News

Ascaron details CP and DRM procedures for Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel
Posted: 11.09.2008 11:49 by Jamie Davey Comments: 8
With gamers getting angry about copy protection and DRM procedures being implemented into games, Ascaron has sent out a press release with details about the CP solution for its upcoming action-RPG Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel.


Here's a list of information that was given:

* 1 box, 2 licenses
* 1 license can be used online at a time; implying you use either your PC or your notebook, but not both at the same time.
* 2 can be played via LAN
* 2 can be used for SP
* unlimited installations, 2 activations
* Activations can be revoked through multiple channels (online-auto, online tools, offline).
* Revoke & re-activate can be done an unlimited number of times.
* One PC component can be replaced without problems. Beyond that revoke & re-activate is the recommended procedure.
* There will be an emergency hotline for DRM issues due to failed hardware, etc. The manual page with the key serves as proof of purchase.
* The hotline will be available 365 days a year, 24 hours per day. For standard phone rates. (This may apply for Germany only.; ed.)
* nternet connection is needed during installation. The FAQ explains you can use a friend's PC for manual activation though.
* You can play without the DVD. It´s not needed in the drive.
* No private data will be transfered during the activation process. You cannot even enter critical data.
* The activation servers will be available for the next couple of years. Should this no longer be the case, the DRM will be patched out.
* "A transfer to a third (party) is not part of the license." (transl.)

These procedures do sound better than what EA currently has on offer.
Source: RPGWatch

Comments

By Orv (SI Core) on Sep 11, 2008
Orv
At least they claim intent to patch out the DRM when support stops.
Still, I probably won't be purchasing this title... bad karma on this level of DRM with me.
Sorry guys... even though I thought the original Sacred was a somewhat fair title.
By Wowerine (SI Elite) on Sep 11, 2008
Wowerine
Too bad... Everything is crackable. So is this. I've seen Starforce kneel...
By acare84 (SI Newbie) on Sep 11, 2008
acare84
I hope game will be on Steam like the first one. I will buy it from there, if not I will not buy it because of the DRM.
By ScythSoulces (SI Core) on Sep 11, 2008
ScythSoulces
So this is cracked too a man.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Sep 12, 2008
FoolWolf
*sigh* Sacred was a crappy game until a year or so of patches, failing quests, problems with areas and quest arrow disapearing and unsolvable quets. Not only that but at that time they also had problems with people who couldn't get the game to start at all and then of course the Star Force farse...

Now this? I hear people telling us that this is a step in the right direction cause it is a wee bit better then Mass Effect and Spore. Sorry but if you're dying of one disease, you won't give a crap if it is slightly better then the pther, it is still going to get you and this DRm crap is just starting to get annoying, stupid and a plain eveidnet thing that producers care more about pirated then the consumers since they heckle the consumers so much and annoy them to no end!

Sorry Ascaron, but kowing your "great" effort you did with Sacred and now this ridiculous copy crap and registration procedure even if you are only playing the single player is just a big "no no" for me.
By Toothpaste (I just got here) on Sep 12, 2008
Toothpaste
You guys seem to be misunderstanding everything.1. This was only confirmed for the German version2. Copy Protection methods are up to each individual publisher3. Copy protection methods may differ depending on whether you bought a boxed copy or got it via Digital Distribution4. At least for the US version, there will be Digital Distribution versions for PC shortly after release5. You get UNLIMITED activations under the German's system, all you have to do is double click a .exe and hit "OK" to revoke you lisecence and get an activation back.6. Other versions beside's the German boxed version may not have SecuROM (just to reiterate)The DRM for the German version is rather lenient. Please, don't overreact.

Also, Ascaron has stressed that this game will be as bug free as possible since they are also aiming it at console releases. *sigh*
By Toothpaste (I just got here) on Sep 12, 2008
Toothpaste
Official info
http://forum.sacredeng.ascaron-net.com/showthread.php?p=434370#post434370
Tom is the CEO and German, so excuse him if his English isn't the best. At least he, the CEO, talks to the English community. And since I learned this is an Ascaron idea, you can take it from me you can trust them . I know they're a cool company .
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Sep 13, 2008
FoolWolf
Toothpaste, sorry but I don't take anything from you since I don't know you and user firendly DRM? Are you kidding me? As he says regarding the activation and deactivation and no CD etc is true but it is still the legal users that has to do all this ridiculious things in order to play. Ho long do you think it will take before you have a cracked version?

Regarding Sacred 2 being bug free... yeah, seeing is believing and what I have seen and experienced so far with earlier work, I'm not holding my breath.

Oh and to post from the post you referred to:
"Sacred2/Securom is STD for all versions in the world. This has been all agreed a long time ago. Sacred2 is Ascarons IP and we have to take care of our customers and our rights. I believe we have found a way of compromize."

SecuROM WILL be on all versions so the DRM will more or less be the same. If the DRM were only for the online part, I would have no problem with it since then it would also be to your benefit to secure your own identity/copy of the game.

None above is over reacting Toothpaste, you are however since we haven't mentioned anything specific except that we don't like the DRM on Sacred 2 and we don't, regardless of how good Ascaron themselves think it is. You may think that we are wrong to not like DRM, but well, that is another issue.

Finally, I don't agree with you that this is a lenient copy protection at all. Lenient has gone and will never be back again for some time before publishers get it that many consumers simply had had enough!