Conclusion

I would like to restate my position. I have no issues whatsoever with copyright protection, especially if it's minor like popping in a CD/DVD into the drive so that it can be verified. But when you bring on all manners of ridiculously imposing measures like activation servers, that's where I draw the line. Obviously, such measures are not popular. Just look at the amount of backlash 2K Games have been receiving?

There are some instances when an online master server can be used, like Battlefield 2 and Unreal Tournament 2004 for online play. But please do not be overzealous in protecting your intellectual property. One could say it's like the difference of putting up a picket fence in your front lawn versus lining your property with barbed wire and putting up guard towers, spotlights and machine guns. It's not only menacing, it's also bothersome.

Do not even begin to say that your customers only own the licence (why don't you slap them in the face some more while you are at it?) and it is merely your right. We all know what the law is. I think this is not a mere legal matter. It is more of an ethical issue. It is the publisher's right, but does that mean you can be all Hitler-ish? If this is the sign of a new trend, then the PC gaming industry is headed down the path of the RIAA/MPAA. Exercising Gestapo-like techniques to assert greater control and oppressing your customers with inconvenient measures is just not right. If that day should come, I will quit PC gaming altogether, for it would have ruined the experience completely beyond repair.

I do not condone any form of stealing. I buy all of my stuff. But overzealous approaches will only punish your customers while those who refuse to abide by your rules will eventually find a way around them and use them with far less hassle. It is inevitable. Embrace that fact and design accordingly. As much as some people dislike Steam, I like it because quite frankly, it is a prime example of how the interests of the publisher as well as the consumer can both be protected.

Please, please, please TRUST your consumers. We are, after all, the people who buy and use your products. If you, as a developer or publisher, are considering any increased form of copy protection, please think of our interests as your customers. Even if you lose the unwinnable copy protection war, you will earn the respect and support of your customer base.

BTW, EA should take note. This is 'what you should NOT do' when you roll out Crysis. Take-Two should also NOT do this for GTA IV (for Rockstar). I am a loyal fan of the Grand Theft Auto series as well as most Rockstar games. Hopefully they won't be as Irrational (pun fully intended!) as this whole BioShock fiasco.

Finally, please cut 2K Elizabeth (Elizabeth Tobey as per the game manual, I take it) some slack. I know all of you guys are frustrated and such. But still, be civil about it. Cut her some slack and be polite about it.

Here is a comment by Jakester that pretty much sums up what the rest of us think about the hocus-pocus 2K Games is trying to pull on us :

If your spouse buys a book, do you go out and buy another copy if you want to read it, or do you read it when she's not or when she's done?

If you purchase a DVD, do you buy one copy for each of your friends and family who are going to watch the movie with you? Do you ever lend or borrow movies?

Why should my brother play for free? Because it's FAIR USE of a product I have purchased.

I have been holding off on purchasing BioShock because of the DRM (and if you think it's necessary, check out this GalCiv2 thread). However, this mentality of blatant disrespect of people who purchased your game, and the no-longer-veiled attempts to deny basic fair use rights of legitimate purchasers is reprehensible.

I'm sorry, Ken Levine -- based on the demo, you made a kick-ass game, but it's one I wont' be buying (nor will it be one I'm playing). Further, I'll not be buying any 2k/Take-two games on any platform. IF it means no GTA, so be it. If it means no Manhunt 2 (I was going to support them because I don't appreciate censorship, either, even though I only marginally enjoyed the first game), then so be it.

We can talk on these forums until our fingers bleed, but what will make a difference is when we speak with our purchasing dollars and do not support a company that "permits" its customers to use their software at the publisher's whim. Now, I know 2k publishes good and popular games, but, really, if you don't like the taste of crap, stop eating filet mignon wrapped in crap!

Questions & Comments

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