Has anti-DRM sentiment killed the Spore love?

Not sure how I feel about this. Within the VTOR authors, I’m actually one of the few contributors that is more okay with DRM (digital rights management). As long as it’s affordable and isn’t getting in my way of doing things, I don’t mind it. Sony’s spyware DRM on the other hand is a big no-no in my book.

So when I first heard about this, I was thinking… hmm. “Is it as bad as it sounds?”

The answer would be: “Yes.”

Here’s the problem with Spore. Activation is limited to 3 online activations via Internet. After that, it’s call via phone to EA for one more activation. After that, you have to provide proof of purchase, and a whole lot of other things to actually play your game. On one hand, I agree that piracy is one pain in the rear and needs to be combatted. But to point the finger at your consumer base and restrict them is a whole other matter. That’s pretty much cutting off the nose to spite the face.

And when it comes to your revenue stream? You’d probably be better off not fighting the good fight at all, since the people that you’re actually driving away are those that are willing to hand over their money to you as a corporation. Piracy on the other hand? Believe me, no matter how “smart” your DRM is, someone will crack it. They always do and game publishers can’t afford super encryption methods that prevent it with time-locked rotating keys (although that’s an idea there isn’t it).

In this fashion, EA really bombarded its own product line with the help of some supposed semi-organized anti-DRM sentiments. I have no doubt that some of the authors will review Spore at some point. I on the other hand, will not.

And mind you, not because of the anti-DRM movement here. I think the DRM here really sucks. But more to the fact of matter of… I just don’t really care for the game itself.