For anyone who thinks online activations aren't a problem

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

I'm a cheapskate so I don't actually have any way to photograph it and email it, beyond cadging a friends phone.

Eeeeh? All you need is a cheap digital camera (some of your chums / neighbours / co-workers have to have one) or a telephone. Before sending the pic, you have to resize it. The original can be very big: 2 or 3 megas. Use Gimp, "save as" and the pic will be much smaller. And then send the email with the pic attached. No rocket science [:)]

I think the point is it's pretty bloody ridiculous that legitimate consumers have to do these ridiculous things. The guy bought the game, and the serial has been stolen. Pirate gets to use the game and he has to jump through hoops. That's the point.

I could keep up my dialog with Softwrap and eventually get ArmA working...but I thought "Why bother?" Life is too short. Write it off as a lesson and move on. Very unusually uncharacteristic of me, as I am normally very tenacious when it comes to bad service support/customer service/call it what you will.

However, it really doesn't bother me too much. I'd probably install it and play it for a couple of weeks, only to uninstall it again. The game on release was bug ridden beyond belief. They don't deserve my money period, nevermind just taking into account the pathetic excuse for DRM.

I'm done with the company (Bohemia Interactive) and online activations and limited activations. Others will be added as I come across problems.

[TulliusDetritus]

" I think the point is it's pretty bloody ridiculous that legitimate consumers have to do these ridiculous things"

I know that. But either he wants to try to fix the problem or he doesn't. It is NOT the end of the world. Come on, the real world is full of such kafakesque anecdotes [:D]

Ridiculous yes, but all they want is a ridiculous pic.

[JudgeDredd]

The reason I answered your post was your retorte to his post was daft. I'm sure he knows (and you probably knew also) that he wasn't wanting help...just sounding off. You probably knew (as I could guess) that he knew where to get a phone from. So either his point was completely lost on you, or your retorte was tongue in cheek to wind him up.
 
Neither did anyone in this thread suggest it was the end of the world. The first reference to that was you.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: Yogi the Great

ORIGINAL: sapper_astro

canceled, along with the new Total War game, and numerous other games.

Same here, Empire Total War which would have been a must have game for me (I have the others) instead will have one less customer.

Me too, and I own the previous entire series. [:(]

[TulliusDetritus]

And the reason I answer your last comment is that you shouldn't be looking for an excuse to get offended, he he he [8D]

This is a public forum, so what I write is not your bloody problem (as long as I don't offend anybody: and I don't). Use the green button and voilà. No rocket science either [;)]

[Perturabo]

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

Bought Empire Total War from a local game shop, the software key has been stolen apparently so an online phone home with Steam -> no joy.

Some emails later, and they want a photograph of the CD and booklet emailed to them as proof.

I'm a cheapskate so I don't actually have any way to photograph it and email it, beyond cadging a friends phone.



Hassle. Screw Steam in future!

Wouldn't returning game to the store be more logical than phoning the tech-help? After all it's the store who is responsible for the state of the package?

[sapper_astro]

ORIGINAL: Perturabo

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

Bought Empire Total War from a local game shop, the software key has been stolen apparently so an online phone home with Steam -> no joy.

Some emails later, and they want a photograph of the CD and booklet emailed to them as proof.

I'm a cheapskate so I don't actually have any way to photograph it and email it, beyond cadging a friends phone.



Hassle. Screw Steam in future!

Wouldn't returning game to the store be more logical than phoning the tech-help? After all it's the store who is responsible for the state of the package?

Certainly worth a try. They will probably think up some excuse, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. God I hope this online crap goes down the toilet soon, pardon the pun.

[mack2]

Luckily DRM is on the wane almost everywhere at least in consumer level products. The huge backlash over Starforce, games like Bioshock having massive issues with online activations and the general idea of most people who have DRM problems to simply return something that doesn't work and never bother again, and some positive reinforcement like the huge sales of DRM-free games like Sins of a Solar Empire have meant most companies aren't bothering anymore. It's too much hassle, causes hype backlash and tech support issues that they can't afford. That isn't going into the music side of things either.

Apart from the fact piracy has never been proven to save more money from people who buy a game instead of pirating.

Sure, its not an insurmountable problem, but its hassle I can do without, and hassle I do not deserve as a paying customer. Still, I believe in the market and in voting with your wallet - so I'm never buying another Steam activated game again.

You can get the exact same issue with any game which uses keys, even if they don't use steam. Especially when it has a multiplayer system (because cd-keys are the basis to control the online mp "landscape"). It might not have been a "steam" or "stolen key" issue anyway, could be as simple as a misprinted key.

Is it _that_ hard to take a picture? Most companies don't ask for anything more. You report a stolen key, they get the key from you, a picture of the disk, and send a new one key by email, or contact steam to get the game added to your account. Wait maybe a week to play a game.

