• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Hack the Planet

FrgMstr

Just Plain Mean
Staff member
2FA
Joined
May 18, 1997
Messages
58,323
Single celled BitTorrent pirates evolve into nothing. Take your DRM and stuff it!

Another user with the handle "dsmx" sounded more conflicted. "I feel bad about pirating this game I really wanted to buy it but EA put DRM on it and my policy is that any form of DRM means an instant not parting with money," he wrote. "When I pay for something I want to own it not rent it with EA deciding when I'm not allowed to play it anymore."
 
(18) You will not discuss, suggest, engage, or encourage any ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. Links provided to locations that deal with any such activity are also expressly forbidden. ?
 
Besides, linking to an article discussing the piracy rates of a game is hardly breaking the rules.

Anyway, it was pretty obvious Spore was going to be massively pirated. It's a pretty awful game overall. It's just another game made by EA designed to entice you just enough to buy the game, but not enough to keep you entertained so you fail to buy the next game.

I made it about half way through the first land-creature phase and got bored. Just another shiny toy that loses it's entertainment value after half an hour.
 
Well, I unfortunately purchased *2* copies of this game because my girlfriend wanted it, before knowing it even had DRM.

And you know what? The game sucks. It's not fun after the initial novelty experienced in the first hour. This game may not sell well not because it was pirated, but because it sucks...
 
Copyright issues aside, the DRM on that puppy really is excessive. I shouldn't need to worry about whether a game I paid for is really crippleware (isn't that supposed to only happen when you keep using the free version indefinitely?) or if it's going to try and install a load of spyware or try to root my computer. Seriously, WTF?

I don't hold with the "there's DRM therefore download it and screw copyright issues" stance...but the copyright holders are making it damn hard for anyone to be sympathetic to them either.
 
Copyright issues aside, the DRM on that puppy really is excessive. I shouldn't need to worry about whether a game I paid for is really crippleware (isn't that supposed to only happen when you keep using the free version indefinitely?) or if it's going to try and install a load of spyware or try to root my computer. Seriously, WTF?

I don't hold with the "there's DRM therefore download it and screw copyright issues" stance...but the copyright holders are making it damn hard for anyone to be sympathetic to them either.

If the folks that downloaded it really had a problem with the DRM, they just would not play it IMO. Bullshit excuse for stealing.
 
(18) You will not discuss, suggest, engage, or encourage any ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. Links provided to locations that deal with any such activity are also expressly forbidden. ?

Do you realize how PERFECT your name is? :D

Fuck spore. I was THINKING of picking it up thinking it was EA's same spiel of just sorta annoying DRM, but FUCK THAT. 3 activations? My machine is so retarded I could need to do that in under a month at this point. <_< Not even going to bother downloading it. Shame too. The creature creator was neat.
 
DRM isn't the solution.. it

-Treats legit, paying customers as potential criminals and pirates which is just retarded. The cracked games aren't uploaded to file sharing networks by normal paying customers anyway - they are released by "groups", who usually have a connection inside the development house or at the publisher which is why many games appear online even before the official release date. Publishers: Clean your own house before treating your customers like filthy criminals.

-They scare away potential customers who instead of having to deal with annoying protection schemes, restrictions, rootkits and unsigned device drivers, and long "product keys", just download it instead because it's less hassle. If the pirated, hacked product is more convenient and easier to use than the legal version, somethng is obviously wrong

-Finally - No matter how complex the DRM scheme is, it's going to get hacked and be circumvented within *days*. Copy protection does *nothing* to prevent piracy. It's pointless even at its best.

Bonus content, genuine support, interaction with the fans and community, extras in the box etc. are ways to make people feel like it's worth it to pay for the legal version of the game.
 
The game is probably selling decently regardless. If EA doesn't think so, then I'm willing to be that they will blame the damn dirty pirates for all their problems and use even more intrusive DRM in future games.

