18.09.2008 22:00
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Skilled Modder
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Crysis Warhead Copy Protection F.A.Q.
Introduction
We're aware that many of you have concerns about the DRM protection in Crysis Warhead. There is a lot of misinformation out there and we want to take the time to clarify everything so you have all of the correct information. Due to the importance of this topic, to begin with we’ll open with a message from CEO of Crytek, Cevat Yerli.
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“Our passion is making quality games. We put our heart and soul in every game and hope that our fans will enjoy them as well. For years, Crytek fans have been passionately supportive of our efforts and we appreciate all of your dedication.
We realize that copy protection and piracy is a very emotional and hotly debated topic. It is very hard to find a solution that fits both our needs. We need to make an effort to limit piracy but we do not want to limit the experience of our fans.
Warhead uses online authentication and allows up to five activations. This gives you the opportunity to install the game as many times as you want on five different machines.
We also know that multiplayer gamers have different needs, so Crysis Wars does not have an activation limit, but requires the game to be unlocked online once you start the game for the first time. Afterwards it will be possible to play in LAN without any online connection. The CD-key is only required when playing online.
I sincerely hope that you will enjoy playing Warhead as much as we enjoyed making it. We are very proud of it. Our community is the main reason we make games. If there is something you feel we could improve, please tell us what and why and we will do our best to listen to you.
Sincerely,
Cevat Yerli” |
The Solution
The DRM system implemented for the Crysis Warhead changes copy protection from being key-disc based, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive (this was the system we used in the original Crysis), to a one-time online authentication. This system allows you to play your game without requiring the game disc in the drive on any of five different machines.
Please note: this DRM solution is for the Crysis Warhead disc only. Because of the online nature of Crysis Wars, and because we want to encourage easy-to-start LAN play, you are only required an authentication upon installation. If you want to play online on our servers, you will authenticate via Gamespy as you normally would.
Key Points:
- This system allows you to authenticate your game on five computers with the purchase of one disc – you can install your copy on each machine as many times as you want. If you go over five machines, EA Customer Service is on hand to supply any additional authorizations that are warranted.
- This DRM solution is safe. EA and Crytek would never allow anything that included spyware, viruses or malware to be installed on anyone’s computers.
- We know there is concern about what will happen if the authentication servers turn off or questions about what will happen in five years if you want to play the game again (and we hope you do). If that were to ever happen, Crytek and EA would deploy a patch that would remove the authentication requirement completely.
FAQ:
Q: What is the difference between the old PC disc authentication solution and the new online model?
A: Two things have changed:
- First, authentication of your game disc has changed from always needing to have your disc in the drive to an online format, eliminating the need to always have a disc in the drive when playing.
- Second, with online authentication, consumers now connect to the Internet the first time the game is launched and are only required to reconnect if they are downloading new game content.
Q: How will the game authenticate now?
A: We authenticate your game online after installation when you launch it for the first time.
Q: Do I have to re-authenticate after the first time my game is launched?
A: Re-authentication is required only if you make significant changes to your PC's hardware, reformat your hard drive, or in some cases, upgrade your Operating System. Multiple installations of the game on the same computer that has not gone through significant changes will not count against the number of computers the game can be installed on.
Q: What are the benefits of online authentication versus the disc-based model?
A: The new system means you don't need to have the game disc in your computer in order to play. You will no longer have to carry disk to enjoy a game you already have installed.
Q: Am I able to play my game on more than one computer? Do I need the disc for that?
A: You'll be able to install and play the offline features of your game on up to five computers without the need of the game disc. Your computer is authorized after installation and the initial launch of the game.
Q: Will I still be able to play my game offline?
A: Yes, you can play offline.
Q: What happens when I’ve reached the maximum number of computers for my game and I need more? (Due to computer upgrades, theft, crashes, etc.)
A: EA Customer Support is on hand to supply any additional authorizations that are warranted. This will be done on a case-by-case basis by contacting Customer Support.
Cry-Eddy
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18.09.2008 22:02
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Beginner
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very good news if u ask me
edit: hehe first
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Heimscheisser: 18.09.2008 22:03.
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18.09.2008 22:06
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Beginner
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Well it's not too obtrusive. I can see that wouldn't be too much of an issue. Not keen on having rootkits on my system mind you.
All in all not too bad.
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18.09.2008 22:07
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TheBusDriver
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so its a five times install limit after all
well, i can live with that i guess
link
This post has been edited 2 time(s), it was last edited by TheBusDriver: 18.09.2008 22:13.
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18.09.2008 22:07
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Uber Modder
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Yeah, as long as I can reinstall it as many times as needed on one computer I am fine, and that's what it appears to be.
So it sounds fine.
5 computers is sufficient.
__________________
Modeler/Level Designer
Skype: adius_omega
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18.09.2008 22:08
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Cell-666
unregistered
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Well that cleared that up then. Now stop all your moanings 
Thanks Eddy and Cevat
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18.09.2008 22:08
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Honourable Member
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I love to be able to play games without inserting the DVD; it doesn't seem too intrusive, well done, hope it helps against piracy 
Are you happy now, community?
__________________
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Dark shadow: 18.09.2008 22:08.
