"It looks to me like to like starforce is damaging sales, and future sales. But the companies that use this, only have themselves to blame. They're losing their legitimate buyers, fans, and casual gamers in the process. People who are unsure about what starforce does are frightened of installing games with it, because they lack the knowledge to rectify their system."

I certainly believe that. One of the things that many software and media companies forget is that proprietary rights is a double edged sword. If you don't have a critical mass out there wanting your stuff, then no one will hear about it to even consider buying it. Look at the Apple vs PC model a few years ago. Further, many of the Hollywood stars we have today are only stars because people want to see them; people want to see certain movies because of buzz, or word or mouth. It doesn't matter if that movie or game is pirated or not. If it's good, it will create buzz, and the more that's out there, the more buzz, and hence more sales. Not every gamer is a pirate, most own legit store bought copies. However, if the publisher decided to cripple the store bought copies, then they've effectively crippled their ONLY source of revenue from this. One bad turn is repeated amoungst local gamers to avoid a certain game because the "discs don't work." Even my 10 year old has already repeated this stuff to me. "Don't buy that one Daddy, my friend said that game has problems, they CD player doesn't read them and he had to bring them back." That is usally all it takes for me to walk on by.

Ralph