Spore and Mass Effect require online validation every 10 days

[UsernameWTF]

BioWare technical producer Derek French has said that the PC versions of both Mass Effect and Spore will make use of copy protection that will require online validation every ten days to continue working.

"After the first activation, SecuROM requires that [Mass Effect PC] re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned)," said French in a post on the BioWare forums.

If customers do not come online after ten days, the game will cease to function. "After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run," added French.

The check is run when users activate the game's executable file, with the first re-check coming within "5 days remaining in the 10 day window."

According to French, Maxis' Spore will also make use of the same scheme: "[Electronic Arts] is ready for us and getting ready for Spore, which will use the same system."

French also noted that the online requirement will be clearly labeled on the games' packaging.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52547

Discuss.

[Ad Bot]

[Tofu Plx (Rine)]

Saw this on Facepunch like 3 days ago, nothing special, people seem to assume that it will require effort to "validate" it.

[Vertzer]

I don't mind. It will just stop the swarm of people that will pirate this game.

[Sheezy]

Well, that doesnt change anything
I don't go 10 days without internet ever.
Although it did break what will wright said about it being available to people without internets

[Bisjac]

i like how about a month before spore is released, you can get creature creator.
its the perfect way for the makers to fill up the game with tons of super original content to load into our worlds.

[Antallion]

Yay for Pirate Protection. To play Spore; though, I will have to get a job to get some cash to upgrade my computer, And I can't get a job until I get back from some major 5 week holidays later this year. :/

But Spore ftw

[A-master]

You are all incredibly naive if you think this will stop Piracy. This isn't going to stop piracy. In the end it will be more red tape that only effectively serves to piss off legitimate customers.

Further more, I assume you have to validate your game through a server that the company(s) have to keep running. If that's the case, then the well being of your copy of the game lies in their hands, and if they suddenly decide to pull the plug then say good bye to your game.

[Bisjac]

sounds like someones mad about not being able to warez it.

[Badspot]

Update: They changed their mind.  Possible "New Coke" marketing tactic?

My personal feelings: Copy protection only affects legitimate users.  Pirates don't have to deal with it.  I have had many many legitimately purchased games fail to work because of the copy protection.  I wish they would just drop the whole thing.

Also, if you think online authentication won't ever get shut off and leave you with a shiny $60 coaster, think again: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/22/2130225
Have fun with your brick'd microsoft music.  Also a few years from now, have fun with your brick'd copy of vista and get on board the man-train of the next windows OS which will likely be subscription based. 

I swear I'm just going to pack up my NES, SNES and the last CRT television on earth and move to a cabin in the woods.  I'll play games that start working the instant you hit the power button and eat animals that I've killed with a black powder rifle.  Maybe I'll take a Commodore 64 too in case I feel like making some games. 

[psygo]

I swear I'm just going to pack up my NES, SNES and the last CRT television on earth and move to a cabin in the woods.  I'll play games that start working the instant you hit the power button and eat animals that I've killed with a black powder rifle.  Maybe I'll take a Commodore 64 too in case I feel like making some games. 

I lol'd.

[Sheezy]

http://www.gamingsteve.com/archives/2008/05/maxis-responds-to-the-spore-drm-controversy.php
I dont think it was a change their minds, but clarification because in that article the guy gets an email from a developer of SPORE clarifying about it.


EDIT: although the change may of been in place like that for mass effect.

[Terror]

"To all the fans including our many friends in the armed services and internationally who expressed concerns that they would not be able re-authenticate as often as required, EA and BioWare want you to know that your feedback is important to us," said Watamaniuk.

Because as long as our armies are busy making virtual worlds, ours' will be great.

[A-master]

sounds like someones mad about not being able to warez it.

No, I could care less about wanting to pirate the games. I never had much interest in Spore or Mass Effect to begin with. Although Spore was starting to show a little bit of promise to me, but now what faith I had in it has been shattered. I do not wish to subject myself to such business practices.

But what's really scary and disturbing to me is how this behaviour is seeping into the rest of the video game and computer industry, if it hasn't done so already.

[Yeturn]

Wait, what if you go on vacation or something, is there a way to get your game to start working again after 10 days? Or would it just become useless with no hope of fixing?

[Sheezy]

No, for spore  you only have to validate it on installation and when you download new content.