With the controversy surrounding Spore's DRM reaching a fever pitch, Edge Online Editor Colin Campbell argues for calm and disputes some of the current theories about the relationship between DRM and piracy:
The anti-DRM crowd. They have a point, but then it gets lost by mob-insanity... They get mad about EA only offering three installs for Spore. I don't know many people who install games on three computers, but I dare say it's a few. EA says 1%. OK. That's a significant number of people, all in all. They ought to be offered some more options...
I agree that the DRM solutions currently in use are often frustrating and damage publishers. They need to be improved. Customers need to be heard. Action needs to be taken. EA needs to address these issues one by one.
But there's also a nasty sort of relativism going on here, that is weakening the position of those protestors who have a genuine grievance... And this mob-pandering argument that DRM encourages piracy? Please. What encourages piracy is dishonesty. Either you're the sort of cheap f**k who wants something for nothing, or you're not.
GP: For my money, Edge Online is among the top tier of video game news sites, but I can't get behind Colin on this one. In regard to the issue regarding the number of installs, here's a snippet of something I wrote this week for the Philadelphia Inquirer about my own gaming experience:
If you change PC’s or you are the type who keeps games for a long time and re-installs them periodically, you could be in for trouble. For example, I’m still playing EA’s Battlefield 1942 five years after release. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve deleted and reinstalled the game.
Comments
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Your premise is backed up with Radiohead's online album sales. Left to their own devices, most people paid £5.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
This.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Either you're the sort of cheap f**k who wants something for nothing, or you're not.
To resort to swear words is to abandon one's credibility.
Yes, the DRM is leading to piracy. That's obvious and it would be foolish to deny it. But I don't entirely agree with piracy so I think a different question needs to be asked, one that's more about social values in this day and age.
That question is: why piracy in particular? Whatever happened to the olden days of boycotts? It would be stronger and more upright to simply refuse to buy the game and not seek to get it through other means. But in this day and age, the lovable rogues are heavily romanticized and rebelling for various reasons carries a delicious flavor. Choosing to pirate does indeed say something about the individual, but the widespread appeal of piracy says something about our modern social values.
What would that be, and why? Can anyone help answer? Serious responses only, please.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Modern society - at least here in the U.S. - doesn't like being inconvienced, even to make a stand on an issue they feel strongly about.
So to some of these people, pirating a game looks like boycotting without the pesky problem of not getting to play the game.
Of course, those that choose this route fail to consider that they are reinforcing the argument of these corporations that DRM is necessary to prevent piracy. (The ironic part being, of course, that DRM does not prevent piracy.*)
That said, I'm not sure a boycott would ever work, as there always seem to be plenty of people who are either uninformed, don't care about the DRM, or aren't willing to go without the game - and purchase it anyway.
*Recent DRM methods seem designed not to prevent piracy but to undermine the secondhand market, but this is a stance that corporations cannot publicly take. The reason for this is book publishing companies tried this at the turn of the twentieth century, and the result was the First Sale doctrine - which game publishing companies are now trying to circumvent by using "preventing piracy" as a smokescreen. Until this ethically (and legally) dubious way of gouging customers is shut down by the justice system, I very strongly recommend a boycott of any game with an installation limit.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
That said, I'm not sure a boycott would ever work, as there always seem to be plenty of people who are either uninformed, don't care about the DRM, or aren't willing to go without the game - and purchase it anyway.
Hmmm... you may be on to something there. Boycotting can be difficult to organize, yeah, and if it doesn't work, piracy can be like a reinforced boycott. If boycotting is a punch, piracy is a one-two punch.
...wait, that's not what you're trying to say at all. Sorry.
But why wouldn't an ordinary boycott work in this case? If everyone who was pirating just didn't buy the game instead, EA would get a firm message and then... well, I know there's precious little chance of getting caught anyway, but then you'd be in the absolute clear...
...bah, this is funny. It's tough to argue for what's right or moral when piracy just seems so easy and practical. Perhaps that's where the root lies. And with the pirates focused on EA, a company that has quite a dubious reputation, it's like how Annonymous is heroic as long as they keep focusing their power against scientology. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as the saying goes. The morality seems gray all around here.
