Mass Effect PC

I've posted before how much I enjoyed Mass Effect for the Xbox 360. This meant that I was very excited when it was announced that it would be released for the PC in May 2008 - finally, a chance for my non-console gamer friends to play this great action RPG.

And then this happens (more specifically, the second post in the forum).

I blogged several times in the past about how I hate DRM and think that it doesn't work. As I have said before, I realise that many companies won't agree and that they will implement some form of copy protection. I'm okay with this provided the DRM does not become intrusive. Unfortunately, the SecuRom system being implemented for Mass Effect PC just stepped over the line into being too obtrusive for me. Admittedly, it is a small step - but unfortunately, it was just enough to marginally push this title over the DRM line (for me, anyway).

For ME, the game will require you to register the CD key with EA's SecuRom servers in order to play. Thereafter, you will need to reauthorise the game every 10 days otherwise the game will not work (although the game will do this automatically if you have an internet connection). In other words, if you want to play Mass Effect, a single player action RPG with NO multiplayer component whatsoever, you will need an internet connection. WTF?!?!?

Considering the recent awareness and anti-DRM bias in the community, I'm sure it will come as no surprise when I tell you that the forums are in an uproar with loads of people posting that they will not buy the game. Loads of people are understandably pissed off that they need to check back with EA if it is okay for them to play their legally purchased game every 10 days.

I've been a fan of BioWare for many years (since the original Baldur's Gate a decade ago!). I love their RPGs and I love the fact that BioWare, as a company, seem to really listen to their fans. For example, their forums are a great place to go to because the developers also spend a lot of time there and you can interact with them (not many companies can make such a claim).

Because of this history, I'm not ready to renounce BioWare and all its future games yet (I already have Mass Effect on my X360 so I wouldn't have purchased the PC version in any event). As I said, this particular step over the DRM line is relatively small and I'm willing to wait and see how the end results play out before I condemn them. However, I really hope this works out well and that the DRM doesn't get any worse.

I guess what really disappoints me is that BioWare is one of the extremely rare examples of a company that produces games that I would be willing to buy at launch without first checking reviews - that is a measure of how much goodwill they had built up with me. However, any future purchases will only be after a period of waiting to see if there are any DRM problems.

UPDATE: woot woot! The 10 day re-authentication has now been scrapped. Obviously, I would prefer no DRM whatsoever - however, this is definitely a step in the right direction.