DCS: Black Shark and Steam

[Frizz_ZA]

Hi,

 

I've read quite a few of the threads relating to Black Shark and Steam, but they don't seem to apply to my question, sorry if it has come up though.

 

I bought a store copy of BS1 here in South Africa recently (a few weeks ago), unaware of BS2 and DCS Worlds. So there I go reading about the horrible activation/deactivation business that only allows you 5 times, so a friend recommended I just add it to Steam, so I load up the good old Steam account and try to enter my code, but it doesn't work!

 

How does it work if one has (what seems to be) the original, unpatched boxed release for BS1 and I want to avoid all that Starforce or whatever it was?

 

Any help would be appreciated :)

[francis5653]

hi,

unfortunatly you cannot add dcs games to steam via cd key you can only have them on steam if you buy from steam, here is a list of keys that steam accepts:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-wusf-3601

 

looks like you are stuck

[Frizz_ZA]

Thanks for the reply francis.

 

Then another question - did any of the new BS1 patches remove that horrible Starforce nonsense? I am tempted to just not play now :(

I've had really bad experiences with Starforce in the past, so this makes me extremely wary, as I really do not feel like a format if things go south

[lokitexas]

Thanks for the reply francis.

 

Then another question - did any of the new BS1 patches remove that horrible Starforce nonsense? I am tempted to just not play now :(

I've had really bad experiences with Starforce in the past, so this makes me extremely wary, as I really do not feel like a format if things go south

 

The "old starforce" DRM system has not been used in quite some time. I wouldnt worry about it. The starforce DRM that DCS uses is not anything the old one that rendered some harware useless back in the day.

 

Aside from that, I highly suggest spending a little more cash and getting Black Shark 2 (or Black Shark 2 upgrade since you have 1), and getting DCS World (free) and loading the BS2 module. Its the latest and greatest.

[Frizz_ZA]

I was dying to try it out this vacation (university, serious student, little free time), but I don't have another R400 to spend on a game :(

I'll reconsider it in a few months, joystick will just have to gather dust for another semester.

[Yurgon]

I was dying to try it out this vacation (university, serious student, little free time), but I don't have another R400 to spend on a game :(

I'll reconsider it in a few months, joystick will just have to gather dust for another semester.

 

What lokitexas said: The starforce in DCS titles is not nearly as intrusive as the one that used to drive people insane. Actually, I don't recall reading about DRM related problems other than activations not working out of the box for some reason or other, which would then be a case for tech support (or asking on this forum).

 

If you don't have the cash to go for BS2, stick with BS1. It's still a very good sim and runs a lot better (as in: faster) on older hardware. There are some beautiful cockpit mods (Ricardo's HD pit comes to mind) that make it look almost as good as BS2.

 

Most importantly, while BS2 features a few enhancements and bugfixes, BS1 is already a very good, very detailed sim. My advice would be that you spend every second of your limited time learning to fly the Shark and I can practically guarantee you that you'll be going for BS2 as soon as possible because that's even a notch better than BS1 (think dynamic cockpit shadows - wow!). :)

[EtherealN]

StarForce ProActive used in DCS products has less rights on your computer than MSN. There is quite literally no way for it to mess up your system. (It has no rights, no drivers.) Please remember that "Starforce" is a brand name. A Hummer2 isn't a combat vehicle just because it has the Hummer name, right? :)

 

Anyhow, the system as is implemented operates like this:

You have 8 activations and 10 deactivations. NOTE: this is activations, not installation. As long as you don't make radical changes to your computer or reinstall your operating system, you can install/deinstall as much as you like. Deactivations (when expecting a reinstall of an operating system or new computer purchase) allows activations to be re-used. Whenever you may run out of activations, you can contact support for a key replacement at no charge.

 

While thinking about it, feel free to download DCS Word (free) and you'll have a fixed-wing to fly as well.

[Frizz_ZA]

Hi EtherealN, I think I will play BS1 then, get it all patched up and everything soon.

DCS world, at just over 5gb, will take me about a week to download :p (internet here is the opposite of awesome).

Thanks for the help and advice :)

[STRYKE]

Also in Russian forum developers says, that if you don't want use your activation, then you can play with your disk in your DVD reader. It will check that disk once in a week. Also if you will run out of activation/deactivation then you can send E-Mail to support and ask them to give you more of activations.

 

Good luck to you!

[EtherealN]

STRYKE, ensure that the post you saw pertains to FC1 or the Russian version.

 

What you said is not applicable in the west.