Faithful

While not a direct response to the topic, DRM is very important to me personally.

 

I am in no way trying to move this thread onto the topic of DRM, but only responding to the postings.

 

Jeff gives the impression on the Home Page that there is No DRM on his products, which is not exactly correct (unless something has changed from the News/Promises section which state; "No Obnoxious DRM!").

 

Here is the quote from the Home Page. I bolded the last three words for emphasis.

_____________________________________________________________

Welcome to Spiderweb Software, Inc. We are a small company, founded in 1994, that is dedicated to creating terrific games for Windows and Macintosh. Our promises to you: big free demos, a money-back guarantee, and no DRM!

_____________________________________________________________

 

This is a topic that is important enough for Jeff to mention it, so I think it is important enough for users to care about it; which I do.

 

Anyway, this would be the best change I would like to see on any program that carries DRM.

Thanks everyone for the help. It is most appreciated.

I was not very clear in my first post, as I was looking for what I thought would be a quick answer from those that are running the game.

I am currently running XP, I bought Win 7 64 bit and have not installed it yet.

So, my question was future orientated.

I am trying to figure out what to buy during the Spiderweb sale and have a question.

 

I downloaded the original Geneforge and during install it says it is made to work up to Windows XP.

 

I am unsure if this is just a limitation of the demo, or is this for the full game as well.

 

Does anyone know for certain if ALL the Geneforge games will run on Win 7 with no issues?

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

I too am still wrestling as which to purchase. I can not buy all three series, but I have wondered which would be the "one" to own of the three: the two Avernum series, or the Geneforge Saga.

 

Also, is Nethergate Resurrection worth the $15.00 asking price?

 

Thanks

I do not think so. Only the series games are on sale.

As I have watched this site over time I recall the Geneforge Saga has been $75.00 for all 5 titles.

25% off of $75.00 is $18.75, which makes the Geneforge Saga sell for its current price of $56.25.

It would be a lot clearer if both prices were listed with something like the $75.00 wit a red line through it.

Thanks everyone, this really helps. I am one that many times buys strategy guides but never uses them. I like to try to figure things out on my own, and many times only use guides to make sure I found every side-quest.

 

Thanks again; I think I will bypass them.

If I purchase the Geneforge series, what are your thoughts about buying the Strategy Guides as well?

 

Are they necessary, needed, are they really beneficial, and do they offer things that not be known otherwise?

 

Thanks

Since there is a sale going on, I am thinking of buying Geneforge Series.

 

Honestly I am not entirely sure which is a better choice Geneforge or Avernum, but I figured the Geneforge is a completed series.

 

So, I am wondering how do I make sure I am buying a CD version?

 

There is no check box, there is nothing asking if you want a CD, so how can I be assured that I will receive a CD version of the game?

 

I ask because I never want to deal with asking for a registration code in the future.

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

At one time I owned about 125 or so board games, sold them off do not buy any more and have about 12 left. It was an addiction on my part to keep buying the new games and all the expansions. Also, I enjoyed collecting some of the older games (still have Mosby's Raiders). Fun hobby, but way too many games to buy and play.

Since this thread has gone from DRM to board games check out Board Game Geek site. Direct link to Settlers of Catan page

I honestly would not have a problem with a simple registration code. If I could buy the game, receive a registration code that would work for the game for life (no matter how many times I install or uninstall) I would have zero problem with that.

That is not what we are talking about though as best I can tell. The code is only good if your system does not change, or if you never install new hard drives, etc.

It is this level that I take issue with. A simple code would be very easy to deal with, buy the game, receive a code, finished.

That is about it.

No, of course he deserves to be paid, all I would like to see is the DRM removed from the game.

Dantius, I know it is likely a trifling thing at this stage, but I want to say, I do not see myself as someone who is part of "anti-DRM crusaders" no mare than any here "DRM crusaders".

 

I was responding to what Jeff himself wrote in his blog, and posted as a link in the News section of the Spiderweb site. In fact it is the very first point of his 3-point Customer Service Promises.

 

I figure there would be no trouble to write about it since Jeff clearly understands the importance of not causing ill-effects via DRM on customers.

 

This thread has seemed to move from conversation, or dialog to me being outside the norm, and thus, take it or leave it.

 

I got it.

 

Thanks for writing back, and I will indeed hold off until such a time I might decide to buy the CD, or the game loses its DRM.

Master1, two things.

 

1. I am assuming you read my complete post so you know already there is no hate, only a question that I self answered. If you have not read it all, then please do so, before posting such remarks.

 

2. I have not bought the games as of yet, and the only way I might is to get the CD version of the game(s), but that is a wrestle for me personally.

 

I honestly do not think I am asking for a lot if the DRM is so minimal it can be considered no DRM by some anyway. If it is that trivial then simply do away with it altogether. You will not be any worse off, and Jeff would gain potentially more customers. Seems like a win-win situation to me.

Dantius, your question is a fair one, but yes I would put up my money.

 

I have purchased the following over the last year or two.

