DRM questions
 

Aw crap! This is the first time I've bought a shrapnel game that needed online registration.

I wipe my PC yearly. So what's the deal with this DRM? Can I re-register the game on a fresh install? Do I have a limited number of installs?

Re: DRM questions
 

Can't say to much about this, but to me it seems to be the same DRM, they used a few years back with dominions 3. Meaning: The first time you start the game, you enter your key and then you forget about it. Installing and unlocking the game on multiple pcs you own should be possible and legal.
And yes, you should be able to unlock your game as often as you want to. (Or atleast as long as the DRM Servers are running.)

Thats just what i think. Don't know for sure.

Re: DRM questions
 

The DRM is new, written by me & my database friend.
You can have 3 'unique installs'.
this means , on 3 different machines or partitions, whatever.
And yes, after installation & registration, it won't bug you again.

if you uninstall, and re-install on same machine,
that does *not* count as a unique install.
You might have to enter your serial # again,
But it should work.

And down the line, if good customers have legitimate reasons for needing one more install, you probably won't be turned down.

The point is to deter piracy.

Re: DRM questions
 

I have 5 laptops (2 Mac and 3 Windows) and 3 desktops -- they're all mine and only mine. I was hoping to install on each of them (I dropbox the save directory so I can play on any of those machines with the same game). I carry 3 laptops with me but use them at different times and places. The desktops are in my home lab as are two laptops spread all over the house. I'm not a pirate, but they sure are fun to shoot.

Re: DRM questions
 

When you upgrade your cyborg body with 5 laps, 8 heads and 16 arms, maybe we can do something.
:p

Re: DRM questions
 

@ibol,
Seriously, as a software developer I understand the high value of the IP so DRM might make sense if it deters more piracy than potential customers. I really do have the machines I've mentioned, I really do shift which ones I use through out the day or week and while I can probably pick 3 to install on I wonder why I would have to do so.

Fair use (1 license, 1 user) would suggest allowance to install on all those machines. I'm not a pirate, I pay for whatever I use (I have no pirated software whatsoever including overused shareware, over installed software or illegally shared from/with friends) and many of my tools (or services like Steam) allow for me to be liberal with my machines as long as I don't have the software/game running (or possibly installed) on too many simultaneously.

Sure Adobe, Microsoft, et al. have DRM but they've been moving toward a simultaneous use case or at least allowed for activation and deactivation of a generous number of machines. Even iTunes allows for 5 computers and unlimited devices with activation/deactivation. Obviously there are trade offs (more intrusive but flexible DRM vs bug once, die later).

I should mention, I upgrade my machines a lot (1 to 2 times a year). Which upgrades will burn an activation? Also, what happens 3, 5, 10 years down the road? I think your game has a real good chance of having a nethack or weird worlds type of lifespan but not if it has DRM. I'm sure you could patch it then to remove the DRM but now people have to download that patch if they can even find it.

I bought the game and I'm sure I'll enjoy it tremendously but I'm not buying a second copy to satisfy a DRM requirement and I'll be a bit more careful who I recommend it too since some people just won't buy or play a DRM'd game on a PC.

I regularly re-purchase a game from a source like GOG where the DRM has been removed just so I don't have to worry about what machine I have it on at the time. Lately, I've been waiting for a game to be offered DRM free before buying it or buying it from a DRM free source if its available. Xenonauts is a recent example.

Well, that's my 2 cents plus a dollar. DRM isn't an easy subject with a simple answer.

Re: DRM questions
 

I just can't believe the backlash.

Steam, with it's 10 million users, is a huge DRM machine.
Steam is constantly running in the background, it downloads things, it tells you which of your friends are playing what game, etc.

AI makes one check.

I don't expect people to buy multiple copies. It's not some kind of selling trick. I own 3 computers, only one of which I use regularly. But how many people truly need to have the game running on multiple machines at any given time?

Cyberis, you have dealt with me. You know my dedication to and support for this game. It is the day after release. Let's just enjoy the game for a while, ok?

Re: DRM questions
 

Yep,
I'm a special case (or maybe just "special":-p). Yep Steam and Origin are big DRM pits which is why I'm buying more and more stuff from GOG or HUMBLE. I'm sure when my game arrives I'll be too busy playing to grouse.

Re: DRM questions
 

I've got a similar issue. I have an HTPC in the living room, a gaming pc, business laptop and a personal laptop. I haven't bought the game yet but have played the demo a lot.

I buy 95% of my games DRM free. Steam is a huge DRM issue but I've never had an issue installing games as many times as needed over the years. I do stay away from any game that has TAGS DRM. It would be nice if it just had a serial number like Matrix Games and no online activation. I also don't buy from John Tiller's site. I buy from HPS because of the no DRM.

Anyway, I hope the DRM on AI ends up getting removed and then I might buy it. Still on the fence with the price. Just waiting to hear more reviews on the game to justify the price.

Just my 2 cents.

-Mike

Re: DRM questions
 

@boatrigm,
I should be getting the full version any day now. When I first saw the price (before playing the demo) I thought, wow, that's almost the price of a AAA title. But after playing the demo (I think I've played it for around 60 hours all total) I realized that I enjoyed the demo more than most full AAA tiles I've played which is why I forked over the cash. I'm really glad I did.

