can you remove the excessive DRM please?

[nap0leonic]

Problem is that 'hardware changes' is too sensitive, i was doing some tests with different memory slots, and each time it would reset my activations.

also the same when i removed a HDD from my computer (which is not used by DCS or Windows in anyway)

 

i mean , a difference CPU/Motherboard i can understand , memory? not really cool

some unused hdd removed resets activations? thats insane.

 

i decided to keep the HDD in the system for the sole purpose of not losing activations.

This, I also find it alarming that people here just don't notice what I repeatedly stated before, no other games use this

[nap0leonic]

While I might not share the alarmist attitude of the OP, people make here make it sound as if problems with Starforce are completely unheard of, which is simply not true. When one monitors the Steam forums for a while, this stuff comes up again and again.

 

Also many people are honestly scared off by this particular DRM, not only by the name but especially by the hardware activation. I can't understand when people tell "np you can just deactivate all your modules before you even touch the screw's of your PC case"...

 

Why do I even have to? As DCS modules grow in number this is only going to suck more. Never mind bogus activation bugs where you lose activations etc. which is simply frustrating, sure make a ticket, support bla. bla. Why even add the additional layer of stress for us & ED?

 

But anyway, Starforce is here to stay, very much doubt that is going to change anytime soon. Btw I was aware of DCS for quite a while before I bought the A-10C in 2012, this particular DRM kept me away.

Yet another good point there

[nap0leonic]

A reality of this is that DCS is niche enough that nobody cares to pirate it, especially given the structure of DCS:World with module plugins that makes it harder.

 

At the very least there just isn't a need for limited activations.

 

What, really is the point of having limited activations such as we have?

And this, sorry for triple posts, from tapatalk here no multiquote

[outlawal2]

Nearly 7 pages of this?

 

The DRM has been explained repeatedly.

DRM is NECESSARY because dishonest people do exist.. (And to say no one would want to pirate a DCS module is beyond rubbish.)

 

Personally, I have purchased every module produced and have been here since before DCS World was DCS world and NEVER have I had an instance of running out of activations..

 

NEVER

 

And I am not the only example of this.. Yes I agree that Starforce has a bad name, but that is NOT the DRM that is being used here and you have been told this repeatedly..

 

At this point nearly 7 pages in, if you don't believe what has been said or just refuse to let it go, then don't buy DCS and be on your way...

 

If you think ED is going to stop protecting their investment because you don't like it, sorry to say..

Nope..

Edited January 20, 2015 by outlawal2

[Yurgon]

Just another "no real problems here" post.

 

I believe I'm down to 6 or 7 activations for BS2 and A-10C, the latter having been purchased when it was still in Beta.

 

I would love for DCS to be free of DRM, but in terms of necessary evil, the DRM ED use is one of the least obtrusive ones and they're completely open about the fact that it exists and how we can make the maximum use of it.

 

And, again, there's always the possibility to open a ticket and explain to ED support why one is out of activations and they'll probably replenish them.

 

I did run into a bit of trouble with the MiG-21 (it required an activation for a minor hardware change and then the activation didn't work even though it subtracted from the number of activations left), but so far Leatherneck appear to be very forthcoming when customers burn through activations because of this bug, so with the relatively new MiG-21 I'm now down to 7 activations as well. Still, nothing to worry about for the foreseeable future IMO.

 

Since this thread is in the "Wishlist" forum: Yes, I wish DCS came without any kind of DRM. I just don't see much reason to complain about the fact that it does.

[FlyingHighAU]

Nearly 7 pages of this?

 

The DRM has been explained repeatedly.

DRM is NECESSARY because dishonest people do exist.. (And to say no one would want to pirate a DCS module is beyond rubbish.)

 

While I've never had a problem with the DRM in any product, including anything DCS, it can still be an inconvenience to the customer.

 

With software in general - the pirate will simply download a crack to bypass whichever protection is put in place. So while DRM has little effect on the pirate, it has an effect on the customer. In extreme circumstances, the customer is being "punished" for the actions of the pirates, especially if the DRM is paranoid - which luckily for us & DCS is not the case.

 

I guess pirates would still be missing out on what I consider the most fun part of DCS - online multiplayer.

 

Having said that, with a massive amount in DCS being completely free, I think there would be little reason to pirate it outright. I would like to think that if someone has gone to the trouble of downloading the free portion of DCS, they'd see the effort that has been put into this they sim, the quality of it and see the value of purchasing a full module. So I think having DCS as free, this is a very positive way to combat piracy, whether that;s on purpose or not.

[Rangi]

The only problem I can see with the DRM (I have been using it for years without a problem) is when we have 20-30 different modules and you want to do a hardware upgrade. Having to go through and deactivate and reactivate that many modules could become a pain in the ass. Maybe a way to one click deactivate/activate all modules would be handy. But we are a way off that point and its the 'least worst' DRM i have encountered. I don't think that that many people that are prepared to spend the time to learn a study sim are going to be put off by a simple one time activation DRM and maybe if this DRM is too difficult/complicated then a study sim is not for you.

[Steel Jaw]

Initial star force was a disaster years ago, but I have had no issues with dcs drm since.

[sobek]

A reality of this is that DCS is niche enough that nobody cares to pirate it

 

That is completely wrong. BS was pirated excessively.

 

Besides, just because nowadays nobody cares to crack it doesn't mean nobody would share it if there was no DRM on it.

Edited January 20, 2015 by sobek

[ZaltysZ]

I haven't either, but the 3 activation limit on the campaign does puzzle me greatly.

