Say it ain't so, Houser Bros.
IGN reports that the upcoming PC flavor of Grand Theft Auto IV will install the dreaded SecuROM 7 copy protection on gamers' computers.
On an up note, however, the number of times that the game can be installed will not be subject to a limit. GamePolitics readers will recall that EA's much-awaited Spore came with a three-install limit. At least, it did until a gamer revolt prompted EA to relax the resrtiction.
Regarding GTA IV's SecuROM, an unnamed Rockstar spokesperson told IGN:
Having copy protection allows us to protect the integrity or our titles and future investments, but at the same time we have worked very hard to ensure that our solutions do not persecute the legitimate players of our games. Implemented correctly, SecuROM is the most effective form of disc based copy protection and allows us to manage authenticity on a global level for Grand Theft Auto IV...
GTA IV PC uses SecuROM for protecting our EXE until street date has passed, to ensure the retail disk is in the computer drive... Product Activation is a one time only online authentication when installing the game. GTA IV has no install limits for the retail disc version... and that version can be installed on an unlimited number of PCs by the retail disk owner... All versions of the game will use SecuROM for Product Activation. Downloadable versions of the game will have additional code if the vendor requires it, such as Valve's Steam program.
Rockstar also warned that pirated versions would not function properly:
Aside from the fact that warez are a great place to pick up a Trojan or key logger, using a cracked copy of GTA IV PC will result in varying changes to the game experience. These can range from comical to game-progress-halting changes.
Comments
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
oh, and i'l do my best to do it BEFORE launch date.
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
Hmm. Could be worse. I don't buy the idea that SecuROM is straight-up malware, and anyone who thinks it is should tango with Starforce for awhile. Still, they should get rid of activation at install. There is no reason to punish those who might want to install without an internet connect or might not have easy access to the internet at all. Believe it or not, those people do exist.
Rockstar's threat concerning pirated versions of the game is hilarious, though. They are freaks if they think their game is going to be the only game in the history of time to not be effectively pirated.
The Honest Game - http://www.thehonestgame.org
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
What's that? your telling me that not EVERYBODY who plays games has access to the internet at home?
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
When will people learn, most of us don't give two shins about the number of installs, its the program itself that causes the problems for some people, a program that can't be uninstalled even after the game is long gone. I'm fine with install limits, they don't bother me, but you can keep the malware.
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
The main issue was always the install-limit from what I understand, not so much the rest.
(I don't like the rest much either, but if they want some form of authentication then that's their choice)
Yes SecuROM is damn hard to remove, yes in some cases it really messes things up, in many other cases it works just fine, you don't hear those people whine on various forums, which is why those go unnoticed.
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
I seem to recall a lot of people complaining that whenever you update your PC in a certain way it counts as an install though so I take it that was the issue with many people.
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"What for you bury me in the cold cold ground?" - Tasmanian devil
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
Sort of, but essentially yes. That's the effect.
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
There's a good many issues. They offer a plethora to choose from.
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
In other words they're going to spread a lot of badly cracked versions to screw over people downloading cracked versions.
And probably install those damn nearly-unremovable drivers.
Re: PC Version of GTA IV to be Saddled with SecuROM
And those smart enough to pay attention to the VIP users for illegal downloads will still be in the clear, because they can not get a VIP rating until they uploaded enough content to be trusted enough. I will choose the illegal version of GTA, even though I will buy a copy, because I prefer SuckROM free myself.
To the people who made the choice to do this to GTA, up yours, hard core, up yours, and go work for EA you bastards. [I am claiming that saying go to EA is worse than saying go to hell for now on.]
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