Watch out! Crysis 2 on Steam has 3rd party DRM, NOT disclosed on store page

[garyinhere]

You seem really confused. Let me set a few things straight:

- I don't buy anything with DRM in it, except Windows, Office and Steam
- I did "research" Crysis 2 by looking carefully at the store page, to check that third party DRM was not present. I shouldn't have to do any more than that. The responsibility is with Valve to disclose it, as I've said several times over now. Third party DRM was present however, which is the reason for my thread, so that other people are warned before they fall into this trap

This isn't the place to discuss the rights and wrongs of DRM

- You're still saying I don't want to discuss DRM. How so? I've been discussing it the whole time. You even asked me a question about installing the game on 60 PCs and I gave you a clear and factual answer

Yeah, you wouldn't see animation tearing on a console, because vsync is always on, as it should be.

-So you bought a game from Steam knowing Steam has DRM
-what trap?

 

[qubit]

-So you bought a game from Steam knowing Steam has DRM
-what trap?

I've been really, really clear. Are you really asking this question...

 

[garyinhere]

I've been really, really clear. Are you really asking this question...

yes

 

[qubit]

yes

It's beyond dumb, as I've answered everything already, in exhaustive bloody detail.

I don't think you're this stupid, so I reckon you're just trying to wind me up. Yes?

 

[garyinhere]

It's beyond dumb, as I've answered everything already, in exhaustive bloody detail.

I don't think you're this stupid, so I reckon you're just trying to wind me up. Yes?

no

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

gary gary gary..... carry on i just felt like saying that.

eitherway crysis 2 isnt a game id buy, and while i dislike DRM greatly, steam ea dosent matter whos fault it is and heres why no matter what laws are in effect around the globe, if anyone really wanted to take it up with them the blame will pass back and forth

good example, nvidia locking AA to there cards in Batman AA, the code used for it was claimed as IP from nvidia they said it belonged to the studio who passed it back to nvidia, same applies here, its your fault your the seller no its your fault you didnt tell me, the stupidity of it is like a school yard argument, no one wins everyones pissed off and nothing changes, the game has DRM, love it hate it you cant change it, steam if your nice will probably give you a refund they've been nice enough to do that for me a couple times in the past. Just google DRM + the game your looking at before you buy,

heres a good example anyone running Fallout 3 retail version? turn off auto play and install the game manually from the setup file. it will bypass the DRM install thus Fallout 3 installs with No DRM, granted only works on the first batch of retail versions but info of that nature are well, often good to know.

your a decent enough sort Qubit just dont fall into the stupid majority that cant google something, not trolling man but i really really dont want to have to google it for you, i mean i can but it wont be because im trying to be nice

 

[garyinhere]

gary gary gary..... carry on i just felt like saying that.

I don't understand how it was a trap? Or why DRM is a deal breaker?

 

[qubit]

your a decent enough sort Qubit just dont fall into the stupid majority that cant google something, not trolling man but i really really dont want to have to google it for you, i mean i can but it wont be because im trying to be nice

Yeah, I'm great, I know. And of course I can google. I actually trusted the Steam store page to give me accurate info, like it always has before . Shocking, isn't it?

And you don't have to "try" to be nice with me.

 

[Mussels]

i never said to run all copies at once? Which brings up a point what need is there for more than 5 computers activated at once?

its not 5 computers, its 5 installs. as i said above, if you format without uninstalling the game (and who uninstalls all their games before formatting? seriously?) then that activation is GONE. it cannot come back.

I
BTW I only game on consoles due to lack of PC support and poor graphics. I've never had a torn screen!

maybe because the tearing is a symptom of FPS going above your refresh rate, and consoels struggle for 30FPS, let alone the 60 that HDTV's support? stop dragging this thread off topic, its not about you and your consoles.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

i know i was being a blunt asshole, im a pessimist i dont trust anything till i see multiple sources on it i dont trust steams store page i dont trust developers pages, but add both together plus forums like TPU i can get all the info i need for a decision never take 1 source and be content with it otherwise you end up up shit creek without a paddle.

 

[garyinhere]

Look, 3rd party DRM not disclosed on store page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/99830/

Doesn't say, does it?

