Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Apple, Security
Transgaming to use SecuROM for Cider games
As if Mac gaming needed more problems getting off the ground. Transgaming has proudly announced that in the future, their games will include Sony's SecuROM digital rights management software. They don't mention which games will be getting the extremely restrictive DRM (that some folks have compared to malware), but we're guessing all of them, which means the Mac version of Spore will be on that list, as well as those upcoming Ubisoft titles, and anything else produced with the Cider technology.Bummer. Why is it a bummer? Because all the evidence we can see actually shows that DRM hurts sales. While Transgaming is obviously proud of this decision, claiming that SecuROM will help them prevent piracy and unauthorized copying, most of the evidence shows that piracy will happen in spite of, and sometimes even because of restrictive DRM setups like Sony's. Transgaming is making a serious mistake here -- they want to protect their games, which is fine. But choosing DRM, especially SecuROM, as a way to do it is a mistake. It'll cause more problems for the company and their users before it prevents piracy in the way they think it will.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jam said 10:13AM on 8-21-2008
I was looking forward to Spore. Glad I don't game on my Mac or this would really be annoying to me.
My advice to Mac gamers is to lodge your complaints. It's stopped other game publishers from using evasive DRM in the past.
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Jim said 9:27AM on 8-22-2008
Like many of your I have mixed feelings, but I am glad that this DRM is only authentication, not "deep rooted" as many fear. Plus, it is an "option" for publishers using Cider... so your concerns should be relayed to the IP owners... if you have concerns. Plus, millions of games have it today, including on Macs... a lot about nothing.
AdamJRed said 10:14AM on 8-21-2008
Without a doubt.... I've passed on purchasing games because of DRM.
If I can't copy the disc, or copy it to an image, then I don't purchase it.
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Flunky Carter said 10:14AM on 8-21-2008
securom...
myek!!!~!
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puhsitch said 12:57AM on 8-22-2008
It looks like you say "myek" a lot. Any reason why?
Flannel said 10:18AM on 8-21-2008
The app store is live proper here now. Wheeeee.
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Flannel said 10:20AM on 8-21-2008
ARGH. Stupid 1password filling in the whole form.
And now I've forgotten what I actually meant to say.
Fred said 10:29AM on 8-21-2008
For the average consumer this is probably not a deal breaker. I mean really why do you need to copy the disc?
I see the arguments already:
"Archival Backup" Really? When was the last time you damaged or lost a disc?
"It's my right" No, when you agree to the Terms of Use on software, you agree to USE it, you do not own it, and you agree NOT to copy it.
I'm not really pro or anti-DRM if it doesn't affect my ability to play the game why do I really care? But the reality is that people don't copy the discs so they can just "have a backup" they distribute them to their buddies and take money from the developers.
I can see where DRM on music is ridiculous and limiting, but on software that is specifically designed to only be used on one device, what's the problem? I think this is much ado about nothing.
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cashmonee said 11:12AM on 8-21-2008
I agree with you, and if all SecuROM did was prevent disc copying that would be fine with most everyone I am sure. However, it goes too far in its effort. It causes problems with other legitimate applications (not just burning or ripping apps). Read the Wikipedia link provided in the article. You will understand the issue.
Fred said 11:13AM on 8-21-2008
Ah, I guess I didn't realize that.
Hawkman said 11:14AM on 8-21-2008
I can see what you're saying, but I disagree. Just because most people don't want to stick chips up their noses, doesn't mean we should spend time and money legislating against it, and ruining the fun of a few individuals with interesting potato-related hobbies.
Besides, when you're charging this much for software - especially crappy "conversions" that on past experience may or may not even work properly - you can't afford to be doing this to the dwindling number of customers who are willing to pay your prices. The drm will always be cracked, and quickly, so anyone who really wants to pirate it will have the opportunity to do so - and get a better, restriction-free product, too. The only way to fight that is to make buying legitimately more attractive, and DRM makes it _less_ attractive. Inconvenience + high price = increased piracy, as has been clearly demonstrated time and time again.
Remember, we're talking about DRM with has to (for example) constantly reauthorise itself. And what happens when the servers go down, through error (eg. the WGA outage) or discontinuation (eg. the many music services shutting down)?
I'm no freetard, I just feel frustrated by the stupidity of DRM; particularly in games, where it fails hardest and according to studies is most counterproductive.
DJFriar said 11:26AM on 8-21-2008
I copy my game discs to my Mac so that I can more easily load them on the airplane and save battery life by not having to spin the DVD drive.
I also don't like to travel with original disc, as things tend to get dmaged/lost mroe when travelling (and I travel every other week, at a minimum).
So there are some valid reasons for copying game discs, not just piracy or "archival".
Kerian said 11:36AM on 8-21-2008
Why do I copy all my CDs/DVDs? Maybe I'm being paranoid, but more than once I've had the experience of installation discs being damaged or lost (children, careless family members, employees, and students--even myself). Some software publishers are great about replacing media if you can prove you purchased it legitimately, others aren't. With regard to DVDs or music CDs repurchasing is the only option.
At this point, the first thing I do is make a copy--even if it means defeating any DRM--of anything I buy and then filing the original disc under lock and key. I'm not made of money or willing to replace music, movies, and software I've already paid for once.
DRM is an annoying and ultimately pointless fact of life--fortunately, it's also not that hard to defeat in most cases.
For the record, I don't use pirated software; all the software on my family's computers, and on the work computers over which I have oversight, has been paid for.
Simon Arch said 3:04AM on 8-22-2008
"Archival Backup" Really? When was the last time you damaged or lost a disc?
Irrelevant. Just because it hasn't happened to you personally doesn't mean it never will, or that it hasn't happened to someone else.
"It's my right" No, when you agree to the Terms of Use on software, you agree to USE it, you do not own it, and you agree NOT to copy it.
Actually, Americans do have the legal right to make an archival copy of the media we purchase. You'll notice the folks who produce said media don't go out of their way to make that known. In fact, they do everything they can to make you think we don't.
Me? I just like copying stuff. I make no apologies for it. I figure it this way: I just don't care. Copyright law is a joke today. It's being abused to bully consumers and it's constantly being extended to protect the bully corporations. Screw 'em. In fifty years I'll be dead, but Disney's copyrights will live on.
lanejasper69 said 10:35AM on 8-21-2008
No Big Deal, I "know a guy" that has/have been copying Secu-Rom secured discs for awhile now, there is software out there that allows you to do it. FYI.
google is your friend...just do it on pc, and BAM!
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Alex Johnson said 10:49AM on 8-21-2008
Please TUAW, separate the editorializing from the "news." Engadget does a better job, putting columns like "Switched on" and the like to denote the way they cover stuff like this.
I don't mind your opinion, but I want you to tell me when you are going to give it to me.
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Bootes said 12:14PM on 8-21-2008
This is a blog. The point it to write their opinion about other people's articles. Every story on Engadget includes their opinion as well, they just don't always have as much to say.
Justin D said 10:54AM on 8-21-2008
""Archival Backup" Really? When was the last time you damaged or lost a disc?"
Actually, I can't keep track of discs for more than a month, maybe. =)
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Fred said 10:59AM on 8-21-2008
What good is a copy gonna do? You'll just lose too. :)
Greg said 10:58AM on 8-21-2008
In my experience, Cider ports hurt sales.
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