That is a fantastic point. I only hope that it shows the world that DRM-free is attractive and not that consumers don't care. :) Obviously relative size (i.e. number of users/prominence) of the distribution service should be taken into account somehow. But beyond that it would be nice to show that people went for the GOG DRM-free version of an otherwise exact same product more than expected given its availability on other distribution services with DRM under the null assumption consumers didn't care about DRM. Beyond even that, just showing that offering a DRM-free version hasn't increased piracy percentages or hurt sales would be a huge win for the consumer.

Nope. I'm a very busy pirate :-P

We'll see... maybe I could purchase the boxed version of the game+the GOG digital one and switch the executables to fuck the fucking SecuROM shit. First of all, I'll take a cracked version to see if the game runs on my system, of course....

What I didn't realise was that there were so many 10 armed gaming deities out there that can simultaneously play the game on 5 PCs.

That's a new one. "I want to see if it works". I suppose it's more convincing than the demo excuse.

Well you can always buy the GoG version of the game to have a DRM-free version and buy the physical version to have the physical goodies that come with it, you don't need to swap executable or anything.

This is the issue, their explanation doesn't "work".

You can install it an unlimited number of times on an unlimited number of computers.

Let's do an example and I install it on 10 computers (which is must less than "infinite").

There must be some DRM outside of the "internet connection only required during install" to limit you to only playing it on 5 computers at once.

EDIT: Please bear in mind that this is from memory and at the time, I was more worried it was going to be on the GOG version than the details :P

On the SecuROM version. There is no DRM on the GOG version. You are given a CD key but its OPTIONAL. Go and watch the announcement again. They clearly defined the limitations of the SecuROM version then said the GOG version is DRM free.

I thought for the DRM version it was you were only allowed to install it 5 times but you can de-authorize installations any amount of times thus giving you effectively infinite installs, just not all at once. So you can only have it installed on a maximum of 5 at any one time, but over time, it can be infinite installs. Thus the DRM is at the install level only.

Simpler way: purchase on GOG.com, get it DRM-free, and avoid the hassle. :)

I know it isn't on the GOG version now, but the stream kept dropping out (and I missed the start) and I only found out when the staff confirmed it on the forums.

It doesn't detract from my point though. As far as I recall, the SecuROM version was described as only requiring an internet connection during install.. which can't be the case if you are limiting how many instances can be started.

They are not so much telling you what you can do with what you purchased, as allowing you to purchase something that is limited. You know before buying it what its constraints are, if they sold it to you as unlimited and then told you not to break certain limits then it would be different.

If you bought a car that had a max speed of 60mph, are they telling you that you can't go beyond 60, or just selling you a car that isn't capable of it?

In this case it is a designed and built-in restriction, but you are buying the restricted product fully aware of its limits.

lukipela and I, I think may have solved your conundrum :)
True but in fairness they are artificially restricting it - they don't have to restrict it. It's not like they aren't putting in a better engine, they're putting something extra in to slow the car down. Badly worded but I think you get my gist. :)

Besides the DRM-free option is there for anyone who wants it. :) So for the first we have the option and we get to see if DRM is all it's "cracked" up to be. Oh yes.

What excuse? I'm not hypocritical, so I don't need any excuse. I pirate what I want, I purchase what I want. So sue me....

That's rather easy. On install the game phones home it checks how many games are currently active with that key. If there are already 5 active it won't let you activate a 6th one. You will have to stop playing the game one of the 5 currently running machines before you can start the game on number 6. Why this would be an issue for anyone other than a very rich octopus is beyond me.

Actually, it could be argued that the limits are not clearly defined.

They say an "internet connection" is required. It's possible to have an internet connection and still not be able to install (e.g. if their servers are offline) :)

NO, you can install on five computer at time with an unlimited number of deactivation, that's different.

That's how they do the check, try to install it on a 6th computer and it wont work until you deauthorize on of the previous five. Nothing new here it's exactly how most all similar activation scheme works