I assume you can install it as many times as you like on the same system, as long as the hardware hasn't changed eg after a windows re-install?
I'm basing this on the way OEM copies of Windows work (I had to ring MS to reinstall Vista on my new pc).
I assume you can install it as many times as you like on the same system, as long as the hardware hasn't changed eg after a windows re-install?
I'm basing this on the way OEM copies of Windows work (I had to ring MS to reinstall Vista on my new pc).
No, you can install it twice, thats it. Nothing more nadda, Now they might use what some people have said and over time like 2 weeks you can activate it again but who knows. Only time will tell.
I should be able to reinstall however many times i want, if i were so inclined.Originally Posted by kojicolnair
Infact i would've done that if i were getting the retail version, calling them, activating, uninstalling, reinstalling, calling them, until they finally get a ☺☺☺☺ing brain and remove it.
Nope. Two installs on the same PC in different copies of windows counts as the two automatic installations, and you can't then install a third time on the same PC or another PC - automatic activation is denied.
It's possible further installations will be possible after getting manual authorisation via securerom, but no guarantee - 2k have stated previously in the cultofrapture articles and elsewhere that retail activation is internet only, no phone activation.
Yeah, you should be able too and if i knew this I wouldve gotten it on steam instead of buying the box but too late now.
Just tried via Steam - re-installing my system 3 times - no problems with the 3. time installation .... downloading BioShock and.....it is working.......
SO......go for Stem.....
Two installs on pc only? wtf. I wouldn't of ordered the damn game if i'd known it was practically useless. I used to think EA bad.........
They had a response to the broken Big Daddy problem before the game was even released. This is a much more serious problem, and one they had to see coming when they put the limit on the software. I'm definitely waiting for recall before I play mine now. And if they do issue new discs I'd like for them to remove the online activation as well, so I know I'll be able to still play it five years from now. I can't believe so many companies don't get it. Pirates are perfectly capable of getting around all this stuff. That's why they're pirates. The only people you're making it hard for are the people that paid for and want to play the game.
Sorry I probably wasn't very clear - I meant if I re-install the SAME windows (ie reformat my system) - or does the securom thing simply count how many times the key has been registered? Could be a problem if the game needs a bit of work to get it running - I had to install Stalker 2 or 3 times to get it working properly. Funnily enough, it turned out the problem was with the securom copy protection...
I post no links, I have no idea if they are genuine, and I HAVE ORDERED A GENUINE COPY OF THE GAME, but there ARE (allegedly) activation cracks out there.
here's the real irony - 2k is basically ignoring questions abt activation [they haven't even posted here to say something like "we're looking in2 it"], its been over 8 hours since some1 asked completely legit questions abt activation.
BUT
if some1 was 2 post a link 2 the pirated version of the game in this thread exactly how long do u think it would take 2k 2 respond?
...
and how long are ppl going 2 wait before they decide 2 pirate the game?
/don't tread on me
To 2k: You wont get any money from me yet. But i promise i´ll buy a legal copy later if the flaw is fixed!
Its so sad then you force the fans of your creations to fall down to piracy.
Seriously..this is a pile of horse☺☺☺☺. We pay $50 and get treated like scumbag criminals. I'm still in shock at the stupidity of 2k for putting in a system like this, it's disgusting. Again displaying how legit PC gamers always get screwed over, while 360 users can do whatever the hell they want (even able to pick the game up early, got the demo early ect..) Needless to say if this copy protection (read trojan) isn't removed Bioshock will have been my last 2k games purchase.
This is the dumbest thing 2K have ever done.
Especially at this point in time when Vista is relatively knew. Because let's face facts, lots of people will be on XP right now. So they install Bioshock (that's one). They then upgrade to Vista a month down the line (that's two). Six months down the line they want to upgrade their CPU and ram, so they decide to upgrade their motherboard while they're at it (that's three... oh wait... crap).
What do they do now?