BUT... it's true that piracy leads to companies wanting to make DRM in the first place. Then the piracy gets worse, then the DRM gets worse, and thus the result is a viscious circle. When will it stop spinning?
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
For a boycott to be effective you'd have to have a large group of people who are willing to participate in it.
That won't happen with something like Spore because piracy is too entrenched. Most people (and I don't say all people) who want to play the game will either cave and buy it, or cave and pirate it. The boycott sector will just wind up being too small to make a functional change.
Also, someone mentioned previously, that protest of DRM seems like it will be a lose-lose situation. Piracy leads to increased DRM, decreased piracy leads to increased DRM. Lack of sales leads to no more similar titles being produced (the Clover Effect
) which really isn't what we're going for. Somehow, anything you do as an organized protest seems so fruitless that it increases the appeal of just working around the system.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
EA has consistently (and to this DAY) held Securom and all it's problems/limitations to be there to fight piracy. The mass download of this game from torrent sites is happening to punch a giant hole for all to see that Securom is a failure in that regard and that Securom is being used solely to impost limits on paying customers and is only marginally about preventing, or making weak stabs at preventing piracy.
EA and other publishers imposing these limitations are being deceitful where Securom's true purpose is concerned - hobbling legitimate purchasers. Paying customers are the only ones playing by the rules and therefore the only ones who can be controlled. Until they get wise anyway.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Simple. In days when the only method of getting a product was purchase, you either had to suffer through the negative effects (DRM) or suffer through lack of the product. These days, if you don't want to suffer through the absolute bullshit that is Spore's DRM, you have a myriad of options. The DS version. A pirated version. Cracking the game (I'm not sure this is an option yet, but I know it will be in the future). You no longer have to suffer just to make a statement; you can enjoy the game and not give EA a cent.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
It's extremely difficult to argue that going without Spore is some kind of suffering though. It's a good game worth anyone's time, sure, but it's not the awesome life simulator we were promised. (Personally, I think if it were, everyone would just complain that it was too drawn out.) And even the most hyped up and flawless games are ultimately accessories that we can do without.
I can understand broader options making piracy much more appealing. I'm just not sure it excuses it.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I agree with the editor. I've gone through 4 computers since I've started PC gaming in 97. The amount of times I've reinstall Starcraft, C&C, Doom, Diablo (all of them), etc etc, is well above 10 times. Due to, forced reformating my hard drive, upgrading to Windows 2000, xp and sadly vista and having to downgrade again, unexpected viruses. The list is goes on.
It is sad that EA assumes no one will ever reformat, no one will ever get a virus so bad you have to reinstall windows, or upgrading your OS, that they believe they are just with having an only 3 install per copy.
Not only is it the 3 install per copy, it's the 1 account per copy. So, if my little sister wants to play it, she has to go out and fork over another $60.
Even Microsoft isn't that stupid.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
"I don't know many people who install games on three computers..." *face palm* Way to miss the point.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I'm not going to lie, if I wanted to play spore I would pirate it rather than let EA games damage my computers. Fuck them anyway, what they did to Will Wright's game is a damn shame.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Sorry it lookslike a single block of text, I think happened due to my noscript plugin getting reset, if not... not sure what happened. Suppose to be four paragraphs and a line...
-Fixed at least?
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
AS much as I like Edge, I have disagreed with just about everything this man has ever written. This guy does not look on customers with any amount of respect. His only support goes to the games industry.
This is not an opinion based on this one article. This is an opinion based around reading over a years worth of this man's writing.
He hates customers.
E. Zachary Knight
http://www.editorialgames.com
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Here is what actually happened when Mr. Campbell responded to the DRM Spore issue, as EA representatives were there to hear. . .
"The anti-DRM crowd. They have a point, but then it gets lost by mob-insanity... They get mad about EA only offering three installs for Spore. I don't know many people who install games on three computers, but I dare say it's a few. EA says 1%. OK. That's a significant number of people, all in all. . ."
