Spore Gets Only 1 Star
September 10, 2008 by Martin P · 3 Comments
The much anticipated “Spore” has been awarded a measly 1 star on Amazon.com by thousands of gamers angry over the games restrictive DRM (Digital Rights Management) Software that only allows owners three installs of the game before the product is rendered useless (unless you call up EA to persuade them you’re not trying to use copied software.) This “Three strikes and your out” policy has led many describe the game as “rental” only.
It’s hard not to agree with the angry masses in this case. Limiting the game to three installations means if for example you purchase a new system or suffer a system failure you will have only one installation left before you have to call EA and beg them to allow you to install again. Many avid gamers complain that they change systems so often that the limit is on the wrong side of fairplay. It’s understandable that EA want to protect their product but rumours are now rife that the game has been successfully cracked and that the illegal copies bypass the product verification system rendering it pointless.
Where there is protection a hack is not too far behind. Companies are going through silly lengths to protect their products these days and in the process are putting people off.
Agreed…
I rather fancied having the game for my mac but not likely with this level of DRM
Here’s a question i’ve seen posted a lot : if you buy a copy then install the cracked version are you still breaking the law?
That is a good question, apparently by law you are allowed to have 1 backup of any media be is CD or Game. I think in the eyes of the law or at least in the eyes of the games manufacturers it would be illegal to have a cracked version, but ultimately people need to vote with their wallets, if games are out there with over restrictive DRM them simply do not purchase the game, the revenue cut off will need the makers to rethink, just giving it 1 star on Amazon is really just a token gesture.