(OT) Madden 2004 and game copy protection

[minipol]

I got Madden 2004 from my wife for my birthday. I install it, no probs, game starts and then, the main screen keeps on loading, loading, ...
Nothing happens. Did the usual stuff: defragging, error checking, virus check, install new drivers, install game patch.
Nothing worked. I thought about the time that i read somwhere that some games' copy protection was giving problems on slightly older hardware. I get a no cd patch and BAM, the game now works!
So, the game copy protection leaves me with an unplayble Version unless i use a no cd patch!
I'm NOT to happy about this at all.
Seems to me they are getting nuttier every day with these protection thingies. You BUY a game and i doesn't even work because of that.
A funny story regarding copy protections: copy protection scheme hacked

[Instar]

Happy Birthday, for what its worth.
Its ridiculous. On NWN's forums, they have at least 10 threads of 100+ replies regarding non-functional games due to SafeDisc (made by Sony I believe, and Sony CD drives were the most common problem causing things).
I am not advocating removing CD protection (illegal IIRC under DMCA). Its just sad that in their zeal to protect profits, they very well could be losing them.

[Cyrien]

It is stupid and worthless is what it is. The very fact that the copyprotection costs money to implement makes the game unplayable and is easily removed via simply downloading the no cd patch Online make it all pointless.

It would be like building a wall to protect your city from invasion but not putting in any gates and oh the other guy has the A-bomb. It is pointless and senseless.

[minipol]

Yeah, i agree. It was the first time I had this sort of problem with a game and it's copyprotection. I bought medieval total war which didn't give me any problems at all.
Anyway, it works now but i would have prefered it when it would have worked out of the box.

[David E. Gervais]

My tiny view on copy protection...

1)Copy protection does not discourage piracy, in fact it sets up a challenge for them and they love to be challenged.

2) The single best protection against piracy is to lower prices. If games sold for $20 instead of $50, people would have much less incentive to pirate software. (Heck, today it costs less to buy a CDRW Drive ($37) and 10 blank CD's ($7) than to buy a new game.)

3) Look at it this way,.. If a movie costs over 100 million to make and they can sell tickets for $7, why can't a game that costs 1-2 million to make sell for the same or less? There is piracy in the film industry, but it's much less than in the game industry. Most films can be bought for less than $15 (DVD) or less than $10 (VHS) If movie tickets were $20 and the DVD and VHS copies were $50+ dollars, do you think people would still go to movies and buy DVD/VHS's?

4) I'm still waiting for the day that the game industry finally realizes this and a huge price drop is made accross the board for games. I Know that they would sell more, and in the end double or tripple their profits. The strange thing is that they are sitting on the proof but can't see it.

5) About 4 years ago, a new fad hit the software industry. "The Bargain Bin" lots of leftover games (aka overstocks) appeared in stores, and sales of these 'older' games soared. This inspired many game companies to re-release older titles and call them "Classic" editions. The industry was surprised and amazed that these "Old" titles still had selling power. They attributed the 'Fad' to people being nostalgic, and even gave the fad a name "RetroGamming". The fact of the matter is these games sell mainly because of the LOW PRICE.

Sorry if I have been ranting, but this issue strikes a cord in me. I can't understand how the industry can be so stupid and blind. The worst thing is the "Honest end-user" is always the one being punished for the crime of piracy.

One more thing (I promise) Look at 'Hockey' 15 years ago you could go see an NHL game for less than $10 today the low-end ticket price is $80 (that's means that it costs a family of 4.. Dad, Mom and the two kids $320+ to go see a hockey game. Plus any concession perchases at the arena) You know what's really funny and tragic? The NHL teams are all complaining that 'Attendance' has dropped, and that the franchises are having trouble taking in money. their solution, raise the prices,..)

I predict that in the next few years there is going to be a major 'CRASH' and the economy is going to fall through the floor. I hear that there was a 'Great' Depression back in the early 1900's. Well, I think he's comming back with a vengence.

Nuf Said,.. Cheers!

[minipol]

Well David, i couldn't agree more with you. Well said.

[Grandpa Kim]

Yes, well said, David!

[narf poit chez BOOM]

missed the birthday part. happy birthday.

David, i get a lot longer enjoyment out of a game than a movie. maybe the higher price is worth it. also, do movie's have a higher audience?

[Cyrien]

You missed one of his points. Movies do have higher audiences. They also have higher production budgets. They have more costs to cover than a game. A hundred million to Several hundred million compared to a few hundred thousand to few million. If you work off that then the games can still make great profits.

Also as another point I myself would buy far more games with far less worry about the quality of it if it was far cheaper. With game costs what they are I expect alot more for my money. As for movies... I don't expect as much. I go for a show and even if it is bad I can just sit around and make fun of it with my friends later. If it is a bad game I feel truly ripped off. That was $50+ not $5 to $7! ARGG!

I believe that his basic point is quite accurate.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

ok.