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General discussion (archive)Paradox Interactive's DRM scheme: Paradox Connect(57 posts)(57 posts)
(57 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted July 25, 2010
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pops117: I don't know if something like that exists, but if you have a look at this page or this one for instance you will see the information about the DRM used.
If no information about the DRM is supplied it will mean in most cases that it's DRM-Free. But just to be sure you should tweet them or (if you're like me and don't have twitter) just drop them a mail.
I think they should be more consistent across their game catalogue with that sort of information though.

I assumed not listing a particular DRM meant that it had no 3rd party DRM, but still used the standard GamersGate DRM. GamersGate does say in their FAQ that every game requires activation online.
Posted July 25, 2010
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StingingVelvet: I assumed not listing a particular DRM meant that it had no 3rd party DRM, but still used the standard GamersGate DRM. GamersGate does say in their FAQ that every game requires activation online.

Directly when the download is finished the installation process starts and after installation the installation executable will be removed. So yes, there is an online activation. But while installation process you can backup the installation executable and copy it back to the installation folder, so no further online activation is needed..
Post edited July 25, 2010 by DukeNukemForever
Posted July 25, 2010
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DukeNukemForever: You can use a filter to show only drm-free games. It shows up when you browse a genre category like strategy or adventures, then you get different sort options on the top like sort by, price, list type and filter. So, if you choose the category all games and use as filter drm-free, this site with all drm-free games shows up.
nice function.Now the only thing they need, to throw away the € crap. (let us pay in $ )
Post edited July 25, 2010 by lackoo1111
Posted July 25, 2010
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lackoo1111: nice function.Now the only thing they need, to throw away the € crap. (let us pay in $ )

Yes, that's another big bonus for GOG. Except some special sales or bundles, Gog is for us europeans cheaper.
Posted July 25, 2010
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StingingVelvet: I assumed not listing a particular DRM meant that it had no 3rd party DRM, but still used the standard GamersGate DRM. GamersGate does say in their FAQ that every game requires activation online.

I normally save the GG game file to my external hard drive; then when the auto installer starts up I simply turn off the hard drive, and cancel the install routine.
Then I can go back to the install files and install or reinstall any time I like with no need for GG at all.
If you do not save the file before you install though it will require you to be online and contact with GG.
If they ever change the ability to save the file and not need GG I will no longer purchase from them.
Posted July 25, 2010
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StingingVelvet: I assumed not listing a particular DRM meant that it had no 3rd party DRM, but still used the standard GamersGate DRM. GamersGate does say in their FAQ that every game requires activation online.
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DukeNukemForever: Directly when the download is finished the installation process starts and after installation the installation executable will be removed. So yes, there is an online activation. But while installation process you can backup the installation executable and copy it back to the installation folder, so no further online activation is needed..

Interesting, I'll try it on a cheap game and see what's what. Thanks.
Posted July 25, 2010
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Faithful: I normally save the GG game file to my external hard drive; then when the auto installer starts up I simply turn off the hard drive, and cancel the install routine.
Then I can go back to the install files and install or reinstall any time I like with no need for GG at all.
If you do not save the file before you install though it will require you to be online and contact with GG.
If they ever change the ability to save the file and not need GG I will no longer purchase from them.

Indeed, the online activation in the FAQ refers to the small downloader that needs to be run to authenticate your rights to teh game. Then it will download the whole install suite into a temp folder, the installer executable will then be decrypted by the downloader. So what you do is backing up this decrypted file while the GG downloader is still running. If you close their downloader it will automatically delete that decrypted file (a mystery to me since in another thread someone reported he got his game refunded because he had trouble making a working backup?)
So after that you can just ditch their small downloader completely and have a working installer nonetheless.
Posted August 19, 2010
Bump.
Official announcement today: http://www.paradoxplaza.com/press/2010/8/gamescom-2010-paradox-interactive-announces-paradox-connect
Posted August 20, 2010
This is what drives me up the wall about PC gamers. Let's all panic and pull a Chicken Little act...but not actually bother to seek out actual INFORMATION. No no, we LOVE conjecture!
Now, prepare yourself kids, these are some FACTS for you from the Paradox forums.
From this thread :

F.A.Q.
Q: What are Paradox Achievements?
A: Paradox Achievements are small rewards (in the form of a little icon and a bunch of points) you will get for completing certain goals in games that support Paradox Points. You accumulate points on your profile and you'll be able to track how many paradox points you have gathered while playing our games.
Q: Are "Paradox Achievements" related to Paradox Connect?
A: Yes, in fact, it's one of the first things we're doing with Paradox Connect. Paradox Achievements is essentially a new feature for our upcoming games for those players who chose to use it.
Q: Is this a DRM?! Are you destroying the games I love? Have you turned evil?
A: No, No and No!
Q: Do I have to use this achievement / Paradox connect thingy? I want to play like i've always done.
A: Paradox believes in giving the player choices, so you can decide yourself if you want to have fun with achievements or not.
Q: When are you launching the first achievements?
A: As soon as possible. But we want to find a good launch title for the achievements. We're tentatively launching them Q1 2011.
Q: I only play paradox games with mods, can I still unlock achievements if I I play with Mods?
A: Hard to answer. It really depends on the game. Since we don't want people to cheat at acquiring achievements you currently have to chose to forgo achievements if you want to play with certain mods. We'll get into the details once we've launched the achievements.

