DRM is a-changin'
Following up on yesterday's news of Electronic Arts (EA) signing up with digital games distributor Steam, it appears these versions of their games drop SecuROM in favour of Steam's Digital Rights Management (generally much less hated by PC gamers, if at all). This is evidenced by Volunteer Moderator Sierra Oscar who says in the forums he is sure Spore does not have third-party DRM, as if it did, "it would also be listed in the games store page." Since none of the other new EA titles say anything about it either (Crysis and Crysis Warhead, released back in September, still have it, though curiously SiN never did), we can be sure SecuROM is not in these titles.
The legalities appear tricky, however. While other titles in the shop have no special stipulations on DRM (aside from the usual "3rd party DRM" bit listed to the right of the game), each of the new titles do feature these at the bottom of the game's page. For example, Spore states the following:
On a related note, the company has released a de-authorization tool for Spore, allowing legit users more freedom with their installs. Curiouser and curiouser...
Following up on yesterday's news of Electronic Arts (EA) signing up with digital games distributor Steam, it appears these versions of their games drop SecuROM in favour of Steam's Digital Rights Management (generally much less hated by PC gamers, if at all). This is evidenced by Volunteer Moderator Sierra Oscar who says in the forums he is sure Spore does not have third-party DRM, as if it did, "it would also be listed in the games store page." Since none of the other new EA titles say anything about it either (Crysis and Crysis Warhead, released back in September, still have it, though curiously SiN never did), we can be sure SecuROM is not in these titles.
The legalities appear tricky, however. While other titles in the shop have no special stipulations on DRM (aside from the usual "3rd party DRM" bit listed to the right of the game), each of the new titles do feature these at the bottom of the game's page. For example, Spore states the following:
INTERNET CONNECTION, ONLINE AUTHENTICATION, END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY. TO ACCESS ONLINE FEATURES, YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE. ONLY ONE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE PER GAME.
Need For Speed Undercover goes the same route while Mass Effect just says: "INTERNET CONNECTION AND END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY." Fifa Manager 09, Red Alert 3 and Dead Space meanwhile, note: "INTERNET CONNECTION, ONLINE AUTHENTICATION AND END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY." Interestingly, nothing is noted for the upcoming Mirror's Edge. Of course, it hasn't been released to retail either yet, so perhaps the DRM hasn't yet been decided upon, as it is typically implemented within the last week or so before initial release. In any case -- where's the consistency, EA?
On a related note, the company has released a de-authorization tool for Spore, allowing legit users more freedom with their installs. Curiouser and curiouser...
