Starforce most likely dropped

[spartan015]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=1760

Software Ubisoft Dropping StarForce
Kristopher Kubicki - April 13, 2006 2:44 AM

When it rains, it pours at StarForce

Several websites are reporting that Ubisoft employees have confirmed StarForce DRM will not show up in upcoming Ubisoft titles. Galaad from CelestialHeavens.com (a Heroes of Might and Magic Fansite) claims Ubisoft and Nival are dropping StarForce DRM completely.

The original forum thread (English) contains a Ubisoft employee claiming "We have decided that the anti-copy protection used on the future Ubisoft games won't be the StarForce software" (translated French to English). There was no mention of what DRM would replace StarForce, though comments from other employees among the Ubi forums indicate that no future Ubisoft titles will be DRM-free.

StarForce, the DRM software for several high profile PC games, has been in the news a few times over the last several months. Three months ago, the company drew some attention for a bet made with its users. Comments made by some of the StarForce employees later helped skyrocket the sales of a competing product, and then to round things off angry customers sued Ubisoft over StarForce a few weeks ago anyway.

[Strider]

I think Bethesda Softworks has the right idea, no DRM and no serial (or product) # to install games. I just bought Oblivion and I wouldn't even think of copying or using an illegal version of such a great game. Like I stated in the past and will again, it's a few knuckleheads that spoil it for the rest. I just don't understand their logic and their flawed logic is this "I'm just a small fish, they should go after the big bootleggers" or "I'm just trying it out to see if I like the game, I will buy it if I do (They never do)".
There really isn't no reason to use (or copy) illegal software, and the websites or p2p sortware that you go to get the software are less than desirable to get them for the software either comes with a virus or spyware. However, some companies go too far (such as using Starforce) using heavily protect software that is blasted with DRM all over the place. just my lowly .02 cents.

[Jaggannath]

Realistically those who want to copy it will, those who don't won't. That's never going to change, and spending millions developing these systems just costs the honest more

[786ARS]

i think valve's steam is a great way for copy protection, especially because you dont need to wory about using copy protection for nocd/nodvd, because you can play steam games of your pc. Thats also another reason why i prefer to buy games from things like direct2drive, as i hate trying to get nodvd cracks/patches.

[Mesaeus]

You seem to forget that if for any reason (bankruptcy/disaster/taken over by microsoft or simply to force you to upgrade to new games) Valve's authentication servers go offline or stop supporting your game, you have a game which you cannot even play offline anymore. I find any activation schemes to be the worst copy protection of them all, since it's only a question of time until they all stop working. Or did you think Valve had eternal life ?

[786ARS]

ok, they might not have eternal life, but at least i dont have to try and find a workaround so I can play games no dvd.

[spartan015]

too bad life isn't free... icould sit around playin games all day.