security key

[Danipenn]

Hello,

Today, to my astonishment, i've been asked by Satr fury to type a new security key because i added 1g of ram.

Ok i understand the piracy issues but...

Do we actually have to contact strategy first everytime we change some hardware?

Isn't that a little bit...ehm...over the top?

Thanks for your time

[Phoenix-D]

The Shrapnel version of Starfury doesn't have such restrictions; you'll need to complain at Strategy First.

And yeah, its a bit moronic.

[Danipenn]

Well i did...not a complain...just a new key request.

I've got the game for free with SEV pre-order but i like it a lot and i hope this key issue is not going to be a problem in the future.

[capnq]

Danipenn said: Well i did...not a complain...

IMO, you should complain. If nobody complains about badly designed anti-piracy measures, companies won't have any incentive to code better ones.

[Danipenn]

well if it will take ages to give me a new key u bet i will complain http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Gandalf Parker]

Everything has its pros and cons. Did you have an alternative?
Its simple programming to control an install from being zipped up and sent to all your buddies by having it examine the machine its on and treat any new major hardware config as a new machine. I agree that its an irritation to provide the serial again when you change your hardware but I dont really have an alternative that isnt more of an irritation.

[Danipenn]

Well...i guess i have to thank the pirates then http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Phoenix-D]

Gandalf Parker said:
Everything has its pros and cons. Did you have an alternative?
Its simple programming to control an install from being zipped up and sent to all your buddies by having it examine the machine its on and treat any new major hardware config as a new machine. I agree that its an irritation to provide the serial again when you change your hardware but I dont really have an alternative that isnt more of an irritation.



Its called a CD-key and trust your customers not to be idiots.

Or you won't have them as customers. I don't buy ANY game with this sort of "protection" on it, because it *will* eventually fail and the you'll be unable to (legally) run the game.

[capnq]

Gandalf Parker said: Did you have an alternative?
Its simple programming to control an install from being zipped up and sent to all your buddies by having it examine the machine its on and treat any new major hardware config as a new machine.

I don't see how anyone could consider adding RAM a "major hardware config".

Don't modern CPUs have some kind of identifying code hardwired into them? (ISTR they were quite controversial when introduced; maybe companies stopped using them.) Changing CPUs would count as a major hardware reconfig in my book.

[Gandalf Parker]

Checking the CPU would probably be better. But I think there is a sysinfo command which is probably a shorter more generic way to do it.

And pirates have nothing to do with any of this. Its the legal owners that are being protected against 95% of the time.

By the way, Im not saying I agree with it. I just think its dumb to complain about it without discussing an alternative. Cd keys are usually cool. Plus they can lead to a decent digital download delivery system.

[Danipenn]

The thing is that now i've been unable to play a game, which i own legally, for many days...enough said

[capnq]

Gandalf Parker said: I just think its dumb to complain about it without discussing an alternative.

You don't have to know how to build an engine to recognize that a car is a lemon.

[Possum]

Seriously, Gandalf. I can't believe that you called the man "dumb" for objecting to a scheme that left him unable to play a game he legitimately owns.

I emphatically disagree that it's in any way wrong to object without suggesting an alternative.

It is the publisher/programmer's responsibility to see that their copy protection scheme does not inflict harm on the legitimate consumer.

After all, copy protection is the publisher's need, not the consumer's need. Accomodating that need should be at the publisher's expense, not the consumer's expense.

[Atrocities]

SFI still has a lot to learn about keeping customers happy. They would be wise to read from the book of Shrapnel on customer service and satisfaction.

However SFI has been very kind and willing to improve so I am sure if they knew there was a problem they would address it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif