copy protection?
Price
Join Date: 2003-09-27 Member: 21247Members
Join Date: 2003-09-27 Member: 21247Members
Comments
This is being discussed in off-topic already, but I suppose it might be worth noting here as well: <a href="http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html" target="_blank">http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html</a>
In a way NS2 should be ok because it's an online game, so if it is cracked and the right security checks are done when running the game, any pirates will be forced to play in their own ostracised and self-contained groups.
But I would hate to see NS2 go the way of the dogs because of people pirating it.
I guess I would make an exception for NS2, but what happens if UWE goes bankrupt after releasing it (I don't hope so <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />)?
Would Steam keep the game?
I can still play Monkey Island today, wonder if I'll be able to play Half-Life 2 in 15 years.
I guess I would make an exception for NS2, but what happens if UWE goes bankrupt after releasing it (I don't hope so <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />)?
Would Steam keep the game?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->As long as Valve is in existance, yes. You see if it's distro'd on Steam Valve get a profit for every copy released. As long as the profit they get outweighs the costs for hosting it (almost certainly always going to be the case), they will keep letting you download it/buy it and send any of UWE's profits to whoever claims right to them.
Sure thing! We won't use an invasive or heavy-handed copy protection scheme like SecuRom or Starforce.
Very good news! *cough* right, Spore? *cough*
I love you .... no, really <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
Happy Holidays from Germany!
exactly!
+1
For those who don't know what Steamworks is exactly, their website is here.
<a href="http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/index.php</a>
Well obviously this is hosting the game on Steam, but it's cool to see all the things Steam offers to developers who wanna put their game on Steam. And for those too lazy to click and read the link here is a summarized version of it...
Steamworks offers:<ul><li> Full access to the Steam community including the ability to integrate achievements, matchmaking, VAC, voice chat, and the ability to play from any computer as long as it has Steam and you can login to it <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /></li><li> Full ability to easily distribute game updates at no bandwidth charge, real time sales stats, encrypted retail media (AKA: Preloading, once the game has gone gold it can be sent to Steam and you can preload it, but it's encrypted so there isn't any leakage of content before the release), Anti-Piracy, Key-based authentication, and even Free Weekends and Guest Passes (Great for getting the word out about NS and showing people what a great game it is)</li><li> Steam can also provide the ability to easily set up closed OR open beta tests, Rapid and secure build distribution, gives access to hardware survey's so you can know who's playing your game on what system, bug reporting, and of course the all important installer and if you've ever installed a game off Steam you know how painless it is <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /></li></ul>
So Steamworks is pretty kickass and I'm sure given it's history they will use it.
I dont like Steam very much either. If there is a stand alone client I would much prefer that.
Steam itself is heavy DRM, but at least it comes with advantages unlike SecuROM and alike. I stil dont like the fact, that in case I do something wrong or misbehave they have the power to take all of my games away I paid for. I essentially rent my games on steam as long as I am in line and behave. That said, I still favor Steam many many times against SecuROM.
I'm not saying Stand Alone Clients are bad. I'm sure this team could easily make a Stand Alone Client that would get the job done and work perfectly, but in my own opinion that isn't nearly as good as going with Steamworks simply because they get an easier method of distributing, they don't have to worry about bandwidth issues, they get a much easier method of providing updates, and complete integration into the Steam Community. Not to mention probably the biggest thing is all the free advertisement they would get which would provide MUCH needed new customers into the fold. If you see 3 of your Steam friends online and playing Natural Selection 2, you are going to look into the game. If you see Natural Selection 2 providing a free weekend pass to play the game, I'm sure you would see a massive amount of downloads of the game and I'm sure a decent number of purchases too. Steamworks would make a whole multiplayer game like Natural Selection 2 so much better than if it was just some stand alone product.
But like I said, just my 2 cents.
<3
If you're NOT, then you have nothing to worry about from steam. I've been using it since it came out, and like megahalo I've pissed people off and caused problems; steam has never done anything to me.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Sure thing! We won't use an invasive or heavy-handed copy protection scheme like SecuRom or Starforce.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I love you. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> That's one thing that T's me off about games, is ultra heavy handed DRM. I hate to spend 50 bucks only to have a game cause my CD Drive to Fail (COUGH STARFORCE)
Good news!