*Colin Campbell receives a check courtesy of EA. . .*
". . .They ought to be offered some more options. . ."
*EA takes back check from hand.*
"I agree that the DRM solutions currently in use are often frustrating and damage publishers. They need to be improved. Customers need to be heard. Action needs to be taken. EA needs to address these issues one by one."
*EA ready to buyout Edge Magazine. . .*
"But there's also a nasty sort of relativism going on here, that is weakening the position of those protestors who have a genuine grievance... And this mob-pandering argument that DRM encourages piracy? Please. What encourages piracy is dishonesty. Either you're the sort of cheap f**k who wants something for nothing, or you're not."
*EA happy, EA not give check, instead gives Campbell a can of Sunkist and 2 Twizzlers, and buyouts Edge Magazine.*
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I find it funny that you dismiss people having knee jerk reactions towards people who report on games in a negative fashion when you are all doing the same thing to EA and whoever argue's for EA. Some people even thought I was paid by EA. Yea, I'm being paid 50 000$ to argue in favour of EA on some independent political game site owned by the ECA. Has the possibility ever occured to you that some people maybe, possibly, disagree with your opinions?
Yes DRM sucks, yes EA has issues, however I still think you are all overreacting to all of this, especially the ones saying saying that "I pirate Spore because it has DRM." because that really does not solve anything.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
If you treat all your customers like criminals, you will make it so your only customers are criminals.
"I'm not responcabel fer my comuter's spleling errnors." -- Xlorep DarkHelm
"I'm stel not responcabel fer my comuter's spleling errnors." -- Xlorep DarkHelm
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I think the point is for people to point out that the DRM has nothing whatsoever to do with preventing Piracy, and has everything to do with removing the resale value of the goods you have bought, which is what it is designed to do.
EA weren't targetting pirates with DRM, they are trying to cripple the second-hand computer game market, anti-piracy was just an excuse. A lot of people clicked onto that quite early in the deal, so why pay for something when it has been designed to obliterate its own resale value?
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
DRM is usually not targeted to the hardcore pirate, it is targeted to the casual pirate. What I mean by that is the people who (Insert don't copy that floppy song) in the new age. CD Key's were used to prevent games from simply being burnt and used to another computer, same with online verification, CD verification, Starforce and what not. Some work better then others but none of these solutions are ever good at even shutting out the casual pirate who goes to his freinds house to burn CD's while not crippling somewhat of the actual ligit user. Stardock's method only really works for Stardock because they rely on the hardcore enthusiest to buy their games because it's good, and their loyal customers who buy 4X games, thats why they don't have DRM because they don't need it. The people who download Gal Civ 2 would probebly not have bought it anyways. However Crytek with Crysis got burned badly, and that game in my mind had no serious draconian DRM yet they were getting stabbed, enough to make them forgoe PC all together and now they are working strictly multi-platform for all other Crytek games.
There is no good solution to this problem. Period.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Crysis was pirated a lot for one simple reason: it was too damn expensive. Casual players couldn't afford to shell out $1000 or whatever in order to play the game the way it was meant to be played so why buy it if the selling point was really the graphics? First you pay $1000 to be able to play it and then you have to shell out another $50 to play the game you payed $1000 to play? In other words, when it came out, Crysis cost $1050 to play, not $50. Many people upgraded their PCs just to play Crysis. And even nobody pirated it the sales still wouldn't have been especially high because it was targeted at the high-end crowd. Stardocks games on the other hand usually have relatively low requirements.
This is why I predict that Crysis: Warhead will do relatively better; it has lower requirements and price.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Agreed, I am perfectly happy with a system that forces me only to play originals of games, I don't have a problem with that at all, it's not really the intention that annoys me, it's the method, and the fact that EA seem to have taken a perfectly sound concept (stopping piracy) and asked themselves 'How else can we exploit the market with this?'
