Dragon Age II DRM Explained

[Jan 31, 2011, 9:40 pm ET] - Share - Viewing Comments

A forum thread on the BioWare Social Network goes into detail about plans for digital rights management in Dragon Age II, BioWare's upcoming RPG sequel (thanks Strategy Informer). The Steam versions will rely on Steam DRM, while other versions, both boxed and digital will need to authenticate themselves "after a select period of days," which is not yet specified. There will also be a Release Control system which does not install anything, but prevents the game from being played before its release date. The game will not require the disc in the drive, and it can be installed on an unlimited number of PCs, though one copy can only be played on five different PCs in a 24 hour period. In addition to current DRM plans, there is also a follow-up post outlining how there are plans in place to "sunset" their authentication system down the road. Here's word:

Recently there has been some concern over the DRM (Digital Rights Management) included with Dragon Age 2. Hopefully this post will help clarify what the DRM is for all versions of Dragon Age 2.

Steam versions use Steam DRM, no other DRM is added.

Non-Steam versions (digital or retail disc) are as follows:
- No disc check, you do not need the disc in drive to play.
- No limit on the total number of PCs you can install and play the game on.
- There is a limit to the number of unique/different PCs that can start/play the game within a time window [5 PCs in 24hrs].
- Each install requires logging in to your EA account to verify game ownership and if you are a member of these forums, you have an EA account.
- You can play offline but the game will require a login check after a select period of days.

Release Control (does not use securom)
    . It does not install anything to the PC.
    . Sole purpose is to check with a server to validate whether the game release date has passed or not.
    . It completely removes itself after the game release date has passed.
    . You will not be able to play until that date has passed.
    . Dates & times are set to the retail street date per country.

Hopefully this explains the DRM included in Dragon Age 2.

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Re: Dragon Age II DRM Explained

Jan 31, 2011, 21:18

entr0py

Sounds like people without internet connections are just completely screwed. But I guess they're such a minority that publishers don't need to care about them. Still, I'd have more respect for them if they had a way to authorize by phone, like Microsoft has. As for the reauthorizing after a period of days. I'd say if it's a problem for you, go ahead and download a crack. I see nothing ethically wrong with that (since you've purchased the game), I doubt it's even illegal.

Re: Dragon Age II DRM Explained

Jan 31, 2011, 21:11

Wildone

Comes with an online DNA security check interfaced with the CIA/Pentagon database in WA DC

Re: Dragon Age II DRM Explained

Jan 31, 2011, 21:03

ASeven

I don't really like the non-Steam version having to connect to the net from time to time to play offline. That's the part that worries me a bit.

Re: Dragon Age II DRM Explained

Jan 31, 2011, 21:01

Paketep

Much better than the usual shit (the non Steam DRM). Bravo for EA. No DRM at all would be just as effective and even much better for consumers, but hey, let's applaud this giant step in the right direction. See, Ubi?. Do that, and we'll go back to buying your games (if they're good). Keep your shitty DRM and it'll keep being no money for you.

Re: Dragon Age II DRM Explained

Jan 31, 2011, 20:49

RaZ0r!

Steam versions use Steam DRM, no other DRM is added. That's all I needed to know.

Re: Dragon Age II DRM Explained

Jan 31, 2011, 20:48

Sepharo

Sounds pretty reasonable.

Maybe they're finally learning to address large scale piracy without shitting on customers.

Pirates will crack it anyway but it's clear that this is targeting mass copying instead of... well whatever 3 activations, Starforce, and all that other shit was meant to do.

edit: Actually I guess these two are sort of shitty:

- Each install requires logging in to your EA account to verify game ownership and if you are a member of these forums, you have an EA account.
- You can play offline but the game will require a login check after a select period of days.

But the vast majority of us will be on Steam anyway.




[I'm not trolling I'm just] tossing stuff like that in there only to get your panties all bunched up. -TrollinThundr

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