[quote name='DirkBelig']Why do you need unlimited installs? Hmmm? Why? What is being denied to you by this setup? They're allowing you to install it on three PCs simultaneously when many EULAs only allow you to install on ONE PC at a time, so what's the problem? Worried about not being able to reinstall it a fourth time on a primary computer after you've bought three new rigs?[/quote]
You can install it on 3 different PC's LIFETIME. So, in say 5-10 years or more, I'm sure you'll have used up your 3 install limit. Want to play it in 20 years on your PC in that era (if it'll actually work on that PC)? Yeah, well, good luck -- you ran your limit. Too bad.
After you've installed the game THREE times over ANY single period of time, you would have to get a brand new copy of the game -- and it'll likely be from a retailer or EA directly ONLY. See, this would give 2nd-hand PC game selling places w/ lots of users (such as EBay, fo example) absolutely no reason for anyone to actually buy a game from a PC game owner over there, since nobody probably wants a "used copy" that has likely already used up its 3 installs -- not unless they want the original contents of the disc and probably are planning on running a crack of the game (unless EA releases a patch to remove the install count limit, of course).
The only good thing about the limit is probably that on the up-side, this could also make it likely for EA to keep this game, numerous years later, possibly STILL in print.
This could all change if they eventually allow for revokes in your install count a la Bioshock, or they remove install limit entirely (making it unlimited installs), or remove the DRM entirely in a patch.
Oh, by the way -- nobody yet knows what kind of hardware changes constitute a usage of an install. Yes, change in hardware on the same PC will use up an install, BTW.
I have installed Planescape: Torment in 2 PC's in my lifetime. Oh, so, say it did have the same protection as MEPC will have. if I do install it on my next one, that'd be it for PS:T. Actually, I have modified hardware in my current PC and my PC before that a few times (RAM, video card, and adding a 2nd hard drive), so I probably would've used up all my install limits some time ago. Plus, oh yeah -- Black Isle's out of business. I doubt their servers would be up, these days -- for online verification and whatnot.
That's a valid concern and Bioware is saying that EA will make case-by-case decisions meaning we could be hosed down the line, but OTOH, it could mean nothing more than a phone call.
For some countries outside of the USA, a call to EA's Tech Support is a TOLL call.
In a perfect world, we'd never have to verify, activate, input serial numbers, have an internet connection, keep the disc in the drive, etc. But unless you pass by St. Peter on a daily basis, you've got to cope with some level of grief in no small part because too many punks believe that they are entitled to the fruit of others' labors for cheap like free. They will spend $1500 on a pimped out gaming rig and then cry poormouth that they're getting ripped off on games when it costs tens of millions to produce a AAA title.
They could always charge $60 for a PC game instead of $50. Some of us might not mind ponying up, if they're going to use copy protection that doesn't make the game feel like it's more or less just a rental.
While GTA IV grossed $500 million in the first week, it cost over $100 million to make. Granted, it was as safe a bet for success as running a bar that offers free pizza and hookers to
with every drink purchase, but it still required cash to be laid out on the expectation of payment by customers.
While the console version of GTA4 doesn't require a Net connection to play.
Oh, right -- Mass Effect X360 doesn't either.
Oh, but Mass Effect PC version does.
So, unless someone cares to explain why Bioware is being unfair to you other than bellowing, It's my RIGHT to install this as many times as I want!!!!", spare us the inarticulate spoiled brat outrage.
Personally, I'd even have NO PROBLEM w/ only being allowed to run ONE COPY of the game on ANY PC at once for an unlimited time amount -- like Steam does. Steam doesn't care if I'm on PC #1, PC #2, PC #500 -- it cares that I ain't running more than one copy of the game at once. Steam only cares that my unique game account is the only one running the game period.
So, for example -- I have Half-Life 2. Say I got it loaded on 4 different PC's. But, I run it on any of those one PC's; let's for the sake of things, say I want to run it on PC#1. Well, that's the only PC I'll be able to run it on. Try running it on another PC I have -- for sake of argument, let's call it PC#2 is the PC I want to boot up with it -- I'd probably have to shut it off on PC#1. That makes a lot more sense to me than this 3 install lifetime crap.
...although I suspect it might eventually get released on disc for a console, which is where I'd have to play it I guess.
