Pyrion wrote:

deity wrote:You might consider it DRM, but its not SecuROM. It is very clear the way they verify it, and they dont install hidden programs along with your game. And I am very reluctant to update SPORE, because the last patch screwed my game.

I consider it DRM because, by definition, it's DRM. It's DRM in much the same way that the 10NES chip in American NES game cartridges is DRM (making it one of the oldest ones in the book). No, it's not SecuROM, but are we complaining about DRM in general or just complaining about SecuROM specifically?

I have no problem with DRM if it's largely invisible to the user. If EA disabled the activation limitations, then I'd have no problem with SecuROM. Although I still don't like their attitude towards Sysinternals Process Explorer, but that's something I can live with.

We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen. Also, the install limitations mean that they are renting us their game. Its ridiculous, there isnt even a tool to un-authorize a computer. SecuROM installs to the Kernel, there is no need of such invasion. I consider SecuROM malware, and my next SPORE installation (I have it in 2 PCs) will be SecuROM free.

deity wrote:We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen.

How so? It was all over the news running up to the game's release. You're telling me that you never saw this coming?

This is why I have to figure that the lawsuit against EA will fail. If EA really "snuck SecuROM in," how are the plaintiffs going to explain all the media attention it was given before the game actually shipped?

Pyrion wrote:

deity wrote:We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen.

How so? It was all over the news running up to the game's release. You're telling me that you never saw this coming?

This is why I have to figure that the lawsuit against EA will fail. If EA really "snuck SecuROM in," how are the plaintiffs going to explain all the media attention it was given before the game actually shipped?

I agree. It is very difficult to imagine that anyone that follows EA games- especially Sims 2- and followed Spore up to release- would not have known about securom being a part of their game. I could undertsand those that never followed the game at all or read the forums before they bought it- but it does seem strange how suddenly a person can not only claim no knowledge but also launch and file a lawsuit within 2 weeks release of the game when we all have been aware and dealing with securom for years. I doubt it is just some innocent bystander.

The warnings on box are vague though, I agree with that- but I have loads of games here with securom copy protection and none of them have clear warnings so nobody cared until now and all these games on my shelf could also be sued if this is successful.

Pyrion wrote:

deity wrote:We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen.

How so? It was all over the news running up to the game's release. You're telling me that you never saw this coming?

This is why I have to figure that the lawsuit against EA will fail. If EA really "snuck SecuROM in," how are the plaintiffs going to explain all the media attention it was given before the game actually shipped?

I only heard about it after I bought it, and I followed a couple spore fansites. I know it was my mistake, but I am not buying an EA game ever again.

deity wrote:

Pyrion wrote:

deity wrote:We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen.

How so? It was all over the news running up to the game's release. You're telling me that you never saw this coming?

This is why I have to figure that the lawsuit against EA will fail. If EA really "snuck SecuROM in," how are the plaintiffs going to explain all the media attention it was given before the game actually shipped?

I only heard about it after I bought it, and I followed a couple spore fansites. I know it was my mistake, but I am not buying an EA game ever again.

Hi Deity

You can google for lists of games that have securom or starforce which is considered by anti DRM campaigners to be worst. You will be surprised how many games contain DRM that people are complaining about and it is not confined to EA whatsoever. I would be surprised if you have never installed any of them.

I will post this link and have a look and see if you have ever had any of these games
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/gamedb.php?letter=all

Hating on EA only for this is just a witch hunt by disappointed Sporers - well the activation limits are unacceptable however they have stated they are rectifying that so we should give them the chance to do so.

ok.... I've got another idea..... what has EA said thats actually true?? (what haven't they lied to us about?)

To all you people out there complaining about the complaints... Here's ur chance

They.....omg...I can't think of a darn thing!

Hellgaze wrote:They.....omg...I can't think of a darn thing!

LOL, believe it or not, i was actually being serious I couldn't find anything they'd been truthful about either.... I'm hoping the EA fanboys out there will find something..... anything.

Marx83 wrote:ok.... I've got another idea..... what has EA said thats actually true?? (what haven't they lied to us about?)

To all you people out there complaining about the complaints... Here's ur chance

The game is the game. They have never hidden the changes or the copy protection supplied with it from my point of view as a follower of the game.

The game turned from science to cute- it was obvious- the site screamed it - the box art works screams it. Everything for anyone that followed closely the development should have seen it- .
The DRM was well known to me before I bought the game- not hidden in lies. Sorry others were not aware but it was not a conspiracy - it was all over the internet!!

Where do online journalists/EA spokespeople get their stats quoted? From what statistics- retail/wholesale dissc/digital console/pc- more facts are needed then blanket broad statements twisted for what either side wants the truth to be.

Oh and boy- should anyone that works for EA defend or support their company or products - they should be fired- they should only have people in charge or work there that rubbish the game, talk negatively and spread hate and proganda for those that have nothing better online to do!

ausdreamer wrote:

Marx83 wrote:ok.... I've got another idea..... what has EA said thats actually true?? (what haven't they lied to us about?)

To all you people out there complaining about the complaints... Here's ur chance

The game is the game. They have never hidden the changes or the copy protection supplied with it from my point of view as a follower of the game.

The game turned from science to cute- it was obvious- the site screamed it - the box art works screams it. Everything for anyone that followed closely the development should have seen it- .
The DRM was well known to me before I bought the game- not hidden in lies. Sorry others were not aware but it was not a conspiracy - it was all over the internet!!

Where do online journalists/EA spokespeople get their stats quoted? From what statistics- retail/wholesale dissc/digital console/pc- more facts are needed then blanket broad statements twisted for what either side wants the truth to be.

Oh and boy- should anyone that works for EA defend or support their company or products - they should be fired- they should only have people in charge or work there that rubbish the game, talk negatively and spread hate and proganda for those that have nothing better online to do!

Please read OP, it debunks these assertions.

Pyrion wrote:

deity wrote:We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen.

How so? It was all over the news running up to the game's release. You're telling me that you never saw this coming?

This is why I have to figure that the lawsuit against EA will fail. If EA really "snuck SecuROM in," how are the plaintiffs going to explain all the media attention it was given before the game actually shipped?

I would testify as somebody who does no surf game boards, that I had no idea what secuROM or DRM was until I started on the forums here! Just because a bunch of peoply hype it up, doesn't mean everybody knew. I certainly didn't.

KwKiller wrote:

Pyrion wrote:

deity wrote:We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen.

How so? It was all over the news running up to the game's release. You're telling me that you never saw this coming?

This is why I have to figure that the lawsuit against EA will fail. If EA really "snuck SecuROM in," how are the plaintiffs going to explain all the media attention it was given before the game actually shipped?

I would testify as somebody who does no surf game boards, that I had no idea what secuROM or DRM was until I started on the forums here! Just because a bunch of peoply hype it up, doesn't mean everybody knew. I certainly didn't.

The reason u didn't know is cause all avenues to inform people were closed. The media refused to report on it, even tho countless people (including myself) asked them to.

EA did not put any markings on the box to warn of its DRM scheme (i wonder why?)

The Spore EULA is purposefully vague in regards to install limits, information gathered about your computer and ur uses of it.

The Spore forums prior to this one were run by Naziesq moderators, who would shut down/ban anyone who spoke about SecuROM.

EA was allowed to have several product review drafts ready for release on Amazon.com and Amazon agreed to inflate the star rating. After the negative review bomb (totally uncoordinated btw) Amazon removed all reviews, only to later put them back up claiming a database error was at fault. Amazon also began blocking the posting of reviews about Spore for anyone who rated it a 2 or lower (often claiming the review was not about the "experience" with the product <-- also vague)

Pyrion wrote:

deity wrote:We are complayining about any sort of DRM that install a separate hidden program without clearly informing us of whats going to happen.

How so? It was all over the news running up to the game's release. You're telling me that you never saw this coming?

This is why I have to figure that the lawsuit against EA will fail. If EA really "snuck SecuROM in," how are the plaintiffs going to explain all the media attention it was given before the game actually shipped?

Most people don't follow spore closely. They probably just saw it at the store and bought it, like I did.

Kwkiller
There are of course people that did not know. What is being said is those that claim they are hard core Spore/EA games supporters and follow all the news etc would have known.
Also when you found out could and did you launch a lawsuit by yourself immediatley within 2 weeks? Most people that hear about it- first do some solid reasearch that can take anything up to a few months/years to get proper statistics and that is being generous.
You do not read on a forum or online shopping site that there is securom, ring your lawyer and automatically a lawsuit is launched. and also filed in a federal court.
This was planned for some time.

Media/whatever would not have made a difference either. I rarely watch TV, I spend my time working, reading, hanging with friends, or playing games. Only way I would have noticed is if they had put up big billboards :s