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PSA: Mass Effect PC still locked at 3 activations, uninstalling won't help

by Christopher Grant on Jun 17th 2008 10:31PM

When we first reported on EA's reworked DRM scheme for Mass Effect PC – one that removed the onerous 10-day re-validation process but now only allows a maximum of three activations – we teased that we were ready to "pick up our torches and pitchforks and join the mob outside."

Now, a little over a month later, that mob has grown to some considerable size, spurred on by a forum thread on BioWare's site being referenced on consumer-advocacy blog The Consumerist. The problem: some confusion over whether or not uninstalling the game reinstates one of your three activations. After some wrangling (you know how support centers can be) EA confirmed that "unfortunately, you will not gain an activation by uninstalling the game." So, be stingy with those installs, gamers.

Mass Effect (PC)

[Via Consumerist; thanks, Eric]

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Tags: BioWare, DRM, EA, Electronic-Arts, Mass-Effect, PC

Reader Comments (69)

Way to cut off my comment... Anyway, I was asking if there's a way to possibly remove the SecuROM from my computer? And if the SecuROM was found on the pirated copies as well?

That screaming sound you hear is the hardline anti-piracy commenters feeling EA kick them repeatedly in the nuts. Not that they'll ever admit this weakens their case.

(No I don't like piracy, I like extremists even less. And this is just F@#$ING DUMB, EA.)

*edit* Well... it's unconfirmed as yet.. but here's what we're learning about SecuROM on Spore Creature Creator's trial demo

"It IS spyware, as the firewall picked it up trying to phone home unsolicited. It looks like it it may also share your username with the entire world, which is extremely dangerous if you foolishly used your real name on your computer. [...] It's doing so by encrypted link, and it's doing so before you even try to login. That is very suspicious, particularly after it has been doing prolonged disk reading prior to startup."

If you already have something like Ghost, you could install your game then take a snapshot right away for later.

I know you shouldn't have to do something like this just to keep your computer clean and be able to play a game you bought, but it's an option.

Fuck you, EA! I am passing out free copies of "Seven Cities of Gold" and "Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson".

I'll join you by passing out some copies of Mail Order Monsters and Archon. In fact, I used to distribute my old floppy disk images of Archon over a local BBS.

Electronic Arts: We don't care if you buy our games you're still a crook and we'll keep treating you like one anyway.

Maybe this is all part of a complicated, evil plot to drive PC gamers over to consoles, thereby driving that last wooden stake into PC Gaming's shriveled heart. Once the PC market is gone, the gaming companies will reveal that they've secretly copied programs onto our consoles that will allow them to control the entire internet, and from there the world!

...hmmm, perhaps I've been playing a bit too much MGS this week.

The part that gets to me is that I don't even see how limiting the number of installs helps combat piracy.

Are they so out of touch with how piracy works that they thought for even a second that this would come anywhere close to impacting a pirate's normal procedures?

Next, instead of them putting the game discs in the retail boxes, you'll get voucher cards that you'll have to mail to EA for them to mail you the game disc. Yeah, that'll get those darned pirates...?

I think I will go pirate this game instead of giving EA my money. Will have to make sure my friends do the same.

Of course they knew this wouldn't do a thing about piracy, as much as web posters like to think themselves oh so superior to the decision makers at EA, they did not get to where they are today by being stupid.

This system looks like it was designed to put a stop to second hand games.

Since this is a single player game that most people will play through once, it's a prime candidate for the second hand circuit.
Who would buy a second hand Mass Effect that could very well have 0 activations left?

Really? You think there's a market in second hand PC games? I've NEVER seen it. Not even at the scary farmers market across town.

If you'ev never seen it, maybe it's not everywhere, but around here, yeah there is a used PC game market.

I wanted the PC version but had no interest in dealing with the increadibly insulting DRM, so I bought the 360 version just recently when it was on sale. I want to support BioWare and the games they make, which I always enjoy, s o I still bought it. Like others have said, the ones that pay for the game are the ones who are screwed. Pirates will still pirate and never have to deal with the DRM. This DRM doesn't make any sense to me. It insults me and the other respectful gamers out there who do things legit.

This is insane! Imagine how they are going to treat us when Spore comes out in a couple months. 3 Hardware changes or installs or whatever? I swap parts out of my computer all the time!

I really want to buy Mass Effect for PC, but good lord its like they don't want me to buy it.

Ok. I take it all back.

I defended EA/Bioware on this, based on the fact that the Bioware Forums Moderators assured us that uninstalling would free up install slots. (which meant to me that the DRM was transparent and non-obtrusive).

If its true that you don't get your installs back then that is ridiculous... and it just proves everyone who was skeptical about the DRM right. Way to create a whole load of new pirates EA!!! sigh.

For those of you saying that EA has gone too far, that no company has been this draconian before, etc., this is the exact same thing that happened with Bioshock PC when it first came out. It had Securom limited to three installs, except T2 said that uninstalling would restore one "credit." In reality, it did not. They eventually released a tool that would give you a credit back if you uninstalled.

Unfortunately, Securom seems to be getting more and more common.

I'd like to be marked down as another person that purchased this game. And I think I'll download and burn the crack to a disk, just incase I ever run into lack of activiation problems. Just Ridiculous.

I'll probably purchase Spore, and do the same thing, but you can bet that I won't be purchasing any 'Hmm, I'm on the fence' titles from EA with this sort of BS.

Well, I really thought I would end up buying Spore after their ealier changes, but it looks like not anymore.

Previous 50 Comments

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PSA: Mass Effect PC still locked at 3 activations, uninstalling won't help

Mass Effect (PC)

Reader Comments (69)

Posted: Jun 18th 2008 3:15PM Colonel Falafel said

Posted: Jun 17th 2008 11:47PM Oldtaku said

Posted: Jun 18th 2008 12:12AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jun 18th 2008 8:29PM Keithustus said

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