Fucking Rip Off: Illegal or not?

[CofyCrakCocaine]

I've encountered recently this small installation featurette-program in the PC version of "Bioshock" called SecuROM. What it does, is basically places a vital installation file exclusively on the internet on this "secure" site. Without it, your $50 DVD cannot fully install the game- rendering the thing effectively useless. The only thing that gets you this file is the use of the "activation code" (comes with the manual), which you input using an internet connection during installation, and voi la- it downloads the essential files. No problem right? In the immortal words of John Matrix from Commando - WROOOONNNG! [BLAM]

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u46/CofyCrakCocaine/commandoR0000115.jpg http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u46/CofyCrakCocaine/commando6.jpg "Look at me jump out of this plane and live aiiieeee!!!"

Problem 1: you can only use the activation code 3-5 times, then it no longer is valid. Essentially, this turns your PC game into a $50 rental.

Problem 2: There is no information regarding SecuROM in either the packaging, instruction manual, or in the Bioshock installation program, so most people buying the PC version are unaware of this feature. To further complicate things, the developer 2k claims you can uninstall the game and that will give you back your 'activation point'- but the game features no uninstall utility, so you really can't uninstall the game "properly".

Problem 3: Bioshock is a fantastic game as far as gaming goes- but it sucks chewed dog-ass technically due to the vast array of technical glitches, problems, and other PC related mayhem. Suggestions from 2k tech staff include reinstall with new cards and drivers and so on.

I smell a fucking rat. A-Big-Fat-Rat-Fink-Mother-Fucker. Some argue that SecuROM is essential to combat piracy- a retarded defense of a program that merely punishes the honest consumers while the pirates- ARRRR - easily crack the game's code and distribute it across the internet.

A few people have already done this: I'm considered filing a complaint to the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission because this notion of turning a purchased $50 movie into a 5-views only rental without even mentioning this little tidbit to the average consumer as a bit more than bad business; I think it's a fucking illegal scam, whether 2k intended this or not. They're just hoping no one wises up to it.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Here's the discussion of SecuROM on 2k's site. How many installs do we get? (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5527) I don't know what other games use it, but I can't believe this is something that people would tolerate if enough people were aware of the situation.

[JustJon]

I won't buy any software that has SecuROM, Starforce or any other bullshit that installs on my machine like that

[EliSnow]

Do you have to use the activation code every time you play the game?

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Do you have to use the activation code every time you play the game?

No, you only use it once PER installation. It never asks for the code again unless you have to for some reason re-install the game... each install costs you one "install point" out of a number between 3-5 tries.

If you can figure out how to 'legally' uninstall the game without the use of an uninstall utility (that every other game in existence comes out with) you theoretically get that "install point" back as well. Naturally, there's no way to check up on the status of how many activations you have left. If your computer is down for maintenence at some IT shop, and they wipe your hard drive, tough shit. Point lost.

Also, this effects the gamer long-term. Say you get a new computer someday years from now... your old copy of Bioshock will no longer play because of this SecuROM bs.

I agree with Jon's sentiment, but the bottom line is this: There was no warning that this program was going to be used in any of the packaging, materials that came with the game, or the installation program itself. Most people probably do not investigate the game's forums before they make a purchase. I'll try to learn from this mistake of course. But I'm still pissed this happens.

[EliSnow]

No, you only use it once PER installation. It never asks for the code again unless you have to for some reason re-install the game... each install costs you one "install point" out of a number between 3-5 tries.

If you can figure out how to 'legally' uninstall the game without the use of an uninstall utility (that every other game in existence comes out with) you theoretically get that "install point" back as well. Naturally, there's no way to check up on the status of how many activations you have left. If your computer is down for maintenence at some IT shop, and they wipe your hard drive, tough shit.

Also, this effects the gamer long-term. Say you get a new computer someday years from now... your old copy of Bioshock will no longer play because of this SecuROM bs.

I agree with Jon's sentiment, but the bottom line is this: There was no warning that this program was going to be used in any of the packaging, materials that came with the game,
or the installation program itself. Most people probably do not investigate the game's forums before they make a purchase. I'll try to learn from this mistake of course. But I'm still pissed this happens.


That doesn't sound like it's a rental then. You can play it as many times as you want, as long as it's on the same machine.

As to the "legality" of it, I'm going to withhold giving any judgement so as not to be considered to be giving legal advice.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

That doesn't sound like it's a rental then. You can play it as many times as you want, as long as it's on the same machine.

It's not a rental. It's a purchase. It's merely a purchase with a limited number of times you may install the game. Maybe you could call it an "extended rental". The nature of computers is such that multiple installations are often required. (examples: need to make some room on the HD, getting a new OS, virus forces reinstallation of OS, someone gets Jesus Juice on the motherboard and need to get a new rig, so on.) So this is still a strong limiting factor on the ability to play a game. Add in the factor that Bioshock is exceptionally buggy for a lot of people's computers, and you realize that the SecuROM issue for this game is a bigger hassle than it normally is for more stable games... and I don't consider it effective at hurting piracy. Move the R and add a "V" and you do of course, have something that this program does potentially hurt (omg privacy im so clever lawl [i'm an asshole] ).


As to the "legality" of it, I'm going to withhold giving any judgement so as not to be considered to be giving legal advice.

That's fine. :D I wasn't really looking for legal advice as I'm not going to do anything legal-wise besides complain to the BBB and FTC *potentially*. I am more for people's opinions on this. My stance: It's BS, and being deceptive about it is a shitty thing to do.

Having a limit in any standard that prohibits you from using something that you legally purchased, to me, is treating a purchase more like it's a rental. And I still find this whole SecuROM business more than a little shady when one considers privacy issues and installing programs onto people's computers without their awareness.

[HBox]

Click here for the Bioshock activation revoke tool. (http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/revoketool.html)

If you use this when uninstalling Bioshock you can reinstall it as many times as you want. If you bought it off of Steam it already does that when you uninstall.

At least they listened to the complaints.

[sailor]

i don't think i've ever installed any game 5 times. doesn't seem like a big deal.

[Snoogans]

umm, most of the games ive ever had have a limit to how many machines you can instal it on. Same with most things. Unless you have 6 of your own computers, this is a non issue for anyone not tryin to illegally sell the game to friends

[suggums]

i don't think i've ever installed any game 5 times. doesn't seem like a big deal.

i mustve installed fallout and deus ex at least four or five times each over the last decade for a variety of reasons, it happens to some folks

[Snoogans]

yea over a decade, i think thats worth 50 bucks

[sailor]

i mustve installed fallout and deus ex at least four or five times each over the last decade for a variety of reasons, it happens to some folks

ah, but you didn't hit 6, so you're in the clear.

[Chigworthy]

Fuck 'em. Just get a cracked version from a torrent site.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

It's normally not a debate for me; I just had to use up alot of my activations because, as you folks may or may not know, my computer was being a shit O bucket (http://ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=63521) which required me to format the drive several times over, forcing reinstallations, but I've since figured out some means of repairing the drive that was having the error. So it's once again a non-issue. The revoke thing is nice too.

I think the stress was getting to me when I made this post. Though I still liked my Commando references. Damn it.