As for DRM, well that's something of a complex subject as I mentioned above. I think @ibol would be more reasonable than most to make allowances here and there wherever it would really be a hindrance to someone playing the game.

I made the mistake of objecting when really, I am a corner case to the extreme. I probably should have waited until I found the DRM to be problematic (if that would actually happen) and found no other solution. And I suppose for the time being that is going to determine its future in the game. If most players really can get by without more than three unique activations then it will likely remain. If that ends up being more trouble than it's worth, then the developer would likely revisit just as he would with game balance issues. In the short time I've been involved with playing I've found @ibol to be quite responsive so there's that to consider also.

Re: DRM questions
 

I'm guessing the download version and cd version both use DRM?

I will have some more time this weekend for playing so I may end up buying it then.

Thanks for your feedback.

-Mike

Re: DRM questions
 

Hi boatrigm,

Yes, both versions ask you to enter your Activation Key first time you play.

Hope you get it. I think you will enjoy it. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far.

Happy Gaming!

Re: DRM questions
 

I did end up ordering the download version. Very fun game!

I did have a weird DRM issue where I registered the game and then the next day I had to register a second time to continue playing my saved game. The only thing I did was power down the system over night.

-Mike

Re: DRM questions
 

I haven't heard of that happening before? Let's see what ibol has to say about it. Glad, you like the game!

Re: DRM questions
 

boatrigm,

Glad you got it, I know you'll enjoy it.

I also have not had the "re-register because of power down" thing happen, nor heard it from others.

Brainstorming:
-Do you do any kind of cloud-saving or weird networky stuff?
-You're not using my secret contingency code are you? because that does require re-entry. It's not a permanent solution.
-Is your computer plugged in (JK: the essential 'tech support' question)

Seriously, if that continues to happen I will look into it more deeply.

Re: DRM questions
 

I'm guessing it's a one time thing. It registered fine on my laptop. It was just my desktop gaming rig that it did it twice. No big deal.

Anyway, great game! Really fun and much easier to get into than some other Roguelike games I've played! I like the graphics better than the demo!

-Mike

Re: DRM questions
 

Thanks, it really means a lot, seeing the progression in people's attitudes. My faith and love were well placed, and that is going to keep on for a long time. Enjoy!

Re: DRM questions
 

Hello,

been reading a lot about this game and i am really interested. The DRM as it is implemented is not clear to me though and this is holding me back. I cannot find any clear information as to how this particular DRM works. Please don't get me wrong, I am not against DRM in principle. I have a very large steam library.

As far as I understand you can have 3 unique installs that are somehow linked to the machine it is installed on. Does this mean that when I buy a new computer or if I upgrade say a CPU or motherboard i lose 1 of my unique installs ? Because if that is the case then it seems to me that 3 unique installs is very limited since i am used to updating my computer roughly every 2-3 years, and that is excluding putting an install on my laptop. It would mean that in say 3 years i would have to buy the game again or forfeit an install on either desktop or laptop. I would appreciate a bit clearer explanation as to what would invalidate an unique install.

kind regards,

Michiel

Re: DRM questions
 

I am not certain, but usually with this kind of DRM, if you uninstall the game you get one of your installs back. So as long as you uninstall before you upgrade your PC (and a CPU / Motherboard upgrade often requires reinstalling the OS anyway), you will probably be OK. But I am only guessing, you should wait for official word from ibol on this.

Re: DRM questions
 

My official word on the DRM is that you will always be able to play the game. You bought it. You want to play it. That's great, I don't want to stop you.

The DRM is to prevent casual re-distribution, etc.
If you get a new computer, you will be able to install it. Even if we have to finagle you something. We are very user-friendly here... ;)

Re: DRM questions
 

thx Ibol, that takes away my worries

Re: DRM questions
 

A little necromancy session, sorry...

My fresh-bought modest PC for retro gaming has no connection to Internet yet (and probably never won't). I used to play AI already on my main PC (what is now always occupied with my wife's online shopping and my daughter' cartoons :)) and the game was activated already. Is there any way to activate it off-line or something?

Thanks in advance.

Re: DRM questions
 

I just see this drm thread, so I'm happy I didn't bought the game, I had hesitated many times, I will no longer hesitate now.
A simple key would prevent far less sellings than a drm..

Re: DRM questions
 

I was part of the beta testing and it never occurred to me the game had any form of DRM. Since then I have lost me key and thus cannot play the game. I came here to consider purchasing the game and saw this thread.

I know it is settled about the DRM, but it will stop me from purchasing.
Personally, I do not use Steam because Steam itself is DRM.

I purchase my games through GOG, and HumbleBundle (rarely from gamersgate, and indie game stand).

I own well over 500 games from these sites all DRM free and I in no way offer them to anyone else casually or not. I simply want to support DRM free gaming.

Anyway, just thought it would be good to hear from people that would like to purchase but are hesitant to do so due to the DRM.

Great game still though, keep up the good work.