Yet it has a 5 machine activation limit. So f* epic fail of Steam. :shadedshu

I discovered this DRM when I ran Crysis for the first time, as it reported "activation successful". Also, adding Crysis to the Windows 7 Games Explorer and right clicking the icon gave two menu entries:

- de-authorize game. This is supposed to be done when moving the game from one PC to another
- EU EULA. This described the SolidShield DRM built into it

There's also this Steam forum thread on it: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1808447

Steam have broken the UK Sale of Goods Act and the Distance Selling Regulations and the equivalent laws in other countries by leaving out significant info like this. Therefore, I've now raised a support ticket with Steam for a full refund and I'll let you know how I get on. I've also uninstalled the game from my PC. And I liked it, too. Such a shame about this.

Mods: I know there's the main Crysis thread, but I feel that this issue needs greater prominence rather than have it disappear into general Crysis chat, so please don't merge it with the other one. Perhaps it's a good idea to make this a sticky for a little while?

The SolidShield DRM described in the EULA:

Spoiler

3. Technical Protection Measures.
This Software uses Solidshield digital rights management technology. This Solidshield technology does not require a separate installation. For more information about Solidshield, visit http://www.solidshield.com. An Internet connection is required to authenticate the Software and verify your license (“Online Authentication”) using the serial code enclosed with the Software. CRYTEK reserves the right to validate your license through subsequent Online Authentications. If CRYTEK determines your license is not valid, you may not be able to use the Software. CRYTEK does not recommend that you attempt to disable Solidshield. If you disable or otherwise tamper with the technical protection measures, the Software may not function properly and you will have materially breached this License.

Each computer must be authorized before you can play the game. Authorization automatically occurs after authentication and license validation by CRYTEK (i.e., Online Authentication), described above. The first end user of this License may authorize up to five machines on which s/he may play the offline features of this game at any one time. Access to online features and/or services is addressed in Section 1.C, below. When you install the Software on a machine, the machine is automatically authorized (provided you have authorizations available). When you uninstall the Software from a machine, that machine is automatically de-authorized. You may manage your authorizations yourself by following the de-authorization instructions found at http://activate.ea.com/deauthorize. An Internet connection is required for de-authorization. Upon uninstallation of the Software and successful machine deauthorization, the Solidshield technology associated with this Software will be removed from your machine.

this is the post i was referring to... 5 machines i believe it says, Wasn't talking about your post

its not 5 computers, its 5 installs. as i said above, if you format without uninstalling the game (and who uninstalls all their games before formatting? seriously?) then that activation is GONE. it cannot come back.



maybe because the tearing is a symptom of FPS going above your refresh rate, and consoels struggle for 30FPS, let alone the 60 that HDTV's support? stop dragging this thread off topic, its not about you and your consoles.

I know how graphics work

 

[qubit]

i know i was being a blunt asshole, im a pessimist i dont trust anything till i see multiple sources on it i dont trust steams store page i dont trust developers pages, but add both together plus forums like TPU i can get all the info i need for a decision never take 1 source and be content with it otherwise you end up up shit creek without a paddle.

Awesome! I don't mind how big and blunt an "asshole" you are, you're intentions were honourable, which is what matters.

And ya know what? After my unpleasant experience with Crysis 2, I'll be taking that pessimistic leaf out of your book.

 

[L|NK|N]

I have a solution to this pesky DRM.

 

[alexsubri]

Don't blame EA for the DRM's , Blame Al Gore for Global Warming

 

[HTC]

I don't understand how it was a trap? Or why DRM is a deal breaker?

The way i understand it is:

- dude want's game but only if it is DRM free or if it's DRM is Steam's DRM
- dude checks and there's no mention of having DRM anywhere @ the store (Steam)
- dude buys game
- turns out game did have DRM and it's a 3rd party DRM
- if dude had known prior to buying, dude wouldn't have bought the game in the 1st place

IMO, dude's right to be pissed. If i were in his shoes, i would be pissed too.

 

[garyinhere]

The way i understand it is:

- dude want's game but only if it is DRM free or if it's DRM is Steam's DRM
- dude checks and there's no mention of having DRM anywhere @ the store (Steam)
- dude buys game
- turns out game did have DRM and it's a 3rd party DRM
- if dude had known prior to buying, dude wouldn't have bought the game in the 1st place

IMO, dude's right to be pissed. If i were in his shoes, i would be pissed too.

I am under the impression that all games have some form of DRM, and I don't think the OP will have any luck getting any kind of money back due to clicking the initial agreement and subsequent agreements tied to the game. Ignorance is not an excuse and the OP has even stated that towards Steam so how would it not apply to himself?

