C&C Labs News Wire

— Monday, September 8, 2008 —

Posted By: Blbpaws at 5:31:35 PM ET

Good News about RA3 DRM

In a move that shows significant pushback against typical corporate lawyer thinking, EA has announced its rather limited plans with regards to Digital Rights Management for the upcoming Red Alert 3. Here is the relevant information from Executive Producer Chris Corry:

  • We will authenticate your game online when you install and launch it the first time.
  • We will never re-authenticate an installation online after the first launch. In other words, no reaching out to a central server post-install to see if you’re “allowed” to play.
  • You will be able to install and play on up to five computers.
  • This system means you don't have to play with the disc in your computer. Personally, I think this is a huge improvement over our previous copy protection requirements, which have always required a disk to play.
  • Life happens. I know it’s unlikely, but for those unlucky few who install the game and have their machines nuked (virus, OS reinstall, major hardware upgrade, etc.) five times, EA Customer Service will be on hand to supply any additional authorizations that are warranted. This will be done on a case-by-case basis by contacting customer support.
  • You can, of course, play offline without impediment or penalty.

 

You can read Corry's post here. Definitely a good move on EA's part. As has been so many times shown, you don't increase sales (or prevent piracy) by annoying your customers.

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