Does Stardock Use Starforce?

from GalCiv2 Forums
I used to play a game called "Codename:Panzers" , by CDV. I had quite a bit of fun with it for awhile, but it was always causing problems. I found out later, that this was because of Starforce. It eventually trashed my CD-Rom, which had to be replaced. I vowed never to install a CDV title again. (Unfortunate, since I had already bought Phase Two, which is still in the shrink-wrap) I heard that CDV had decided to dump Starforce, and went online to find out. I found this link WWW Link that gives a list of all the games that still use Starforce, and guess which game I found in the list...Space Rangers 2, available from Stardock. What!?! If the website is wrong, and I certainly hope it is, someone from Stardock needs to straighten them out. If not, then someone needs to straighten Stardock out.
What gives, guys?
10,018 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
No, if you buy Space Rangers 2 from stardock it will not contain starforce.

So hurry up and buy it because it is an amazing game.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stardock and starforce are two different companies. If i remember correctly, starforce (or maybe it was one of the equally crappy but differently named ones) actually put out a link to an active torrent for GalcivII while claiming it was part of why games need to use things like starforce when the game first came out.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just went to TG, and saw that it is a digital download. That, of course, would preclude it from using that awful system. But if as much as a single penny of my money would end up in soviet hands, I want none of it.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stardock and starforce are two different companies.


I realize this, and I know all about the torrent thing. Ubisoft dumped them right after that fiasco. CDV did as well, and I hoped that they had seen the light, but it turned out to be all window-dressing, as they are now using TAGES, a French version of the same crap, using hidden device drivers.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Stardock and starforce are two different companies.


I realize this, and I know all about the torrent thing. Ubisoft dumped them right after that fiasco. CDV did as well, and I hoped that they had seen the light, but it turned out to be all window-dressing, as they are now using TAGES, a French version of the same crap, using hidden device drivers.


oops, i blame cough medicine on my poor reading of the OP. I got the impression it was asking if the two companies were the same
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
As others have stated, none of the games we sell via TotalGaming.net or directly on CD use StarForce.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Forgive ignorance, but what is Starforce?
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
A malware program installed with some games that shreds your CD- in the name of anti-piracy. Generally boycotted by most knowledgeable users of PC games.

Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ahhh, i was aware of such foolery but not the name, Thankyou.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i blame cough medicine on my poor reading of the OP.


No problem. I blame a number of 16 hour days on my poor wording of the title. I should have said 'support' rather than 'use'. I in no way meant to imply that I thought that Stardock would ever use such a thing. Their stance on DRM is well known, and admired by myself, and many, many others. It's just that when I made the connection I was, quite frankly...shocked, and perhaps wasn't thinking as clearly as I might have been. However, in business, as in politics, the mere appearance of impropriety is somtimes enough to make one ask questions. Again, mea culpa. I remain a loyal supporter of your company and your values.