The problem with programs like Securom is that you would only trust them if you could see the source code, and if you could see the source code, there'd be no point to their existence, so it's safer not to trust them. Dongles are the biggest waste of a USB port ever invented, and things like Starforce are, in reality, too unreliable on a number of drive-makes for them to have been seriously considered as a contender by a distributor who wants to make a game as widely compatible as possible. Egosoft take note, not one of their games has run properly or reliably until the Starforce was removed. I paid for both X3 and Warhammer:Mark of Chaos+Battle March. They all needed 'updating' with no-disk patches for me to play them (Though, in fairness to them, they removed it from X3 after a while, and will hopefully do the same with Warhammer after a period of time).
The thing with EA is that they can't even agree with themselves, managers at EA are saying that DRM is the wrong way to go, but it seems like no-one in Marketting and Distribution is actually listening to them.
My own opinion is that CD Keys are the best bet still, admittedly, they don't directly reduce piracy, but then, neither do these newer, more draconian measures, but once a Key is tagged as 'Bad', it's every bit as effective, since you still cannot go online or update a game if the key is suspect. Anything on top of that is really an over-the-top measure, since someone who prepared to use a dodgy Disc Key isn't going to have a problem with installing no-cd patches and other hacks for more complex systems.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Crysis sold well, though perhaps not as well as it could have. What contributed to increased piracy of Crysis, I suspect, was their "It might run on your computer in 2050. Maybe." advertising campaign.
Designing games to run on systems that only a small percentage of potential customers actually own is a fundamentally flawed concept. Doesn't make the piracy right, but there you go.
No good solution? I suppose that depends on what you're looking for a solution to. If you want customer loyalty and increased sales, remove the restrictive DRM, get active in the community, and publish good games. They'll be pirated - it's unavoidable - but you'll still turn a profit.
If you're looking to stop piracy altogether, though? The solution is simple. Stop publishing games - that's the only way it'll happen.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Exactly... who's going to pay for something that may or may not run and that can't be returned once you've actually tried it out?
Crytek's problem isn't just piracy, it's the fact that they made Crysis, the game that after a year still defines the standard of a "hardcore" gaming pc. Making a product that average joe doesn't even dream about trying to run isn't exactly a mass market strategy.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Did Crytek expect people to plonk down dollars just to find out what they thought could run the game couldn't?
The EdgeOnline dude has it wrong: DRM promotes the loss of ACTUAL sales - people who would've bought but didn't because of crippling DRM. Whether they boycott or pirate after making that decision really doesn't matter if they've been previously burned or pushed away by ridiculous after-sale terms that they won't accept.
Calling those that didn't BUY because of DRM 'cheap f***s' just highlights the hateful attitude people feel from companies they'd pay for games once upon a time.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Pirtacy
You acknowledge that this is a problem but don't suggest a possible solution. You only point out that the most popular solution is the wrong one. So it feels like this is going to be a damned-if-you-do or don't situation. Well, not totally because the effect on piracy will result in two different possible outcomes. But neither of them would involve backing down from using DRM.
If piracy goes up or stays the same, EA would want to develop a stronger DRM, maybe with a few more usage restrictions.
If piracy goes down, EA's reaction to that is "The DRM worked, it's a proof of concept." and they will put it in more games in the future.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
DRM does encourage piracy. And it's not due to the nature of DRM but the mindset of the code-crackers.
Basically, if you build a bomb, they'll try to build a bigger bomb. Or something to neutralize it. Repeat ad nauseum.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
The DRM doesn't encourage piracy, it encourages not buying the game. Not agreeing to the abusive terms set forth by EA is a reason not to enter into contract with them. It doesn't give you reason to steal from them.
While pirating the game may be done as an act of civil disobedience, that doesn't make it right.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
You're right that pirating isn't made legit by the DRM. However, the argument is that SecuROM IS definitely encouraging and broadening the users who are pirating this game.
There are a number of gamers I know who would have actually paid for this game because they liked Will Wright games and were excited about the prospect of Spore. However, since understanding how the DRM works, some have gone the pirating route. Again, people who otherwise would have purchased the game legally made a choice to pirate it based on this issue. This is the specific argument that editor from Edge Online is refuting quite erroneously.