 

[qubit]

The way i understand it is:

- dude want's game but only if it is DRM free or if it's DRM is Steam's DRM
- dude checks and there's no mention of having DRM anywhere @ the store (Steam)
- dude buys game
- turns out game did have DRM and it's a 3rd party DRM
- if dude had known prior to buying, dude wouldn't have bought the game in the 1st place

IMO, dude's right to be pissed. If i were in his shoes, i would be pissed too.

Ahmen, brother!

 

[HTC]

Ahmen, brother!

I understood correctly, it seems.

I am under the impression that all games have some form of DRM, and I don't think the OP will have any luck getting any kind of money back due to clicking the initial agreement and subsequent agreements tied to the game. Ignorance is not an excuse and the OP has even stated that towards Steam so how would it not apply to himself?

The issue is not that it has DRM but that it has 3rd party DRM and that such isn't mentioned anywhere @ the store.

 

[overclocker]

greyinhere seems to be trolling to me. Why are you even posting here? have you helped anyone learn anything here?

 

[lilkiduno]

The OP states that because of UK law Steam, the reseller or any other reseller, must inform there customers that this this game contains DRM. And everyone jumps to the conculsion of piracy... or that steam could have not been aware of the contains of the game it was selling.

If one buys a car from a dealership and the car has something 3rd party that is against the law, even if the dealership is unaware of the 3rd party object, they will be held liable. now I know I am compairing apples to oranges. but the moral of the compairson is that steam sold him his copy and steam if even unaware of the 3rd party DRM is and should be held liable.

EDIT:
Also the DRM would not have made a difference in piracy anyways seeing as how Crysis 2 was up for grabs off torrents a month before release...

 

[garyinhere]

greyinhere seems to be trolling to me. Why are you even posting here? have you helped anyone learn anything here?

Games Developed and Supported by Third-party Developers/Publishers

You will need to contact the game's developer/publisher directly for support if you encounter any errors or unexpected behavior which is not related to Steam authentication or CD Keys after the game has loaded. If you are unable to locate third-party support, please contact Steam Support for further information. Some examples include:

Game crashes or errors after the game has been launched (that do not appear in a Steam dialog box)
Not being able to connect to multiplayer servers
Game bugs
Gameplay and/or controller questions
Third-party DRM and activation limits

Sending your support request to Steam Support rather than the correct provider may result in a delay in processing your request. Please make sure that your question is only sent to Valve if it does not fall into the criteria listed above. For a list of Third-Party games that are sold on Steam, please browse the knowledgebase

I believe this eliminates them (steam) from the OP's Claim

 

[overclocker]

Ok now I have learned something from you

 

[garyinhere]

Ok now I have learned something from you

I needed to know exactly what the problem was/is before I offer advise. It would be irresponsible to do otherwise

 

[qubit]

I understood correctly, it seems.



The issue is not that it has DRM but that it has 3rd party DRM and that such isn't mentioned anywhere @ the store.

Exactly, thank you.

greyinhere seems to be trolling to me. Why are you even posting here? have you helped anyone learn anything here?

Yeah, it certainly looked that way to me from the off. The last few posts to me before I started ignoring him were very obvious trolls.

I see he's still at it even now, by all the time "not understanding" something really simple and obvious.

The OP states that because of UK law Steam, the reseller or any other reseller, must inform there customers that this this game contains DRM. And everyone jumps to the conculsion of piracy... or that steam could have not been aware of the contains of the game it was selling.

If one buys a car from a dealership and the car has something 3rd party that is against the law, even if the dealership is unaware of the 3rd party object, they will be held liable. now I know I am compairing apples to oranges. but the moral of the compairson is that steam sold him his copy and steam if even unaware of the 3rd party DRM is and should be held liable.

EDIT:
Also the DRM would not have made a difference in piracy anyways seeing as how Crysis 2 was up for grabs off torrents a month before release...

Yup, you're quite right about where the responsibility lies. Also, all the straw man arguments about why I'm supposedly not due a refund and Valve are protected by their EULA come out. Annoying, isn't it?

 

[garyinhere]

umm No name calling please, Your answer is in post 96
Link to the page: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5806-YFGL-3427
Link to page stating the crysis series is NOT a steam game but a third party game: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8977-TULC-5791

I really don't know what more you could want?