Spore creatures join anti-DRM protest

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 15th 2008 at 11:00PM }

Not content with authoring scathing reviews on Amazon, several gamers outraged by EA's approach to DRM in Will Wright's everything sim, Spore, have decided to evolve their line of protest. GameCulture has dug up several amusing, user-created creatures from the game's galaxy, all of them brandishing rather unsubtle traits -- despite lacking traditional faces, it's clear that they frown upon the game's three-install limit.

Regardless of your thoughts on the whole matter, we're pleased to see the promise of user-generated content fulfilled in such an interesting, self-referential way.

[Via GamePolitics]

Tags: DRM, EA, Maxis, Spore, Will-Wright

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

SeraphD @ Sep 15th 2008 11:09PM

This is seriously meta. Like art-imitates-life/life-imitates-art kind of stuff.

rTwelve [xbl:chilblane] @ Sep 16th 2008 12:05AM

sorta like how there is now a podcast by fans of a podcast by fans of a podcast for this site?

BananaBoat @ Sep 16th 2008 1:32AM

I should make a podcast dedicated to fans of a podcast that have dedicated a podcast to a podcast.

I hate Skype though, so we'll have to record our conversations via Microsoft Sam.

Pedobear @ Sep 15th 2008 11:12PM

I'm not sure why people bother putting DRM in games in the first place. Clearly did not deter people from pirating this game.

GoldenS1104 @ Sep 15th 2008 11:20PM

Actually, it makes me want to torrent the game even more since I don't want to have to deal with DRM. So all EA did was, instead of preventing as many people from pirating it, they got people angry at them and gave them a reason to pirate it.

Titanium_Orchid @ Sep 15th 2008 11:29PM

the DRM scheme is meant to keep casual computer uses from doing things like borrowing a friend's copy burning a CD or something along those lines. I think that publishers have come to the conclusion that DRM does nothing against pirates.

Levi @ Sep 16th 2008 12:10AM

I had a friend who was going to buy this for my bday.. Now, I am going to D/L and tell him to order a pizza instead.

BioShock's 3 installs at a time system was ok, because you got an install back when you uninstalled. This is not OK.

Question is, after all the mediocre reviews, is it worth the effort to torrent?

Tiptup300 @ Sep 16th 2008 1:24AM

You can buy the disc, not touch it, then torrent it. It's not legal, but it evens out.

BananaBoat @ Sep 16th 2008 1:37AM

I'm tired of explaining the whole "pirating it and buying it are just as bad. The only solution is not playing it period." theory, so I won't.

Let me say that you aren't missing ANYTHING by not playing this game. To call it clinical would be a massive understatement. There is no soul. You are better off getting a proper RPG, RTS, and whatever the hell else is mashed up (poorly) to form Spore.

The ultimate insult to me was playing through Space mode (on a friends computer). It may be a spoiler to say this, but Space mode literally has no ending. The game will generate new galaxies over...and over....and over....and there is no "winning" the game. It's basically an MMORPG but without the human interaction. There is nothing that could even come close to getting me to play even one more second of Spore.

Antagonist @ Sep 16th 2008 9:27AM

@Levi

That must be one bad ass pizza he's going to order if it's value is interchangeable with that of a $50 game.

Thanatos @ Sep 16th 2008 11:30AM

@Tiptup300

But then you are still giving money to EA and enabling them to keep including this Draconian DRM in future games. Vote with your wallet, dont give them a dime.

t_m @ Sep 17th 2008 12:52AM

its worth remembering that if you pirate it (even if you bought it) and keep a decent share ratio, then you are also effectively sending it to 2 or 3 other people, who maybe didn't buy it.

Osman @ Sep 15th 2008 11:13PM

That is just awesome!!!
I just cant figure out how they did the "EA Sux" one

Chyld989 @ Sep 15th 2008 11:14PM

Donald Ronald Sop? How does that become DRM?

I hate stupid people.

Solid Chief @ Sep 16th 2008 12:28AM

I hate myself for missing it on first read because I assumed it was DRM...

Evan_ARRRR @ Sep 16th 2008 10:28AM

Pay attention. The side of the creature spells out "DRM sux."

j.howlett @ Sep 16th 2008 7:38AM

but DRM SUX is written on the creature's side

Noshino @ Sep 15th 2008 11:22PM

"The Donal Ronald Sop, or DRM for short, is an incredibly stupid creature..."