I don't think DRM was ever about curbing piracy. It's about control. For example: to force a person to buy two copies if he wants to install it on his home desktop and on his laptop.

DRM doesn't stop or hinder piracy. It just restricts and controls what a law-abiding gamer can do - most likely in order to maximize profits.
 
The more intrusive and annoying the DRM the more likely it will be pirated. I know I've bought games in the past where the DRM bs pissed me off so I shelved the legit copy and downloaded a cracked copy.
 
pirating is not stealing

i would never pay for anything I pirate

no money has been lost

no damage done
 
pirating is not stealing

i would never pay for anything I pirate

no money has been lost

no damage done

Just because you wouldn't play for cable or Satellite, doesn't mean that using a hacked box to get it for free isn't theft, and I can assure you that were you caught doing that, you'd be charged with a crime.

You download a game and play it, it's theft. Legally, downloading it is theft, but I could rationalize innocence if it was never installed.
 
DRM isn't the solution.. it

-Treats legit, paying customers as potential criminals and pirates which is just retarded. The cracked games aren't uploaded to file sharing networks by normal paying customers anyway - they are released by "groups", who usually have a connection inside the development house or at the publisher which is why many games appear online even before the official release date. Publishers: Clean your own house before treating your customers like filthy criminals.

-They scare away potential customers who instead of having to deal with annoying protection schemes, restrictions, rootkits and unsigned device drivers, and long "product keys", just download it instead because it's less hassle. If the pirated, hacked product is more convenient and easier to use than the legal version, somethng is obviously wrong

-Finally - No matter how complex the DRM scheme is, it's going to get hacked and be circumvented within *days*. Copy protection does *nothing* to prevent piracy. It's pointless even at its best.

Bonus content, genuine support, interaction with the fans and community, extras in the box etc. are ways to make people feel like it's worth it to pay for the legal version of the game.

QFT.
 
Just because you wouldn't play for cable or Satellite, doesn't mean that using a hacked box to get it for free isn't theft, and I can assure you that were you caught doing that, you'd be charged with a crime.

You download a game and play it, it's theft. Legally, downloading it is theft, but I could rationalize innocence if it was never installed.

hacked box tv and computer programs are not the same, sorry, try again.
 
Personally, I think this type of Copy Protection is bad. If they want to force you to log into something to play it, that's fine, but 3 installs is dumb. I may install wing commander I,II, III, IV or V again some day.....I can promise you the first 2 have been on more than 2 computers.

For that matter, so has Far Cry and High Heat Baseball (RIP)....the former has been on 3 HD's simply because of HD failures.

I'm not a fan of requiring a CD (and thus I never buy the game until after a crack has come out so that I don't have to have it in the drive), but this goes from bad to worse. And like all CP that I've seen, it's breakable....I'd swear that we've had cases where it's broken on or before the release date!
 
Just because you wouldn't play for cable or Satellite, doesn't mean that using a hacked box to get it for free isn't theft, and I can assure you that were you caught doing that, you'd be charged with a crime.

You download a game and play it, it's theft. Legally, downloading it is theft, but I could rationalize innocence if it was never installed.

Funny. According to Canadian law duplication of information for personal use is not only NOT theft, it's perfectly legal as ruled by the Supreme court. :rolleyes: Did I download Spore? Yup, it's my right under Canadian law and I will most certainly exercise it.
 
Funny. According to Canadian law duplication of information for personal use is not only NOT theft, it's perfectly legal as ruled by the Supreme court. :rolleyes: Did I download Spore? Yup, it's my right under Canadian law and I will most certainly exercise it.

You're making me wish I went to university in Canada. No more paying for course packs I'm just going to shelve and never use again after the class ends...:rolleyes:
 
Funny. According to Canadian law duplication of information for personal use is not only NOT theft, it's perfectly legal as ruled by the Supreme court. :rolleyes: Did I download Spore? Yup, it's my right under Canadian law and I will most certainly exercise it.

