Dvd drm?

edited April 2010 in Tales of Monkey Island
I know there was a discussion about people that noticed the change in the type of DRM used for Wallace and Gromit. I would like to hear an official Telltale response on how the DRM on the Tales DVD will work. Will it be essentially the downloaded versions like Wallace and Gromit, or will it be disc based like S+M 1/2 and SBCG4AP? This will affect my priority of ordering the disc, so I'm really interested to know.
«1345

Comments

  • edited March 2010
    I don't have the Gromit disc, do you mean it's internet activation based?

    Because that'd be pretty terrible, I don't like relying on that for the physical copies.
  • edited March 2010
    I don't have the Gromit disc, do you mean it's internet activation based?

    Because that'd be pretty terrible, I don't like relying on that for the physical copies.
    Yes, the Wallace and Gromit DVD's DRM is based on online activation.
  • edited March 2010
    Urgh.

    Telltale, please count me as one virulently opposed to internet based activation for the physical based copies. I don't mind it for your digital downloads since I can email you for the unlock code, but the disc versions are my archived versions that I keep. If in ten years I want to play it and (god forbid) ttg no longer exists, on an internet based activation I'd no longer be able to play the game I've bought.

    I know companies have made promises in the past to release unlocks in that event, but that just adds another thing to have to keep track of.

    Please stick to disc based protection in the future.
  • edited March 2010
    Why do the DVDs need protection at all? So far, the download versions were all cracked long time before the DVDs were released. Thus, any protection on the DVD won't prevent piracy at all. Not even for a second.
  • edited March 2010
    I am pretty sure it's because the versions on the W&G disc are just burned online copies that online activation is necessary.

    With the bugfixing that's going on with ToMI it seems less likely to be the case again this time, but confirmation would be nice.
  • edited March 2010
    If there ever are retail copies those would be disc-only DRM protected. My copy of S&M Season One Retail doesn't require online activation.
  • edited March 2010
    Add me to the list of those who want to know about the DRM used on the ToMI DVD.

    FOR JUSTICE!
  • edited March 2010
    I bought the Deluxe package for the extras so it's not going to influence whether I get the disk or not (since I've ordered it already), but I'd like to know as well.
  • edited March 2010
    It'll be the same as the rest. Online activation. Only retail copies are free from that.
  • edited March 2010
    It'll be the same as the rest. Online activation. Only retail copies are free from that.

    No, Wallace and Gromit was the only DVD with online activation.
  • edited March 2010
    If there ever are retail copies those would be disc-only DRM protected. My copy of S&M Season One Retail doesn't require online activation.
    It'll be the same as the rest. Online activation. Only retail copies are free from that.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is seeming to indicate that Season One can be bought in a physical store (which, excluding the Wii version, would be news to me), and that there's a difference between copies sold in stores and copies sold on the web. If that's what you're meaning to say, then I'd say that neither of my Sam and Max DVDs from Telltale's store required online activation. And if that's not what you're indicating, then I'm failing to see what your argument is for why Tales would be online activated.
  • edited March 2010
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is seeming to indicate that Season One can be bought in a physical store (which, excluding the Wii version, would be news to me)
    Season Two had a fairly recent retail PC release, and Season One has had three retail releases I think(one of the whole season, and two that contain half the episodes each).
    If that's what you're meaning to say, then I'd say that neither of my Sam and Max DVDs from Telltale's store required online activation. And if that's not what you're indicating, then I'm failing to see what your argument is for why Tales would be online activated.
    Neither of mine do, either. Wallace and Gromit, though, did use online activation. I really hope that's not the new trend.
  • edited March 2010
    Season Two had a fairly recent retail PC release, and Season One has had three retail releases I think(one of the whole season, and two that contain half the episodes each).

    Well, there we are, then. This is all reminding me that I still need to finish the last two episodes of Season Two...
  • edited March 2010
    Why do the DVDs need protection at all? So far, the download versions were all cracked long time before the DVDs were released. Thus, any protection on the DVD won't prevent piracy at all. Not even for a second.

    I'm not in favor of draconian DRM. Or any, really. And I'm adamantly against any DRM that makes it more difficult for me to use my legally purchased item. Including games I might want to play 10 or 20 years from now.

    But while DVD copy protection won't stop ALL piracy, it can stop some. For some people, it's enough of a deterrent to not be able to simply copy a disk and hand it to their friend. Some people don't download cracked versions from the Internet, or even know that such a thing exists. There is SOME value to it.

