Concerned about SecuROM?

[Dominochick3]

Originally Posted by Happerson

Personally, i don't like the 5 install limit as well... We bought the game, so we have to be able to install it as many times as we want

Actually. Its a 5 ACTIVATION limit. There is a limit to the amount of times you can activate it which means.

If you activate it on your laptop that is one time gone. But you can install and uninstall as many times as you want on that laptop.
But if you need to install on another computer, you have to activate it for that computer so thats two activations gone and 3 more left. You can install it as much as you want on that computer also. So, see how it works?

I think limit activations makes sense since they are trying to protect the game. But its bad if you happen to need to activate it more than 5 times.

[revelvia]

So this five activation thing. Could someone explain it to me in extremely simple terms? For example, say I install it on my laptop. Something goes hideously wrong with my laptop and I have to completely reboot the whole thing, reinstall Windows, etc. Obviously my laptop will be a blank slate so I'll have to install it again - would that count as a second activation?

[jonneymendoza]

yup. do that 5 times and your screwed mate. gotta call up ea and BEG them to allow you more install's.

great aint it while the pirates can install there game as many times as they want.

downfall of why pc games are getting pirated to death. if any of the ea guys are listening PLEASE DO NOT ADD THIS INSTALL LIMIT FEATURE!!

it doesnt stop piracy at all

[BlackGarden87]

If you restore your laptop using your laptop's restore discs and there have been no other changes to your system then the activation server should still recognise it as being the same laptop. It recognise's the laptop's hardware and software profile, so with the same OS (and same OS serial number) and the same set of hardware inside there should be no problems.
Even if it didn't recognise it, you wouldn't have to ring EA necessarily, online support should be able to resolve the issue for you.

[iNickk]

I think we all realise that this does nothing about piracy, but simply stops EA losing money via the second hand market. It is that which they are trying to kill, because someone not buying the game new means a sale not made. I'm absolutely gutted that EA are making this game, because they have such a bad rep.

[sasha525]

if freetime has it then MY PC IS INFECTED !!!!!!!!!!!!! i really like freetime but i can't install it on my laptop because i don't want it to have secuROM

[Anthony]

Freetime does nothing, it's perfectly fine.

Anthony.

[ColorsOfTheWind]

free time dosent have it ? :S

[Hunnie3218]

I'm technology challenged. Does someone want to explain this to me like I'm a kindergartner please?

[Stosh117]

All the EA titles with secuRom
Electronic Arts
Battlefield 2142 (7.37.0007)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3† (7.38.0014)
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (7.37.0012)
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (7.37.0017)
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars [Kane Edition] (7.33.0014)
Crysis (7.36.0007)
Crysis Warhead† (7.37.0014)
Dead Space† (7.38.0007)
FIFA 08 / FIFA Soccer 2008 (7.xx.xxxx)
FIFA 09 / FIFA Soccer 2009† (7.37.0012)
FIFA Manager 09† (7.38.0009)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (7.33.0005)
Hellgate London (7.34.0014)
Madden NFL 08 (7.33.0011)
Mass Effect† (7.37.0012)
Medal of Honor: Airborne (7.36.0007)
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames† (7.38.0006)
Mirror's Edge† (7.xx.xx)
Need For Speed: Pro Street (7.34.0017)
Need For Speed: Undercover† (7.38.0012)
SimCity Societies (7.35.000
The Sims Castaway Stories (7.35.0007)
The Sims Pet Stories (7.33.0004)
The Sims 2 Apartment Life (7.37.0012)
The Sims 2 Bon Voyage (7.33.0014)
The Sims 2 Deluxe (7.32.0010)
The Sims 2 Double Deluxe (7.36.0010)
The Sims 2 FreeTime (7.37.0007)
The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff (7.00.00.0311)
The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff (7.37.0007)
The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff (7.xx.xxxx)
The Sims 2 Mansion and Garden Stuff (7.38.xxxx)
The Sims 2 Teen Style Stuff (7.xx.xxxx)
Spore† (7.37.0014)
Spore Creature Creator† (7.36.0012)
UEFA Euro 2008 (7.36.0007

[ghostink]

At the end of the day EA (and all other games manufacturers) will do what they feel they need to do to keep their software safe. Unfortunately pirates will do anything in their power to get around this protection and although SecuROM is completely secure for now I do not think it will be forever. Many of the games on the list posted above are already available for download from pirates, so SecuROM clearly has a weakness somewhere.

I agree with what someone said in the first few pages, that this is something pirates have made EA do. But I also agree that they are treating everybody like criminals for something that is not as common in the scheme of things. I want to continue to support EA and the Sims franchise because I love it and I want them to create more, but if they put SecuROM on the Sims 3 (and this 10 day activation thing - if it is true) I really don't see how they expect to get any money out of it. Surely they are well aware of how Sims fans feel about this.