I don't know whether the fact that the initials actually spell DRS is a clever joke, or them also being incredibly stupid...

Jeff @ Sep 15th 2008 11:26PM

Its not like spore is worth $50, DRM or not.

Urza @ Sep 15th 2008 11:38PM

I don't understand why legitimate owners of the game have a DRM issue.

Exo @ Sep 15th 2008 11:43PM

um maybes its because you are only allowed to install the game 3 times and then you'd have to buy a new copy if you wanted to play again.

its basically a full priced rental

Exo @ Sep 15th 2008 11:49PM

um maybe its because you only get 3 installs, its basically a 50 dollar rental

Zephiel @ Sep 16th 2008 12:16AM

The one account per purchase is a bigger issue than the 3 installs for me.

2 account on the same computer running the same copy of the game have to use the same spore account if you want online access.

And you cant install 2 copies on the same computer if you were stupid enough to buy another so no getting around it.

Snowblind @ Sep 16th 2008 6:07AM

It's *only* the legit owners that have an issue with DRM, for all of the reasons listed above. Pirates can just download the torrent, and play the game without having to worry about any of it.

DRM doesn't stop pirating, it only causes problems for the legitimate owners. That's the problem.

Pimliconite @ Sep 16th 2008 11:45AM

You get to install it on up to three computers an unlimited amount of times. Boo fucking hoo I'm going to go steal it now even though I only own one computer because EA has validated my greedy, juvenile desire for free shit.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080916-ars-puts-spore-drm-to-the-testwith-a-surprising-result.html?comments=1

Nephus @ Sep 20th 2008 12:17PM

Well, now everything I make is under my wife's account because she demanded to play first. All my creations, for better or worse are now piled in with her rather crappy ones and I don't get a shred of credit. That's my main gripe with the DRM. The 3 installs thing is pretty horrible too, but I haven't had an issue with it yet. Right now I'm at the endgame fighting with the grox and frankly I'm getting bored with it.

Urza @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:16PM

Why do you need to install a game more then 3 times...

Oeun Houn @ Sep 15th 2008 11:40PM

So...you bought the game...to complain about the DRM...in the game you just bought? Someone help me, am I rightfully confused here?

Foetoid @ Sep 15th 2008 11:50PM

Yes you are. It's only the people who never intended to buy this game legit that are having a sook about it, unless of course you're in the severe minority and have more than 4 computers, all of which you want to play Spore on. Its completely rediculous that people would complain about something like this. Having to constantly check if you have a legit copy (Didn't Mass Effect game something like that) i could understand to be BS and annoying, but for the average consumer who's going to go buy a game legit, from a real store, and install it on their PC to play it, this DRM stuff is no trouble. DRM FTW. But i will ask this, how does this affect people (like my brother omg) who tend to attract viruses like a magnet and have to format thier PC every 4-6 months. If they lose thier game and have to reinstall each time, it that ok cause it's the same PC?

Jon @ Sep 15th 2008 11:58PM

Considering the fact that the game contained such strict DRM was conveniently *uknown* until release, I know a lot of people who were unaware of the DRM limitations upon purchase.

So, yes, they did. :p

Noshino @ Sep 15th 2008 11:59PM

Yes, many of the people that are complaining are the ones that wouldn't have gotten it to begin with, but there are also many people who have gotten it and are complaining.

and you are missing something thou, you don't only have 3 activations...apparently you only have 1 account available.

Ryoga Vee @ Sep 16th 2008 12:09AM

I assume this is handled the same way Apple does.
When you run out of installs for your DRM music you can call in / go online and have it reset.

Nadril @ Sep 16th 2008 12:27AM

Actually DRM only effects those who bought the game legally. If I were to torrent Spore right now (which I don't even want too considering WAR is out tomorrow) it would come with a crack that would get rid of the bullshit DRM "feature" for me.

Essentially I'm getting more, for free.

FSK405K @ Sep 16th 2008 1:12AM

Foetoid = inept at understanding how time works, or that you'd want to have more than one person playing their own account on the same computer, e.g. children. Full Spore in restricting that removes one of the well-received points of the Creature Creator.

Bslashingu @ Sep 16th 2008 2:43AM

Foetoid: DRM affects the people who legitimately bought the game, not the people who pirated their copies. If you were to go onto a torrent website and download a copy of Spore, all of the DRM wouldn't even be on that copy.

