My Concerns

[Michael Slaunwhite]

Hello.

This is to the Dev Team of SOW.

I love TC2M, I have been playing it pretty much since I purchased it, and I am excited that you folks have come out with this new, and great edition.

I have to say that I cannot purchase your product simply because I do not like the way you have to activate the product, and having to deactivate it to simply play in on my second computer.

I'm not a fan of any security protocol which forces you be online simply to activate the product, then have to be online to deactivate it so I can reactivate it on my other computer which BTW does not have the internet, so how can I activate it on my other computer....I can't. I would be forced to purchase a second serial which I really can't afford. I'm not one of those people who has money coming out of their ears. I have to pick, and choose what I have to buy, simply because my gaming budget only allows me to purchase a new game every 2.5 to 3 months.

I know piracy is a issue that all of us have to deal with, but to make the legitimate owners of your product to have to jump through the hoops you have put in place,in my opinion is not the best way to treat your loyal customers.

Please, I would like to support you, but at the moment I cannot, and I do hope that you folks reconsider this route you have taken concerning the DRM.

This is a niche game, and the one's who commit piracy are more interested in games like Spore, or Assassin's Creed 2, and the like, I really don't think they will pay much attention to SOWGB.

I'm at the moment looking at another game created by a competitor of this genre style, which enforces a serial key activation through email, and that is all, which is one of many reasons I am seriously considering on purchasing their game.

I'm not a DRM fan, and unfortunately I cannot support you at this moment.

I hope you change your minds about this.

Thank you....

[chris merchant]

that's a shame, we're all playing a hell of a game right now.

cheers

[Col. Miles]

Just buy it!!!

[norb]

The DRM was my choice. I am a gamer as well and I think of all the DRM schemes that are out there and eliminated what I hate about them. I had no intention of releasing a game that we worked years on with no DRM. I just cannot do that. I believe that we have a right to protect what we put our toil into. If we lose a few sales because of wanting to protect our one and only product, than that is a risk that we are obviously willing to take.

Our activation is so minor, one time connection and you can play. We only require internet connection when you want to activate or deactivate. It's really less than Windows requires and everyone that runs our game needs windows. We only install files into the game folder that you have selected. We have provided support to everyone that has had problems. Hopefully we'll get to a point where the problems will no longer exist.

I know that there is a big anti-DRM sentiment out there, that it is evil to protect any software. That you buy it and you own it. But then we would not be providing support nor SDK nor a support email nor any of the other services that require a developer to continually spend time with their customers. A service that we are happy to provide, but not willing to provide to those that have stolen the game, that is just too much of a drain on our limited resources.

As a customer, I can fully understand the anti-DRM sycophants. I am glad that our press materials and website facts were enough to educate people on our DRM so that you could make an informed decision to not buy the software. I would hate you to buy the software and then have to find out about the DRM. We try to be very up front about it and what it entails.

Many people have inquired about a CD version of the game. Currently we do not have the resources to support multiple versions. We also want to do versions in other languages, but it's just beyond our resources at this point.

Here is our stuff in a nutshell:
1. one time internet activation
2. only run when you run the game
3. only write anything into the game folder
4. you can wipe the entire game off the drive by deleting the game folder
5. One registry entry, only used to install patches
6. We offer the ability to move the activation

This is about as low grade as you can get, much less than most. I believe that when a team puts in thousands of hours to create a piece of software, they have the right to protect it anyway they want, just as the customer has the right not to purchase. I also believe that after you have made that commitment of thousands of hours, your view of DRM changes drastically.

[Paladin]

I have owned my own business for almost 40 years. I did it for money and want every last penny I have earned....every one !!!!! If a DRM is what it takes to insure these folks get paid for what they do then thats fine with me ,they earned it. If you don't want to buy the game because of the DRM thats your loss, its an excellent game.

[Rifleman]

Hello mikesla,

I understand your concerns re DRM..some are virtual parasites, and I normally won't buy any game that requires constant internet connection. In Australia we can't all get the high speed connections that the Northern Hemisphere generally enjoys, and internet connection loss is not infrequent. So practically and philosophically, most DRM systems are unwellcome by me.

However, Norb is to be congratulated on the system he has chosen. As it does not need permanent contact, the game can be played whenever wanted. Nor does this system mess with my whole computer the way some "protection" programmes do.

In fact so uneasy am I about these copyright protections, that I have refused to buy Silent Hunter V, Napoleon Total War, Empire Tw, Rise of Flight, all of which (where applicable) I bought the predecessors.However, if they had used this DRM, I would feel comfortable buying them immediately.

So congrats Norb, on finding a compromise DRM that most of us can happily live with.

[DrMike1997]

have fun playing old games and consoles!

[Michael Slaunwhite]

norb wrote:

I believe that when a team puts in thousands of hours to create a piece of software, they have the right to protect it anyway they want, just as the customer has the right not to purchase. I also believe that after you have made that commitment of thousands of hours, your view of DRM changes drastically.

I agree that you, and all companies have the full right to do as they wish, that is really not what I am concerned with.

If I spent thousands of hours as it appears you folks have invested into this project, I too would be looking for ways to safe guard my property, but it's in the way you have chosen to protect your software that has me needing to think a bit further on this.

I'm concerned if my internet happens to go the way of the dinosaur, I can no longer have full access to the game. I'm not saying that I need to be online 24/7 to play the game, I know I only need it to activate, and to deactivate the game online.

I would like to be able to play the game 2 years from now, without the need to have the internet. Which I do with TC2M, and many other games I own.

It's requiring the internet that concerns me. Who can really say for sure that they will have an internet connection come next week, or next month. When I purchase a game, I'm investing in your future, and in my future.

Anyway, I am not slamming you, or your business. I did not write this to have you explain yourself, or have you explain to me why you have implemented this type of DRM, I have only written this to show my concern.

Thank you for your reply.

[ADukes]

You also need an internet connection for TC2M to get the patch or mods.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

ADukes wrote:

You also need an internet connection for TC2M to get the patch or mods.

Hi Adukes.

You are right you do for the patches, and the Mods, but these things should not be really needed to play the game. Unless the game is so poorly designed that you cannot play the game right out of the box.

Without the mods, the game works great, even without the patches it works (great thanks to those who worked on TC2M for that).

If you ever needed the patches, all you have to do is go down to your local Internet Cafe, and copy them over to your USB drive...no problem.

Later Adukes..