    The question is - how MUCH piracy it actually stop? It's very difficult to say. I suspect that the number is definitely not zero percent, but it's closer to zero than to 100%.
  • edited March 2010
    I'd like to know why this type of DRM is still being put into software. It's been proven that it doesn't stop piracy & only pisses off your paying customers. So why is it still being used? There must be a reason for it. Somebody must be getting paid somewhere to include it. What other explanation is there to push this draconian bullshit onto people?
  • edited March 2010
    I'd like to know why this type of DRM is still being put into software. It's been proven that it doesn't stop piracy & only pisses off your paying customers. So why is it still being used? There must be a reason for it. Somebody must be getting paid somewhere to include it. What other explanation is there to push this draconian bullshit onto people?
    To be fair, the DRM Telltale uses is far from draconian.
    And while it may not stop pirating, it does stop people sharing the game with their friends and family.
  • edited March 2010
    Didero wrote: »
    To be fair, the DRM Telltale uses is far from draconian.
    And while it may not stop pirating, it does stop people sharing the game with their friends and family.

    But telltale allows like 20 activation codes. And you can lend the DVD and still play the online version. They obviously don't care much if you share the game with friends and family.
  • edited March 2010
    Avistew wrote: »
    But telltale allows like 20 activation codes. And you can lend the DVD and still play the online version. They obviously don't care much if you share the game with friends and family.
    Hmm, you're right, I didn't think of that...
    Maybe they just have DRM to please their investors? Or to make it more difficult for the average user to share the game around with a large group of people. Though nowadays most average gamers know how to pirate games, I think...
  • edited March 2010
    Or to provide the demo and full game with the same excutable, while providing a way to seperate the 2 (unless cracks get involved). Not building a seperate demo can be pretty time/moneysaving, and it's far better than not providing a demo at all, like a lot of other companies do these days.

    But yeah, TTG, what does ToMI use. With the discs being pretty much done that should be known by now no?
  • edited March 2010
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is seeming to indicate that Season One can be bought in a physical store (which, excluding the Wii version, would be news to me), and that there's a difference between copies sold in stores and copies sold on the web. If that's what you're meaning to say, then I'd say that neither of my Sam and Max DVDs from Telltale's store required online activation. And if that's not what you're indicating, then I'm failing to see what your argument is for why Tales would be online activated.

    Yes, S&M has a retail release separate from the TTG store and Wii releases. Though I'm apparently wrong about the DRM for TTG store items. My apologies. I seem to remember a dev saying that but obviously not.
  • edited March 2010
    Or to provide the demo and full game with the same excutable, while providing a way to seperate the 2 (unless cracks get involved). Not building a seperate demo can be pretty time/moneysaving, and it's far better than not providing a demo at all, like a lot of other companies do these days.

    But yeah, TTG, what does ToMI use. With the discs being pretty much done that should be known by now no?

    Well, TMI only had a 1st episode demo.

    Anyway, my thoughts: They should include the same DRM as with the digital copies. The downloaded versions can be activated both online (via your TTG log-in) or offline (given your serial-number listed under "my games" on the website). Given that the only way to get these DVD's as it stands is through the website, everyone has these codes. Plus they could always come shipped with the DVD.
  • edited March 2010
    But then you might aswell just download them. The point (for many of us) about the DVD is that it no longer has the online restriction that the online versions have, so may TTG go down (which will include this site with the codes, so no, that wont work) we can still play all our TTG games.
  • edited March 2010
    According to the help page, none of Telltale's disks require online activation. But apparently this has already been contradicted by the release of Wallace and Gromit. Can we get an official clarification on this issue? As far as I'm concerned, online activation on the disk version negates its main purpose.


    "Do Telltale's games have copy protection?

    Yes, but we try to keep it as low-key and non-annoying as possible. Our downloadable games use a version of SecuROM that requires online activation. Our disc-based games also use SecuROM. Disc games don't require online activation, but the disc must be in the drive while you play."
  • DjNDBDjNDB Moderator
    edited March 2010
    Friar wrote: »
    The downloaded versions can be activated both online (via your TTG log-in) or offline (given your serial-number listed under "my games" on the website).

    Actually the serial number is checked online too. If it wasn't a single serial number posted online would enable everyone to unlock the game without TTG being able to revoke it.

    Disc based authentication is a really good compromise between rudimentary copy protection for TTG and being able to play the game without depending on anything else for us.
  • edited March 2010
    I think Friar misses the whole point we're trying to make. As long as the protection isn't disc based or something that doesn't require the internet altogether, they may actually lose a lot of their customers directly from their store (which I'm guessing would give them more profit) as they will be flocking to the retail versions that do.
  • edited March 2010
    If someone from telltale could provide a response, merci beaucoup?
    This is a pretty big deal for me.
  • edited March 2010
    i wonder if all the episodes will be pieced together as one whole game, or would you have to click on them seperatly to play each episode
  • edited March 2010
    Doubtful.
  • edited March 2010
    No. See here.
  • edited March 2010
    Still no answer from Telltale. I have the feeling that if it were a simple "Yes, it's the same light SecuROM as on Sam & Max, so you don't need an Internet connection, but you'll need to have the DVD in the drive when you play" or "No, it's the same as the downloadable versions, but hey, you get extra content, and it's free except for shipping, and you don't need to track down the DVD every time you want to play", they would have answered by now. So that means the answer is probably "Something complicated that we're not ready to announce yet." My favorite.

