September 2008
For PC gamers, PC games seem to be losing all its life and fun in recent times.
This, however, didn't begin with EA, but with BioShock, a game distributed by 2K Games.
Bioshock had required online activation, and offered limited the number of installs. This was handled by the latest version SecuROM, one of the leading DRM applications. Previous to this, SecuROM existed mostly as an aggressive CD/DVD protection methodology.
Now EA jumps on the bandwagon with the latest version of SecuROM, which they're using for Mass Effect (PC), Spore, and Red Alert 3.
With Spore, gamers get three installs and yet no credit for uninstalling. The same is likely to be true for Red Alert, though there's some evidence that uninstalling Mass Effect will get gamers back an install "credit."
Given that many PC gamers are also hardware enthusiasts, this is a pretty onerous problem. PC gamers upgrade their system, install Windows, install their game and already they've used up all their installs and need to call EA to try to convince them that they need another.
A pretty serious issue for end users. So much so, that Spore has inspired a user backlash. Though hundreds of users posted one star reviews of Spore at Amazon.com, those user reviews have disappeared from the standard edition Spore page, probably because Amazon and EA feared what might happen to sales.
To be fair to Amazon, the reviews system is intended for owners of a given product, but it's also intended to steer people toward or away from products that may be cool, or may be lacking in some way.
Issues with Amazon's user reviews aside, the problem extends beyond end user annoyance.
For example, there is no resale market for Spore. Played it for a few hundred hours, and want to sell it on eBay? Gamestop and other companies who might resell a used game won't want to touch any of these titles because of its DRM issues and flak.
This is also potentially a serious blow to hardware reviewers. Spore and Red Alert 3 may not matter so much, but new games that use advanced 3D features may be a prime candidate for benchmarking graphics cards or PCs.
This, in turn, will also have a small but measurable impact on PC games. Every time benchmarks run, the game is mentioned. Reviewers talk about how great the visual are, or how interesting other aspects of the game are. But with no benchmarks means fewer free and relatively uncritical press mentions for a game.
So, no thanks to EA for trying to put a stake in PC games and sucking the life out of them.
...........................................................................
Read ELECTRONIC ARTS ARTICLES on TAXI Design Network
............................................................................
Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.
This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.
