A few of the most unpopular pieces of software out there have got to be the DRM (Digital Rights Management) programs, which protect other applications, such as games or programs, from being pirated. Although some would say they are a necessary evil, the use of such systems, like the infamous SecuROM, is motivated by gaming companies, because they don't want their products to be pirated.
If only these systems had some less harsh measures, then maybe people would be more understanding, but, as with
Spore or other games that featured SecuROM, the limits imposed by the DRM system were very restrictive, causing a pretty big backlash amongst the gaming community against Electronic Arts, the company behind the title. This response even materialized in a few
class action suits against the big corporation, which cited irreparable damage done to the everyday gamers.
Although the titles that are using SecuROM are getting a bad reputation, that hasn't stopped Rockstar, the developer of the popular Grand Theft Auto series, from incorporating it in its PC version for GTA IV. The announcement was made yesterday by a few representatives of the company, when the game was launched in North America.
Citing it as the "the most effective form of disc based copy protection," Rockstar emphasized the fact that the game would have unlimited installs, but it would require you to authenticate your copy over the Internet in order to gain access to the 32-player online multiplayer, and, as usual, to have the disc inserted into your DVD unit. The only users who would be spared of this torment would be the ones who ordered the game via the Steam online distribution network, which didn't require you to have an actual disc of the game.
The only time you will be asked to re-authenticate your copy of the game will be when you buy two major component parts, like the processor or the graphics card. Other than that, even if you reinstall the game, SecuROM won't ask you to authenticate a game. When you uninstall the game though, traces of the program will still be made, like registry entries, but Rockstar has said that it is working on a tool that will erase them.
All in all, it seems that, although SecuROM will be implemented into this game, its presence won't be felt by regular users. Let's just hope that the infamous program won't affect anyone's gaming experience too much.
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