 

One buys a campaign, completes it, then passes it to a friend. Friend completes it, passes to other friend, and so on. 3 activations gives less such spread than 10, but still allows some maneuvering around screw up cases.

[cichlidfan]

One buys a campaign, completes it, then passes it to a friend. Friend completes it, passes to other friend, and so on.

 

I am fairly certain that would be frowned upon.

[sobek]

I am fairly certain that would be frowned upon.

 

It is frowned upon, that's probably why there is a lower activation limit.

[StandingCow]

The issue is that DRM doesn't stop pirates, and ends up only punishing the customers like us that got our copies legit.

[Hadwell]

yeah, I totally understand and respect the reasoning behind their DRM system. If you own the game legitimately, it's not so hard to just copy and paste your key into the box...

[sobek]

The issue is that DRM doesn't stop pirates

 

I'm not aware of any current DCS titles being available cracked, so yeah it does stop pirates.

[T_A]

It is frowned upon, that's probably why there is a lower activation limit.

 

So why allow unbinding keys anyway? i don't see the point of it.

if you bind a key - thats it , its your forever and you can have all the activation you want, add the user login to the SP menu like most games today do and you wont have to worry about it and you wont have to limit activation.

[Hadwell]

He's saying they should just link our DCS accounts directly to the game, we log into the game, it looks up our licence info, and ergomagically unlocks everything, no fuss...

[sobek]

if you bind a key - thats it , its your forever and you can have all the activation you want, add the user login to the SP menu like most games today do and you wont have to worry about it and you wont have to limit activation.

 

And what would you bind it to? A username and a password? Then you'd have to log in everytime you want to play singleplayer. That would be frowned upon even more. Lot of people already have foaming mouths because you need to log in for multiplayer.

[Cnuke]

So why allow unbinding keys anyway? i don't see the point of it.

if you bind a key - thats it , its your forever and you can have all the activation you want, add the user login to the SP menu like most games today do and you wont have to worry about it and you wont have to limit activation.

 

You propose a more restrictive DRM now...

 

I don't want to be online to sim a bit, it will cost me the internet bills :)

[T_A]

Sobek , not sure how many games you play but what i`m proposing is standard for 90% of games today (Steam,Origin , Blizzard etc.)

At the very least you can do 'remember my password' like DCS already does for MP ( does that extra click for user and pass bother you today?)

or they can do automatic login like Steam and Origin do.

 

You propose a more restrictive DRM now...

 

I don't want to be online to sim a bit, it will cost me the internet bills :)

 

the amount of data that passes for this kind of authentication is less than what it takes for you to load this web page.

That 'data cost' argument boggles me every time, this is 2015 not 1995 and you are not paying 1$ per 1Kb on a 28800 baud.

Edited January 20, 2015 by T_A

[sobek]

Sobek , not sure how many games you play but what i`m proposing is standard for 90% of games today (Steam,Origin , Blizzard etc.)

At the very least you can do 'remember my password' like DCS already does for MP ( does that extra click for user and pass bother you today?)

or they can do automatic login like Steam and Origin do.

 

 

Which is even more intrusive because it requires you to stay online while you use the singleplayer component. Lots of people are unhappy that this is how MP works but there it's at least somewhat justifiable.

 

Now keep in mind that most of EDs customers never touch MP. That would be a shitstorm.

 

LOL, bringing up Origin as a positive example for DRM, what has the world come to... You want us to remove the ball and chain from your leg by installing one on your neck? Be careful what you wish for.

 

Edit: Oh and btw. as for being familiar with DRM, i've had about anything in my hands starting from having to insert a letter from a given page of the printed handbook. :P SF ProActive is one of the very few that has never really bothered me at all.

Edited January 20, 2015 by sobek

[marluk]

He's saying they should just link our DCS accounts directly to the game, we log into the game, it looks up our licence info, and ergomagically unlocks everything, no fuss...

 

This would be all right for me. BOS works this way and nobody complains there. License checking spends very little of bandwidth so no worries about incising internet connection bills. Offline play in case of internet inaccessibility could be solved with 'Borrow license' system. Autodesk have similar solution for network licensing.

 

If everything else stays the same, 3 activations are more then enough for me because they reset them after certain amount of time. I never deactivate modules but every time I install my activation count goes from 10 to 9.

Edited January 20, 2015 by marluk

[zaelu]

He's saying they should just link our DCS accounts directly to the game, we log into the game, it looks up our licence info, and ergomagically unlocks everything, no fuss...

 

 

I think this is what happens when you install DCS W first time on a PC and you log in with your account in Module Manager. It says you can install this and that modules... it shows your serials then.... you activate and off you go.

 

 

 

I have a friend that is very DRM intrusion sensitive. He has DCS W (with all the modules), he also has Steam but DCS W he keeps it stand alone because he says the DRM of DCS W is less intrusive than Steam.

 

If my very sensitive friend says that... then all this stir up discussion here is not very useful, imho.

[StandingCow]

I'm not aware of any current DCS titles being available cracked, so yeah it does stop pirates.

 

Just google it, there are plenty (although I am not going to try them to test that)... the biggest protection DCS has is being niche. Look at all the AAA titles that get cracked at release.

[VincentLaw]

I am not sure why there is even a discussion about this here. I have never had any serious problems with DCS DRM.

 

he says the DRM of DCS W is less intrusive than Steam.

I agree with this. Edited January 20, 2015 by VincentLaw