dateline= Wrote:Electronic Arts Responds to Copy Protection Outcry, Removes 10-day SecuROM Check for the Troops

BioWare Responds to Copy Protection Outcry, Removes 10-day SecuROM Check for the Troops
by Nick Breckon May 09, 2008 2:45pm CST tags: BioWare, Electronic Arts, Spore, Mass Effect, Piracy, Internet Rage

BioWare producer Derek French recently caused an uproar after announcing that copy protection on the PC editions of Mass Effect and Spore would require online validation every 10 days in order for the games to continue functioning.

In the face of increasing pressure, BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts today relented, updating the official Mass Effect PC FAQ to note that validation will now only be required when the player downloads new game content.

Q: If the game isn't going to require an authentication every 10 days, will it ever require re-authentication?

A: Only if the player chooses to download new game content.

Electronic Arts also released a statement mentioning that Spore's copy protection will be similarly changed to allow for offline play, only requiring validation on a patch or game content update.

The publisher further noted that neither game will require players to have the disc in their computer in order to play or validate the game.

BioWare community manager Jay Watamaniuk broke the news on the company's official forums.

"To all the fans including our many friends in the armed services and internationally who expressed concerns that they would not be able re-authenticate as often as required, EA and BioWare want you to know that your feedback is important to us," said Watamaniuk.