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Geek Culture / fantasy wars another 5 time install game

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gamerboots
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Posted: 10th Aug 2009 18:21
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just a heads up for anyone thinking of getting the digital version of Fantasy wars. The digital versions online have an activation limit of 5 times. Making matters worse, Admin over at 1c forums quickly locks or moves any posts pertaining to this subject. They apparently dont wish this to become too public.

Regards
Gamerboots~

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Thraxas
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 02:53
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I must be one of the very few people who doesn't seem to have a problem with limited activations of PC games...

NO. I don't look anything like my avatar!
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Libervurto
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 02:59
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So their letting you play their game on 5 machines?
Sounds reasonable to me.

TGC Forum - converting error messages into sarcasm since 2002.
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gamerboots
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 07:28
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no obese, you have 5 activations before you have to buy another lisence.
I guess that this should not be suprising that since 1c has partnered with EA.
I will tell you this though, I was somewhat active on their board for a lengthy time and I can tell you that things at 1c have definately changed. The board was once swarming with activity and members were posting on a daily bases however, with the new Russian admin its quickly becoming a ghost board and from cold chilled response I recieved , I can understand why as I am used to engilsh and american ran forums where people can debate and voice their opinions openly without fear. putting that aside, what bothered me the most about it was that information was not made public (again)
I came really close to not activating what I had bought and demanding a full refund. I have no problem with DRM so long as its not outrageous and extreme and this is one of those cases that I do consider it exteme ( I have boycotted them from my personal buying list. There will be no more EA or 1c games on my shelf )
In all fairness (and to its credit) I would like to also add that dbp's drm scheme is the best I've ever seen

Regards
Gamerboots~
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Lucifer
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 07:38
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Thanks for the heads up, i will not be buying this game and i'll advice people i know that might buy this game not to do it.

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Thraxas
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 10:26
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Are you sure you only get 5 activations? Or is it 5 at a time with one activation being freed up when you uninstall. I find it very hard to believe that you're only paying for a 5 activation license with no option for aditional activations in the event of errors.

Everytime something comes out with this form of DRM people get their knickers in a twist. I've never hit my activation limit on anything even the things that only give you 3 activations. Heck I wouldn't have a problem with a 1 activation limit.

Quote: "I guess that this should not be suprising that since 1c has partnered with EA. "


Seriously the hate for EA is something that should long since have passed, as far as I can see they've changed their business practices for the better and people still hate on them. I'm pretty sure if you MUST hate on someone Activision should be the target.

I'm afraid DRM is here to stay even the games which are DRM free limit your experience in some way unless you pay for a license.

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Math89
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 12:07
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Thraxas, what if you suddenly need to format your computer? You would lose everything, including the game, and since it wouldn't have been uninstalled properly, there is no way to get this activation back.
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Silvester
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 12:14
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Activation limits are fine, for as long as you are able to reset your lisence with a SECOND key provided in your game box as a password...(This disabling the old lisences offcourse.) This way only the actual owner can reset the lisence(Given that he did not share his keys) and everyone will be happy. Software publishers have their installation limits, and the users can always reset their lisence whenever their PC fries or something similar.

Then again, that's just my personal opinion.

It's not the world that turns against you, it's you that turns against the world.
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Thraxas
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 12:27
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I've never needed to suddenly reformat my computer... It's always been a deliberate decision... but usually you get a piece of software to free up an activation in an instance like this.

I'm not saying people don't get unforseen problems but I'm sure it's either a simple phone call/support ticket fix...

It's just my opinion... and I realise I'm in the minority, as plenty of people boycott software with activations.

NO. I don't look anything like my avatar!
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ionstream
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 12:41
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Quote: "Thraxas, what if you suddenly need to format your computer?"


1 down, 4 to go

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Jeku
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 17:30
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Quote: "Thraxas, what if you suddenly need to format your computer?"


Does that even happen often enough? I've had it happen to me just one time in all the years I've been using PCs


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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 18:46
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Ever since using a decent anti-virus I've NEVER had anything come and hurt my computer. I've had trojans try and do something, but my Internet security just wipes them clean. Funnily enough after one of my old XP installs as soon as I went on the internet to get software to protect my PC I came across a trojan.

If I had to do an emergency reinstall of windows, if I wasn't a sensible user, then replacing a video game activation would be the least of my worries. A game is replaceable, my files, however, are not.

The only issue I have with these activations is that if I understand correctly, they rely on the internet, whilst, yes, only a small percentage of people can't get access to the internet, the problem is if they shut down their servers for any reason. Though I suppose the argument for that is if that does happen, it'll be so far down the line that there'd be a work-around for retro-gamers.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 18:54
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If it annoys you that much and you have bought a legal copy, go grab a patch.

