CS has that "limited number of activations" DRM...

EvaUnit02 on 20/9/2008 at 14:33

Oh FFS. The Steam version of CS use Tages, which like SecuROM 7, gives you a limited number of online activations (in this case, five).

One of the reasons that I buy games off of Steam is for the convenience of portability. Having one of these draconian DRM schemes included really defeats the purpose.

242 on 20/9/2008 at 15:20

Well, and CIS version uses Starforce which checks disc every 3 days. Just use noDVD as I do, I guess it should work with Steam version too and won't require activation, I may be wrong though.

Koki on 20/9/2008 at 16:21

I can understand Starforce.
I can understand the whole CD/DVD check.
I can understand having to check up with a server to play(online activation/login).

But how the flying fuck a limited number of installations does in any way make it harder to crack a game? Can someone explain this to me?

Jashin on 20/9/2008 at 18:48

It's not about piracy, it's a part of the whole market competition and profit margin protection. Heh, they should change the name copy protection to "pseudo protection."

Companies like SecuROM develop these new methods to edge out their competition, and the publisher licensees follow. It's just like the mandatory bloatware they pack into all the apps for options' sake these days and publishers soak it up.

It's silly to me. Everything's ass backwards with big corporations.

redrain85 on 20/9/2008 at 23:04

Quote Posted by EvaUnit02

Oh FFS. The international versions of CS use Tages, which like SecuROM 7, gives you a limited number of online activations. This affects the Steam version as well.

This is something I've been waiting to hear, for days now. What kind of copy protection does CS have. Disappointing to hear this.

I'm still going to pick up CS. But considering the buggy state on release, and now hearing about limited activations: I think I'll wait a while. And I'll probably end up torrenting the game right after I buy it, to get a version with the protection stripped out. Sad. :(

Zygoptera on 21/9/2008 at 23:06

Hmm, is this actually confirmed? Because none of the tech specs for the DVD version list 'active internet connection' as a requirement for anything other than MP, and I found statements (from users) saying outright that no activation was required on the non-starforced, DVD international versions.

I also had a look at Tages' website (flash abomination that it is I may have missed something) and there's no mention of an activation compatible Tages system. Sounds a lot more like the US/Steam version's got a SecuROM infection...

Wilbo26 on 22/9/2008 at 06:37

From what I was able to gather the Steam version has the limited activation DRM but the US hard copy version does not have any DRM???

Maybe one of these days they'll realize this crap is pointless and just draws unnecessary heat from the community. Just look at the beating Spore took over at Amazon. :D

chis on 22/9/2008 at 18:30

I'm very disappointed with this development. I was aware of TAGES, but not that it had activation protection. Well, I've just reinstalled Windows on my games PC, and the Clear Sky files are still there, so I'm going to use a no-DVD exe. GSC have my money, I should be able to use the game wherever and whenever I want.

IF I play it again. It was so buggy, and really not that much fun compared to SoC...

Zygoptera on 23/9/2008 at 01:08

Serious question to those who actually have the game, has anyone with a Euro/US non Steam copy actually actually had to activate it or is it just the Steam version?

Usually you can tell if it requires activation because it will demand internet access and that you enter a serial number on install, and the game won't work without it.

Hidden_7 on 23/9/2008 at 03:33

I have a non-steam US copy (well, North American) and it didn't pester me to activate. I have internet on all the time, so it wouldn't have needed to, but I don't recall at any point it telling me that I need to have my internet enabled to activate it or anything. Seems like the copy protection just requires you to have the disc in drive.