I could very well fall into this catergory. I would like to get vista at some point, I also need to upgrade my machine, which also desperatly needs a new motherboard. I also know that I won't be able to afford all this in one chunk, so they'll have to be purchased months apart. I paid Ł40 for this game ($80 US). Two activations is a joke!
SecureROM just seem to count the number of times the key is successfully used for activation. Install bioshock once, wipe windows and reinstall same windows on same PC, you'll activate successfully the 2nd time. Wipe windows and install bioshock again on the same PC on the same version of windows, i.e. 3rd total activation, and you'll be denied bioshock activation with the retail copy.
We don't know whether the limit is per day, per week, per lifetime. Nor do we know if there will be manual phone activations available for install number 3.
We're just sitting twiddling our thumbs for word from 2K - been over 12 hours now, hopefully we'll get some kind of statement inside the next 24 hours before my retail pre-order turns up!
Far as I know, there's no actual non-fake crack out yet for the online activation, only the usual bypass for the securom-DVD-clone-check. I'm sure it's not that far away though.
I'm not seeing this problem, because I only have 1 gaming machine that I'll install BioShock on, I am interested in this though.
When people are saying only 2 activations, do they mean on the same computer, or on different computers?
PoG
Either and both. If the limit is a lifetime limit, better hope you don't need to reinstall windows more than once, or upgrade to vista, or upgrade the motherboard!
Maybe they'll "fix" this feature with a patch like Supreme Commander did, and just remove the protection completely? One can only hope. If not, probably time for a crack. Hell, it's time for a crack anyways. Why do I need the DVD in the drive?
On the same computer, though it's unclear so far if the activation timer resets after a certain amount of time.
Piracy isn't killing the PC gaming industry..........publishers like 2K Games are killing their own games with their attitude. How ironic. Bioshock with it's stupid "only two activations" should be at least critisized by the PC games journalist
Actually, this can be anything.
I have researched about some similar activation systems, and basically, what the game do is sending your serial code and a number representing your machine automatically generated by analyzing your hardware and software (windows). Then it is the activation server who decides whether to autorize it or not.
And the rules on the server can be anything : it can be two times per serial, two times per serial with different hardware code, two times every month... And the funnier part is that it can change over time : limits can be loosened or tightened depending how the marketing monkeys at 2K are feeling. The server could also disappear or become unavailable (Take Two is not in a very good financial condition after all).
For a quick fix, Take2 could easily lossened the rules on the activation server. But it doesn't change the heart of the problem which is that online activation is stupid when talking about "purchased" software (for renting, no problem).
So technically, they can deny you at any time the right to install (and thus play) you paid game. And on a legalese point of view, I'm pretty sure that the EULA have clauses which says "we can change the rules anytime, etc...", while giving the customer no hard-written minimal warranties of any kind about what he can with the game it has just purchased. (Steam has such contractual clauses).
And frankly what is the purpose of online activation? It may limit pre-launch leaking, but come on, a normal mandatory patch (that can be happily copied around) can solve that as well (once patched, the game could still have classic CD based protection.
This situation is just insane. The demo already annoyed me with this "Process Explorer" non-sense, I'll just skip this overhypped BioShock. No matter how good the game is, I buy a finished product. If the product is crap because of paranoid DRM, the game is crap, period.
When legit people have to look to 3rd party patches to solve their problem, you are not fighting piracy, but encouraging it.
Thank heavens I saw this thread while there was still time to cancel my order at Amazon.co.uk.
There is no way that I will install such an aggressively DRM infected program on my machine. If I buy a program, I expect to be able to re-install when I update or replace my machine without all this nonsense.
A shame really, I was looking forward to this game.
Still, I expect the pirates will be enjoying it totally unencumbered by the Digital Restrictions Management infection within a couple of weeks. Shame paying customers don't get the same consideration.
Pay your money and be treated like thieves. I don't think so.