Personally, I'm just not going to get it at all...I'm turned off by the whole mess.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
If my pc could handle spore, i wouldve pirated it. As it stands, I'm more of a console gamer, but still play diablo II on here sometimes. I've installed that a good 7 times before.
I'd like to play spore, and I'm not dealing with Suckurom. Therefore, the only way to play the game is by pirating. makes sense to me.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
He's right when he says that wild-eyed, frothing-at-the-mouth internet fanaticism isn't likely to produce the kinds of changes we'd like to see.
He's wrong in saying that only people normally inclined to piracy are pirating Spore. I'm very anti-piracy, but the option to remove all these restrictions is tempting. Much more appetizing than not playing Spore at all...
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I didn't pirate the game because I want something for nothing, I pirated it because I paid for it and I think I deserve to play the game.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I wonder how much EA paid him to say this.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
This guy is an idiot.
It's not the 3-installs thing that's the worst of SecuRom's problems. Ignoring all the other problems in favor of CONTINUALLY pushing this "3-installs is all that happens that is bad" propaganda is a detriment to credibility. Edge Online can go to hell.
Here are we -- and yonder yawns the universe.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Is this anything like the column he wrote where he insisted that prohibition in no way had anything to do with the rise to power of organized crime in the first half of the century?
Yes it is.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
So he isn't a paid shill?
oh well I guess he is just mentally retarded...
what did he say caused the rise of organized crime? solar flares?
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
People wanting something for nothing, haha.
You know, you have to earn your freedom to drink.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Wow, did he REALLY say that?! Wow... Just wow... He really is an idiot.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
funny thing is the people who think the 3 install thing is not a problem are either casual pc gamers or console people who dont have to install their games, now me im awlays installing and uninstalling my games i want to play for disk space. People need to do some work before they say the 3 install thing is not a problem.
Thanks
Zaruka
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Or are incredibly short-sighted.
"I'm not responcabel fer my comuter's spleling errnors." -- Xlorep DarkHelm
"I'm stel not responcabel fer my comuter's spleling errnors." -- Xlorep DarkHelm
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Or it's not a problem to EA or SecuRom
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Ok, so since I bought the game before I knew about the horrible DRM, I'm a cheap F**K for wanting to actually play my game in the future. This isn't Blockbuster, I'm not "renting" this game. I bought it. I agree that it's complete BS that you can only purchase a license to play a game, and can't actually own it. So in that line of thinking, I "bought" and paid for my house and car, but the state and auto manufacturer still actually own them, and can shut them down or decide how many times I can drive to work or sleep in my house. Doesn't fly.
On another line, I have some pretty good examples on how, while I was screwed by the DRM (my PC will just cut off it's web access each day now..since the day I installed it..until I restart the computer like it's trying to stop a torrent or something, but my wife's laptop, my 360, PS3, and Wii are all just fine and are always online..without the game on them), but other people I work with just downloaded it for free, got the game, and are playing it right now with no issue, on multiple computers in their house. One of them even got it a few days before release! So they looked at what happened to me when I purchased the game, and pirated it instead so they can enjoy it without their PCs being riddled with the EA virus (sorry...DRM).
Zen aka Jeremy Powers
Editor and Host of the Zenspath Podcast (now on iTunes)
www.ZensPath.com
XBL: "PsychoticZen" PSN: "Zenspath"
Nintendo Network: "Psychoticzen", 3DS: "0860-3238-7260
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I...am honestly speechless. This is such god damn bullshit. It doesn't encourage piracy? What? Yes it does! I mean, I've, hell, I think we all see it. And this bullshit about the installation matter. Games I have installed more than once (mind you, not necessarily on three computer, but just one several times), let's see...StarCraft and it's expansion, Brood Wars. Warcraft III. The Sims and all it's expansions. Civilization III and it's expansions. A few others.
And this bit about "dishonesty" is just, well...Just look at EA. And you're saying they're not "dishonest" as well?
