digital-rights-management posts

Apparently poorly reviewing a title on Amazon hasn't scratched the anti-DRM itch that is Spore. In an effort to evolve their protest, GameCulture has discovered an assortment of anti-digital rights management creatures within the budding galaxy of Will Wright's latest sim. While the creatures may not appear functional for everyday life they carry a message; Spore's three-install limit isn't popular with gamers.

Agree or not, we praise anyone who has the chops to create a creature that has more functions than looking cool -- like how carrier pigeons carry vital information or how chimpanzees can tap a keg.

[Via Joystiq]

Over a week has passed since Mass Effect released for the PC. Although we at Big Download think it's the best version of Mass Effect compared to the Xbox 360 release, many gamers would steer clear of the game due to its restrictive copy protection that only allows a maximum of three installations. PC gaming and annoying copy protection are practically synonymous, ranging from long alphanumeric CD keys to online authentication. Then there are more extreme cases like the whole StarForce controversy, where the copy protection software allegedly damaged computer systems. Mass Effect's copy protection falls just over the line of extremity. It's a feature that has no bearing on actual gameplay but severely impacts the overall user experience. Why? Sound-off after the jump.

You'd think most, if not all, critics would decry the (former) draconian DRM from Mass Effect. Apparently not so. In a piece that is best described as comparing apples to oranges, critic Mike Doolittle manages to wow and astound with statements such as this (which don't even matter anymore, thanks to the DRM removal):

"So let's look again at Mass Effect. Is it really draconian to expect gamers to be connected to the internet? Sure, some people may want to play offline for some arbitrary reason, but is that really going to comprise a significant percentage of players? And what about the three-activation limit? How many times do you plan on re-installing the game? How many friends are you going to 'loan' it to?"

What is he comparing? Well, he's connecting iTunes DRM, which allows for unlimited transfers to iPods and is easily circumvented, to the former Mass Effect DRM, which required you to connect online every 10 days and only allowed 3 installs in total. Maybe he's just a bleary-eyed, out-of-touch dinosaur in regards to the PC gaming scene, but it's very possible to upgrade 3 times within two months, which would indeed require reinstallation. Or maybe he doesn't realize the social nature of gaming because he spends most of his time holed up in an apartment, furiously critiquing single-player games. Either way, if you feel like checking out an article noticeable devoid of logic, check it out.