Mass Effect and Spore DRM detailed

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 7th May 2008

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Mass Effect and Spore will require online authentication once every ten days.

We all remember the furore around Bioshock's copy protection, right? Well, I've got some bad news for you in that BioWare has just dropped the bomb that Mass Effect PC and Spore will also feature SecuROM copy protection software too - but in a more invasive form.

BioWare technical producer Derek French revealed that Mass Effect and Spore would feature a copy protection system similar to that used for BioShock, except that it will require online authentication once every ten days.

"After the first activation, SecuROM requires that [Mass Effect PC] re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez'd and gets banned)," said French in a BioWare forum post.

If the game cannot authenticate itself over the internet within a period of ten days then the game will stop working.

"After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run...An internet connection is not required to install, just to activate the first time, and every 10 days after," said French.

French said that the method would be clearly described on the packaging for the game, but also that the same method would be used to authenticate Wil Wright's upcoming sim-game, Spore.

It seems kind of...well, it is a little...how can they...Hm. You know, we're betting we feel the same way about this as you do, so why don't you just let us know what you think in the forums and save us the effort of ranting ourselves?