As Draconian as Microsoft has becomes with their software licencing and validation, you ain't seen nothing yet.
A game coming out later this month called "Mass Effect" will require the program to be validated every 10 days or it will stop working.
This isn't just for Online Multi-player, the single player will also require the game to go online and re-validate itself every 10 days.
If you don't allow the game to call home at least once every ten days, the game stops working.

I hope other companies don't follow suit.
I can see a several different ways something like this could be abused.

BTW I'm willing to bet, because of this it will be one of the most pirated games of the year.

One question EA games has yet to answer is what happens when they eventually shut down the validation servers.There is a chance your legitimately bought game will become a toaster.
Similar to what will happen to music bought off MSN Entertainment and Video Services.
After August 31, they will no longer support retrieval of license keys.
So if you transfer your music when you buy a new computer or install Vista, you will no longer be able to play music you legally bought from them.

bad.

I really dont think they have thought this trough.......what appens if you go away for 2 weeks vacation.

Do you HAVE to take a laptop and the game with you ?

Say you go on a business trip for 11 days you have to take the game aswel ?

I do think your right Rob.....it will be Priated as hell....



and wheres the music gone from my sig ?????

If you go beyonf the 10 days it stops working until you allow the game to contact their validation servers.
So if you didn't play the game for 2 weeks, you couldn't play again until you let it call home.

No Clue about your Signature, I have my options setup not to view them.
What's strange is it doesn't work even if you veiw it directly
http://www.mobclan.com/sigs/Cross.swf
It shows the anaimation but no sound.
Does it work for anyone?
Maybe some kind of conflict between SWF an the new flash player?

That sig has music?
I've never heard it. damn.

Hey Dean, Robert was kind enough to post your music when I made your sig. I believe someone removed all the music files associated with the sigs. I'm sure Robert can track it down for you. Your sig looks for this file: http://8.9.4.75/sigs/panzerlied.mp3

I still have the original file if it has gone completely AWOL.

That would explain it.
That points to the dedicated server which they have wiped and re-installed.
So the file no longer exist.

Hamma if you still have the file.
Send me a copy with an updated sig pointing to www.mobclan.com/sigs/file_name
Then I'll take care of the rest.

When I buy my new pc I'm honestly thinking if buying it with xp installed-forget vista; I've a feeling there seems to be something sinister and 'big brotherly' in its future.

I think one thing you'll see is consumers refusing to buy it. Let them keep their game and copy protection..... they'll relax a bit after eating the cost of developing a game and the protection for it when everyone says... Nah. No thanks. Sounds like something EA would do. Yet another reason they won't see another penny from me.....

cheers Hamma and Robert.............

Robert should have the new and improved sig now, Dean. Let me know if there are any further issues.

Eyyyy I will ( in rough Scotts voice)

Done

Thank you! Seeing my goofy sig makes me miss the old days!

I can just see it now...you in a field on Kursk looking for your rusty o`l tank...