Bioshock 2 System Requirements Released! (SecuROM act limit: 15)

Pete.Dakota · 20 Jan 2010 at 22:50

US, January 20, 2010 - Steam has posted the PC system requirements for BioShock 2, giving gamers about a few weeks to upgrade their machines if need be.

One thing to note, however, is that the game will use SecuROM and have a 15 machine activation limit. Does yours make the cut?

Check the details below:

Minimum
OS: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3800+ 2.4Ghz or better, Intel Pentium 4 530 3.0Ghz Processor or better
Memory: 2GB
Graphics: NVIDIA 7800GT 256MB graphics card or better, ATI Radeon X1900 256MB graphics card or better
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c
Hard Drive: 11GB
Sound: 100% DirectX 9.0C compliant sound card or onboard sound

Recommended
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Dual Core 2.60Ghz, Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Dual Core 2.13Ghz
Memory: 3GB
Graphics: NVIDIA 8800GT 512MB graphics card or better, ATI Radeon HD4830 512MB graphics card or better

Other Requirements
Initial installation requires one-time internet connection; Ability to save game, earn achievements, receive title updates and online play requires log-in to Games for Windows LIVE; software installations required including Microsoft Visual C++2008 Runtime Libraries, Games for Windows LIVE client, Games for Windows LIVE Client Patch, Sony DADC SecuROM, Microsoft DirectX.

Source: http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/106/1062217p1.html

chaparral · 20 Jan 2010 at 22:55

15 machine activation limit

Does this mean i can install it on 15 different machines...........

Or does it mean i can only install/uninstall it 15 times

:confused:

Pete.Dakota · 20 Jan 2010 at 23:06

I believe it's 15 machines; or 15 "hardware changes" to the same rig. As I recall, changing any major component within a computer, then re-installing a SecuROM title will cause it to consider it an entirely new machine and count toward the install limit.

Spore had this problem.

synixx · 20 Jan 2010 at 23:17

there shouldn't be any limit but 15 is much much better than 5! I ran out of installs for crysis warhead after changing my ram about a few times (it was faulty)

Pete.Dakota · 20 Jan 2010 at 23:24

Spore only had 3!

Fromez · 20 Jan 2010 at 23:26

I will wait and see, but by the looks of things the DRM is identical to that in GTA 4. Which means I'm not buying it (or pirating it) in the next year. Might wait til it's a tenner.

ac1d1ty · 20 Jan 2010 at 23:29

Hopefully it will run on a 9600gt.....

MeMeMeMe · 21 Jan 2010 at 00:37

Pete.Dakota said:
Spore only had 3!

IIRC Bioshock had only 2 when initially launched, but after the outcry that caused it was increased to 5.

Pete.Dakota · 21 Jan 2010 at 00:39

I don't get the SecuROM thing, anyway. Surely by now there's a smarter way to insure that only the original owner is playing their copy.

The increase to 15 is welcome, but surely this means I could pirate my copy and give it to 14 of my friends? Doesn't really solve the problem at all. And in some extreme cases the honest and innocent get punished when the limit is hit.

Durzel · 21 Jan 2010 at 01:08

lol you can't save the game without logging into GFWL

dmxdex2020 · 21 Jan 2010 at 01:10

And their are hacks for bioshock so you can install it as many times as you want.

SpudMaster · 21 Jan 2010 at 01:20

didnt the later patches remove the install limit on the first bioshock?

Evilsod · 21 Jan 2010 at 02:14

15? I honestly don't know why they bother, thats not a restriction, thats just plain stubbornness. Not to mention they have to deal with all the complaints about Securom ****ing up there system.

Admit SecuROM was a gigantic ****ing failure and scrap it already!

Only saving is grace is we'll hopefully see a revoke before the 15 install limit causes problems.

Calm · 21 Jan 2010 at 02:17

Durzel said:
lol you can't save the game without logging into GFWL

Anyone know if this is similar to other games where you can have offline accounts? or do you literally have to login.

starfighter · 21 Jan 2010 at 03:27

DRM you say. Not for me ta. would rather even get it on the Xbox seeing as the intrface will be designed for it anyway.

Sad.

TheOtherOption · 21 Jan 2010 at 05:18

Calm said:
Anyone know if this is similar to other games where you can have offline accounts? or do you literally have to login.

I'm not 100% sure but I think Resident Evil 5 is the same - you have to login to GfWL before doing anything - all yo can do before that is run the system benchmark!

ck88 · 21 Jan 2010 at 05:20

Calm said:
Anyone know if this is similar to other games where you can have offline accounts? or do you literally have to login.

teknogods.

stude1983 · 21 Jan 2010 at 06:18

dmxdex2020 said:
And their are hacks for bioshock so you can install it as many times as you want.

no there isn't they scrapped the activation limit all together

As of June 19, 2008, 2K Games has removed the activation limit, allowing users to install the game an unlimited number of times. However online activation remains mandatory.The deactivation of the system was promised by Ken Levine in August, 2007, after retail sales of the PC version of the game were no longer an issue.

Digital · 21 Jan 2010 at 06:48

Steam has dropped the limit, it's now back at 5!

Robert1986 · 21 Jan 2010 at 07:23

Durzel said:
lol you can't save the game without logging into GFWL

As long as it keeps your save game status online instead of on your computer. I always forget to back up my saves when I format.

I think its a good thing to be honest.

A little bit dissapointed at the max spec requirements. Was hoping this game would be pushing better hardware. Seems kinda pointless buying all this expensive components when a lot of games don't even need all that power.

Also, don't care about the install limit. I'll use a damn nocd crack if I have to. Screw that.