Canada knows what's right. Just look at the Canadian drinking age.

the US fails at laws
 
What pisses me off is this:

Games that have DRM, that suck for users who have purchased them rightfully. Same games, pirated. No DRM, no problems with playing. WTF here? A pirate can play it and not have a crashing, buggy game? But I, as a paying user, cannot. There's something wrong with this picture.
 
JimmiG Hit the nail on the head with his post.
Fact is this is a good way IMO for EA to realize Piracy is going to happen with such BS DRM.
im glad everyone on those torrent sites are writing a big FUCK YOU EA in all there comments.
 
Im sorry but the DRM on both Farcry and Crysis don't get along with my nice shiny LG Bluray drive, and I'm not gonna go stuff an old drive in as a second optical just to make them happy.


So I stopped playing. When Steam had thier FC2 offer, I grabbed it and enjoy no DRM on the old Farcry now. If Crysis was better I'd consider thier current offer but I will grab warhead only on Steam, just to avoid having to bother with DVD's in the drive, etc, etc.
 
Funny. According to Canadian law duplication of information for personal use is not only NOT theft, it's perfectly legal as ruled by the Supreme court. :rolleyes: Did I download Spore? Yup, it's my right under Canadian law and I will most certainly exercise it.

Sweet I live in Canada and I wasn't sure if it was legal or not anymore, i used to get emails all the time from my isp telling me im doing copyright stuff, but then it stopped. Now i just have to find something worth torrenting.
 
Sweet I live in Canada and I wasn't sure if it was legal or not anymore, i used to get emails all the time from my isp telling me im doing copyright stuff, but then it stopped. Now i just have to find something worth torrenting.

Noting, of course, that a random forum post is an extremely stupid source of legal advice.
 
What pisses me off is this:

Games that have DRM, that suck for users who have purchased them rightfully. Same games, pirated. No DRM, no problems with playing. WTF here? A pirate can play it and not have a crashing, buggy game? But I, as a paying user, cannot. There's something wrong with this picture.

You're not paying for the game, you're paying for the DRM. Enjoy!
 
Noting, of course, that a random forum post is an extremely stupid source of legal advice.

It still is. That's why there was a hoopola over bill C-31 or whatever it was.

Thank goodness for Harper's stupidity. He puts out the bill, and it's now going to die thanks to the election ;)
 
hacked box tv and computer programs are not the same, sorry, try again.

Really? Please tell me how stealing content via cable or satellite is different than downloading content that's hacked to allow you to use it for free?
 
Funny. According to Canadian law duplication of information for personal use is not only NOT theft, it's perfectly legal as ruled by the Supreme court. :rolleyes: Did I download Spore? Yup, it's my right under Canadian law and I will most certainly exercise it.

So in canada, it's ok to download Commercial releases that you don't own? Or are you saying you can buy a game and download a copy elsewhere if you want?

Regardless, myndcrime wasn't arguing Canadian laws, he was saying that it's not stealing if he wasn't going to buy something anyway.
 
i gotta tell ya....if you download a game because of it's DRM....your "doing it wrong"

you download a game because you didn't buy it....you download a CRACKED EXE because you don't want DRM....get it right

put on your facking tin foil hats about DRM....i have no problems with it...consoles have it, thats why you have to screw around/solder consoles...deal with it

...with that being said....did i download spore? yes.....did i play only half an hour to find out it sucked ass? yes....do i feel bad about downloading the game and not actually paying for the 30 mins i played (even though it took 3 days to get) hell no...because if i liked it, i would have bought it

i have NEVER beat a downloaded game without buying it with the exception of KOTOR...which after i bought it and it's sequal...i beat the first twice more....with a legal copy i cracked so i didn't have to use the CD

demos...IMHO are thrown together pieces of shit and not worth downloading (other than BF2...best demo...evar!)

i know the official stance has to be "piracy is wrong" but get a few things right...

