Coelocanth

[quote] I at least hope this means there won't be CDchecks and that they will release patch that removes the authentication in a year or two so I can be sure I will able to play those games even when EA stops supporting them[/quote] There are no CD checks. BioWare stated you won't need the disc in the drive to play. They also stated there are [I]no[/I] plans to release a patch that removes the authentication.

[quote]I found a flaw. I know people that play games on their computer and don't have the internet. This'll suck for them since in order to play mass effect they'll need the internet?[/quote] At least once every 10 days, yes. And how about all the guys and gals in military service deployed overseas without access to regular internet? They're SOL as well.

FlyByU: The Witcher [I]does[/I] use copy protection though: Tages. But yeah, I do like Tom Ohle's attitude towards copy protection/piracy.

[quote]I was completely uninterested in similar schemes before this announcement and I remain uninterested and committed to avoidance after this announcement. I do not and will not file a report to a corporate server about my activities; there is enough of this garbage in society as it is, this is a step in the wrong direction.The last time I bought a Bioware game was with KotOR II (a mistake...).[/quote] KotOR II is not a BioWare title. It was done by Obsidian. ;)

[quote] In that time, I bought over 1500 games... My point is, there are circumstances that are VALID circumstances for people out there who simply cannot buy games, but yet have every right to continue gaming- and making sure that when they DO buy a game, it is a working, quality title and not a "quick buck" type of product that will never see the light of day after one use.[/quote] I think you're confusing the right to play games you own with a 'right' to DL/pirate games

[quote]Indeed, to me, the simplest solution, if one is concerned enough with the copy protection (which in certain cases is entirely reasonable), is to buy the game and then get the pirated version.[/quote] This is something I considered as well. The big problem is, if you buy the game, you're basically saying to the game publishers that you approve of their copy protection schemes. Every sale of the game supports the copy protection. This type of DRM is not something I'm willing to tos

Bah, no edit. To sum up, this is the copy protection scheme: - activation key required to install the game. - you do not need the disc in the drive to play. - five days after installation and first activation, when you fire up the game, it will try to 'phone home' to authenticate. If it fails to connect, it will try again on day 6. Then on day seven and so on up to day 10. If it cannot authenticate at day 10, the game will not run until you connect to the internet and a

Derek French says it (italics are mine): [quote]For clarity, though, an internet connection is not required to install, just to activate the first time, [I]and every 10 days after.[/I] You can be completely connectionless for 9 days and encounter no problems playing Mass Effect. And you don't need the disk in the drive to play. [/quote] Second page of the link, second post.

[quote]Am I missing something? Where in that link does it say anything about Spore having that copy protection? It seems exclusively for bioshock.Anyway, it is doubtful that spore will have that sort of copy protection.[/quote] Second post on the second page in that linked thread, by Derek French. He says: [quote]Yes, EA is ready for us and getting ready for Spore, which will use the same system.[/quote]

[quote]I would just like to point out that I, in fact, did purchase GalCiv2 because it has no anti-piracy in it. The only reason I ever heard about this place was because StarForce decided to throw a tantrum and posted links to GalCiv warez after Stardock rejected their DRM scheme. I read about it on Slashdot, then followed the links to this site and thought, "Hey, I like these guys. They know which way the money flows, so they don't make you put up with all the annoying crap everyone else is pu

[quote]Hopefully it doesn't collect any info either.[/quote] It must collect something. From what I understand of what I've read on the BioWare forums, if you make too radical a change to your hardware, the game will force you to reactivate (and you only get 3 reactivations).

[quote]When they finally do end it i'd like to see the last show age them to what they would be had it been a live action show. You know, Barts 24 and just getting out of prison for the second time. Lisa gave up studying to become a stoner in here high school years and now lives in a trailer court with three kids. Homers a mutated freak from an accident at the plant that he caused. Marge is in the sanitarium after finaly exploding from all they years of holding in her anger at Homer. Maggie has

This sucks hard core. I was really psyched about Mass Effect. Now... not so much. And yes, I know my internet connection is rarely down, but it's the principle of the thing. Phone home every ten days? Reactivate after 3 installs (and it's possible that some hardware changes could eat up one of your three free installs)? Bite me, is what I say to that. Bloody hell.

Probably a long time, even though it's been on far longer than it should have been already. First few seasons were brilliant, but the last 10+ years have been horrible. It's stale. On a side note, I do find Family Guy funny, but that, too, has probably run its course.

My eyes! My eyes! It burrrrrrrrrnnnnss!

Just on the off chance: is your OS updated to the latest service pack/updates? What about DirectX as well; latest version?

No wonder some people are afraid to ask questions on game forums when they end up having to deal with people yoadjla. +1 karma for you Grubber for actually being decent enough to answer the question and +1 for you as well Redwing just for being civil in the face of rudeness.

Yarlen, don't they already have a DD of The Witcher (maybe it's only available in Europe)?

Ah, thanks Annatar. I was thinking of mods I guess. Apologies Cohortq. Glad you got it working though, despite my misguided post.

I think you need to do this: First, enable 'show hidden files and folders'. Then go to: Documents and Settings\**Your User Name**\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire Find the Galaxy folder in there and put the file into that folder.

Kryo just pointed out that no, bigger ships does not mean bigger guns/damage.

"You hit the nail on the head." ;)

Were you trying to target the same planet you'd already hit once before? If you wiped the population out to zero and the AI hadn't recolonized it, the planet is basically neutral and you will be unable to target it.

Short game: probably no use at all. Medium or long game, if you have the resources to spare, it could be worthwhile. I played a 5 star game vs 9 AI last week and just before the end I had all the artifacts. But I had 4 quite early on. It can really make a difference.

Oh, and I went out and bought Gal Civ 2 (Gold Edition) and will pick up Twilight of the Arnor when it's released, since I'm so impressed with Stardock. (Apologies for the double post, but the edit button seems to be on hiatus).