OT: SPYWARE/TROJAN and Off Topic!

[Gandalf Parker]

Popularity has its pros and cons. The more popular something is, the more people are trying to crack it.

I wasnt thrilled with the cost jump from Dom1 to Dom2 but since I have paid it I have no problem with Illwinter taking steps to make sure that only people willing to pay for the game are able to play with me. From my experience, those who got it for nothing are people I wont miss if they fall out of the Dom2 community.

[Kristoffer O]

Originally posted by PrinzMegaherz:
What bothers me though is the timing.

Dominions 2 is selling well.

And I might be a bit naive, but IMHO people who are capable to appreciate this game don't use cracks because they don't want to hurt Illwinter.

Actually there has been less piracy problems than we expected. Of course there are piracy, but I think you are right. We humbly thank you all

[PvK]

So if someone installs Dom II both at work and at home, are they suddenly going to not be able to play? How about if they are goofing off at work, and their wife or kid starts playing on the installation at home at the same time?

What are the rules for authorized use of one copy of the game?

PvK

[Gandalf Parker]

I think it gets flagged if Dom finds it playing with itself (boy that sounds bad) same CD-key from different computers.

But servers dont check (obviously or I couldnt play in a game Im hosting) which lets me have a copy on my linux for hosting and a copy on windows for playing without it being considered illegal.

[ April 07, 2004, 21:53: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[archaeolept]

hmm, well I play from two different machines (since I spend half the week one place and half at another) w/out any problems.

I don't know why it would be "phoning in" a copy-protect scheme while in single-player, but it doesn't sound like spyware.

frankly, I believe the devs.

[Nephelim]

Originally posted by archaeolept:
frankly, I believe the devs.

I'm pretty sure we all do (At least I assume norfleet's Last post was sarcasm).

I'm just a privacy freak and object on basic principle.

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Nephelim:
I'm pretty sure we all do (At least I assume norfleet's Last post was sarcasm).

I'm just a privacy freak and object on basic principle.

Over the years I have become very, very skeptical about any such claims. In my years of life, I have seen such information collection strategies become increasingly more invasive and pervasive. Just look at the web: In the old days, you could go just about anywhere, and nobody would ask you to register for something. Nowadays, you can barely even LOOK at a forum without having to register. Sure, registration is free, but they're still trying harder and harder to pry your personal data out of you, and we've had the development of spyware: Software that phones home all of your personal data you may leave lying around on your computer by stealth.

Now we have games and other programs starting to adopt this tactic. I find this a very distressing trend. Illwinter MIGHT be telling the truth, but this is inconsistent with known behaviors. I am certain I am not the only one who has considered the implications of this, and Illwinter is far from stupid: They know, and they can do it. As far as I'm concerned, can is will, and will is has. If it can be done, it already HAS been done. Do you really believe that this is the end of this? I think it has only just begun.

The line must be drawn here. Say NO to spyware in all its forms.

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by Norfleet:
Illwinter MIGHT be telling the truth, but this is inconsistent with known behaviors.

And you might be cheating in every game you host. Since you can do it, you must have already done it. There's such a thing as paranoia, and you suffer from it greatly.

They know, and they can do it. As far as I'm concerned, can is will, and will is has.

Then you must be a murderer, since you certainly "can" kill someone.

Why don't you try and not suffer from paranoid delusions so much.

[Scott Hebert]

Norfleet, I respect you greatly for your contributions here. However, I seriously do think you are overreacting to all of this. If you honestly believe everything you've posted in this thread, I'm amazed you allow yourself to be Online at all.

What you've said here smacks of paranoia and conspiracy theory, and to accuse a game company of it is rather humorous, I must say.

From your 'line in the sand' comment, I'm guessing (and it's only a guess) that you checked as Gandalf suggested, and probably found out that it is only a CD key. My sole concern in all of this is that it activated, as you said, on a single-player game. That could be a simple coding bug, though. I mean, we had Abysian Jotuns Last patch because of it, right?

Bottom line is, if you want to black-hole the data, I guess that's your choice. If it doesn't hurt to do it, I can think of few reasons not to do it. However, think about this. Illwinter has a right (and, in fact, a responsibility) to protect its software from piracy. Given the nature of the game, the easiest and most cost-effective method for Illwinter is to have the computers check against a server. The only real alternative is to set up dedicated servers to run MP games, and ONLY allow MP games to be played on those servers. I think, when all is said and done, Illwinter went for the best and least-intrusive method possible, within their means.

Bayushi Tasogare

[Demosthenes]

Originally posted by Norfleet:
Illwinter is far from stupid: They know, and they can do it. As far as I'm concerned, can is will, and will is has. If it can be done, it already HAS been done.

Norfleet you are clearly a highly intelligent individual. The philosophy you are illustrating above plainly shows why you are an excellent wargamer, but it may be lacking in some other, more social, respects.

I have no reason to 'suspect' Illwinter for anything other than trying to protect their IP in the most innocuous manner that such a small company possibly can.

[ April 08, 2004, 01:44: Message edited by: Demosthenes ]