another reason to boycott EA and PC-Mass Effect

[screwballl]

Yet another reason to boycott EA and Mass Effect for the PC:

DailyTech - Mass Effect PC Version to Phone Home Every Ten Days

Mass Effect Community - Mass Effect for PC System Specs, SecuROM and FAQ

To install and use Mass Effect, the user must...

...also remain connected to the Internet for the mandatory authorization check that occurs upon installation and every ten days thereafter.

That's right, fellow PC gamers -- it seems that the complaints and furor that surrounded Bioshock's irritating activation scheme have been taken as a "how-to" rather than something to be avoided. Bioware marketing employee Chris Priestly has posted the grisly details on the official Bioware forums, and it isn't pretty for those who only have sporadic connectivity:

Q: What happens if I want to play MEPC but do not have an internet connection?
A: You cannot play MEPC without an internet connection. MEPC must authenticate when it is initially run and every 10 days thereafter.

Q: What happens if I install and activate MEPC with an internet connection, but then do not have an internet connection after 10 days? Can I still play MEPC?
A: No. After 10 days the system needs to re-authenticate via the internet. If you do not have an internet connection you will not be able to play until you are reconnected to the internet and able to re-authenticate.

In addition to the game routinely phoning home, the SecuROM copy protection will also enforce a limitation of three "activated" installations of the game -- any copies installed beyond this will require a phone call to EA Support. For those who recall the server issues during the initial launch of Bioshock, EA has addressed this with no small amount of confidence:

Q: There were some problems with authentication servers for games like BioShock. Is EA ready for the influx of MEPC players? Will we be able to play our games when we get them home?
A: Yes, EA is ready and we are confident there will be no server problems. EA has assured us that they have their authorization systems and customer support staff in place and ready for the launch of Mass Effect for PC. Anyone having issues with getting the game activated will be able to contact EA Support and get their problem resolved.

Gamers of the world will have to wait until May 28th to determine if EA remains true to their word, or if they will be forced to eat them.

[polobunny]

That's horrible. @__@
Every 10 days??? Plus the securom???

This is becoming worse than Steam...

[gvblake22]

Spore is supposed to be the same way. I don't think I will ever be playing a game on a computer without an internet connection, but that doesn't include the times when the ISP or home network electronics are down and can't connect to the internet. Say that happens on the tenth day and you can't play your game because the internet isn't working that day. I would be pretty pissed. I guess it is a good excuse to get outside and get some fresh air... :dontknow:

This is a bummer though, Spore and Mass Effect were two of the few titles I was actually looking forward to this year (the other being Fallout 3)!

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Spore is supposed to be the same way. I don't think I will ever be playing a game on a computer without an internet connection, but that doesn't include the times when the ISP or home network electronics are down and can't connect to the internet. Say that happens on the tenth day and you can't play your game because the internet isn't working that day. I would be pretty pissed. I guess it is a good excuse to get outside and get some fresh air... :dontknow:

Or if you're an hotel that charges for wireless... Or you're still in a 56K connection (because yes, there's people). It's still a ridiculous thing to play a single player game.

[screwballl]

Spore WAS going to be the one EA game I was looking forward to.... not anymore....
more companies need to follow after Stardock... you associate your CD key with your login on their side and thats the only way you can get support, patches, mods anything of the sort... otherwise there is no CD DRM

[gvblake22]

Looks like they backed down!

[azianai]

BACK TO BUYIN MASS EFFECT lol

[Zambini]

Originally Posted by screwballl

Spore WAS going to be the one EA game I was looking forward to.... not anymore....
more companies need to follow after Stardock... you associate your CD key with your login on their side and thats the only way you can get support, patches, mods anything of the sort... otherwise there is no CD DRM

Thats what THQ did with CoH too :P
Only way to come close to stopping Piracy IMO. Its not possible though.

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Looks like they backed down!

how many times have these companies publicly released a statement only to find out that the first 100 million of these games have it anyways... then they release some sort of "oh well we were unable to stop the disc burning process without also delaying the same some months..." crap...

I will believe it when I see it after the games are released... I do not trust EA

[JazzyJake]

Originally Posted by screwballl

I will believe it when I see it after the games are released... I do not trust EA

I've decided EA is the sleeziest and most frustrating game company out there..
"Widescreen gives gamers an unfair advantage"

Just wait till they start throttling pings and you own personal performance....
...."Someone has a 7300le?! Make everyones 9800GX2 run like that! that'll be fair!!"