BioShock's DRM Disaster

[Hae-Yu]

What was probably the leading candidate for Game of the Year is rapidly losing it's edge due to its overly restrictive and malfunctioning DRM scheme.

The root of the problem is compatibility issues with Vista (http://www.thegng.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5186) or graphics drivers which are generating multiple installs which triggers the DRM. With stellar reviews fueling high expectations and strong sales, emotions among gamers are running hot. These emotions among a larger-than-normal debut crowd is creating an unruly atmosphere online.

Tom's Hardware details (http://www.twitchguru.com/2007/08/27/bioshock_drm/)what is shaping up to be the worst launch in gaming history. If this continues much longer, 2k Games' only recourse to pacifying their base is to disable DRM altogether.

[zero]

If they removed the DRM bullshit, and the stupid installer check that doesn't let it run on Win2k I'd go buy it right now. Until it's fixed, or someone puts out a "fix" for it, I don't think I'll get to play this game, that was looking to be a very good game.

[JimbobSS]

I got it. haven't had any problems with it. I'm running XP though. only thing bad that happened while I was playing was the BSoD I got the other day, but it hasn't done it since then and I didn't need to re-install it.

P.S. stop being so busy with RL and come play some games sometime Zero!

[Nebula]

Yeah, RL is for losers.

That really sucks for 2k (is that who made it? I thought that was like a skiing/snowboarding company)

Anyhow, no one wants that kind of rep on their record. They should put out a fix or patch immediately. New purchases should have this fix included as part of the installer... or it should automatically go out to some site and install it for you.

I blame two things here.

1- Inadequate testing on Vista machines
2- Windows Vista itself

As for gaming, I've noticed Vista to be pretty problematic. Systems that should have no problem running some of the latest games are crashing on games that were developed a few years ago due to the instability of Vista. Even if the testers did everything they can, if the OS is a piece of crap... then, well, you're gonna still run in to problems.

[Nimmy]

Well, there was windows 3.1 or whatever it was, then windows 95, then 98.

All those where widely used.

Then came 2000 - for server people, and then came ME (is it just me or was it a joke?). Amoungst other window OS's. And after all that laughable stuff was over along came XP. Which was another somewhat-stable OS (I miss the blue screen, but I never crash anymore since being on xp). So you have to look and think "Windows ME... is, vista.". A prettily packaged OS for moneys sake.... Its why I'll wait for the next win98/xp operating system to come out.... lol

But I've had issues with bioshock. Seems like a odd game/odd way it came about.

Note on my view of bioshock : Creators = Greedy sacraficial pigs.

[LaRoacha2]

Nothings wrong with Vista on good hardware,,,,,,,the problems come with trying to run it on underpowered 5 year old shit. If you have a 5 year old computer and you don't want anything faster, then stick with XP. On good hardware,,,,,,Vista hum's right along. I have yet to throw a program at Vista that didn't work. In the beginning when I 1st upgraded, there was a few issues, but they've long since been worked out, and Vista has been as stable if not more so than any XP install I've had. To compare Vista to WindowsME is just plain ignorant. ME was simply eyecandy that broke an otherwise unstable OS,,,,,,Win98. Vista is XP taken to the next level.

[sylverarrow]

ME was a piece of shit. OMG, I don't even know what MS was thinking. As for XP, XPhas been great. But before the service packs, XP sucked as well. Vista is good and will no doubt improve but it's new. So there is always going to be problems. I won't get Vista until at the least SP1. Remember how shitty XP was until SP2?

[Phenix]

I have friend who installed Bioshock onto Vista and it failed like three times with somecrypic errors. When he rebooted his PC he couldn't get Vista to load. He went through post and bios but the OS wouldn't start (i dont know if he got errors, blue screen, or if it just froze) he ended up reinstalling Vista to fix it.
The XBox360 version is supposed to be fun, I know three or four people playing it. I prefer my mouse and keyboard for FPS needs, though, so if I get it, it'll be for the PC.

[LaRoacha2]

I have friend who installed Bioshock onto Vista and it failed like three times with somecrypic errors. When he rebooted his PC he couldn't get Vista to load. He went through post and bios but the OS wouldn't start (i dont know if he got errors, blue screen, or if it just froze) he ended up reinstalling Vista to fix it.
The XBox360 version is supposed to be fun, I know three or four people playing it. I prefer my mouse and keyboard for FPS needs, though, so if I get it, it'll be for the PC.


Ok,,,,,,you're gonna make me pick up Bioshock just to prove a point.........I'll get it tom. Bet you money it installs without a hitch.........

[Nebula]

oh.. I bet it will install...

have fun with the crashes though

[Hae-Yu]

Roach, if you do, MS has released several updates you may need before you do. Some of these have been released as Hot Fixes (meaning not official patches). Some mainstream site, (PC Mag, ExtremeTech..?) recently had a list of must-have fixes for Vista gaming but now I can't find it. You're probably on top of it already, but just in case...

[LaRoacha2]

Roach, if you do, MS has released several updates you may need before you do. Some of these have been released as Hot Fixes (meaning not official patches). Some mainstream site, (PC Mag, ExtremeTech..?) recently had a list of must-have fixes for Vista gaming but now I can't find it. You're probably on top of it already, but just in case...


I think I got em all covered bro, there were two hotfixes that were posted on windows update a couple of weeks ago, and then one hotfix that isn't on windows update that concerns graphics virtual addressing problems, and also one other that addressed SLI/Crossfire setups. Also, both Nvidia and ATI/AMD have issued hotfixes specifically for BioShock. I think I'm shored up. ;)

[LaRoacha2]

Ok, I went and got it, and I'm installing it now, and the 1st shocker is right after install, it automatically goes out and finds and installs patches.........Fuckin' cool,,,,,this is the 1st game I've seen do that. I'll either post up tom. that it worked well on my Vista system, or I'll be gone for a day or two reinstalling everything..........wish me luck.

[LaRoacha2]

DRM's slowing me down,,,,,,,,I typed in the required shit and was informed that I can't activate online,,,,,,,nice,,,,,,,,,so they give me a phone number to call like MS does to do it over the phone,,,,,,right? Nope,,,,,,,email address,,,,,,,,and now I'm checking my inbox every couple of min's. If these fuckers don't respond until tom. I'm gonna be one pissed off motherfucker. I'll let you know.

[Nimmy]

I used to play mech warrior 3. Hasbro actually released a expansion pack to the game and then they deleted their company. One last act of money-making before they close their doors. So when the game sucked you went wtf? .. And they went, hahahaha....

I'm weary of anything with almsot instant/random popularity.

[JimbobSS]

I think the game is actually pretty good.....I'm still playing it....

[LaRoacha2]

Well, as of right now,,,,,no reply,,,,,,,,on a brighter note,,,,,,I played a single table tourney while waiting on Absolute poker and came in 2nd,,,,,,,,,woot,,,,,,2 whole fuckin' bucks.

[LaRoacha2]

The DRM thing turned out to be my fault,,,,,,,the serial number has 5 groups of 4 digits each and in the 4th one I typed a zero for an "O". It wasn't until today that I noticed that each group of 4 digits had 3 letters and a number, so W3OG was not W3-zero-G. Other than that, I've played it for about 45 min's and it seem pretty cool so far. Just to prove that it hasn't somehow hosed Vista on me, after I post this, I'm gonna reboot and post again.

cya

[LaRoacha2]

OK, reboot over,,,,,,,Vista's fine,,,,,,,,,BioShock will not kill Vista! And the world isn't flat........

[JimbobSS]

glad to see you finally got it working! now you can see for yourself what all the hype was about :biggrin: