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.
That's the exact same shit they tried to pull with the original Mass Effect. It makes no fucking sense whatsoever. If it's been authenticated once as a legit copy, why the fuck would you need to re-authenticate? What, after you bought a legitimate copy, you're then going to run the pirated version?
For fuck's sake, EA, spend a fucking dime on some common sense for a fucking change.
Creston
For fuck's sake, EA, spend a fucking dime on some common sense for a fucking change.
Creston
You do realize you're watching a YouTube video correct?
Hey, don't be a buzzkill and kill my entertainment here.
This is great, and I got the game for only $50 on Impulse
Pass, I'll gladly wait a month, 6 months maybe a year to buy. Denying these publishers their first week, first month totals has a HUGE impact.
I buy disks and don't support draconian drm schemes. No it's not the worst ever, but of course that's not the point. The reason publishers keep back pedaling slowly over the last ten years, is becasue we fight back against shitty console game design and draconian drm.
There really aren't anymore developers for them to buy and ea knows it can't survive on their bullshit sports franchises anymore. They can't keep covering up their huge corporate losses.
I highly doubt any sane developer would risk doing a deal with riccitiello after what he did to Bioware.
I buy disks and don't support draconian drm schemes. No it's not the worst ever, but of course that's not the point. The reason publishers keep back pedaling slowly over the last ten years, is becasue we fight back against shitty console game design and draconian drm.
There really aren't anymore developers for them to buy and ea knows it can't survive on their bullshit sports franchises anymore. They can't keep covering up their huge corporate losses.
I highly doubt any sane developer would risk doing a deal with riccitiello after what he did to Bioware.
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Icewind wrote on Jan 31, 2011, 21:51:ASeven wrote on Jan 31, 2011, 21:03:
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.
Agreed. I was planning to buy the boxed version because I always like to "collect" games I really want and like but this is crazy. I wasn't going to get it on Steam but now it looks like I am.
Steam's offline mode does not work forever either, last I heard.
In any event I will buy the game and then crack it, no big deal. DRM is so pointless on the PC that I won't ever pay it any mind until they go streaming, in which case I will just stop buying games.
entr0py wrote on Jan 31, 2011, 22:00:
You still have to wonder what is the damn point. All of these hoops apply exclusively to paying customers. People who get pirated copies will never have to bother with any of it.
Supposedly to stop casual piracy but there is no such thing as separation between the two anymore, all piracy is casual and easy thanks to virtual drives and bittorrent. 0 day happens regardless too, if not with the PC version then with the consoles. DRM is more pointless than ever before ironically.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkfDWYhwuBE
Compare the PC version at 1080p to the console versions at 720p. That's without going into driver side enhancements you can enable. A comparison on youtube is going to tell you jack squat. But the reality is that you were trolling and you got trolled in return so its only fitting I guess.
This comment was edited on Jan 31, 2011, 22:42.
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Tumbler wrote on Jan 31, 2011, 21:56:
It's dead space on the PC/360/PS3...I just don't see what is worth all that BS? It's slightly better but nothing that would keep me from enjoying the game.
Am I crazy? These screens don't look that different to me, is this just running on min settings on the pc?
You do realize you're watching a YouTube video correct?
You still have to wonder what is the damn point. All of these hoops apply exclusively to paying customers. People who get pirated copies will never have to bother with any of it.
Yeah, you can always slum it with the console commoners and play ugly games at low frame rates with no mod ability.
Poor folks don't belong in the hobby.
Pick up that can citizen.
And really I think this comparison is the difference I see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkfDWYhwuBE
It's dead space on the PC/360/PS3...I just don't see what is worth all that BS? It's slightly better but nothing that would keep me from enjoying the game.
Am I crazy? These screens don't look that different to me, is this just running on min settings on the pc?
This comment was edited on Jan 31, 2011, 22:03.
Tumbler wrote on Jan 31, 2011, 21:50:
So many rules to be a paying pc customer. So much easier to just not be one. A pc customer that is.