1. it's not STEALING...it's PIRACY...big difference (i'm not STEALING the IP for monetary gains...i'm using it for my own private use, which, is more attention the game would have gotten from me otherwise....EA is not losing money because i wouldn't blindly buy a game like this anyways)
2. i save money by not buying a shitty game first
3. i have no excuse for my actions and i'm a bad man
 
If you want to play the game then it has value, fucking buy it.

If your problem with the game is DRM then you have two options:

1) Don't buy and Don't play the game. (AKA voting with your wallet)

2) Buy a legit copy of the game, then download the DRM free torrent version.


DRM sucks ass, and it only hurts legit customers, but two wrongs do not make a right. And using the anti-DRM argument to pirate a game is a bullshit excuse to make yourself feel better. If you are going to steal, at least man up and accept that you are a dirty fucking thief and accept you are only doing it for your own interests.

PCs are faster/better than consoles, but generally speaking, better games come out for the consoles because of rampant piracy from PC users. Keep stealing them games and eventaully there will only be shitty games to steal.
 
Dr.LaRd makes an interesting point about using torrents to "try-before-you-buy". I can see that as a semi-legit practice to curb wasting money on the craptastic titles already in existence.
 
Dr.LaRd makes an interesting point about using torrents to "try-before-you-buy". I can see that as a semi-legit practice to curb wasting money on the craptastic titles already in existence.

the problem as i see it (and at this point i really don't care if anyone believes me about my practices...i could really care less) is that a company spends more money on marketing a game than what they spent MAKING the damn thing....

if i can't tell if i like a game....and if it takes me downloading a pirated copy....then that's what it takes for me to drop my money down....i value my money and give my money to the deserving developers who make a really great game....not their fucking marketing departments

and as far as i'm concerned....the REAL "dirty fucking thief's" are the people who sell pirated shit....that is the lowest of the low....i'm not making any money off this...i'm not even giving any of it away to friends! i'm playing it (in spores case...30 mins MAX) and uninstalling it.....oh...and crysis....don't even get me started on that steamy pile of shit...i would rather support fucking futuremark than buy that "game" for a benchmark...
 
Sweet I live in Canada and I wasn't sure if it was legal or not anymore, i used to get emails all the time from my isp telling me im doing copyright stuff, but then it stopped. Now i just have to find something worth torrenting.

Good luck with that. As I recall Canada made everyone there pay a tax on black CDs just to suck off the RIAA
 
So in canada, it's ok to download Commercial releases that you don't own? Or are you saying you can buy a game and download a copy elsewhere if you want?

Regardless, myndcrime wasn't arguing Canadian laws, he was saying that it's not stealing if he wasn't going to buy something anyway.

The original ruling was that duplication of documents was not a copyright violation as it is for personal use. e.g. You can photocopy books in a library for personal use.

That ruling was then used during an MP3 case during which the judge agreed that since in the end they are really no different then documents (if you really wanted you could print the binary) and therefor are covered by the Supreme court's ruling. The studios haven't tried a single lawsuit then, they're afraid they'll just draw publicity to the fact that personal use of ANY information is a legal right in Canada
 
The original ruling was that duplication of documents was not a copyright violation as it is for personal use. e.g. You can photocopy books in a library for personal use.

That ruling was then used during an MP3 case during which the judge agreed that since in the end they are really no different then documents (if you really wanted you could print the binary) and therefor are covered by the Supreme court's ruling. The studios haven't tried a single lawsuit then, they're afraid they'll just draw publicity to the fact that personal use of ANY information is a legal right in Canada

"Edit"

Want to download pop songs in MP3 format with impunity and without fear of prosecution? Move to Canada. The refuge for Vietnam War draft dodgers of the 1970s is now an asylum for intellectual-property pirates.