Of course, depending on any statutory rights in your area, you could have just taken the game back to the store, told them it didn't work and get a replacement.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: sapper_astro

God I hope this online crap goes down the toilet soon, pardon the pun.

Perfect pun for me! I have passed on many games I wanted, all because of Securom and such. I won't finance that garbage. [:@]

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: mack2
Is it _that_ hard to take a picture?

Thats not really the point, is it. But yeah, if you don't have a camera it is slightly more of an issue than a trivial snap-and-email.

Of course, depending on any statutory rights in your area, you could have just taken the game back to the store, told them it didn't work and get a replacement.

Didn't keep the receipt, like a numpty. I don't buy that many games, I wasn't expecting DRM issues. I am as sweet and innocent as the driven snow - and the only companies I bought from really are Paradox (who have zero protection), Matrix (who are very helpful) and Blizzard (who make subscribing easy for all those listless addicts out there).

[105mm Howitzer]

I'm one of those addicts, but not that listless, you know..[:-] ( oh hell, yes I am, who the hell am I kidding, I mean, I'm even a beta tester, oh, the shame, the shame)

Play WOW, feel great, love Matrix.
There, all in a nutshell
Cheers
MC[X(]

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

And the reason I answer your last comment is that you shouldn't be looking for an excuse to get offended, he he he [8D]

This is a public forum, so what I write is not your bloody problem (as long as I don't offend anybody: and I don't). Use the green button and voilà. No rocket science either [;)]

You read me wrong. I am not offended by you. I just think you were being awkward. [:-]

Last word goes to you if you want it...[:'(]

[Kuokkanen]

I've recently seen on public media ( = TV) that game publishers have come FINALLY to realize that DRM systems right now in active use may be too much hassle for legitimate customers. Looks like Sims 3 is proving that it's not just talk

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

And the reason I answer your last comment is that you shouldn't be looking for an excuse to get offended, he he he [8D]

This is a public forum, so what I write is not your bloody problem (as long as I don't offend anybody: and I don't). Use the green button and voilà. No rocket science either [;)]

You read me wrong. I am not offended by you. I just think you were being awkward. [:-]

Last word goes to you if you want it...[:'(]

Nah [:D] Unlike others I am not here looking for an excuse to get offended (no need of names, eh?). So you haven't used that green button yet? [8D]

[SS Hauptsturmfuhrer]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

And the reason I answer your last comment is that you shouldn't be looking for an excuse to get offended, he he he [8D]

This is a public forum, so what I write is not your bloody problem (as long as I don't offend anybody: and I don't). Use the green button and voilà. No rocket science either [;)]

You read me wrong. I am not offended by you. I just think you were being awkward. [:-]

Last word goes to you if you want it...[:'(]

Nah [:D] Unlike others I am not here looking for an excuse to get offended (no need of names, eh?). So you haven't used that green button yet? [8D]

TulliusDetritus, who's that freaky old guy in your signature video? The added balloon and red nose are funny.

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

And the reason I answer your last comment is that you shouldn't be looking for an excuse to get offended, he he he [8D]

This is a public forum, so what I write is not your bloody problem (as long as I don't offend anybody: and I don't). Use the green button and voilà. No rocket science either [;)]

You read me wrong. I am not offended by you. I just think you were being awkward. [:-]

Last word goes to you if you want it...[:'(]

Nah [:D] Unlike others I am not here looking for an excuse to get offended (no need of names, eh?). So you haven't used that green button yet? [8D]

Actually, even if I wanted to I couldn't, because I laugh too much at that "freaky old guy" in the bottom of your posts. Seriously, Man U get on my wick and I hold a personal dislike for that man...so I find it extremely amusing watching him chasing a balloon!! [&o]

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: SS Hauptsturmfuhrer

TulliusDetritus, who's that freaky old guy in your signature video? The added balloon and red nose are funny.

Sir Alex Ferguson. Manager of Manchester United [:@] and all round top whinger and w*****r [:'(]

EDIT: Although "Big" Sam Alardyce runs him close IMO [;)]

[TulliusDetritus]

Hauptsturmfuhrer, as said above he is the Manchester United manager. What you see is his reaction during an English FA Cup match between MUTD and Everton (if my memory does not fail). His team was not given a penalty so he went crazy (he is a notorious bully and referees are his prefered victims). Kudos to the anonymous cyber guy who added the balloon and red nose [:D]

[Hertston]

I tend to be fairly forgiving of footie managers in that context (and I'm NOT a Man United fan). After all, I know enough fans who do that... why shouldn't the manager? Some people just have to vent off the frustration or explode (or, as is not infrequent in the profession, have a heart attack). It's not something most can control, even Capello has been know to lose his rag on occasion.

[sapper_astro]

I always spend a few seconds watching that guy. Damn funny.