Digital rights management

[bsfins]

So I was price shopping frontline plus on amazon,it was $20 cheaper than Petmeds,I added it to my cart, where I left preorder of Bioshock2.I clicked on it, and saw New version for like $23 +$4 shipping (It's not there the cheapest version was $31 my buddy was going to buy it, I showed him the receipt to prove to him I paid what I did) I figured my Luck too good to be true, it's a pirated version, or all in Japanese...So far everything's fine,it was a sealed package.

It came Saturday...I went to install it on my P.C.,then started jumping through hoops.I had to get a Windows live account, then sign up for XBOX live gamers account,I have an internet connection at all times,then I put in the serial number,which is "Supposed" only be able to used by my P.C.After making sure I had all the Direct X,Video drivers,Proper accounts,and logged into them all...I got to play for an hour.....

Yahoo had an article,about Some used games,soon you might have to pay an extra charge to get downloadable content...I've not found any downloadable content worth a darn.

I've read some games limit how many times they can be installed,and most have anti piracy software....

Personally, I think it's all bunk, people who pirate the software find ways around all of it,and it just frustrates the honest people that buy the game.I fell like the video game industry is taking a too many ques from the music industry,frustrating their customers....I understand game companies,have to make money,and are trying to protect their product.I just think it's not the best way to go about it....

What's your thoughts on DRM on Video games?

[Dave Gray]

I don't think that DRM is the way to cut piracy down.  While it does hurt piracy, it also hurts your consumers, and generally turns people off that are willing to buy.

I think a much better method is to offer additional support to members with confirmed accounts, via serial numbers or whatever else.  Mass Effect 2 did this.  The game is on the disc, but you can get some pretty cool downloadable stuff for free on the day of launch if you use the numerical code inside the actual box.  Since then, they've had periodic free downloads for people who have the code.

It doesn't outright stop someone from stealing the game, but it encourages those who really care about it to pony up for an official copy.

I think it's a happy medium that rewards an honest purchase, rather than trying to penalize.

[StL FinFan]

B, this is off the subject, but if you are purchasing Frontline Plus on the internet, make sure it is US made, otherwise I could be counterfeit and at best not work and at worst make your dog sick.  We have had reports of some coming out of Australia.  It has not made any dogs sick that I have heard of, but it did not work.

[bsfins]

Wait, Wait Wait....The Last two Definitely,and pretty positive the 3 I've bought were all made in France.All three bought from different places....January I bought 6 pack 45-88 lb from Race Bros farm and home supply (locally),I just threw that package away two days ago,and was 99.5% it was made in France, because I compared the two boxes.Then Last August I bought same package from Petmeds,I compared packages but not near as much....The price difference made me compare packages so carefully this time....I thought they were expired,or something,frontline, not frontline plus,etc,etc....

Thank you for the heads up STL,I do appreciate it...