[Macworld]

Post your comments for EA admits to overreaching DRM in Spore, gamers still upset here

[NaOH]

"Please do not continue to post these threads or your account may be at risk of banning which in some cases would mean you would need to buy a new copy to play Spore."
That's an even more scary prospect.
It would appear that AE are not only happily restricting how their customers can handle the Spore game. It also seems that they will penalise their customers for expressing an opinion that AE doesn't like.
Admittedly the penalty is specifically related to discussing the DRM on AE's messageboard and AE are within their right to judge certain topics unsuitable. However, effectively killing off a user's game is in my mind going too far.

[ForumShark]

That's annoying. I bought Spore and had heard about some sort of Spyware. Is SecuROM Spyware? If it is, isn't that illegal? What exactly does it do? What about the people who already own Spore? Do they get the 2 extra instals?

[warlock7]

Wow!!! They'll ban accounts of legitimate consumers if they complain on the EA forums about ignorant EA policies? FU EA!!! No more EA titles. Don't buy Madden or any other EA title. Stick it to them on their bottom line.

If they respect their customers then they certainly shouldn't be threatening them through the forums which are there to help support those same angry customers.

I hope that they get this Class Action to stick.

[folklore]

Is this the same Sony trojan that was used on audio CDs some time ago? Did they not learn from that PR nightmare and eventual replacement of those audio discs?

[NaOH]

If I remember correctly, the SecuROM software is the same as what Sony got into trouble for using on copy-protected CDs a few of years ago.

It is effectively a secret piece of software that puts itself on a Windows PC when a CD is played or a copy-protected application is installed. The SecuROM software can't be removed by any conventional means. (You effectively have to dig around in the inner workings of the PC to get rid of it.)

It is this software that checks with AE to see how many times you have installed Spore.

The issue with SecuROM isn't really about what it does, but rather that it is installed without the user's knowledge and that there is no practical way for the user to remove it in the event that it causes problems. (As SecuROM has been known to do.)

[rutledgek]

"Please do not continue to post these threads or your account may be at risk of banning which in some cases would mean you would need to buy a new copy to play Spore."
What does discussion board banning have to do with the playability of a game. How can a ban in one place effectively force one to buy a new game?

[NaOH]

The license for the game appears to be tied to the discussion board account.

If the discussion board account is banned, the game license is revoked.

(This seems to be a hugely draconian approach, and may be illegal in several countries.)

[Kingofthewebkinz]

The solution is so simple--just don't buy their games--none of them, not just this one.

I think life will go on without EA.

[ffistometer]

Sounds to me like this "EA moderator on the official Spore forums" has been given a little too much power and it's gone to his or her head.
Am forced to wonder whether as "folklore" commented above, this is either the same software or the son-of software that turned into a PR disaster for Sony on Audio CDs a few years ago.
Some arrogant people are doomed to make the same mistakes over and over, as they won't listen.
Won't be buying Spore in ANY format until this issue is resolved!!!

[folklore]

ffistometer said:

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Quote

Won't be buying Spore in ANY format until this issue is resolved!!!

If it is similar to Sony's last debacle, it doesn't affect Mac users. I know this was a story from a partner, but this being Macworld and all, it'd be nice to know if the trojan installs on Macs and PCs, or just PCs.

[Hurley42]

Too bad I have bought the game. However I have yet to install it. Maybe it is time to try to sell it on eBay. I had no idea it came with spyware. I have no intentions of installing this piece of crap onto my computer.

[dan55304]

Kingofthewebkinz said:

The solution is so simple--just don't buy their games--none of them, not just this one.

I think life will go on without EA.

I agree. I was burned by the 3 installs when my laptop was replaced and I couldn't install Spore again. I paid $80 for the Galactic Edition as a collector item. I pre-ordered weeks before the release and didn't know about the DRM. I also didn't realize this DRM scheme prevents me from ever selling the game. So, no need for the collector version.

I bought mine at Amazon and they're are allowing me to return it. I'd recommend that to everyone allowed to return an open game. I made the mistake of paying thousands of dollars for Adobe's Creative suite only to find out it has the same kind of DRM. Again, was burned just reinstalling the system OS and the software.

What, I'm supposed to ask permission to use software I paid for? Never again will I purchase any software with this kind of DRM. I hope the rest of consumers will do the same and we can put an end to this junk.

[Hurley42]

dan55304,

RE:"I bought mine at Amazon and they're are allowing me to return it. I'd recommend that to everyone allowed to return an open game."

Did you have to contact Amazon's customer support? Their return policy says they only take returns of unopened items. I have opened my Spore DVD, but have not installed it yet. I would LOVE to be able to return this expensive spyware.