The DRM contained in Spore is a driver that is installed on your computer that can do a number of harmful things:

- It can run in the background without your knowledge, slowing down applications while it "phones home" to make sure you have a legal copy of Spore.
- It can corrupt your Windows install by installing unnecessary drivers.
- Prevent the execution of either Spore itself, or certain programs that might or might not aid in piracy.
- Send information to EA.
- The disk is unreadable on certain CD/DVD drives, because of the SecuROM.

There is nothing on the box that states that DRM is installed onto your computer, and that it may cause damage. You only find out after you open up the box, and install the game.

Ironraptor Albion @ Sep 16th 2008 12:13AM

by far this one is my favourite. It looks like a creature with it's head up it's own arse. :D it is win. :D

http://eu.spore.com/sporepedia/view.cfm?id=500003301197&back=sp

Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Sep 16th 2008 12:19AM

That is VERY funny. Thanks for sharing.

aneurysmi @ Sep 16th 2008 12:40AM

I've two thoughts;

DRM causes nothing but outrage among everyone and their mother, and does jack shit in deterring piracy (A recent torrentfreak article suggests 500,000+ TPB dl's might make Spore the most pirated game EVER)
&
Will Will (heh) Wright's next sim game have enough depth to allow industry management that would make this situation a gameplay element? Gamers now must choose between good and evil; to DRM or to... not DRM.
Hey, I thought it was funn... oh. DRM is not beneficial to anyone, at all! So stop it at once! I'm looking at you EA, but Actiblizz, you better watch your back. On a positive note, yay nintendo for being smart enough to not bother with pc gaming.

KiTA @ Sep 16th 2008 1:08AM

No, you're all missing the point.

This 3 installs thing is a HUGE power grab by EA. They want to test the waters, see if mainstream American gamers (not me and you, our parents and little brothers and sisters) will be willing to put up with this.

Then, if they are, they'll tweak it. Maybe 10 installs, or 1 install. You know, like how Microsoft's Office DRM works. "This copy is already licensed, please call Microsoft."

THAT is the real reason we should be against this. They are attempting a power grab, and it is not right.

Sesur @ Sep 16th 2008 10:58PM

That's right; those bastards are trying to set a precedent that completely favors them. I will not be told by anyone how many installs I need or don't need!

Kevlar @ Sep 16th 2008 2:51AM

I was planning on buying spore. Honestly, I was on my way home from work, planning on stopping to grab it on my way home. The DRM article just happened to pop into my RSS reader as I was on my way out. I took one look at that, said "Nope. EA's not getting my money, or support."

I hope I made the right call voting with my wallet. Kill the DRM, and I might reconsider.

This was just as I was starting to warm up to EA. Some games they've produced/published lately have been great, and I was hoping they were on the fast track to mending their image as a company that produces quick cash-in, yearly-rehashes, and over-hyped products.

Then the DRM issue comes back full force. You've lost my business yet again.

Just_a_guy @ Sep 16th 2008 2:52AM

here's the issue: I have already used two computers: my old computer in which the screen just broke and my new computer. if this one breaks then i've just used my three computers, and what if I want to install it at home as I'm in college? then what? i'm SCRWED

aneurysmi @ Sep 17th 2008 4:28AM

No, you just haven't done the sensible thing and gotten it from the pirate bay yet, noobface.

Just_a_guy @ Sep 17th 2008 12:50PM

only a theif does that.....

justshovejayohbe @ Sep 16th 2008 3:22AM

DRM or not its a damn awesome game... Just played from 10 pm to 3 am :-(

Neebs @ Sep 16th 2008 6:30AM

The irony is that if they were able to submit to Sporepedia, they only reminded EA the customer is not always deterred.

Gavin @ Sep 16th 2008 7:08AM

Played it for about three days and then was bored with it. Most overhyped game I can think of at this point. Really wanted to love it but sadly was let down. Doubt I will ever really play it again in the future. So disappointing....kinda makes me sad.

Hot$auce_Magik @ Sep 16th 2008 8:56AM

Downloaded the day it came out...

Played a couple hours at a time for about 3 days

Been almost a week since I've touched it.

The game is not bad. Its just so full of "Meh" that it makes me nauseous thinking about how much I was hyped for it.

Balls to you Will Wright for your trickery...