From later in the same thread :

Does this mean Paradox Connect will be needed to play/activate the game? Can I play without loggin onto Paradox Connect?
You will always be able to play our games without being connected (unless it's an online match or game of course)

So it ISN'T a DRM scheme. It ISN'T a DLC scheme pulling content out of your games. It ISN'T even required.
What it IS is an achievement system tied in to an existing forum account (if you have one) that is entirely optional. I'm hopjng the next step is a MP system, because Pdox games are a lot of fun with multiple player countries.
But hey, go back to your aimless freaking out over absolutely nothing.
Posted August 20, 2010
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Crassmaster: This is what drives me up the wall about PC gamers. Let's all panic and pull a Chicken Little act...but not actually bother to seek out actual INFORMATION. No no, we LOVE conjecture!
Now, prepare yourself kids, these are some FACTS for you from the Paradox forums.
...
So it ISN'T a DRM scheme. It ISN'T a DLC scheme pulling content out of your games. It ISN'T even required.
What it IS is an achievement system tied in to an existing forum account (if you have one) that is entirely optional. I'm hopjng the next step is a MP system, because Pdox games are a lot of fun with multiple player countries.
But hey, go back to your aimless freaking out over absolutely nothing.

Please read the first post of the topic, as in the interview it was written that word exactly: DRM. The information wasn't out: the only word we had to this day was that one interview.
Not my business/career if they changed their plans/project names and wanted to make it softer, achievements only, whatever thing. I didn't panicked, I warned here, that it was wild speculation.
Post edited August 20, 2010 by taczillabr
Posted August 20, 2010
Is the GG license such that you are allowed to make a copy in this manner? I'm asking because I don't do GG and haven't read their fine print.
Posted August 20, 2010
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taczillabr: It's only in the project phase, though...
Quote, from here: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29543/QA_Paradoxs_Wester_On_Digital_Distribution_Consolidation_DRM_F2P.php
"We're also releasing a service for our gamers. The working name is Paradox Connect. I can't say too much about it because we're going to announce it later, but it's going to allow extra services for the people who actually buy our games.
We're not really a pro-DRM company. We skip DRM for almost all of our titles, so instead we're giving something extra to the people who can prove they actually bought the game. I think that's the best way of fighting piracy. We can speak more about it next time we meet."
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EDIT: After that superficial interview, it was officially revealed at GamesCom, so here's the news:
http://www.paradoxplaza.com/press/2010/8/gamescom-2010-paradox-interactive-announces-paradox-connect
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493064

This is how Stardock started out, they legitimately gave new content (free expansions and stuff) to folks who registered. Of course, they wouldn't offer patches unless you did, either, so that's pretty lame. Stardock isn't nearly so gamer friendly now.
They will likely just be another Impulse or Steam within 2 years or so, should they manage to survive that long.
Posted August 20, 2010
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Crassmaster: So it ISN'T a DRM scheme. It ISN'T a DLC scheme pulling content out of your games. It ISN'T even required.

Yet. Call me cynical, but I'm still expecting this to expand over the next 2-3 years to become some or all of those things.
Posted August 20, 2010
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taczillabr: It's only in the project phase, though...
Quote, from here: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29543/QA_Paradoxs_Wester_On_Digital_Distribution_Consolidation_DRM_F2P.php
"We're also releasing a service for our gamers. The working name is Paradox Connect. I can't say too much about it because we're going to announce it later, but it's going to allow extra services for the people who actually buy our games.
We're not really a pro-DRM company. We skip DRM for almost all of our titles, so instead we're giving something extra to the people who can prove they actually bought the game. I think that's the best way of fighting piracy. We can speak more about it next time we meet."
-
EDIT: After that superficial interview, it was officially revealed at GamesCom, so here's the news:
http://www.paradoxplaza.com/press/2010/8/gamescom-2010-paradox-interactive-announces-paradox-connect
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493064
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orcishgamer: This is how Stardock started out, they legitimately gave new content (free expansions and stuff) to folks who registered. Of course, they wouldn't offer patches unless you did, either, so that's pretty lame. Stardock isn't nearly so gamer friendly now.
They will likely just be another Impulse or Steam within 2 years or so, should they manage to survive that long.

One sizable difference...Paradox customers do not tend to like ANY DRM...INCLUDING things like Steam, and this is made known on a regular basis on the Paradox forums.This is one company that would lose customers in droves if they went that direction. So I think the chances of this happening are as close to nil as you can get.
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Crassmaster: This is what drives me up the wall about PC gamers. Let's all panic and pull a Chicken Little act...but not actually bother to seek out actual INFORMATION. No no, we LOVE conjecture!
Now, prepare yourself kids, these are some FACTS for you from the Paradox forums.
...
So it ISN'T a DRM scheme. It ISN'T a DLC scheme pulling content out of your games. It ISN'T even required.
What it IS is an achievement system tied in to an existing forum account (if you have one) that is entirely optional. I'm hopjng the next step is a MP system, because Pdox games are a lot of fun with multiple player countries.
But hey, go back to your aimless freaking out over absolutely nothing.
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taczillabr: Please read the first post of the topic, as in the interview it was written that word exactly: DRM. The information wasn't out: the only word we had to this day was that one interview.
Not my business/career if they changed their plans/project names and wanted to make it softer, achievements only, whatever thing. I didn't panicked, I warned here, that it was wild speculation.

Yes, DRM was written...in the form of them saying "No, we aren't going that way." :)
And yes, I concede that there was an admission that this was speculative. What I find disappointing is how every time PC gamers speculate, it's the same Chicken Little act over and over again, often with no basis whatsoever.
Post edited August 20, 2010 by Crassmaster
Posted August 20, 2010
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Crassmaster: So it ISN'T a DRM scheme. It ISN'T a DLC scheme pulling content out of your games. It ISN'T even required.
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DarrkPhoenix: Yet. Call me cynical, but I'm still expecting this to expand over the next 2-3 years to become some or all of those things.

Exactly.
As games become more and more service-like they become more and more services, that is just common sense.
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General discussion (archive)Paradox Interactive's DRM scheme: Paradox Connect(57 posts)(57 posts)
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