CD keys

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

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Why aren't these used as much as they used to with regards to preventing illegal downloads of games etc? I don't play them but am I right in thinking they are quite effective in online games because they can limit a key to only one player, but they're pretty much useless in offline games because you don't have to register they key. Correct?

Can they not just make or more a more powerful encryption method and use the classic key system or have they moved onto newer techniques such as Steam? What do you think will be the next big advance with regards to copyright protection in PC gaming?
 
CD keys are meant really for online games. Meaning you can't play online without one. Its a very mild way to protect copying, but hackers always get past them for offline use.
 
tbh, UT3 have done a new way of things lol, their early released version didnt even have crack protection and all pirates could(can) play on official servers, but its said that they will patch the servers after a while making those pirates crave the online play lol. pretty smart tbh.

ags
 
agnes said:
tbh, UT3 have done a new way of things lol, their early released version didnt even have crack protection and all pirates could(can) play on official servers, but its said that they will patch the servers after a while making those pirates crave the online play lol. pretty smart tbh.

ags
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Cheers for clearing that up, seemed strane to me, but I think it is a good tactic, I am addicted already...
 
agnes said:
tbh, UT3 have done a new way of things lol, their early released version didnt even have crack protection and all pirates could(can) play on official servers, but its said that they will patch the servers after a while making those pirates crave the online play lol. pretty smart tbh.

ags
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That sounds like a really clever idea. Let them get hooked then take away their drug. Addicts will pay to buy the game. :p
 
They should bring back some of the old-style protection systems. Along side CD keys. Namely the one where it asks you to turn to page x, line x, word x...or even the turning wheel thing. :)
 
TriedandTested said:
They should bring back some of the old-style protection systems. Along side CD keys. Namely the one where it asks you to turn to page x, line x, word x...or even the turning wheel thing. :)
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Then in the crack readme it will say 'When it asks you to turn to page x, line x, word x enter this word: kekekek'

There is no stopping it!
 
Sinque said:
Then in the crack readme it will say 'When it asks you to turn to page x, line x, word x enter this word: kekekek'

There is no stopping it!
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Well, the point is that it randomises what specific word it is asking for. If you've got a 200 page book and it could be any one of the words in it...well, it'd help.
 
well, if the game is good enough......the people will come.

BF2 is a prime example of this, all my friends have purchased it, and most of them barf at the thought of paying for a game.

If the powers that be were that concerned, they would make even offline game have to shake hands with an online server to validate each time you play
 
So apart from bringing back the the page turning method that TriedandTested mentioned, what is the fututre of compyright protection, especially in offline games as there seem to be much more advanced measures in place in already in online games?
 
a lot of games are going the steam route now, altho there are cracked versions of steam around that unlock all the games in an account. but download and play will become the new game store
 
I think CD keys for offline games are really low level protection from illegal copying, and the most of it comes in the form of stuff like SecuROM.
 
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