Concerned about SecuROM?

[FKM100]

I sincerely hope that EA won't use SecuROM, because then I, for one, will not be able to buy Sims 3, since I only have internet access at work, not at home.

[DaBoogadie2]

I certainly don't like having invasive software on my computer. But what can you do? Not a damned thing. The fact is that Game publishers and Software companies around the world BELIEVE that they are under attack by pirates. Not in a fun, movie kind of way, but a job robbing, prosperity killing, profit stealing kind of way. I happen to agree with that, but this is about them, not me. 'Come about, man the canon' hasn't worked as corporate defence since the King of Spain lost half of his gold in the Caribbean. SecuRom is just one of the systems that we will be seeing. In the end, all of the security software is going to do the same thing, stop most of the the stealing. The corporations didn't do this to us, we as a world wide consuming community did this. We didn't stop the theives, most of us just looked the other way, some took part, we grew software piracy into a billion dollar business. Now we have to pay the Piper. It's not going away. Embrace it. And lets get it working right.

[TinXTin]

But giving your audience hassle isn't the answer! We shouldn't get a punishment for what we didn't do. Thats totally unfair. They won't gain anything except lose fans and they will have less money at the end anyway.

[DaBoogadie2]

All new software has or will have in the near future some kind of security built into it. The choice is, get your computer ready for it or don't play new games when they come out.

[p3nf0ld3]

I really want Sims 3, but at the same time I'm concerned about this. Apart from the reactivating every 10 days, there was also something said about limited number of installations - well I've lost count of how many times I've had to reinstall The Sims 1&2 because of hardware, viruses and just plain buying/borrowing another computer

[DaBoogadie2]

Originally Posted by p3nf0ld3

I really want Sims 3, but at the same time I'm concerned about this. Apart from the reactivating every 10 days, there was also something said about limited number of installations - well I've lost count of how many times I've had to reinstall The Sims 1&2 because of hardware, viruses and just plain buying/borrowing another computer

There is an awful lot of bad and mis~information coming from a certain website dedicated to the demise of SecuRom. First-good luck with that, and second-I have to question the motive. If you want real answeres, go to offical sites.

[Rhalius]

Maybe it would be better if you just had to register your cd key online and then get a code linked to the cd key thats needed to activate the game, and no hassle anymore after that?

and only with the base game, not every expansion.

This is something that could work for those that dont have internet at home, they could enter their cd key online at a friend, at work or where ever they can find internet.

[FKM100]

That would work for me.

[Jacqpinks72]

My mum has already stopped playing the sims 2 all together her last ep was BV and it messed up her computer that cost her thousands so she has decided not to have anymore to do with the sims, i am too stuck on it lol but will not be buying the sims 3 especially if it has SecuROM on it.

[johnsGirl09]

All I know is... I was really looking forward to it when I found out hey, there's gonna be a SIMS THREE! I was amazed and wanted it to come out as soon as possible... But after recently seeing all this stuff about SecuROM... I really don't want to chance buying TS3 if I'm going to be letting some random program come into my computer and control what I can and can't do.

I would LOVE to continue on and go on to TS3 when it comes out, but not if they're putting SecuROM in it. I'm having enough trouble with their patches that are supposed to "help".

It's annoying when it takes about 3 to 4 days to install a game, because it's moody and for some reason has a ton of scratches on it that just don't want to be fixed... And even more so when a patch that was supposed to help FIX things in the game... Ends up totally destroying your game.

I just had to uninstall that moody game today and I still haven't gotten it reinstalled. All because of the lalalala they put in their patches.

What's worse is when you find out uninstalling the game won't make the SecuROM go away. Just our luck, huh?

[Harridan]

Oh I'm really disappointed and quite disgusted at the thought of EA putting SecureROM in with "The Sims 3". I have only just realised today that the problems I am having on my computer are being caused by installing BV last week and know the first thing I will be doing on Monday morning will be phoning a computer engineer to remove all traces of this program from my PC before I end up having to buy a new one! (Something I will have to pay for myself as funnily enough EA didn't include an uninstall for it either, and the process of removing it is far beyond my technical capabilities). And I will definitely not be buying any more games which have it! Once an avid Sims player . . . now looking for a new addiction . . .

Edit: I don't normally post on forums but feel quite strongly about this! I absolutely love playing the game and it has given me many, MANY hours of brilliant entertainment and relief from boredom, even helping me to understand my own computer more when I learned how to do some simple recolours of clothes and import them into my game. I felt so proud!!! It has taken me a long time to come to this decision after many hours of reading various websites, mostly to find out what was the problem in the first place, but ........ I'm drawing the line ...... (*Cries a little*)......... It stops at SecureROM.