Yeah, you can always slum it with the console commoners and play ugly games at low frame rates with no mod ability.
Poor folks don't belong in the hobby.
ASeven wrote on Jan 31, 2011, 21:03:
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.
Agreed. I was planning to buy the boxed version because I always like to "collect" games I really want and like but this is crazy. I wasn't going to get it on Steam but now it looks like I am.
So many rules to be a paying pc customer. So much easier to just not be one. A pc customer that is.
Spore had 3 total activations and you could only get more activations by calling EA.
The only way this new activation is different than Steam is that it requires periodic checks.
EA is being more upfront than Steam.
But I don't see what the point is. This system won't help prevent "give a copy to a friend" casual piracy, and I don't know of any DRM that has stopped internet based piracy.
The only way this new activation is different than Steam is that it requires periodic checks.
EA is being more upfront than Steam.
But I don't see what the point is. This system won't help prevent "give a copy to a friend" casual piracy, and I don't know of any DRM that has stopped internet based piracy.
Pretty soon the description of the DRM used will be longer than a 90's flight sim game manual. What the hell is the point of all this? Pirates will still play the game DRM-free regardless. Assuming it doesn't suck balls like most fear it will due to immense dumbing-down, I'll just buy it on Steam to avoid the hassle.
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I'm disappointed what Bioware has done to Dragon Age as well but that doesn't mean I won't at least give the game a shot. To me you only limit your enjoyment of gaming by limiting your selection.
I really hate the fact that they've 'apparently' turned my deep, strategic Dragon Age into Dragon Effect. But I won't avoid it entirely, especially since many of the great parts of the original are still there (on the PC version). I mean Bioware wouldn't be stupid enough to eschew the games fanbase. I mean it is their best selling game of all time after all.
I really hate the fact that they've 'apparently' turned my deep, strategic Dragon Age into Dragon Effect. But I won't avoid it entirely, especially since many of the great parts of the original are still there (on the PC version). I mean Bioware wouldn't be stupid enough to eschew the games fanbase. I mean it is their best selling game of all time after all.
Much more reasonable limits (instead of 5 install limits which could screw you over if you upgrade or if it doesn't install correctly, its computers in 24 hour period).
Also, I like a sunset authentication plan, after all after a year or two most of the sales will be done. Well probably after a few months.
Also, I like a sunset authentication plan, after all after a year or two most of the sales will be done. Well probably after a few months.
NigerianRoyalty wrote on Jan 31, 2011, 21:21:Pfft. You have to do that with MMO's now a days.
I wonder if one day we will need RSA SecureID tokens to authenticate our video games...
I would not mind RSA SecureID if they dump all this other bullshit. Maybe even having saved game files and preferences stored on the keyfob. As long as we can also get the RSA keyfobs that have a USB port so you can just leave it plugged in at your home computer.
For a change the DRM is not the turn off for me on a PC game.
I fucking hate what Dragon Age has become and will not touch DA2 with a 10 foot pole but at least they seam to be getting a clue on how to do things without assfucking the customer when it comes to DRM.
I fucking hate what Dragon Age has become and will not touch DA2 with a 10 foot pole but at least they seam to be getting a clue on how to do things without assfucking the customer when it comes to DRM.
I wonder if one day we will need RSA SecureID tokens to authenticate our video games...
Remember when EA announced something similar would be done with Spore and Mass Effect (having to reauthenticate every 10 days or so)? People declared the death of EA and PC gaming, gave 1-star reviews on pre-orders, and screamed loud until EA backed up on the "require a login check after a select period of days".
How people react now? "Oh, that's pretty mild. Thank you, EA, for treating us as customers instead of the evil Ubisoft with their constantly online DRM".
It's funny. Or tragic. I don't really know.
How people react now? "Oh, that's pretty mild. Thank you, EA, for treating us as customers instead of the evil Ubisoft with their constantly online DRM".
It's funny. Or tragic. I don't really know.
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