So am I not gonna be able to play the game, finish the game, and then sell it on ebay to someone else who wants it?
Once I've finished with a game I wont go back to it and no point it just sitting there gathering dust.
May cancel my order if this is the case, hope not
I ordered hardware update to my computer worth 300€ for this game so I was quite exited to buy Bioshock as soon as possible. Luckily money transfer for the hardware between banks was delayded, so I haven't bought the game yet. I will not spend my money to game if I can't be sure it will run on my future computers too, wether or not securom/2k games even exists any more. Maybe I will pirate this game. Happy now, 2K?
To fix this, 2k needs to come clear and tell that activation is time related AND in the future there will be patch to remove this online activation crap completely.
I find it funny for a game with over the top copy protection to have on one of the loading screens "Ryan's techies can make it unhackable, but we'll still hack it eventually."
I did not know there was a 2 time online activation limit and I am not impressed either.
Yesterday when I picked up the game I activated it in Vista to see the DX10 Features. The thing is even with 2 8800 GTX in SLI it did not seem to perform as well as I expected.
So, I booted into XP, and then activated the game a second time to see how it performs in XP (which seems to run a lot smoother even though there is no DX10 Graphics).
Here is were I am upset, I have a copy activated in XP and in VISTA.... I had no Idea this was it for my activations. I am sure I will be fine for a while as I do have 2 copies active, but I do not want to call anyone in the future if I reinstall the game (this is not acceptable to me).
I hope it is a temporary limit, because if I go to activate the game a few weeks down the road (in case I remove the game to free HD space, or OS issues) then I am afraid I can not support the publisher in the future. To me when I buy something, I want to be able to use it without picking up the phone and asking for permission.
I am fine for today, but I really hope 2K addressed this before I want to activate a third time. Pissing of those that support your work is not the best way to build a loyal fanbase.
Cheers
wow if those last few posts arnt from the same person with multiple accounts this is actually worse than i thought
The Question is: If the game is properly uninstalled via the uninstaller tool, do we get one activation back?
I also ordered it without knowing about the copy protection which, as I wrote in another thread here, could even be illegal where I live.
The game installing a rootkit on my machine will definately make it a no-go for me. Sadly, Virtual machines cannot use the 3d capabilities of ones graphics card, so I can´t just run it in a VM.
Hmm this is certainly disheartening. I think personally myself, rather than teaming up with Valve to just distribute the game you should have used it to activate the game too, as their methods are usually less susceptible to cracks.
I am actually considering keeping my figurine and selling the copy I have of the game (if anyone will actually buy it now!!!), and re-buying the game on Steam, as it's essentially tied to my Steam account then. And I can transfer the game between as many machines as I like I would imagine, as I am somewhat of a compulsive upgrader. With new motherboards, graphics cards and CPUs coming through my home at least twice a year.
I mean I hope this is clarified, as nothing is certain yet. LFS (Live For Speed) has a weird limit to number of activations, but you gain 1 each month, until you reach your maximum (I think is 4?) which helps if you constantly upgrade and need to completely reinstall your OS, so hopefully something like that was employed here.
http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6037
It's confirmed. 2 activations and that's your lot. If you beg and beg securerom *might* let you activate one more time, or they may tell you to bugger off.
Guess it's time to tell my gaming group the news and start planning refunds (too late to cancel now). Ah well. Thanks for nothing 2K. Hope you remember this when you see absymal sales figures on the PC - it was your own damn anti-piracy measures that stopped legitimate customers buying your game, and no doubt will turn a bunch of them to piracy.
Wow. Had I known about this BS before purchasing the game, I certainly would have just pirated the damn thing.
The confusing thing is that I don't see how -any- of this is going to prevent illegal copies of the game from being downloaded.