A federal court judge in Canada this week ruled that swapping songs on the Internet for "personal use" does not violate copyright law or infringe on the rights of artists like J. Lo, Britney Spears or Elton John.

"Downloading a song for personal use does not amount to infringement," Justice Konrad von Finckenstein of the Federal Court of Canada declared in a decision released this week.
"I cannot see a real difference between a library that places a photocopy machine in a room full of copyrighted material and a computer user that places a personal copy on a shared directory," von Finckenstein said.

Judge's Rationale
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has filed hundreds of lawsuits against alleged intellectual-property pirates in the United States. The lawsuit campaign began largely because the music industry has been hemorrhaging sales. The RIAA claims the cause is an emerging digital culture that believes anything available on the Internet should be free.

The Canadian Recording Industry Association -- the counterpart to the RIAA in the United States -- sought to extend the war on copyright thieves to a new, northern front. CRIA brought the suit, resulting in von Finckenstein's ruling, as it sought a court order to identify 29 MP3 file sharers who were posting pop songs on the Net without the publishers' permission.

Judge von Finckenstein, however, refused to grant the order, declaring that placing a song in an online music-sharing service such as Kazaa -- despite common sense and precedent to the contrary -- "does not amount to distribution."

He wrote that the CRIA produced "no evidence" that the alleged uploaders knowingly "distributed or authorized the reproduction of sound recordings" via P2P file-sharing sites.

"The mere fact of placing a copy on a shared directory in a computer where that copy can be accessed via a P2P service does not amount to distribution," von Finckenstein wrote.

Essentially, you're allowed to download, but it's illegal to purposely upload, but "passive" uploading (BT, shared folders, etc) don't count as purposely uploading.
 
Fact is this is a good way IMO for EA to realize Piracy is going to happen with such BS DRM.
im glad everyone on those torrent sites are writing a big FUCK YOU EA in all there comments.

EA would have to be really stupid not to realize that they have gone too far with this DRM..
Ratings at Amazon:
5 star: 3% (72)
4 star: 2% (50)
3 star: 0% (21)
2 star: 2% (57)
1 star: 90% (2,016)

:eek:

Then again, software publishers, the MPAA, RIAA etc. haven't displayed any sign of intelligence so far.

Good luck with that. As I recall Canada made everyone there pay a tax on black CDs just to suck off the RIAA

Same thing in Sweden. I think it was originally introduced when recordable casettes and VCR's became commonplace. Since they couldn't stop people from borrowing vinyls from their friends and recording them on tape, they just said - Fine, you pay this tax and we leave you alone.
Actually I wouldn't be against the introduction of such a tax on Internet access as well if that meant Digital Restrictions Management, lawsuits against 90-year olds who've never used a computer (and even against dead people) etc. would just go away.

As long as 99% of all movies, albums and games are crappy and not worth your money, people will either download them for free or simply not care, and the RIAA, MPAA and whatever evil alliance the software publishers have formed will blame it on piracy. But if they get some compensation for the supposed lost sales in the form of a tax that everyone pays, maybe they'll just leave everyone alone. You'd essentially be paying a tax to compensate them for the fact their products don't sell because they're crappy, though :p
 
EA just does not learn...

these kinds of DRM schemes are only self defeating. Sins of a solar empire had no drm or copy protection and did damn well because its a good game.

well i will buy games, but will not "rent" them as this is what is effectively happening with the implementation of this drm scheme....

again pirates 1, companies 0...:D
 
Good luck with that. As I recall Canada made everyone there pay a tax on black CDs just to suck off the RIAA

On a $5 pack of 25 dvd-r's there isn't much tax, even if the blank cd tax was like $2, who cares your still getting 25 dvd-r's for cheap.
 
Legally, downloading it is theft, [...]

Wow. I know a lot of people like to make the argument that piracy is equivalent to theft on some levels, and even call it theft, but I really thought everyone was aware that piracy is in fact not legally theft, but copyright infringement instead.
 
Back
Top