Nice try (email & asking for cd-key)

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Cyrien:
This all just goes back to the old defense v offense question and generally speaking the people attacking have the advantage. Defense is only a time delay.

Defense against what? Pirates? Protection schemes are 90% concerned with casual copiers and 10% consideration on maybe putting some snags in the way of pirates. Still the situation can be improved if those of us who like the game put a few efforts into improving the situation rather than just looking the other way.

Send those CD generators to the devs please

[Cyrien]

They already contacted me and I replied telling them how I found the key generators. Hopefully there will be 5 unworking ones next patch through.

[SurvivalistMerc]

I share your hopes, Cyrien.

Maybe fewer folks would use unethical measures to get a second CD key if you could buy a second CD key Online from illwinter for $40.00 or so for use in network games. I'm thinking IW wouldn't need to charge the full price since they don't have to send a CD or documentation. And if it were instantaneous or nearly so after credit card approval, folks wouldn't have the motivation to steal due to not wanting to wait for something in the mail.

Just a thought.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by SurvivalistMerc:
Maybe fewer folks would use unethical measures to get a second CD key if you could buy a second CD key Online from illwinter for $40.00 or so for use in network games. I'm thinking IW wouldn't need to charge the full price since they don't have to send a CD or documentation. And if it were instantaneous or nearly so after credit card approval, folks wouldn't have the motivation to steal due to not wanting to wait for something in the mail.

I totally agree with everything you said, but one small point of clarification. This falls into Shrapnels territory rather than Illwinter.

[Azselendor]

Depending on the location, Shrapnel and/or Illwinter can work with local, state, or federal authorities to get those turds and make sure they pay through thier noses.

[PvK]

The weenies asking for keys are indeed weenies. On a more contructive note, though: It seems to me like there should be some technical solution possible to allow LAN play using only one copy of the game, without eroding sales, which would be nice.

PvK

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by PvK:
The weenies asking for keys are indeed weenies. On a more contructive note, though: It seems to me like there should be some technical solution possible to allow LAN play using only one copy of the game, without eroding sales, which would be nice.

Its computers. Anything is possible. Impossible is just a technicians term. It means "I could but its probably more time and trouble than its worth"

The game allows hot-seat play.
It also allows tcp/ip or pbem play between different computers that have different CD keys.

The problem with LAN play is that you are talking about allowing play between different computers using the same CD-key because they are on a LAN without allowing it between different computers not on a LAN.

That means it has to recognize that LAN arrangment in some way which isnt easy to fake-out. Maybe IP's using internal network structure such as 192.168.0.1 but proxys and such often work around such things. Maybe tracerouting each connection but many lans wont allow that.

Anyway, the response Im making is that of course its possible but it wouldnt be a simple nothing to do. I get the impression its on Illwinters "to do" list but not on the easy patch list. Im all for the $15 buy-a-key-Online idea but thats in Shrapnel's ballpark.

[ January 10, 2004, 00:53: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]