With the recent negative feedback towards Spore's DRM copyprotection and the fact that the same system has been used for Crysis: Warhead, it's barely a surprise that Crytek decided to comment on the issue at hand and release a F.A.Q. that should cover the most important aspects. Find the F.A.Q. in the main part of this news.
Introduction
We're aware that many of you have
concerns about the DRM protection in Crysis Warhead. There is a lot of
misinformation out there and we want to take the time to clarify everything so
you have all of the correct information. Due to the importance of this topic,
to begin with we’ll open with a message from CEO of Crytek, Cevat Yerli.
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quote:
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“Our passion is making quality
games. We put our heart and soul in every game and hope that our fans will
enjoy them as well. For years, Crytek fans have been passionately supportive
of our efforts and we appreciate all of your dedication.
We realize that copy protection and piracy
is a very emotional and hotly debated topic. It is very hard to find a
solution that fits both our needs. We need to make an effort to limit piracy
but we do not want to limit the experience of our fans.
Warhead uses online authentication and
allows up to five activations. This gives you the opportunity to install the
game as many times as you want on five different machines.
We also know that multiplayer gamers have
different needs, so Crysis Wars does not have an activation limit, but
requires the game to be unlocked online once you start the game for the first
time. Afterwards it will be possible to play in LAN without any online
connection. The CD-key is only required when playing online.
I sincerely hope that you will enjoy
playing Warhead as much as we enjoyed making it. We are very proud of it. Our
community is the main reason we make games. If there is something you feel we
could improve, please tell us what and why and we will do our best to listen
to you.
Sincerely,
Cevat Yerli”
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The Solution
The DRM system implemented for the Crysis Warhead changes
copy protection from being key-disc based, which requires authentication every
time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive (this was the system we used in the
original Crysis), to a one-time online authentication. This system allows you
to play your game without requiring the game disc in the drive on any of five
different machines.
Please note: this DRM solution is for the Crysis Warhead
disc only. Because of the online nature of Crysis Wars, and because we want to
encourage easy-to-start LAN play, you are only required an authentication upon
installation. If you want to play online on our servers, you will
authenticate via Gamespy as you normally would.
Key Points:
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This system allows you to
authenticate your game on five computers with the purchase of one disc –
you can install your copy on each machine as many times as you want. If
you go over five machines, EA Customer Service is on hand to supply any
additional authorizations that are warranted.
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This DRM solution is safe.
EA and Crytek would never allow anything that included spyware, viruses or
malware to be installed on anyone’s computers.
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We know there is concern about
what will happen if the authentication servers turn off or questions about what
will happen in five years if you want to play the game again (and we hope you
do). If that were to ever happen, Crytek and EA would deploy a patch that
would remove the authentication requirement completely.
FAQ:
Q: What is the difference between the old
PC disc authentication solution and the new online model?
A: Two things have changed:
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First, authentication of your game
disc has changed from always needing to have your disc in the drive to an
online format, eliminating the need to always have a disc in the drive when
playing.
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Second, with online
authentication, consumers now connect to the Internet the first time the game
is launched and are only required to reconnect if they are downloading new game
content.
Q: How will the game authenticate now?
A: We authenticate your game online after installation
when you launch it for the first time.
Q: Do I have to re-authenticate after the
first time my game is launched?
A: Re-authentication is required only if you make
significant changes to your PC's hardware, reformat your hard drive, or in some
cases, upgrade your Operating System. Multiple installations of the game
on the same computer that has not gone through significant changes will not
count against the number of computers the game can be installed on.
Q: What are the benefits of online
authentication versus the disc-based model?
A: The new system means you don't need to have the game
disc in your computer in order to play. You will no longer have to carry disk
to enjoy a game you already have installed.
Q: Am I able to play my game on more than
one computer? Do I need the disc for that?
A: You'll be able to install and play the offline features
of your game on up to five computers without the need of the game disc. Your
computer is authorized after installation and the initial launch of the game.
Q: Will I still be able to play my game
offline?
A: Yes, you can play offline.
Q: What happens when I’ve reached
the maximum number of computers for my game and I need more? (Due to computer
upgrades, theft, hard drive crashes, etc.)
A: EA Customer Support is on hand to supply any additional
authorizations that are warranted. This will be done on a case-by-case basis by
contacting Customer Support.
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