Ok.... maybe this is just a brain-fart... and maybe not...
As far as i know everyone that bought and played Beyond Divinity hated / had a issue with Starforce... the whole disc checking procedure etc.... Which i think is absolutely fair.... starforce caused more hassles than protecting the game....
For the same matter, no copy protection actually proved effective as yet. Doom 3, also with SF protection, was cracked within 3 hours of the game release!!
Now a relatively new (or not so new, but it had limited media coverage) idea is becomming popular. Games with ABSOLUTELY NO copy protection.... BUT, in order to play you need an authorised account on the game server. You do not pay per month, merely for the game and then have a lifetime account on the game server.
I am in a way refering to Guildwars... but only in example....
Advantages of internet authorisation:
1. Network games globally with no extra setup regardless of your team mates being next to you / across the globe.
2. No copy protection that can stuff up your system, cause extra bugs, require disc checks every time you load it.
3. A game that will work no matter what version of Windows comes out next... since there will be no driver handling, and no security issues.
4. Very low internet bandwidth needed - even people with a slow connection can enjoy the game fully.
5. If a friend wants a copy, by all means give it to him.... he will still pay the same amount for his account, than you paid for the game and account.
Disadvantages:
1. Internet connection vital for the duration of gameplay. (only an issue for dialup users - which are becomming less and less)
2. Should anything happen to the game-server, you cant play. (but i think that will be the resposibility of the producers and gaming companies to maintain a good server-uptime record. As with Guildwars, i think we have an example that it can be maintained without any issues
So now i am wondering.... what would you guys and gals prefer????
The old system of copy protections that make us pull out our hair... or to try a newish system that has proven much less hassles...