    So I'll pass the time by saying CNET posted a pretty good article today discussing games and DRM. Check it out if you're interested in these things. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-20000506-248.html
  • edited March 2010
    Maybe "something not finalized yet"? Perhaps they saw the reaction to the Wallace and Gromit DVD, and are seeing if they can fix it before they press these to ship? You know, because Monkey Island is their biggest series, and has the most potential to make an impression to the most people of what kind of company Telltale is?
  • edited March 2010
    But then you might aswell just download them. The point (for many of us) about the DVD is that it no longer has the online restriction that the online versions have, so may TTG go down (which will include this site with the codes, so no, that wont work) we can still play all our TTG games.

    Yes, but the game can only be ordered online. You could always, jot down the codes in the note section of the instruction manual (assuming there is one). Besides, the game might even come with it's own code!

    *edit* i really should read the rest of the posts before posting...

    I think i get your point now. I didn't realise the codes still required internet connections.
  • edited March 2010
    WarpSpeed wrote: »
    So I'll pass the time by saying CNET posted a pretty good article today discussing games and DRM. Check it out if you're interested in these things. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-20000506-248.html
    Oh man, that article just reminds me how awesome CD Projekt (Red) are and how fantastic of a game The Witcher was (or rather still is; just because a game is old doesn't necessarily mean it's any less relevant).

    It's important to note with that article that although it may be a good idea to wait (as was the case with The Witcher), it's not always best. Yes, Bioshock has its activation limit removed, yet it still requires online activation. Same can be said over Spore or any EA title. While they may have a revocation tool, you STILL have to be online in order to activate and thus play the game.

    I honestly wish more publishers/developers would take the route CD Projekt have set themselves on. Good Old Games is in my mind the best digital distribution service to date. While it may not have friends lists, match-making, achievements etc, it has by far the best advantage over every single distribution service that exists today - once you buy a game, you OWN that licence to play that game. You can download it as many times as you want, install it as many times as you want on as many machines as you want. DRM Free is good for me.

    Since CD Projekt are on the stock market from a deal with Optimus S.A., they may have more money to work with to implement either an in-house DRM solution or go completely DRM free while they have the ability to self-publish. It's better than getting tied up with Atari and being forced to use TAGES, which of course has since been removed thanks to the Enhanced Edition patches.

    Anyway this is going completely off topic now. Back on topic: a response from Telltale about the DRM implemented on the ToMI DVD would be great. Whenever a publisher goes silent on DRM it's never a good sign (DICE did the same before Mirror's Edge was released).
  • edited March 2010
    Maybe "something not finalized yet"? Perhaps they saw the reaction to the Wallace and Gromit DVD, and are seeing if they can fix it before they press these to ship?
    But why set a date and then see if they can fix it within that day rather than see if they can fix it at a certain date and set a date for that as result (am I making sense here?)

    It seems to be the opposite of common sense if that is the reason why it isn't revealed yet.
  • edited March 2010
    Fortunately, they haven't set an exact date yet:
    nikasaur wrote: »
    It will be shipped in Springtime, estimated in April, AND you get the games for download right away! Then you can play the games while you wait for the DVD and all the extras to arrive.

    But I am a bit worried that this hasn't been addressed already.

    I think I already posted in one of the other DVD threads that I would really prefer disc-based protection for the DVD, but I'll take this opportunity to reiterate it.
  • edited March 2010
    I must say, I'm really not a supporter of online activation, becausee of the points already brought up. Most importantly: I want to play the game even when I don't have access to the internet AND in 10 or 20 years, when TTG might not even exist anymore.

    Disc-based protection is the only way to go here, and I'm shocked about how the big developers are already going with online activation (lately EA and Ubisoft). And now Telltale too? C'mon, this is ridiculous. It's a hassle for the honest customer, while all the potential illegal downloaders just grab a torrent or something, and don't get affected at all.
  • edited March 2010
    I really don't see the reasoning for including online activation on the Collector's DVD. The games have already been out for months, and have surely been cracked and pirated a long time ago. Seems to me like this DVD won't be a cause for more piracy, and including intrusive DRM on the discs is an insult to the loyal TTG costumers and community.
  • edited March 2010
    You know, because Monkey Island is their biggest series, and has the most potential to make an impression to the most people of what kind of company Telltale is?
    Then, they should ditch SecuROM altogether and design an old style code wheel. Put holographic images on it, so it is hard to copy.
  • edited March 2010
    This may be hard to implement, but maybe they can use both off- and online DRM. First the game checks if there's an internet connection. If there is, the game connects to Telltale, and if the user is allowed to use the game, they can play. If there isn't an internet connection available, the game checks if the disk is in the drive, and if there is, allows the user to play.
    Maybe the user can even specify which verification method they want to use.
  • edited March 2010
    That sounds, more complex than needed.
    And internet activation can already be done by downloading the games, so the choice is already present to the player.
    Internet activation = DL
    Disc activation = Disc Install
Sign in to comment in this discussion.