Is EA's SecuRom/DRM really that bad?

[Y]

I disagree, especially when it comes to the new version of SecuROM. From what I'm reading, it includes rootkit-type backdoor access for programmers to run verification code that can morph to prevent detection, reverse engineering, and removal. The game manufacturer can add whatever code they want in a trojan-horse fashion, allowing them to upload usage data or other data to their servers. Hackers can target this code to gain access to your system. You can't remove the DRM software even if you remove the game. If you don't have internet access, you don't get to play.

A bunch of scary and ineffectual buzzwords. What harm does this actually do to your computer? Starforce's security risks were blown unbelievably far out of proportion (to the degree where people would post about it as though it devoured your soul on installation) and I have no reason to suspect SecuROM is any different. Copy protection that prevents you from removing it easily? Well, fucking duh.

The best method i've seen so far in term of preventing piracy is creating online content that is attractive enough to force peoples to buy your games. Steam, Stardock and Blizzard's Battlenet does a wonderful job in regard to that aspect, more companies need to start using those type of business model instead of relying on this DRM trash.

This, however, is obviously the superior way to handle game piracy. In fact, Steam is usually easier and faster than torrenting a game.

[Animeniax]

A bunch of scary and ineffectual buzzwords. What harm does this actually do to your computer? Starforce's security risks were blown unbelievably far out of proportion (to the degree where people would post about it as though it devoured your soul on installation) and I have no reason to suspect SecuROM is any different. Copy protection that prevents you from removing it easily? Well, fucking duh.

What you say is mostly true, and it's easy enough to dismiss most of the concerns, but the bad guys rely on this sort of apathy and dismissal so they can do what they want, kind of like how Bush runs the country. I imagine a large part of the frustration is in principle only, and the security concerns are just tacked on to give the complaints some meat.

If you don't mind that software companies install something on your PC that you can't remove or alter even after you remove their product, then that's how you roll. It's like that uncomfortable wedgie feeling you probably still have even after taking off your super-tight wranglers.

The best method i've seen so far in term of preventing piracy is creating online content that is attractive enough to force peoples to buy your games. Steam, Stardock and Blizzard's Battlenet does a wonderful job in regard to that aspect, more companies need to start using those type of business model instead of relying on this DRM trash.

Unfortunately not everyone is online and can download large amounts of content. With bandwidth usage-based fees coming to ISPs soon, how much more are you paying to get this online content? I currently have a copy of the Orange Box that I can't play because of network usage restrictions where I'm at. You think I'll buy another Valve game instead of just downloading a hacked copy? And how long do you think it will be before the online content is available for free via torrent?

[Y]

What you say is mostly true, and it's easy enough to dismiss most of the concerns, but the bad guys rely on this sort of apathy and dismissal so they can do what they want, kind of like how Bush runs the country. I imagine a large part of the frustration is in principle only, and the security concerns are just tacked on to give the complaints some meat.

If you don't mind that software companies install something on your PC that you can't remove or alter even after you remove their product, then that's how you roll. It's like that uncomfortable wedgie feeling you probably still have even after taking off your super-tight wranglers.

I don't think this is a bad-guy scenario. SecuROM's problems, like conflicting with Process Explorer, were largely unintentional and fixed in updated versions. I wouldn't crucify them for that any more then I'd crucify them for releasing a buggy game. You can remove SecuROM (although I believe Starforce's removal tool was poorly constructed) and since it became such a media whipping boy EA makes sure to send out fucking press releases when games use it. I don't think it's terribly onerous or harmful. I've experienced more harmful bugs in game coding then I have in copy protection, and I'm unlikely to crusade against videogames any time soon.

[Animeniax]

I don't want to sound like I'm defending the DRM-doomsayers and I definitely want to support game developers. As a failed programmer myself, I know how tedious and difficult coding can be so I want programmers and designers to be compensated for their work, but I also don't want any hassles installing, playing, then uninstalling a game I bought.

I think I got a bit caught up in the anti-SecuROM hysteria, but the original purpose of the thread was to find out all I could about SecuROM to see if it was worth skipping games like Far Cry 2 just to avoid it. I read a lot of reviews, mostly complaints from people on the anti-establishment bandwagon. The input from you guys on the forum has helped too.

I think the answer is still up in the air, since I'm not a privacy-nut and I'm not a corporate shill. I bought a copy of Far Cry 2 anyway.

[Dark Dragon]

Unfortunately not everyone is online and can download large amounts of content. With bandwidth usage-based fees coming to ISPs soon, how much more are you paying to get this online content? I currently have a copy of the Orange Box that I can't play because of network usage restrictions where I'm at. You think I'll buy another Valve game instead of just downloading a hacked copy? And how long do you think it will be before the online content is available for free via torrent?

I think you misunderstood what i meant. I don't mean that they should solely rely on an online distribution method, in fact i bought my copy of Orange Box from retail. I understand that not everyone has a readily available high speed internet line, i was suggesting something along the line of those companies that offer better online contents that attract people so they would buy a legit copy to play online instead of pirating it.

Online contents has already been available in the form of private servers and such, but there is a drastic different between playing on a private server with a handful of peoples and playing on something like battlenet. The point is to do things that will help reduce piracy so developers are not forced to implement things such as securom which i my opinion so far has not help with the piracy problem one bit.

Piracy is something that i don't think will ever disappear. Protection software are cracked as fast as they are released. Lawsuits are long, costly and even if they do succeed there are always new pirates to replace those that get taken out. I just think that most of these direct strategies have proved to be rather ineffective, so instead of wasting more time and money these companies can work on providing experiences that you simply cannot get by playing alone.

[Animeniax]

Oh right, I misunderstood where you were going with that. In the end I think that is the best way to appeal to fans to make them want to buy in, instead of forcing them to jump through hoops to play a game.