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18.09.2008 22:09
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Tweaking Verts
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Good to see some official responses
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18.09.2008 22:09
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Uber Modder
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| quote: |
Originally posted by thebusdriver
so its a five times install limit after all
well, i can live with that i guess
coulda been much faster |
Nope, there is no limit to the amount of times you can install it on one computer.
But you are limited to installing the game on 5 separate PCs.
__________________
Modeler/Level Designer
Skype: adius_omega
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18.09.2008 22:10
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Trained Modder
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Well as long as the support team let you have some more keys if you have to reformat your drive for a 5th time then it sounds ok. I still prefer the old key method mind - and if they are going to force us to use this method in future they could at least make it crack proof!
__________________
Recruitment Details & Application Form.
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18.09.2008 22:11
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TheBusDriver
unregistered
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| quote: |
Originally posted by Adius_Omega
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Originally posted by thebusdriver
so its a five times install limit after all
well, i can live with that i guess
link |
Nope, there is no limit to the amount of times you can install it on one computer.
But you are limited to installing the game on 5 separate PCs. |
that is, if you dont change hardware ... kinda sad to see these copy and paste answers on crymod
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by TheBusDriver: 18.09.2008 22:12.
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18.09.2008 22:12
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Beginner
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| quote: |
Originally posted by Naga
they could at least make it crack proof!
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Not possible 
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18.09.2008 22:12
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Skilled Modder
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Meh thats pretty good and more than 5 *IF EA isn't being a B1TC|-|.
__________________
I is back^^"
This post has been edited 2 time(s), it was last edited by 0xsergy: 18.09.2008 22:13.
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18.09.2008 22:14
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Experienced Modder
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This applys to Steam version as well, correct?
Will Crytek release a utility that allows end users control over their activations?
also, what is the 1-800 number to contact customer service?
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Dangerdog: 18.09.2008 22:15.
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18.09.2008 22:14
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Skilled Modder
Thread Starter  |
| quote: |
Originally posted by thebusdriver
so its a five times install limit after all
well, i can live with that i guess
link |
You'd be surprised the amount of information and fact checking that actually goes on for something as big as this.
Also i'm glad you guys seem a lot happier with the information now.
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18.09.2008 22:14
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Beginner
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Well, at least there's the Q&A.
3 activations, 5 activations... it's the same to me.
You know why many people hate this kind of protection, and just don't get it. I ******g want to install it as often as I want, on as many machines as I want. I'd use these five activations up in about 6 months. Besides that, I want to give it to a friend for a weekend, so he can test it (and maybe buy it, if he likes what he played). I also think i should have the right to resell the game if I want to. I just don't know anyone who would buy a game that has one activation left.
It just sucks. I know that I wouldn't buy the game but a license. But if that license is too strict for me, I'm not gonna buy it. I loved Crysis, and I've been looking forward to Warhead since it has been announced. Too sad.
I don't know who is responsible for this mess, though I think it's EA and if so, I'm very sorry for you hard working guys at Crytek. You've simply chosen the wrong publisher.
fork
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by fork: 18.09.2008 22:20.
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18.09.2008 22:19
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Experienced Modder
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As long as it doesn't end up effecting me in any way I'm fine with it
But if at any time it should cause problems...there is gonna be hell to pay ;p
I haven't had any problems yet with it.
__________________
Asus M3A AM2+ 770 - AMD Phenom X4 9750 - 4GB DDR2 - eVGA 8800GT 512MiB
This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by NBtX: 18.09.2008 22:19.
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18.09.2008 22:21
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Beginner
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5 activations for different systems for the Warhead component of the game - seems reasonable. I will probably only play through the SP once or twice anyhow. Wars doesn't have this restrictrion. Now if Wars is any good I could envisage many many installations so removing the limits from that makes sense.
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18.09.2008 22:32
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Trainee
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1. Not that bad. It is acceptable, Crytek.
I really hope Crytek will earn a lot selling Crysis Warhead,
because we all need Crysis 2 - as soon as possible!
2.
But i wish to know what does it mean "a new pc machine" ?
A)
Let's say i reinstall MS Windows because i buy a bigger disk drive
or SSD drive. Will it be threated like my computer or a new computer?
B)
What if i replace my graphics card?
Could you Crytek precise this?
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18.09.2008 22:35
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Uber Modder
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| quote: |
Originally posted by fork
Well, at least there's the Q&A.
3 activations, 5 activations... it's the same to me.
You know why many people hate this kind of protection, and just don't get it. I ******g want to install it as often as I want, on as many machines as I want. I'd use these five activations up in about 6 months. Besides that, I want to give it to a friend for a weekend, so he can test it (and maybe buy it, if he likes what he played). I also think i should have the right to resell the game if I want to. I just don't know anyone who would buy a game that has one activation left.
It just sucks. I know that I wouldn't buy the game but a license. But if that license is too strict for me, I'm not gonna buy it. I loved Crysis, and I've been looking forward to Warhead since it has been announced. Too sad.
I don't know who is responsible for this mess, though I think it's EA and if so, I'm very sorry for you hard working guys at Crytek. You've simply chosen the wrong publisher.
fork |
You can install it on your PC as many times as you want. You can do this for 5 computers.
So if you change your hardware that counts as a new PC. Honestly, 5 upgrades is quite some time.
Also you can contact EA if you require any further activations. I would say that is pretty good.
__________________
Modeler/Level Designer
Skype: adius_omega
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