the only reason I have not preordered Rebellion (DRM)

from Sins Forums

so, I read the post a stardock employee made about DRM (https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/post.aspx?postid=303512).

he makes valid points, but the problem is that Install/activation limits in games are far worse than CD checks. I know there are going to be lots of fanboys that will blindly  attack me for this post, and defend Stardock till the day they die, but seriously try and hear me out here.

I do alot of audio production work. it started out as a hobby, and it's now a minor source of my income. the people who make the tools the audio industry use LOVE DRM. IK multimedia for example, puts a 5 install limit on their products. what happens when u hit that 5 limit? they will give you more activations of course!...for the low price of 59.99! what a rip off! being charged more, to use products I paid quite alot of money for (in my case, over $150 from them). even worse, Ableton has been known to deny more activations...on software that costs over $500!!! thats INSANE!

so when I saw videogames going this route, I started to get a bit pissed off. I'd rather have a disk in my drive to play a game, than be forced to deal with a support tech who couldn't care less that there are other people out there, that just want it to "work". I think it's completely hypocritical of Stardock to talk about how DRM doesnt work, then instate an install/activation limit!

from their support faqs on activation:

Activation limits

There are reasonable limits on how often you can activate a given product to help deter piracy.......

 

 

 

now, I've been a fan of Sins for a while now, and I just migrated from the old impulse system today. I've had 3 way lan parties that have lasted long periods of time and it was great fun. it really bothers me that stardock is going to do this, because they have  just lost a customer. while I'll continue playing the sins I already have, I will NOT be buying any further ones, simply because they'd rather restrict me on installing the games.  

I have 4 computers. 2 desktops, 2 laptops. 1 desktop is out of commisison, 1 laptop is for my general use, and 1 laptop is for my college work. if i wanted to install sins on all 4 machines, I'm guessing I'd be blocked from doing that. as well, my systems get nuked at least once a year (not always planned), and I don't always have a backup to restore. M$ has made it increasingly hard to use clonezilla on their operating systems, so now my laptop won't even back up to an external, let alone restore! 

 

again, I DON'T WANT to deal with tech support to reinstall software i paid for. I'm not a pirate, and I'll not be treated like one.

 

all the best,

-a former stardock customer.

13,349 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

I have Sins on 3 machines, and have put it on a 4th that is decommissioned, and have reinstalled it several times. Never have I had an issue with activation limits. You don't even get a set number or anything. I think that phrase is so that they can block people who put their CD keys on the web for everyone to use. If your key downloads Sins several hundred times in a month yeah they will cut you off. I believe their "reasonable limit" is actually reasonable. ;)

 

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Fair enough, though If that's true I'd prefer a stardock employee to confirm it. if all they are doing is looking for abuse, then its not horrible i guess.

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

now, I've been a fan of Sins for a while now, and I just migrated from the old impulse system today. I've had 3 way lan parties that have lasted long periods of time and it was great fun. it really bothers me that stardock is going to do this
End of quote

That thread of Brad's you linked is four years old, and the current activation system is in fact the same as it's been since then (and before). Unless you were playing the retail version straight off the disc, you were playing with activation the entire time in those lan parties. Impulse just handled it transparently during the install/update.

if i wanted to install sins on all 4 machines, I'm guessing I'd be blocked from doing that.
End of quote

It's extremely unlikely, especially if they're on the same network. There is not a fixed count that you can "use up". The system only triggers if there are very many activations in a short rolling window (a lot more than four). Especially if they occur from distant geographic locations. That is to say, behaviors which are very clearly not possible with just a single user.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Yep, there is a limit of activations. One employee said about 1000 per minute is the limit of the activations. The DRM you are worried about is what you are currently using for Sins now. So if you accept what you have now then you will be okay with the "future" DRM.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

fair enough guys, if that's the case then its not as bad as what I've been experiencing everywhere else (especially in the audio industry).

I'll probably preorder then.

 

EDIT:

no paypal :(

gunna wait for steam then!

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting chrisbulman, reply 5
no paypal

gunna wait for steam then!
End of chrisbulman's quote

And you will loose the actual 10$ discount that owner of Trinity or Diplomacy can claim... and you will not be able to beta test too...

Have the same problem that you due to the "no paypal" option but i am not sure that it is Stardock fault, in some case paypal can be a b!tch with thing like pre-order... where the customer don't yet receive something for the financial transaction...

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Thoumsin, reply 6
Have the same problem that you due to the "no paypal" option but i am not sure that it is Stardock fault, in some case paypal can be a b!tch with thing like pre-order... where the customer don't yet receive something for the financial transaction...
End of Thoumsin's quote

 

Not sure that is the reason.

If you pre order now on current system you are charged nothing at all. You will probably be charged when beta comes out which at least publicly has no set date as of yet. That might be reason why no pay pal...

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Paypal cannot be used for pre-order as nothing is being delivered at the time of purchase, that is Paypals rules.

 

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

Well, it seem that i was right about pay-pal...

When the beta begin, maybe it will be possible to use pay-pal... after all, a beta will be deliver... or maybe, with a serial who is deliver at the purchase time...