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
What gets me is.... the audacity that the author makes suggesting installing on 3 separate computers is rare. Maybe all at once, sure. But who hasn't bloody upgraded a computer to a newer model? Especially among gamers. So, you replace your old computer, with a newer, faster, better one and want to play your old games. Oh, wait! you hit the 3 installs limit. These will kill the limit, as would the occasional reinstall (and in the Windows world, who hasn't reinstalled their system at least once, given enough time).
So, let's take the scenario of... you buy Spore, install it (1). A month later, your computer's hard drive fails, so you replace the hard drive, reinstall Spore (2), maybe 6 months later, you start to notice your computer's getting a bit flaky, and do a full reinstall, including Spore (3). A year down the line, you upgrade your computer to something faster, and want to install Spore on it... but you can't. Why not? Because you already used your three installs...
"I'm not responcabel fer my comuter's spleling errnors." -- Xlorep DarkHelm
"I'm stel not responcabel fer my comuter's spleling errnors." -- Xlorep DarkHelm
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
I'm with you there. I just recently got a new computer, so many of these games cross over.
Diablo II and Lord of Destruction - 6 installs at least crossing 3 computers
Starcraft and Brood War - 4 Installs (2 comp)
Warcraft III - 4 Installs (2 comp)
Half-Life - 3 Installs on 2 computers
Half-Life2 and first exp - 2 Installs on 2 computers
Civilization III - 3 Installs
Civilization IV - 2 Installs
World of Warcraft - 2 Installs
Titan's Quest - 2 Installs
Elder Scrolls Oblivion - 2 Installs
Doom III - 3 Installs on 2 computers
As you can see, I've got a lot going on here. Now imagine if I had to now go out and re purchase these games because of some crappy DRM.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
StarCraft - 5 installs 3 computers
SimTower - 8 installs 4 computers
SimCity2000 - 6 installs 3 computers
Sims 2 - 6 installs 2 computers
Black and White 2 - 2 installs 1 computer
SimCity 4 - 4 installs 2 computers
organ trail - 12 installs 6 computers (yes, i still play it)
Yeah, I still play my games, and I reinstall them a lot too. I reformat my hard drive every year or so. Sims 2 I had to uninstall once because the game got jacked up because of a mod... But you get the point. Some of us reformat often, others play the games for a long time, and a few do both, like crazy. (organ trail is my example here, haha)
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
Since I had my first job, I started buying ALL my games. But more and more, I've started to pirate.
Not because I'm a "cheap @$$" or whatever, but because the pirated product is easier to use. The point is not how many installs I get, the point is that I want the superior product. Currently, the superior product is the one without DRM, which unfortunately is the one I have to break the law to get.
Well... I actually don't play too many PC games anymore for exactly this reason.
I just wanted to mention that EA Hate-Boyism is not in style anymore. 5 years ago yes, but grow up. EA screwed a lot of companies in the past, but they're not the same anymore.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
"I actually don't play too many PC games anymore for exactly this reason."
I'm the same way. It's hard to get excited about games when they often have restrictive DRM that interferes with installation, that causes crashes and that turns the game from a thing I own into a rental. Personally, I'm spending less and less time playing video games and more and more time going back to hobbies where I actually own the thing I'm spending my time with.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
No, they are the same. Their recent actions prove they are the same. Don't think that them putting more money into their PR department to counter their bad business practices toward their consumers is them being a better company. They may treat other companies a little better, but they are screwing their consumers more than ever.
Re: Edge Online Editor: Spore DRM Does Not Encourage Piracy
It's not that they want something for nothing, it's that they want to not be beholden to the distributor or be treated like a criminal purely for paying for the game.
I bought Spore, and I tend to reformat once per year because of the work I do on my computer. With EA's current policy that's a maximum of 3-years ownership of the game before I have to go to them begging to let me re-install a game that I gave them the money for ages ago. I am not amused when pirates have no such compulsion put on them.
If this guy got his head out of his arse and asked 'Why are more people then ever pirating a DRM-tastic game?', why there are new pirates because of Spore, then he might get a little further along the road.