Starforce Copy Protection?

[Yvnu]

Hi, i have had a mosey around and can't find out if this game is or isn't protected by Starforce.

 

While i don't mind you folks protecting your property i have had a bad experience with Starforce and wont be installing anything with it on my system again. I realy like the look of DCS Black Shark but Starforce is a deal breaker for me.

 

So does it have Starforce protection?

[Kuky]

yes it does, but honestly I haven't heard anyone who bought the sim and has problems because of it.

[kyleh613]

Yes this has Starforce, but its not the Starforce you remember, that would install drivers on your computer without your permission, and break DVD drives and disable certain software.

 

That version of Starforce is long gone. Its instead replaced with a online activation mode that allows for limited installs (7 for this game). So its not as bad as the original starforce.

[Acedy]

Its instead replaced with a online activation mode that allows for limited installs (7 for this game). So its not as bad as the original starforce.

 

It's not 7 installs, but 8 activations and 10 deactivations, which is a huge difference. You have to use an activation a) if you do a major hardware upgrade, or b) when you reinstall your OS. Deactivations can be used to save activations (so it's as if you had 18 activations). And if you just reinstall Black Shark without a) or b) you don't need to use an activation.

[AussieFX]

How do you deactivate?

I recently bought some new hardware, cpu, ram, motherboard and I have more/different ram coming next week.

I regularly update hardware as I'm an enthusiast and the prospect of "losing" the game after 6 months or so really doesn't enthuse me.

So it looks like I have lost an activation and now only have 7 or is it 6 left?

 

 

If you ask me there is currently too much incentive to pirate the game with these restrictions.

Edited June 27, 2009 by AussieFX
Removed ambiguity

[Panzertard]

It's starforce protected? ... I didnt notice.

 

Well, I did - but there's way too many people making a deal out of this. I've lost an activation already - no big deal, I still have some 6 or 7 left.

(Hint for those who may need to know: Install VMWare Workstation counts as changing your hardware - probably due to the new virtual NIC's)

 

In comparison - with GTA IV I lost all 5 in one go due to my eagerness to test it on Windows 7.

Still, it only took an hour or so until I got a new set over email from the support-team.

 

But then again - Im too old to get aggrivated over minor stuff like these hickups ;)

 

Dont worry - if you're not buying the product because of starforce you dont know what you're missing from the online community, servers multitude of fun - and we wont see you online there either.

Too bad; But it still okai. ;)

Edited June 26, 2009 by Panzertard

[Nate--IRL--]

How do you deactivate?

I recently bought some new hardware, cpu, ram, motherboard and I have more/different ram coming next week.

I regularly update hardware as I'm an enthusiast and the prospect of "losing" the game after 6 months or so really doesn't enthuse me.

So it looks like I have lost an activation and now only have 7 or is it 6 left?

 

I can assure you I won't be re-purchasing the game again.

 

If you ask me there is currently too much incentive to pirate the game with these restrictions.

 

You have not lost an activation, you can reuse your current activation, provided you de activate first

 

......Black Shark folder\bin\stable\protect.exe Run this to activate/de-activate. Have a pen and paper handy too.

 

Should you run out of activations, email ED, they have been very understanding with providing new keys so far.

 

Nate

[-Bazong-]

I like it alot more than steam for the simple reason that I did'nt need to haul my computer to work just to install it (like I had to do for certain other games), it just took a little back and forth with a USB-memory :)

Very acceptable copy protection I thinks!

[Acedy]

Guys, please no more discussions about the copy protection, rest assured that Eagle know all advantages and disadvantages. :)

[kyleh613]

I like it alot more than steam for the simple reason that I did'nt need to haul my computer to work just to install it (like I had to do for certain other games), it just took a little back and forth with a USB-memory :)

Very acceptable copy protection I thinks!

 

What games are you talking about? I've never heard of steam requiring that you haul your computer around if you want to install it on another computer. But you really aren't that clear.

