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Posts Tagged ‘2K Games’

Civilization V will use Steamworks

May 6th, 2010

Cliff Riseborough

It has been announced in a press release from 2K Games that Civilization 5 will ship with Steamworks when it releases later this year.

That means that any version of the game purchased from any venue will require the installation of Steam to run. It also means that it makes use of Steam services like achievements, multiplayer matchmaking and auto-updates. So depending on what side of the fence you come down on, you’re either dancing for joy or smashing your furniture right now.

Those purchasing from Steam can also buy a Digital Deluxe version featuring an exclusive Babylonian civilization, as well as the game’s soundtrack and behind the scenes video. All versions purchased directly from Steam will come with a Cradle of Civilization : Mesopotamia map pack.

Posted in Games

Tags: 2K Games, Civilization, Firaxis, Steamworks

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BioShock 2 DLC came on the disc, still costs you more money

March 12th, 2010

Cliff Riseborough

The Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack DLC released today for BioShock 2. Nothing new there. It was really just unlocking content already on the disc. Really, nothing new there, either…a lot of games are heading down that road to encourage purchases of new copies of the game.

It costs $4.99. Okay, THAT is delving in to new territory.

Yes indeed, you are being charged to ‘buy’ content that your game came with. Let’s give that a moment to sink in, and put in a quote from 2K Community Manager 2K Elizabeth.

Hey guys,
I noticed there was a bit of confusion about our Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack file size, and I wanted to clear things up for you. The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together. One of the challenges with post launch content for MP is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible. For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base – so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends.

She’s referring to the DLC file being a whopping 24k or 108k in size when talking about the file size. So, yeah, THAT’S small enough to arouse a little question and suspicion.

Now, the point of this site is information…but I’m going to go a little off the reservation and in to the realm of ‘opinion’ here. I don’t have a problem with optional DLC content. I don’t even have a huge problem with already ‘on-disc’ material being unlocked in this fashion when you enter a key. Some of you may disagree, and that’s cool.

I have a HUGE problem with a person BEING CHARGED TWICE for content on a brand new game, and that is EXACTLY what is happening here. If I buy a used copy and you want to charge me a few bucks to get a new license key to unlock some content, that’s one thing…this is charging someone $5 to play levels that came in the game they just dropped $50 to buy brand new.

And the major labels wonder why they’re losing money.

Posted in Games

Tags: 2K Games, BioShock 2, charging for DLC on disc

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Borderlands changes gears on DRM – 3rd DLC moves away from SecuROM

March 2nd, 2010

Cliff Riseborough

Perhaps he scared them straight?

When Borderlands released last year, the DRM used on it was fairly minimal. Retail versions used a SecuROM component with a one time activation that followed by functioning as a simple disc check. Versions purchased online used a more robust SecuROM component, while the Steam version used nothing beyond Steamworks itself. That all changed when the DLC arrived.

Each of the two DLC additions added a fuller SecuROM component to every version of the game, including the Steam one. Let’s just say that people weren’t exactly thrilled at the new direction.

So it’s nice to see that the 3rd DLC does not use ANY extra third party DRM on Steam. Gearbox did not exactly seem eager in their support of the built up protection when attacked for it on their forums, and 2K has apparently agreed with them. Since the 3rd DLC does not require either of the other two, anyone wishing to avoid the SecuROM version used with them easily can bypass them both and still enjoy the biggest add-on for the game to date.

I just thought that it made for a pleasant little change of pace to be able to give a developer and publisher a sold thumbs up. Now, back to your regularly scheduled rage and mockery.

Posted in Games

Tags: 2K Games, Borderlands, Gearbox, Secret Armory of General Knoxx

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BioShock 2 DRM Finalized.

January 19th, 2010

Cliff Riseborough

As quoted from the 2K BioShock 2 fan site Cult of Rapture :

Over the past two days, I’ve fielded a lot of questions and concerns about the DRM for both the retail and digital versions of BioShock 2. Because of this feedback, we are scaling back BioShock 2’s DRM.

There will be no SecuROM install limits for either the retail or digital editions of BioShock 2, and SecuROM will be used only to verify the game’s executable and check the date. Beyond that, we are only using standard Games for Windows Live non-SSA guidelines, which, per Microsoft, comes with 15 activations (after that, you can reset them with a call to Microsoft.)

What does that mean for your gameplay experience? This means that BioShock 2’s new DRM is now similar to many popular games you advised had better DRM through both digital and retail channels. Many of you have used Batman: Arkham Asylum as an example to me, which uses the exact same Games for Windows Live guidelines as us as well as SecuROM on retail discs, and now our SecuROM is less restrictive on Steam.

I know that the variables of PC gaming can be frustrating and confusing, and when you say there is a problem, we listen, and use your suggestions to make things better. Feedback like this does not go unheard, and while this might not be the ideal protection for everyone, we will continue to listen and work with you in the future when formulating our DRM plans.

It is pleasant to see something like activation limits on Games for Windows Live actually fully disclosed, as normally publishers try to tap dance around the subject by claiming they aren’t there, or that they have no knowledge of them. And kudos overall to 2K for fully disclosing their DRM, discussing it with their fans, and being willing to make changes. THAT is the kind of behavior that I for one would like to see more of from game publishers.

Posted in Games

Tags: 2K Games, BioShock 2, DRM, Games for Windows Live, pre-order, SecuROM, Steam

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