Slashdot Mirror
LGP To Introduce Game Copy Protection
libredr writes "Phoronix reports that Linux Game Publishing have developed an Internet-based copy protection which will be used in their upcoming commercial game port, such as Sacred: Gold. Any user will be able to install the game, but to launch it he will need to provide a valid key and a password, which are validated against LGP's servers. The key/password combination will allow a user to install the software on different computers. However, an Internet connection will be required even for a single-player game, which might be a hassle for some users. This scheme has enraged some of the beta testers and LGP CEO, Michael Simms, responded he regrets he has to introduce a copy protection scheme, but has to do this since a lot more people download their titles instead of buying them, to the point they even received support requests for pirated version. But will every pirated copy magically transforms into a sale, or will this scheme just annoy legitimate users and be cracked anyway? One really wonders."
I haven't paid for very many games in my life, usually they were gifts for other people, but the only games I've ever bought for myself were games I already knew that didn't have any ludicrous and pointless copy protection schemes. The last game I actually paid for was Darwinia.
It's not some kind of strike, I just won't pay for games that have DRM. That doesn't mean I won't download it and get a crack. I'll treat GNU/Linux built games the same, they're not going to get any special treatment just because I like using Ubuntu more than Windows.
If a game has DRM and isn't cracked, then I just won't play it and I might look away from games from that publisher/developer/whatever in the future.
"Most people, I think, don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?"
---It is becoming pretty clear from all these DRM articles lately that many Slashdotters are extremely arrogant.
Gee.. Where did you get that idea? Here's a clue: we dont pay for non-working software, but that's what they're offering. Hence people dont pay. Copyright violations is a valid form of boycotting.
---I say many because I have to assume that is the case when the majority of the comments that are modded up deal with people saying either: DRM is bad and will cost them more customers than if they left it open or DRM will cause the posting Slashdotter to pirate the game.
I do my share. Especially on older titles in which arent even sold. I also vet our games in the lan group to make sure bad shit doesnt happen to our machines... Or do you think Starforce, Securom and its ilk are good for computer users?
If you think that anti-user software is good, you're a moron.
---I say this is arrogant because there is just some sort of assumption that what they are saying is factual without any thing to back it up. You may feel that DRM costs them more customers because you won't by it, but more likely it is the case that they ran the numbers and found that not to be true. Also, it is arrogant to think you are morally ok to pirate the game just because they do something you don't like.
For one, I AM arrogant and I like it. I know im better than the likes of you and your decisions about the rest of us. I know me and my friends and my girlfriend. I speak for myself and partially for my friends and gf. At most, I inform my friends of their choices as I am the information gatherer and seeker. I enable.
The second you try to install programs that act like viruses or logic bombs, I deem myself ethically to do whatever with your "software". Your rights end when they come on MY computer and attempt to damage it in ANY way. And if you attempt to deprive me of MY rights, I will do the same to you, and donate the software to everybody in the group with proper cracking documentation.
Treat me right, and you will have 1-8 sales. Treat me wrong, and you will have 0 sales.
---I am fine with the people who buy the game than use a cracked version. But the people who just pirate and justify it are just nuts. I actually don't care if you pirate the game, just don't make up stuff saying that what you are doing is right.
And what does that tell the manufacturer? Ram anti-user software up your ass, and pay for it too! Remember that each sale encourages them to do this. We do NOT want to encourage it.
---If people didn't pirate, there wouldn't be DRM. Yet Slashdot blames the companies for adding DRM and openly admit they will pirate the game. This just further justifies their actions. I just don't understand why some of you are so irrational about this. It is like a religious debate where facts and logic have no room to exist.
WRONG. DRM is a way to extent rights the copyright creators DO NOT HAVE. Does Blu-Ray have fair use access? Heh heh heh. Do you have the right to back up your DVDs? Yep, the SCOTUS said so, but DMCA says you cant crack the anti-copying garbage. If you buy an e-book, can you sell it under first sale doctrine? Remember Dmitri? There's your rights under DRM. But you can always buy the next crippled copy at full retail price!
And why is Copyright soo religious? There's something about going from 17 year copyright period to 50yrs+authors death. Whenever the big media companies have their stuff running out of "time", they lobby congress for and extension. And guess who comes around each and every time? Copyright was originally a bargain to encourage new content. That bargain has been broken repeatedly. Our current technology allows us to say that.
And, there's something about the heyday of Napster having more users than people who voted in that years presidential elections.
---I am fine with the people who buy the game than use a cracked version. But the people who just pirate and justify it are just nuts. I actually don't care if you pirate