[Kriusic]

a technology like this was inevitable. Just look at Windows and Office. Its only a matter of time till they developed something like this.... Which sux coz its a stupid idea. But i dont think its going to make that much difference to sales of the game, perhaps its expansion packs

[Simlish3]

I'm not too keen on this idea. Should just leave it alone for christ sake!! Not harming anyone now is it!! We are all keen sims players who cannot wait to have TS3 on the shelves but it will be a massive bummer to have this lalalala with it!!

[yippie3278]

I'm addicted to The Sims and I used to be happy when they announced The Sims 3. But Securom has ruin my happiness. I had a lot of problems with Securom before and then I need reinstall my Windows again. Now, Securom in The Sims 3? Oh thanks EA. I dont want to take risk of irreparable damage to my computer. So I think this is my goodbye to sims 3 if they put securom. I WILL NOT BUY ANY EA GAMES WITH SECUROM. NEVER

[nixalot]

Originally Posted by DaBoogadie2

There is an awful lot of bad and mis~information coming from a certain website dedicated to the demise of SecuRom. First-good luck with that, and second-I have to question the motive. If you want real answeres, go to offical sites.

You obviously havent experienced problems from the last securom on bon voyage and up, so u obviously have no negative feelings for the software. The issue about the official sites is that they are for promotion, and so are not going to focus on the risks involved upon installation.
The only point on which i agree with you on is that its going to happen, but lets get it working right. Of course there should be some form of security, but im sure technology has developped enough to make a game non copiable without destroying the pc.

For my personal opinion on piracy, ive only heard of it in foriegn counrties, i travel alot to poor countries in africa for my work, and there is not a pc game shop in sight, yet people have pcs and game consoles so they end up having to get games 'illegally'. Ive never witnessed this in the uk, im not saying it doesnt happen, but it must be rare. So basically what im saying is perhaps they can easily solve the problem by making games more widely available instead of inconviencing honest buyers (like me!).

[Kelborn]

Originally Posted by Tia1234

No to the ten day rule, because I realized that even the online players will be irritated. I must warn EA, that they will lose two thirds of all potential sales of the Sims 3 with SecureROM.

Nice job grabbing statistics out of thin air.

Not saying you're not fundamentally right about securom being bad. But making up stats adds nothing to your argument.

100% of people who smoke die.

[Kriusic]

Well, i think the past shows that there is no need for securerom anyway.. I mean, look how many copies sims 2 sold without there being such a technology? Yes i know piracy is a huge problem... and EA is all about making money... But it is risky to subject players to such terrorising of their pc.. HOWEVER, look at the big uproar when Windows XP was close to being released and people heard about Activation... everyone swore they were going to boycot it... yet, how many PCs in the world utilize not only windows xp, but windows vista? I think when it comes to arguments like this, the want for the game is going to make people buy it whether or not it has securerom.

[Rhalius]

Its best not to make things difficult on the initial release, the installation is the first impression of the game.

If most customers are already cursing at the game before playing it, they can never hope to sell the sims3 more than they sold the sims2.

[Kelborn]

It's interesting really how many people bash securerom without suggesting other alternatives to help tackle piracy.

[Smudge]

Wow!!
I was so excited for the sims 3 - but as others now i think i'll have to give it a miss... i don't want my computer ruined, and i'm a uni student so my network probably won't allow it!

[Tia1234]

I voted 'Other - please add a comment.', so therefore I will expand on this:

SecureRom is already on the Sims 2, but not as annoying as the 10-day rule. If the Ten-day rule is introduced, then no Sims 3 for me.

[Kelborn]

Mass Effect scrapped the 10 day thing after the fanbase complained. Perhaps EA will do the same

[Rhalius]

It was probably EA that wanted Securom for Mass Effect.

Bioware has always treated their fans very well. Its unlike them to pull that kind of things.

As for alternatives, make sure the gamebox has something very appealing included.

I dont see why they would even consider putting such protection on a game as the sims3. Its main audience is not into copying games. The sims2 is one of the most sold games ever so theres no problem at all with it.

Its not like EA is loosing money from it, if they are losing money from something, it would be from all those terrible movie licensed games they publish, and sequels with minimum changes.

[Kriusic]

but thats the thing about The Sims series... it doesnt have one specific target audience, its played by many people of all ages - and there will be alot that still do copy it (just look at how many torrents are available to download it). I understand why EA has done it, i just think there could be a better way, and given the time and resources EA has, perhaps it should come up with an alternative rather than the players having to?

[limabifrost]

Originally Posted by Smudge

i'm a uni student so my network probably won't allow it!

It's a real problem isn't it!? I had to go three years without any online gaming thanks to Hallsnet. No Lannage or anything. I hope Securom's approved on your network!