More Pitfalls For BioShock - DRM Problems

BioShock is now available in stores and gamers are unraveling a few problems. First, people discovered problems with widescreen support. Now, people are discovering problems with DRM protection, and limited activations. The highly anticipated release of BioShock is leading to a lot of angry consumers due to these problems and unanswered questions by the community.

The members over at the 2K forums have brought up some unsettling news about the game. It seems 2K has gone overboard with DRM protection measures, allowing you to only activate your copy of BioShock a total of two times. When you install the game you are greeted with this message prompting you for activation:

So, what happens when you decide to install the game at a later time? You might just run into this error:

BioShock uses third party SecuROM technology to deter pirating of the game. In order for BioShock to run on your computer, you will need an internet connection to activate your copy on the SecuROM network.

What exactly is SecuROM?

“With SecuROM™ ‘s Product Activation concept, Sony DADC offers software publishers the possibility to secure their content either distributed via the physical or electronic sales channel with one solution. Only legitimate customers who have purchased the product are able to unlock the program which is bound to the hardware after activation. This ensures that once activated, it cannot be transferred to another PC and therefore not being mass pirated. SecuROM™ ‘s Product Activation can be easily combined with Sony DADC’s n-CD solution. Let your end-customers register first and collect important market information prior allowing them to use your software products. See www.n-cd.com for more information.”

BioShock’s demanding specs are prompting a lot of gamers to update their PCs, which is when the limited activations come in to play. Upgrades are not the only time this may become a problem. Many tech-savvy computer users often reformat their computers on a regular basis. What are gamers supposed to do with their copy of BioShock after the second activation? An administrator of the 2K forums had this to say about the situation.

“hey guys,

first, let me say this. you DO NOT NEED TO USE THE INTERNET EVERY TIME YOU PLAY THIS GAME. it is only the first time.

second, you can uninstall and reinstall this game, and if, by chance, you have 2 computers you want to simultaneously play this game on, you also can do that.

if by some chance you are reinstalling this game without uninstalling it first, a lot, there is a chance you may have to call securom and get a key, or deactivate some older installations.

but if you upgrade your hardware next week, you’ll still be able to play the game. if you revamp your system and need to reinstall bioshock, just uninstall it before you go through the overhaul, and then do your reinstall.

calling it “hardware fingerprinting” is a bit alarmist. we do not transmit any of your data to any companies.

really, the only people who will be concerned about any of these security measures are those who are rapidly putting bioshock on many pcs… if you use the game as you normally do, you won’t notice this at all.”

Note the proper punctuation from an administrator. This statement to the community is still not clearing the situation. If you forget to uninstall before a reformat, you are not going to be able to activate BioShock after the second time. Who is going to want to call SecuROM every time they are locked out of activation? It’s not even guaranteed they are going to listen to what you have to explain. They will probably refer you to 2K Games to resolve the issue. The outcome of this information will most likely lead to more cancellations of orders, and to more piracy. The one thing the DRM protection was meant to stop.

Head over to the 2K thread to see the reactions. Perhaps there will be more clarification on the situation.

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August 22, 2007 at 5:46 pm | Shooters, Software |