Curious Artila Faithful Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Aran Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 I don't believe so. The registration process for the games I've bought (which don't include Geneforge 5 as yet) is straightforward and non-evil. You can also email Jeff and request a new code if you have to reinstall later. Just for that reason, I recommend buying from SW directly since they're likely to be more supportive and friendly than a large distributor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 SW games have no real DRM as such: when you register the game, your registration information is stored in a preference file that doesn't have any kind of copy protection on it. Transferring this file over to a new computer (providing they're running the same operating system) will usually register the game on the new computer, which is pretty convenient if you want to switch computers. (Or you can just ask Jeff for a new registration code; as long as you know the original name and address you registered under, he will do this for you as many times as you like, free of charge.) Obviously, Jeff is relying on you not to transfer your registration information to anyone else's computer. So please don't do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Slawbug Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 The answer you're looking for is that Spiderweb games have no form of DRM. However, some of the games have been licensed to third party vendors that use built-in DRM (usually connected to their fee-to-play) for all their games. Therefore, buy direct from Spiderweb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Ephesos Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Originally Posted By: Concave Cubine Therefore, buy direct from Spiderweb. This is just a good lesson in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Also if you order the game on CD-ROM you usually get both the Mac and Windows versions with the game registration (unless you order before the Windows version is released). So you can reinstall the game whenever you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Jeff has explained his attitude towards piracy and trying to prevent it several times. In short, he hates it but acknowledges that it's impossible to prevent and that draconian DRM just makes paying customers unhappy. Thus, his registration system: non-trivial enough that there's incentive to register, trivial enough that you don't have to think about it after registering. —Alorael, who thinks this is a good idea. Of course, DRM probably does create a few more customers, but then someone has to implement DRM, which has a cost attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall The Ratt Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 I think you got trivial and non-trivial backwards, Alo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 No, he said what he meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 No? (Or yes to Thuryl, who is quicker.) —Alorael, who invites you to reread his post. He got it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast keira Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 SpidWeb's non-existant DRM system is great. It lets me dump everything on a flash drive so I can play at school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall The Ratt Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 How about this. Switching trivial and non-trivial would still work and could even keep the meaning of the post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: The Ratt How about this. Switching trivial and non-trivial would still work and could even keep the meaning of the post. How exactly does "non-trivial enough that you don't have to think about it after registering" make any sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall The Ratt Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 As in, it goes away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Lazarus. Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 No, it makes sense the way it is. To paraphrase: it's difficult enough to pirate Jeff's games that people will choose to register it, but it's simple enough that you won't have to worry about signing in online every time you play or some such garbage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Dikiyoba Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: The Ratt As in, it goes away. "Trivial" means insignificant or unimportant. "Non-trivial" means significant or important. Also, Dikiyoba fourths (or whatever number we're up to) the recommendation to buy the game directly from Spiderweb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall A less presumptuous name. Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 EDIT: Unnecessary junk. The "DRM" that Spiderweb uses is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I'll eventually get around to copying the games to my laptop, which is easy enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk llloyd Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Actually sliced bread has only been available for sale in the past 100 years, although that is mostly because people were thought to be able to slice their own bread...so...yeah, best thing since non sliced bread, but it actually does not matter because the computer came after both and i think everyone should use that as the basis, since computers or internet also could be used are both obviously better than sliced or otherwise made bread. Do i rant to much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Dikiyoba Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: Kyxzxy since computers or internet also could be used are both obviously better than sliced or otherwise made bread. Dikiyoba disagrees. Computers taste terrible toasted and spread with butter and a pinch of cinnamon and sugar. Also, Dikiyoba sees pictures on the Internet quite frequently and yet been unable to sell it for an insane amount of money. Bread is clearly better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk llloyd Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 but there could not be Dikiyoba or anything else having to do with spiderweb software, and without bread there would still be food and stuff, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast The Mystic Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: Dikiyoba Computers taste terrible toasted and spread with butter and a pinch of cinnamon and sugar. I hope that's not the voice of experience talking. But there's no denying the sweet revenge when your hard drive crashes with no data recovery possible, and you toss your computer from the roof of a ten-story building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall A less presumptuous name. Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: Dikiyoba Bread is clearly better. Or is bread clearly butter? Perhaps clearly better with butter? Off topic, but the whole better butter thing reminds me of the old Culvers slogan for you midwesterners. "A better brand of beef makes a butter burger better." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 1. "Greatest invention since sliced bread" could just mean it's the greatest thing in a while, but not ever. That's a meaningful distinction, you know. 2. Sliced bread significantly predates pre-sliced bread. And while rolls and biscuits and such are indeed delicious, sandwiches and slices with spreads are important innovations. —Alorael, who is amused by the English trivia brought up by this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Callie Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: The Mystic But there's no denying the sweet revenge when your hard drive crashes with no data recovery possible, and you toss your computer from the roof of a ten-story building. Catapults are so much better, despite being less accessible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast VCH Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 But at least there's a registration code to enter unlike the hintbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Aran Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: The Mystic But there's no denying the sweet revenge when your hard drive crashes with no data recovery possible, and you toss your computer from the roof of a ten-story building. The computer doesn't care, though. You, on the other hand, are now short a computer. It's debatable who won that round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curious Artila Faithful Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast The Mystic Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: Arancaytrus Originally Posted By: The Mystic But there's no denying the sweet revenge when your hard drive crashes with no data recovery possible, and you toss your computer from the roof of a ten-story building. The computer doesn't care, though. You, on the other hand, are now short a computer. It's debatable who won that round. Then again, whoever said I actually threw a computer off a building? To be honest, I'd never do that to a computer no matter how much it frustrated me, although the crash landing would be rather satisfying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Slawbug Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Faithful: The confusion is over what qualifies as "DRM". Spiderweb Games (when purchased directly from Spiderweb Software) have no DRM. You never have to play with a CD inserted, or with an active internet connection. You DO have to enter a registration key ONCE per computer. Basically, this key is particular to the computer you installed the game on -- if you put it on another computer (or another OS on the same computer), it will generate a different registration code and you will need to get a new key to unlock it. Spiderweb provides these free of charge to registered users. That's the extent of SW's anti-piracy measures, which don't really qualify as DRM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Nioca Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: Faithful 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. It has a randomized code each time it's installed. That's why you'd need to contact Jeff for a new key. Quote: If I get a physical copy of the game do I need the CD in the drive to play? Nope. The game has to be installed on your computer whether you have the CD or not. But having the CD is a nice back-up. Quote: 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. (Slarty answered this better) If your definition of DRM is something that monitors hardware and will generally lock the product out if you copy or move it to another computer (or even on a few hardware changes), and is restrictive on how many times you can activate, then no. So long as you make sure to include the preferences file, you can move it to another computer. If it simply means something that ensures that you did buy the game, then yes. It's a simple registration code. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Locmaar Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: Faithful 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 would not call that DRM but paying for your product instead. It's a bit like reading a couple of pages in a bookstore to see if you like the book before you buy it. You will want to get a new key if, by accident, you lost your copy of the game or the key. If you redownload the new copy will create a different number with which your old license key will not work. Quote: 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? No, only for the installation. That would be DRM of some sort, albeit the old, dongle-like variant. My stance is SW does not implement DRM but gives you something for free. If you like it you may buy more. edit: Not bad. two replies while I wrote this. Not bad at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Sudanna Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: Alorael for all seasons 2. Sliced bread significantly predates pre-sliced bread. Does it, now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk llloyd Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 How can there have bean bread already sliced before bread not sliced was invented? it would take some wierd time jumps, which is techonology that is definetly after bread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Post-dates. Sigh. After all the trivial pursuits, I go and do that. Besides that prefix error, though, my point stands. Such as it is. —Alorael, who firmly believes that demolishing a computer just liberates the machine spirits within. It's a definite victory for them. And they'll probably grow up to be gremlins and rot all your bits, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Fanatic Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Originally Posted By: Ephesos Originally Posted By: Concave Cubine Therefore, buy direct from Spiderweb. This is just a good lesson in general. A better lesson in general would be: don't buy from big retailers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Artemis~ Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Quote: A better lesson in general would be: don't buy from big retailers. Sooooo true. They don't have time to look at what the consumer needs. As long as they sell, they're fine. Say bye-bye to "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE" as we know it. They sold to you already, and have no interest in a refund. ~Artemis and buying things. Only on "Sorority life," Because I can successfully pretend to be a rich sorority girl. Let me tell 'ya, if I were rich, I'd be good at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk llloyd Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 big retailers, quite bad, about the entire world is run by 4 companies, so 4 people, which i very frown at. and raichu frowning is not pretty, to take that money greedy, um, i can say asses here right? if not, well you guys get it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 "Ya" is not a contraction. Big retailers are (almost) never run by one person. They are run by committee and often beholden to their stockholders. The corporation is rich. The top-level employees probably also get rich. It's hard to point a finger at one particular person and blame him or her for all the evils of the company. —Alorael, who also can't jump on the "hate big companies" bandwagon. Yes, some have terrible practices. That's not an inherent truth of large corporations, as true as that may seem sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Ephesos Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 (posts to hide Alo's stretchy PDN) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk nikki. Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Originally Posted By: Verbose PDN is verboten. —Alorael, who also can't jump on the "hate big companies" bandwagon. Yes, some have terrible practices. That's not an inherent truth of large corporations, as true as that may seem sometimes. Seconded. All of it. It'd also be pretty hypocritical of me to do otherwise - I purchase LPs and CDs from a large chain (when they carry the ones I want - very often I do have to go to smaller shops, or even order direct from the artist, but my first choice is always the big chain because it's convenient and cheaper). I own a computer produced by a large company and it runs a Microsoft OS. And I work for the largest supermarket chain in my country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk llloyd Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I mean there is a chain of companies, sure a companie is not, but 4 companies that own other companies, which own others, do own a large chunk of the entire world money. i am not against a company being big in itself, but a lot of comes from that a lot of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curious Artila Faithful Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 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)!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Niemand Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Definitely. Many of us hadn't any when we arrived, and standard procedure for the rest is to check it at the door. Where it tends to get consumed by the fluffy turtles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Artemis~ Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 ^^nevermind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk llloyd Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Yeah, i tasted some and it was like awsome, but then the turles made me give it back, not awsome experience. DO NOT take any from them, much better to just wait by the door and forcefully get it from any new members. another option is to start thinking slightly logically then eat that, but it's just not the same eating your own sanity, nope. best option then is to assault the first new person that comees in and take their sanity, the fluffy turtles will dislike that, but have not claimed it by then so they can just simmer in jealousy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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