I was unaware of what SecuROM was until a few days ago when I read reviews of the Sims 3 (since it wasn't out yet I was intrigued and it was all warnings...) After that I discovered I have two of the Sims games (BV and Castaway Stories) installed on my PC at this very moment but I don't seem to have SecuROM or any issues. If that is all they're going to put on then I'm happy to buy it. But the 10-day activation thing is too far, as is the 5 max registrys. I don't see why they can't employ a system like WoW - where your account stores the information about which games you have and allows you to play them only on that account, you only get one chance to use the serial key and that works fine to my knowledge. Of course that would put Sims users without the internet at a disadvantage, unless they brought registering in over the phone...who knows. I just hope they don't go through with some of these things.

[Lara4484]

As long as the SecuROM won't interfere with my game they can do with it what they won't. It's just the same because even with it there will be pirated games.

[ghostink]

Originally Posted by Lara4484

As long as the SecuROM won't interfere with my game they can do with it what they won't. It's just the same because even with it there will be pirated games.

Well that's the problem hun, because it seems that SecuROM has messed up quite a few people's computers and if your PC doesn't work then it will be interfering with your game.

[Soulfire777]

I really believe even most of the people who SAY they won't buy it really will actually buy it anyway, but part of them resents SecuROM so much they either THINK they won't buy it or just want to send EA a message by saying they won't buy it to try and discourage them from using it. hehe

[Lara4484]

Really! Well then I'm strongly against it, but unfortunately there's nothing we can do if they decide to you use it.

[Lara4484]

Originally Posted by Soulfire777

I really believe even most of the people who SAY they won't buy it really will actually buy it anyway, but part of them resents SecuROM so much they either THINK they won't buy it or just want to send EA a message by saying they won't buy it to try and discourage them from using it. hehe

I'd buy the game with or without it. I've waited to long for it to back out now. That's my opinion.

[dannyyy]

someone explain this to me PLEASE! haha
what is it?

[Soulfire777]

Originally Posted by Lara4484

I'd buy the game with or without it. I've waited to long for it to back out now. That's my opinion.

Me too to be honest, but I have to admit I don't really feel GOOD about supporting the decision to use SecuROM by giving them my money. In a way, I almost feel "dirty" buying it (because it just feels wrong to me), but I want this particular game badly enough that I am compromising my principles to buy it.

I did skip buying Mass Effect though because of SecuROM. I would have liked to buy that game, but I did not want that particular game badly enough to compromise my principles. hehe

[Lara4484]

I don't like it just as much as you guys but I just couldn't resist buying the game even with it.

[Lt_Kirby]

Originally Posted by Dominochick3

Actually. Its a 5 ACTIVATION limit. There is a limit to the amount of times you can activate it which means.

If you activate it on your laptop that is one time gone. But you can install and uninstall as many times as you want on that laptop.
But if you need to install on another computer, you have to activate it for that computer so thats two activations gone and 3 more left. You can install it as much as you want on that computer also. So, see how it works?

I think limit activations makes sense since they are trying to protect the game. But its bad if you happen to need to activate it more than 5 times.

(I can't remember where I found this out now, but do try to believe me...if not then your problem )
I hate to disagree with Dominochick...infact I think this is the first time I have, but it isn't her fault There is a lot of confusion that has occured in regard to the 5 installtion limit with the version of SecuROM that EA are considering using with SIMS 3.

Many people are saying that the 5 limit installation is exactly what it sounds like...5 installations, then you're pretty much screwed. THIS IS NOT THE CASE - YOU CAN INSTALL MORE THEN 5 TIMES. Please read on.

You can install a max of 5 times per computer. You can however install on countless computers as long as on each computer it is no more then 5 times.

Now I hear all of you saying "Well what's the point in that?! That doesn't stop piracy, so why have SecuROM?". Well there is no smart answer to this especially with all the worries that surround SecuROM. Because of this, there is no point what so ever for SecuROM and so I do not understand why EA are considering using this.

Now I havn't been secretly hired...or even brainwashed by SecuROM, I promise. I am still 100% against it, all I'm saying is that the 5 limit installtion is not as clear as a lot of people are saying.

-Lt Kirby

[Lara4484]

Thanks! That explains a lot.

[Soulfire777]

Originally Posted by Lt_Kirby

You can install a max of 5 times per computer. You can however install on countless computers as long as on each computer it is no more then 5 times.

Wow, the thing I read explained this in yet another way...I wonder which is actually right? LOL

The thing I read said there is a 5 install limit, but that there is a utility that by deleting one install from a computer, it restores/recovers one of your install "charges" (usages) back to the game. So if for example you install the game, it drops from 5 to 4, but then if you use the utility to remove that install, your limit goes back up to 5 again. And if you still run out of installs, then you can call or e-mail EA and explain how you used them all, and they can give you more installs.

I don't know which way is TRUE, but I do know I bought Spore and it's never been a problem for me, so presumably the Sims 3 probably won't be either.

[Jesm581]

I will not buy it. I've bent over backwards trying to work WITH securom. I have uninstalled and reinstalled 5 times now, each time removing more software on my computer to try and get more than a few loads out of it. The only 'burning' software I have left is Windows Media Player. I will not sacrifice listening to music for this. It's ridiculous.
If securom is put on Sims 3 in the same format that it has been on previous EA games it will be the first Sims game that I have not legally bought. There's goes a decade of loyal customer-ship.

[ColorsOfTheWind]

i am getting it either way

[Lara4484]

So am I. What exactly does the SecuRom do to you computer?