 

Guys, please no more discussions about the copy protection, rest assured that Eagle know all advantages and disadvantages. :)

 

Yeah but the people who might want to buy Black Shark (That's who we are talking about, we are all well aware that Eagle knows about the copy protection they are using... I hope) do not know the pros and cons of Black Sharks copy protection and a lot of people still remember when Starforce was pretty intrusive on peoples PCs. Letting people know that there is nothing to worry about now and why would be a good idea.

[-Bazong-]

What games are you talking about? I've never heard of steam requiring that you haul your computer around if you want to install it on another computer. But you really aren't that clear.

 

heh.. oops.. :P

The particular game I was thinking about was Empire:Total War (a steam game), which, because I have no internet connection at home, required me to haul my computer to the office where I do have a connection in order to install the game. There was no way of remotely activating the game..

On top of that, they released an unplayable game and the only way to patch it is through steam.. :/

Now after a grand patch it's an absolutely fantastic game however :)

 

Where as with DCS, I downloaded it, installed on my computer and then I got a code which I could email somewhere, which in turn gave me another code which I took home to activate DCS.. (don't remember the exact procedure, but it did'nt require any hauling of my computer)..

 

I think that's a nice feature of the new starforce, since some people for various reasons cannot have an internet connection at home.

 

@ Acedy: I obviously was'nt writing to ED, I'm sure they know everything about their (IMO) very good copy protection..

I was just sharing my good experiences with it :) If that's not ok I'll say no more..

[159th_Viper]

 

 

 

Yeah but the people who might want to buy Black Shark (That's who we are talking about, we are all well aware that Eagle knows about the copy protection they are using... I hope) do not know the pros and cons of Black Sharks copy protection and a lot of people still remember when Starforce was pretty intrusive on peoples PCs. Letting people know that there is nothing to worry about now and why would be a good idea.

 

 

And that is exactly why there is a Sticky Thread, aptly named:

 

 

Sticky Threads Directory: New Members Read First!

 

 

Therein contained is the DCS:Black Shark User FAQ...........Second from the top, a comprehensive enough post on the Copy Protection ;)

 

 

Simple, really............

[-Bazong-]

And that is exactly why there is a Sticky Thread, aptly named:

 

 

Sticky Threads Directory: New Members Read First!

 

 

Therein contained is the DCS:Black Shark User FAQ...........Second from the top, a comprehensive enough post on the Copy Protection ;)

 

 

Simple, really............

 

However comprehensive, when I bought the game I did'nt know whether I could remotely activate the game at home (where I've no internet). And I'd read it 3 times.. But then maybe I'm just dumb :P

 

edit: Sorry about third post about this, I'll stop now

Edited June 26, 2009 by -Bazong-

[fox_111]

Anyone know how to regain control of my CD/DVD burner after installing the game (with Starforce)?

 

Ever since I installer DCS BS, I can't burn CDs anymore. I can do DVDs, but no CDs... And some Cds won't read anymore (BF2 disc for example.)

 

I know that Starforce mess with this kind of hardware. I had troubles on another computer with other starforce protected games (Ubisofts games).

Edited June 26, 2009 by fox_111

[Acedy]

Just to clarify, if somebody has a question regarding the CP or a technical issue there is absolutely no problem asking about it on the forum (after reading the stickies/FAQ of course ;) ), we just don't want to have the endless debates about it anymore.

 

I know that Starforce mess with this kind of hardware

 

Please inform yourself before making a statement like the above. The only version of BS that uses SF DVD protection is the Russian DVD, all others use online activation and have nothing to do with your CD/DVD drive. You can check that yourself btw by downloading the SF driver removal tool. So unless you have that version I highly doubt that your problems are caused by Black Shark, in any case it would require further investigation and you should file a proper bug report instead of making unfounded assumptions. Why are you sure that the problems aren't caused by other software, like Securom for example that's being used on the BF2 DVD...

Edited June 26, 2009 by Acedy

[AussieFX]

You have not lost an activation, you can reuse your current activation, provided you de activate first

 

......Black Shark folder\bin\stable\protect.exe Run this to activate/de-activate. Have a pen and paper handy too.

 

Should you run out of activations, email ED, they have been very understanding with providing new keys so far.

 

Nate

Thanks for the info Nate.

[EtherealN]

How do you deactivate?