 

 

• 57 games from GOG (obviously all DRM free)
• 40 Games from GG (all DRM free) Two presently on Pre-order that are DRM free Dungeon Defenders, and Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale.
• 12 or so games from various Independent developers (e.g. Aztaka, Aquaria, Armadeddon Empires, Crayon Physics Deluxe, Eschalon Book 1, Eschalon Book 2, Gratuitous Space Battles, and Spirit Engine 2) to name a few.
• Several productivity applications (in fact 1 today as it was DRM free) to support DRM free programs.

 

So, for me personally, I would buy the game(s) if they were DRM free. I just cannot bring myself to support DRMed gaming as it can only lead to further DRM on future games, which typically only gets worse over time.

Well, I wold pay if there were no DRM as I have for many games. I am assuming that you would pay as well.

Why does it have to be that people will automatically pirate unless there is some sort of DRM on a product.

I have stopped buying DRMed games for about 2 years now and I still buy plenty of games from places like GG, GOG, and various Independent developers.

Not once have I given a game away to another person (I have directed people to buy games I own), nor I have ever gone out and downloaded a pirated game.

There is no way I am the only one, and because I treat others with honesty, I am looking for the same in return.

DRM is DRM, it restricts the legitimate customer in some form or fashion otherwise it would have no purpose being there.

If Spiderweb rises and falls on a small but dedicated user base (albeit growing), then trust that user base, like they trust Spiderweb and keep buying the games from Spiderweb as they are produced.

Improbable Causality, are you honestly suggesting that all the users here cannot be trusted unless their game has DRM on it? Is the point you are making, that people that use Spiderweb games are nothing more than pirates at heart and just waiting for a chance to rip Jeff off?

I honestly think not, nor do I want to think this is your view.

If the users are not pirates, then get rid of the DRM and let paying customers use the game without being tethered to asking for codes and permission to install the game they purchased with their hard earned money.

I want to say that I am pleased that Spiderweb does not support "Obnoxious DRM" on their titles. I am also pleased they give out free codes for what appears any reason.

 

For that I thank Spiderweb.

 

Now, I may be in the minority, but I honestly would rather see a Customer Service Promises regarding DRM with one less word.

 

I would like to see it change from "No Obnoxious DRM" to simply "No DRM".

 

It is hard for me to see the point of putting DRM on the product if keys are given out for any reason at all. Why make buying customers wait for a key in order to move to your Windows computer from the Mac, or why make your kid wait if you want to install it on their system?

 

If one is a pirate one will find a way around, and if a person is honest they are not going to do anything untoward in the first place.

 

Have these titles been pirated? Are they already on sites you can download for free? I have no idea, since I will not go there, but if there are already there why make honest users jump through any type of hoop at all?

 

As I understand the CD do not have DRM on them, and that is good, but why would digital distribution have DRM then?

 

This is the single factor (DRM) that has prevented me from buying the product thus far, and it seems the only way I will buy is if there is for sure no key what-so-ever on the CD version of the game/series.

 

As I say, I know I am likely in a small minority here, but I am also sure I am not the only person that thinks this way, and bypasses buying due to DRM.

 

Thanks for hearing me out on this topic.

Wow, for the Spiderweb neophyte this has been a fun read!

 

This is the most fun I have had reading a thread on DRM that is for sure.

 

Oh, just asking, but should I question the sanity of some here (other than my own that is)!?

Thanks guys for the replies.

 

I must say though, I am at a bit of a loss as there are so many posts and not all agree with one another.

 

As best I can tell buying form Spiderweb directly carries some sort of DRM but it is very mild in the form of a key that allows you to play the game.

 

I am not sure why one would need to contact Spiderweb to receive another if the game can be installed any number of times with the one code.

 

I only play the game on one computer and typically only download games one time and then burn them to CD/DVD to reinstall if I reformat or simply uninstall and then want to play again later and reinstall.

 

If I get a physical copy of the game do I need the CD in the drive to play?

 

Anyway, thanks for a bit of direction on this topic, but if there is a definitive answer to the DRM question it would be great to know it.

 

Thanks

Hey all, I have a question.

 

I was just on GamersGate and noticed that it listed Genoforge 5 so I took a look at it. When I did it stated that it carries SecuRom as a form of DRM.

 

If I purchase games directly from Spiderweb, do the games still have SecuRom?

 

Are the games sold here DRM Free? I really like supporting developers that produce DRM Free games and am now a bit confused about the various series here.

 

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Thanks guys, it is nice to see a community that gets along and where people do not take themselves so serious that it sucks all the joy out of the room.

 

Once I finish some school work I will have more time to figure out which way to go with the games.

Thank you all, your posts were very helpful.

I am not a hardcore player, but I like the sound of Geneforge more as I read it here.

 

I will have to try the demo of each and then see a little better.

 

Oh, let me ask, are the hint books worth getting with the games?

 

Thanks again

Hi Everyone,

 

I am new around here and wondered about something regarding the games Geneforgeand Avernum.

 

Since I am just starting out and it is too costly to think about purchasing both series here are my questions.

 

1. What are the main differences (Game Play, Engines, Graphics)?

 

2. Which would you suggest purchasing and why?

 

3. Which will hold up longer into the future (i.e. graphics, future Windows OS, etc.)?

 

I am sure there are more and better questions to ask about these two series, but I leave that for you all to fill in as I am not sure.

 

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.