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lazerus
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 23:02
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Quote: "If it annoys you that much and you have bought a legal copy, go grab a patch."


You mean a crack?
Other than it being;
Illegal,
Virus infested, nothing for nothing when it comes to this stuff.

I can however see why it would be more suitable, as youv said you have paid them so thier not losing potential revenue, which by my understanding is the entire aurgument about piracy.

So it might not to be so bad to patch ^^

"the wind bothers me, its sudden acrid coldness. The world around me darkens and the moon seems distant, unforthcoming, hostile"
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Jeku
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 23:43
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Quote: "The only issue I have with these activations is that if I understand correctly, they rely on the internet"


I know we've talked about this in great length before, but any game that needs Internet activation clearly states that Internet is required on the box. It's really the user's fault if he doesn't have the Internet and buys a game with big words on the front "Internet Connection Required".


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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 23:49
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Quote: "Illegal,
Virus infested, nothing for nothing when it comes to this stuff."


I really doubt they'd give a damn about it being legally dubious. After all, they've got your money, they're not gonna lose any.

Virus infested? Yeah right. I've probably got 20 programs on here that are patched because the CDs have exploded in the tray or their silly pathetic protection systems flat out don't work with my CD drive and I don't think I've ever seen NOD32 cry murder. Oh, and there's plenty of free online virus scanners. Just know your source.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 11th Aug 2009 23:57 Edited at: 11th Aug 2009 23:58
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Quote: "Quote: "The only issue I have with these activations is that if I understand correctly, they rely on the internet"

I know we've talked about this in great length before, but any game that needs Internet activation clearly states that Internet is required on the box. It's really the user's fault if he doesn't have the Internet and buys a game with big words on the front "Internet Connection Required"."


Well, I'm not arguing that side anymore, my only issue with internet activation is whether or not they take the activation servers down, however, it's probably likely a work-around will be in circulation when that happens. The people without internet access are probably a small minority.

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lazerus
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 00:07
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Just know your source.

Therin lies the problem, most sources are considered dubious. The only one that could be considered, will be under new management soon so 'backally' downloading will become more common.

Thiers not much to point out now, i dont perticually search for torrent sites so/// think of a sum up///

Life gose on.

"the wind bothers me, its sudden acrid coldness. The world around me darkens and the moon seems distant, unforthcoming, hostile"
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gamerboots
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 02:03
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@thraxas
Quote: "Are you sure you only get 5 activations? "

yes, and requires online activation whitch uses their servers to store info on how many times its been activated. I have 3 left now

Quote: "I'm afraid DRM is here to stay"

fortnately , consumers have a choice to not buy from companies whitch do this. Unless , ofcourse as I said before the company chooses not to make this public and then slaps people in the face when they mention or ask about it.

@Seppuku Arts
Quote: "my only issue with internet activation is whether or not they take the activation servers down, "

running servers is very exspensive. sooner or later these servers will come down and those who bought games requiring this service will be stuck with useless files on their emergency backup disk to remind them of their investment.

Regards
Gamerboots~
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jeffhuys
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 03:37 Edited at: 12th Aug 2009 03:38
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Quote: "running servers is very exspensive."


Running a server which only checks a key is'nt expensive. In fact, my server with 250MB (expandable) space and 500GB bandwidth AND a domain name costs me 10 euros a year. No kidding.



You're the 'th to view this signature!
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gamerboots
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 04:10
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@jeffhuys
are you refering to hosting or actual servers ?

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Gamerboots~
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Jeku
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 04:41
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Quote: "my only issue with internet activation is whether or not they take the activation servers down"


Quote: "running servers is very exspensive. sooner or later these servers will come down and those who bought games requiring this service will be stuck with useless files on their emergency backup disk to remind them of their investment."


And this has happened how many times now? All the big offenders (Take2 with Bioshock, EA with Spore) released patches to reduce or remove their activation limits. There has never been a company that has just shut off an activation server that I know of, and I doubt there has been one. They will all be patched out after their popularity has died down. Come on guys, take off your tinfoil hats


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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 11:59 Edited at: 12th Aug 2009 12:03
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Like I said, if or when an activation server is taken down (I imagine this would only happen when the game is considered 'old'), there will likely be a workaround. Though I considered it an issue I already shot it down, as it's one that's not diffithcultly solved, whether it's an official patch or an unofficial patch. If the servers are down and the company hasn't patched their software, then I doubt anybody would be particularly bothered if there's an unofficial patch.

For example, remember the old Lucas Arts activations? For Monkey Island you needed one of those wheels to generate a code, the Money Island Bounty pack doesn't come with one, so when I run Monkey Island 2 in SCUMMVM it works no matter what code I put in. So the developers put in a work around so I can still play that classic game. So for once Jeku, I'm agreeing with you.