I can't believe they're stupid enough to alienate the PC fanbase like this. Their future greatly depends on how much we respect them and they are toying with us like we're not even part of the equation.
srry im done, its a great game but being anal raped to play it is a step to far for me.
its pirate time
Steam version apparently also have this, but instead of 2 installs it's limited to different pc's, story here:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forum...d.php?t=589874
what about hardware failure? what if our harddrive burns out/anything else? fark me! do they expect computer hardware to last forever?
So lets get this straight: IF you buy it you can install and uninstall it two times, then its OVER? WTF?
IS IT NOT CONFIRMED YET OR WTF IS GOING ON WITH 2K???
WTF?! 2k you suck! You're so lucky I like the game and I can't cancel my preorder that you're still going to get my money. Please fix like the 2
masssive massive problems with this game:
1. drop securom protection, it sucks, it puts a rootkit on my pc!! it does not stop piracy
2. support true widescreen
Please 2k stop pissing off the dedicated pc gamers that are trying really REALLY hard to like you, despite these problems
You guys should calm down a bit.
Unfortunately, with many of today's games, you have to activate online. If you have a problem with it I suggest emailing the company and saying you're unhappy with this method of activation. Say it puts you off buying the publisher's titles in future. Despite the protection system, I think the companies do try their best to help genuine customers though.
I recently bought Test Drive Unlimited online, installed it 3 times after problems with my operating system, and then was locked out of the game because of a 3 install limit. An email to the copy protection co (I think it was Securcom, but not 100%) resulted in a manual activation code PLUS resetting activation limit to 3 again.
While I'm not happy with the copy protection, I was happy with the speedy response and that they didn't interrogate me about why I had gone over the limit.
By the sounds of it though, a lot of you are doing stuff that the copy protection is meant to protect against e.g. installing on more than 1 PC at the same time so that brother is playing at same time as you etc. That's technically against the license agreement (of any game, not just BioShock).
The activation isn't as bad as is being made out; it's more stringent than Half Life 2 but about equal in other ways when you think that to activate either game you do need internet connection. I'd prefer a one-time activation though like Steam with Half Life 2 where you have an account that associates all your games with you. Maybe Securcom will do that in future.
Im almost afraid to voice this thought but has anyone else taken a stop back and honestly asked whether 2k wouldnt have seen this coming?
I mean, they must play pc games, they know what a ball breaker a 2 install limit would be and yet they're enforcing it even on steam which has its own security... so why did they go ahead and do it anyway?
I reckon there are two options, one good and one bad.
The good one is that yet again were just being left in the dark and that this, as some people have suggested, is just a temporary thing to try and curb the launch piracy. If this is the case then ok, but get it removed quick and thanks for letting us know
The bad one is that they saw this coming and thought it was worth the ☺☺☺☺☺ing and lost profits (4 a.m forever) and are going to back this protection all the way... bad for obvious reasons.
Tbh after all the ☺☺☺☺ ups ive still got a teeny tiney bit of faith (i hate to use the word but its all i can think of) that they wouldnt ☺☺☺☺ us over THAT much, so lets hope its just temporary and try and chill out a bit. Shades on people
hey guys,
first, let me say this. you DO NOT NEED TO USE THE INTERNET EVERY TIME YOU PLAY THIS GAME. it is only the first time.
second, you can uninstall and reinstall this game, and if, by chance, you have 2 computers you want to simultaneously play this game on, you also can do that.
if by some chance you are reinstalling this game without uninstalling it first, a lot, there is a chance you may have to call securom and get a key, or deactivate some older installations.
but if you upgrade your hardware next week, you'll still be able to play the game. if you revamp your system and need to reinstall bioshock, just uninstall it before you go through the overhaul, and then do your reinstall.
calling it "hardware fingerprinting" is a bit alarmist. we do not transmit any of your data to any companies.
really, the only people who will be concerned about any of these security measures are those who are rapidly putting bioshock on many pcs... if you use the game as you normally do, you won't notice this at all.
OK, i just cancelled my preorder at game.co.uk. ☺☺☺☺ you, 2k. Can i be any more clear than this?
jj
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