Rockstar Rolls with SecuROM DRM for Grand Theft Auto IV on the PC
Posted 12/01/08 at 02:55:40 PM | by Paul Lilly
Electronic Arts couldn't have predicted the unprecedented backlash from outraged gamers following Spore's release, or at least not the extent that they would take the anti-DRM crusade. Protests ran the gamut from blasting the title with thousands of negative user reviews on Amazon to not just making the game available on warez sites, but actively encouraging consumers to pirate the title. If you thought it might be awhile before SecuROM saddled another high profile release, think again.
Despite all the recent raucous, Rockstar has decided to implement the DRM scheme on GTA IV for the PC. But before you cry foul and grab the pitchforks and torches, Rockstar says its version will be much more user friendly than the one found on EA's Spore.
"You will only need to authenticate the retail disk once per Windows account per machine," Rockstar said in an interview with IGN.com. "Even if you uninstall and re-install the game, it will not have to be re-authenticated."
Should you change two 'major' components (think CPU and videocard) or install GTA IV on different PC under a different Windows account, Rockstar says it might be necessary to re-authenticate the game, but unlike Spore, you can install and uninstall as many times as you want. This also means you can gift your game away once you're finished playing.
"Vocal 'board posters' seem to be most down on the SecuROM feature that limits the number of installations. We recognize that the installation limits have been a major issue, so we have not limited the number of installations for the retail disk version of GTA IV PC."
Despite the increased flexibility over Spore's implementation, the move can be still be seen as controversial as consumers continue to become less tolerant of DRM in any form. But it's not just Rockstar who is being tested, but the gaming community as well. Rockstar is correct in pointing out Spore's installation limit as the biggest aggitator among those who criticized the game's DRM. Without an install limit in place, should the game also find itself the center of a crusade, right or wrong some will inevitably conclude that gamers might simply be looking for an excuse to pirate rather than pony up the asking price.
What are your thoughts on Rockstar's decision outfit GTA IV witha modified version of SecuROM?
Image Credit: Rockstar
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while we're talking about
Submitted by AndyYankee17 on Tue, 2008-12-02 20:24
while we're talking about secuROM can I bitch about the anti piracy tactic of requiring a cd to be in the drive to run the game. seriously, wtf, I thought that was what cd keys were for.
SecuROM in ANY form will get nowhere near my computer.
Submitted by HeartBurnKid on Tue, 2008-12-02 11:40
And screw any company that ships with that trojan on board.
I thought you were cool, TakeTwo...
Submitted by Pixelated on Mon, 2008-12-29 18:49
Ummm...Bioshock hello! TakeTwo is the one who kicked off this whole InSecuROM activation bullshit. I love when they say the only people who are mad are the PC pirates, paying customers don't mind this type of DRM. I want to scream two inches from their faces (with droplets of spit flying out of my mouth at high velocity) But the PC pirates are downloading the game without DRM!! What The Fuck Kind Of Logic Are You Attempting To Use?
Submitted by r3dd4wg on Tue, 2008-12-02 08:35
I won't be buying GTA IV with SecurRom (or whatever it is). It might as well be a virus.
Submitted by thegamepro on Tue, 2008-12-02 00:30
Come on guys, is secuROM really that bad? I own games that have secuROM and so far it didn't cause any problems for me. I have Nero burning software installed and it never complained.
First off, secuROM is NOT a rootkit! I can understand why everybody would hate the Spore DRM since that it limited installs/activations and forced you to call an 800 number but with GTA 4, it sounds like there won't be any limits on installs/PC's/activations.
Just as long as I am not limited on the number of systems or installations, I'll be happy. I never ran into any of the problems you guys have described.
I already have this game preordered through steam and will be ready to enjoy its awesomeness while you guys continue to keep bitching about the name "secuROM."
Just be glad that we have a GTA 4 on the pc because Rockstar could have easily have just cancelled their PC development.
Submitted by HeartBurnKid on Tue, 2008-12-02 11:43
Do yourself a favor, if you do install GTA IV or any other SecuROM game, never uninstall it. If you do uninstall it, you've got a 50/50 shot of hosing your CD drive due to the damage SecuROM does to your drivers.
Frankly, if they're shipping with SecuROM, then I'd rather they cancelled. It's like getting a christmas present, and finding a turd inside. It may be "the thought that counts", but I'd rather have got nothing than that.
Submitted by gothliciouz on Mon, 2008-12-01 18:14
i was thinking about buying this game, but now is clear that i won't...damn rockstar
SecuROM torked my optical Drives
Submitted by Baer on Mon, 2008-12-01 17:49
I installed Crysis some months back. I then had an intermitent problem with my optical drives not being recognized. There are fixes which I will not take the time to discuss here but the issue reocured over and over again. It cost me much agrivation and a lot of time. I DID NOR REALIZE THAT CRYSIS HAS INSTALLED SecuROM, there was no warning, no notice. I looked for it and found it, It took me a few hours to get it totally off my system. Once I deleted Crysis and removed SecuROM including the blocked registry items everything runs well once again.
Here is an excellent link telling you how to dump SecuROM. http://www.reclaimyourgame.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=40
I swear, I am off EA games and off all SONY products. For the first time in my 28 years messing with computers I sympathise with the pirates. I recommend that anyone that cares about how reliable your computer is never install ANYTHING from companies that out his crapola on your computer.
Submitted by AndyYankee17 on Mon, 2008-12-01 17:04
technically steam is entirely DRM, although it's more to protect the consumer than the company. Also, the entire steam platform stands for installing games on multiple PCs, games are binded to the person, not the machine.
Irony
Submitted by dankers on Mon, 2008-12-01 16:30
It's funny that a gamethat involves having sex with prostitutes and then killing them so you can get your money back would be concerned with people stealing the game. In any case darkc0der already has a working crack. Sorry Rockstar.
Submitted by pistola on Mon, 2008-12-01 16:02
Steam version will have the same DRM on it, sadly.
Submitted by habuza on Mon, 2008-12-01 15:32
more DRM? Suck my genitals. I'm not buying anything with DRM on it. Just lost a customer Rock Star. Good luck with the virus you call anti-piracy.
Submitted by guest001 on Mon, 2008-12-01 15:15
Does anyone know if the steam version of this will have drm on it? That's most likely where im going to buy it.
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