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PC Grand Theft Auto IV Features SecuROM DRM

Posted by Soulskill on from the players-are-pirates-qed dept.

arcticstoat writes "Game developer Rockstar has revealed that the forthcoming PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV will feature the controversial SecuROM 7 DRM system. Unlike some of EA's recent titles, such as Spore and Mass Effect, GTA IV won't limit the number of times that you can install the game, although SecuROM will be impossible to remove without leaving 'some traces' on your PC. Anyone hoping to avoid SecuROM by downloading the game form Steam will also be disappointed, as Rockstar says that all versions of the game will feature SecuROM, including digital versions online. On the plus side, Rockstar says that it's 'working with SecuROM to post information on our support pages regarding how to remove these inactive traces of the program for users who wish to do so.' Has Rockstar gotten a better balance between draconian DRM and fair copy protection here?"

5 of 531 comments (clear)

  1. Short Answer: No. by Ngarrang · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "Has Rockstar gotten a better balance between draconian DRM and fair copy protection here?"

    No. The fact that any sort of DRM that requires access to some other device out on the interwebz when you install it means that someday when Rockstar gets bought/sued out of existence, you might be able to install the game ever again. Until, that is, someone releases a crack for the scheme.

    I have games from my DOS days that I can still freely install. THAT is software freedom. Anything less is not.

    --
    Bearded Dragon
  2. Re:no by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They lost my sale. I'm pirating it for sure.

    And here I was thinking "finally, a halfway decent game to pay full price for".

  3. Re:no by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    On the upside, we who pirate won't get an experience ruined by DRM.

  4. Re:no by SausageOfDoom · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I already have it on the xbox 360, but was considering buying it again for the PC, for the mouse input, free multiplayer and modding capabilities, but this DRM's put me right off.

    I'm not going to pirate it - I'm not that bothered - but they lost a sale. Guess the thing is, will they care? Even if the numbers are substantial, will they even notice? Or just put it down to piracy?

  5. You're both wrong. by pathological+liar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This is one of those amusing situations where stealing the game online is no different than stealing it in a store. Suppose you'd shoplifted the CD instead of grabbing it from a torrent, would you be saying that it makes a statement that "If you beefed up security here, you'd get more money from me"? Would you be saying it makes the statement that "If you got rid of the rent-a-cops I'd buy the game"?

    The only message it sends is that you want the game but for whatever reason are unwilling to pay for it.