And besides, I quite like my tinfoil hat, it keeps the Russians from spying on me.

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lazerus
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 13:40
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Its not the russians you need to worry about

"the wind bothers me, its sudden acrid coldness. The world around me darkens and the moon seems distant, unforthcoming, hostile"
http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
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gamerboots
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 16:59
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@lazerus
ok... ...I'll try and keep an open mind about this...I probably should not ask , but curiosity has got me. Who and how laz ?
@jeku
Quote: "And this has happened how many times now? All the big offenders (Take2 with Bioshock, EA with Spore) released patches to reduce or remove their activation limits."

point is that they didn't do this until after the backlash. Also,
you are so lucky that you have only had to reformat once. I seriously would like to know what kind of anti-virus you use.

Regards
Gamerboots~
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Slow Programmer
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Posted: 12th Aug 2009 17:01
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Quote: "There has never been a company that has just shut off an activation server that I know of, and I doubt there has been one."


Actually... I bought a game called, "NRA Competitive Shooting," a few years back. I can't remember the company name. All was well until I got a new computer and decided to install the game on it. I could not get it activated online. The company had went out of business and there was no way to activate. It does happen. I no longer buy games that require online activation or come with obnoxious protection schemes. I am not the criminal. I am buying their products so why make me deal with all the crap. As a paying customer I expect better. There are no hacker proof software schemes so this stuff does not work anyway. I consider the way I buy games now voting with my dollars. I am a paying customer and I expect to be treated that way.
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Jeku
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Posted: 13th Aug 2009 04:38 Edited at: 13th Aug 2009 04:44
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Quote: "I seriously would like to know what kind of anti-virus you use."


I don't understand why a normal savvy computer user would ever be FORCED to abandon their computer and format without being able to do uninstallations first. I just have NOD32 and I'm careful with what I do and what I download. I don't understand this notion that some people have where all people constantly have to abandon their OS and reinstall it all the time. That just never happens to me, anyway.


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Robert F
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Posted: 13th Aug 2009 04:45
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Quote: "Does that even happen often enough? I've had it happen to me just one time in all the years I've been using PCs "


Well, this happened to me. Somehow my HD got corrupted and I even tried to get to it from another os on a backup drive. No luck though, it just says the drive needs to be re-formatted before I can use it again. So now I just lost all my stuff.


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Jeku
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Posted: 13th Aug 2009 06:20
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Well in that case you'd lose 1 activation out of 5. Would that happen 5 seperate times before they patch it out of the game? No.


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Darth Kiwi
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Posted: 13th Aug 2009 22:26
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Quote: "Quote: "And this has happened how many times now? All the big offenders (Take2 with Bioshock, EA with Spore) released patches to reduce or remove their activation limits."
point is that they didn't do this until after the backlash."

I can't help thinking that's being a bit harsh on the devs. The BioShock team basically said "Yes, you'll have to activate it online, and there will be a limit to the number of activations. At some point in the future, we'll consider patching it to remove those limits." Then, after a while, they patched it to remove the limits, thus keeping their word and staying in the fan base's good books. In my book, that's a winner.

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gamerboots
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Posted: 13th Aug 2009 22:59
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Quote: "Would that happen 5 seperate times before they patch it out of the game?"

unlikely , but totally possible. I'm going to check out your AV program shortly as this may hold the key to where the fountain of eterna-drive might be located

@darth
Quote: " At some point in the future, we'll consider patching it to remove those limits." "

I have seen no such indication yet concerning this. Nor did I see a big sign telling me It required online activation nor did I read anywhere it had limited activations. My reaction probably would not have been so bad if the company had not reacted the way they did.

Regards
Gamerboots~
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Jeku
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Posted: 14th Aug 2009 02:46
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I guess there's only one thing to do if such tactics irk you:

Don't buy the game.

Problem solved


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gamerboots
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Posted: 14th Aug 2009 05:28
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problem is that lately ,you dont know about these tactics until its too late but I do have an alternate solution. In view that its electronic , I might buy, but if I find that they are doing this then next time I simply wont activate it and will request a refund. If a product is electronic then As long as the product is not activated you can do this with no worries
oh and I checked out your AV, its very good

Regards
Gamerboots~
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Mahoney
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Posted: 14th Aug 2009 08:04
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Quote: "I guess there's only one thing to do if such tactics irk you:

Don't buy the game."


I believe that's what gamer boots has been saying since the beginning of this thread. xD

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gamerboots
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Posted: 20th Aug 2009 01:00
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you got it mahoney

Regards
Gamerboots~
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