 

"Quickstart guide". It details it all step-by-step. It is installed and placed in the DCS:BS folder with the simulator. There are also guides on this site and this forum.

 

Yeah but the people who might want to buy Black Shark [...] do not know the pros and cons of Black Sharks copy protection

 

The details of said copy protection is expressly stated on the site as well as this forum. Those who are worried will have no problem investigating the matter and make a judgement call. Like I did - I have had some extremely bad experiences with previous protection schemes from various providers, but the solution here was a good compromise that seemed to work and I am not disappointed.

 

People who might want to buy Black Shark but doesn't want to type a search query to find some facts... that's a different matter though. :P

 

The particular game I was thinking about was Empire:Total War (a steam game)' date=' which, because I have no internet connection at home, required me to haul my computer to the office where I do have a connection in order to install the game. There was no way of remotely activating the game..[/quote']

 

Wow... Did you post about that issue on the Steam or CA forums? I think I might remember you. :D

 

However comprehensive' date=' when I bought the game I did'nt know whether I could remotely activate the game at home (where I've no internet).[/quote']

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=135&scr=products&lang=en

Relevant product page says this is "Minimal system requirements": requires internet activation.

[Yvnu]

Sorry to cause a stir folks, i got my answer so you can bury this or lock it or whatever. Thank you all for your input.

[159th_Viper]

Sorry to cause a stir folks.....

 

You were not to know........It's just that every time the S-Force is mentioned, somewhere a Prize-Winning Kitten is slaughtered, a Girlfriend is Ravaged, a Classic T-Bird is Jacked and Chopped.......the list goes on.......Industrious wee lad our S-F is :P

[fox_111]

Just to clarify, if somebody has a question regarding the CP or a technical issue there is absolutely no problem asking about it on the forum (after reading the stickies/FAQ of course ;) ), we just don't want to have the endless debates about it anymore.

 

 

 

Please inform yourself before making a statement like the above. The only version of BS that uses SF DVD protection is the Russian DVD, all others use online activation and have nothing to do with your CD/DVD drive. You can check that yourself btw by downloading the SF driver removal tool. So unless you have that version I highly doubt that your problems are caused by Black Shark, in any case it would require further investigation and you should file a proper bug report instead of making unfounded assumptions. Why are you sure that the problems aren't caused by other software, like Securom for example that's being used on the BF2 DVD...

 

Tanx for the head up.

 

I was sure it was BS related S-F, because my computer is very well maintained and I install few software on it and my CD-DVD burner went bad imediatly after installing the game.

 

Like you mentionned, I will check if there is an interaction between the 2 anti-piracy software.

 

I did not meant to cause a stir or blast S-F or DCS. I just have bad experiences with S-F.

[AussieFX]

You were not to know........It's just that every time the S-Force is mentioned, somewhere a Prize-Winning Kitten is slaughtered, a Girlfriend is Ravaged, a Classic T-Bird is Jacked and Chopped.......the list goes on.......Industrious wee lad our S-F is :P

I didn't know either, look what happenend to my reputation because I asked a question.

Oh well, I know not to ask now...

Rest assured I'm not a nasty person like that red dot might suggest.

Edited June 27, 2009 by AussieFX

[Panzertard]

HI. Hasnt the topic been answered by now? :)

Regards ... the Tard.

[kiss4luna]

yes it does, but honestly I haven't heard anyone who bought the sim and has problems because of it.

 

 

err

DCS and LOFC does has incompability problems:smilewink:

[-Bazong-]

Wow... Did you post about that issue on the Steam or CA forums? I think I might remember you. :D

Heh.. I posted on the CA forums I thinks, were you the one calling me a pirate for it? :D

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=135&scr=products&lang=en

Relevant product page says this is "Minimal system requirements": requires internet activation.

 

But the difference is that you don't need to have the computer you intend to play black shark on hooked up to the internet, ever, you only need access to the internet at some point.. You could use an internet café for instance, to get the final activasion code and write it down on paper..

Thats a good bonus compared to Steam. So as far as I'm concerned I like DCS starforce much better than steam.

 

Now I really will stop :P