What exactly is this Securom stuff? (I hear it messes up your PC?)

[The Stig]

I haven't brought a game for a while but decided I want to buy Mirror's Edge for the PC and I hear people complaining about Securom stuff messing up their computers badly (for other games)

Apart from online authentication and stuff (and I think it's limited to a number of installation), does it somehow adds unwanted protection onto your PC or something? Would it KO my other programs?

Just need some precise detail rather than all the random crap on the net with people QQing about it. Thanks!

[The Stig]

Bump; if anyone can provide me info. No where else I've looked specifically states how it screws up your PC.

I understand the activation "rules", and that I can "de-activate" it if I need to reformat or something, but anything else I should know?

[testdummy]

The biggest problem you may or may not see, is that it isn't really all that consistent. You may never experience a single issue to start with. Then later on it just crumbles. Personally I've never had any major issues with it, other then it screaming bloody murder because I had an older version of Daemon tools installed.

Some Possible Issues:
- Securom may not allow you to have any kind of drive emulation software (Daemon Tools/etc)

- Possible conflicts with some cd/dvd burners: Won't allow you to burn cd/dvds

- When you uninstall the game, that doesn't mean you've also uninstalled securom

- Activation process doesn't always work and has had major issues: Games flicker/crash due to checks as events are triggered as you progress

- Some games may not start with securom on the system (seems hit and miss depending on the game)

[guartz]

Rather then risk it, instead, illegally pirate it. That'll show 'em!

[Spekkio]

Rather then risk it, instead, illegally pirate it. That'll show 'em!

and this is why DRM doesn't work! stops legitimate purchases but not people who intend to steal it. without getting into the ethical debate on piracy, the logical debate is still worth pointing out here.

[Zosi]

In my mind, there are two main problems with SecuROM, and these are the reasons why I will not buy any game that requires it.

1) It uses some very questionable methods to "hide" its files from me, the owner of the computer. For example, it embeds characters in its registry key name that make RegEdit choke and refuse to display the file. It does the same thing with its folder and Explorer, and both of those are unacceptable to me. I don't trust anything that tries THAT hard to hide things from the owner of the PC. If you can't trust me with at least the ability to open your folders and registry keys, you have no business on my PC.

2) Principle. SecuROM does not stop or even hinder piracy. It messes up all kinds of stuff and causes problems as described in testdummy's post, but... it only causes them for legitimate users. Pirates drop in a .exe and maybe a .dll that comes in a .rar with the game, and they don't have to deal with SecuROM at all. The end result? The pirated version is a *BETTER* product than legit retail, and legit users are stuck dealing with program conflicts and online activation. Why would I pay for a game that treats me like the enemy, when the real enemy effortlessly sidesteps it and plays without any problems?

If I was more conspiratorially minded, I'd say that SecuROM isn't intended to prevent piracy - it's intended to piss off legit customers and make them blame pirates, which it largely succeeds at, intentional or not. If you look at message boards for games with SecuROM, whenever it comes up, the valiant defenders always say "You pirates, this DRM crap is your fault!". No, it's YOUR fault, legit consumer. As long as you continue to buy games with DRM that causes problems like SecuROM, you're endorsing it and asking for more. The pirates are going to pirate whether it's SecuROM or any other kind of DRM, they don't give a damn. It's up to you to vote with your dollars and tell companies to stick to non-invasive methods like online play serial numbers and simple disc checks, which are no less effective than SecuROM.

As a final note, since inevitably anyone who is anti-SecuROM gets painted with a broader brush... every game on my PC is legit. I vote with my dollars, I don't own a single game that requires SecuROM and I own a LOT that don't.

[The Stig]

Hey thanks for the info.

I predicted someone will tell me to go pirate however I wish not to do that, hahaha. I hear people are even purposely more going out of their way to pirate it just to bypass this silly stuff.

I think........ I'll risk it. unless someone can stop me in 3 days!!

EDIT: I just saw Zosi's reply, I might have been stopped already. I'll be very cautious in this case.

[Spekkio]

here's what i would do: buy a copy of the game, then look for a pirate version online. use the pirate version to play with, but keep your purchased disk. that way, you've paid for the software but you're not having your computer infested with what essentially is a rootkit. or buy games off steam when available. from what i understand, the system is fairly solid, doing a great job of balancing out the protection with the added convenience of instant, on demand games.

[The Stig]

That's what I did consider, but the game built in checks and will crash at certain point(s) of the game.

However.... I'll buy it anyway (2nd hand, REAL cheap) and then find out to see if there's an actual fully working version somewhere.

[bebeci]

Offtopic, but would you consider getting Mirrors' Edge for a console? You could possible find a used copy for very inexpensive.

[The Stig]

Ah I'm on the move a lot and I'm unable to carry much around with me but have a somewhat decent gaming laptop that can run the game in medium details.

But yes, once I settle down somewhere I will switch to that for sure.