years ago

This is the second reason why I gave up on PC gaming ages ago. All these anti-piracy programs only hurt all the honest and loyal customers who purchase PC games.

arbok

3 years ago

3 is not enough. plenty of people reformat computers all the time.

Peveus

3 years ago

arbok wrote

3 is not enough. plenty of people reformat computers all the time.

Not to mention those of us who don't have the space to leave games installed after we beat them.

I understand they want to try to combat piracy, but has SecuROM ever prevented anyone pirating a game? Not that I know of. If it doesn't work, and you can still just download the darn thing, why must the few people who actually do pay for the game be the ones to suffer?

When the pirates are getting a more user friendly copy of a game than the ones who pay 80 odd, something is seriously not right.

tootie_kicks

3 years ago

But what about Spore? If I have to activate it every 10 days, then I am definately not going to get it.

I can put up with having to ring a nnumber to get it reset after a very large interval.

Lord Haart

3 years ago

^I think the deal with Spore is that it activates itself every 10 days, but if you aren't playing it it wont need to activate until you start playing again.

The server validation makes more sense since it helps tie a CD key to one computer. As long as noone cracks that method, I can see it's value. Though they will have to do something for players who don't have internet.

Mr Waffle

3 years ago

Lord Haart wrote

Though they will have to do something for players who don't have internet.

I imagine they'll believe a little line on the bottom of the box saying "this game requires an internet connection" to be sufficient.

Skiller

3 years ago

If I buy the game there's no way in hell I'll be installing it off the disc, pirate version > DRM version.

Maybe if it comes to steam I'll get that version instead as then I should get unlimited installs

Rabscallion

3 years ago

This has got to the point where it acutally punishes the people who buy the game!! Bioshock and mass effect both have no multiplayer capabilities, so what is the point of buying the game when you could just download it for free without all this 10 day stuff or 3 activiation installs. Bioware has really got to take a step back and concentrate on making the game non pirated rather than punish users who buy the game!!

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