What is DRM and how does it affect the way I play a video game?

Question

With the sims 3 due for realease next month i've been doing a bit of research on the internet. I found quite a lot of reviewers saying that they were not going to buy the game because it contained something called DRM. What is DRM, what are its disadvantages and how will it affect how the game plays on my computer?

Answer 1

DRM refers to access control technologies used by hardware manufacturers, publishers and copyright holders to limit usage of digital media or devices. It can also refer to restrictions associated with specific instances of digital works or devices. you can't make copies and share it with friends.

You can find a software to help you remove the DRM, Media Converter may help you do that. Media Converter Pro is the DRM free remover software which could remove DRM protection and convert video & music even HD video in high quality.

http://free.remove-drm.org/free-drm-media-converter.html

Answer 2

DRM is "Digital Rights Management", which is an anti-piracy measure that allows the makers of the game (video or music) to restrict HOW you use their product.



EA is notorious for using SecuROM as their DRM software which is EXTREMELY ANNOYING & has been noted to mess up computers. In short, the DRM requires you to be online when you install the game for activation purposes & requires your computer to "phone home" every 5-7 days to ensure that you're following the license properly. If your computer doesn't get the "OK" from EA's DRM servers at least once every 14 days, the game will refuse to run until it can get online.



This type of DRM is what most people are complaining about because it's so invasive & gives EA the right to pull your license (rendering the game unplayable) for the slightest offense... Essentially treats the consumer like a criminal.



There's some other issues with SecuROM & other DRM stuff, but this should help you out on this issue.

Answer 3

DRM is an anti-piracy measure, and it is pretty horrible in that it works very simply



If something contains DRM, then you can use it however you want, however, if the company that controls the DRM decides that you (or everyone) should stop playing the game (or using certain parts of the game), they can shut it down without your consent. Also, if you decide to install it on a second computer, DRM (Digital rights management) will lock you out and ensure that you cannot install it on any other computer



in essence, you bought the game, but you have no rights to what you can do with it

Answer 4

Don't get me wrong, I hate the form of drm which EA installs on their games at least as much as anyone else, but I have read that they were going to drop the "phone home" bit.



It is called Securom 7.## and it's made by Sony. There are currently 5 lawsuits going against EA due to this right now and at least another two looking into a lawsuit.



It is not simply because you must be online in order to start your game. Nor is it because you cannot copy it and give it to a friend. It is because this drm installs into the computer's 0 track and basically takes over admin functions. It will shut down any burning program it feels is a threat, such as Nero and many others. It takes over your antivirus (it has been reported to have shut down both Norton and McAfee) and also takes control of your firewall. In an interview of an EA representative, it was stated that when you "check-in" to be able to start your game, that advertising will be downloaded to your computer as well.



It has been known to cause a great deal of problems, but it only seems to affect some computers.



btw -- I am a sims 2 player, but EA did not put it on their older Sims 2 games. Those are the only ones I have installed on my computer because I simply didn't want to take the risk of what Securom could or could not do.



Here is a link to a site that was originally started by Sims 2 players but then expanded to include any gamers playing games which have Securom installed on them. You can read all about it on this site:



http://reclaimyourgame.com/



eta -- I would LOVE to be able to play Free Time, but every Sims 2 game that EA released after the stuff pack called Celebrations has Securom on it. I also like the looks of the Sims 3 game, but I will not have it on my computer unless EA is forced (through lawsuits) to remove the Securom from it first. I cannot afford to be replacing my dvd drive and cannot risk that viruses will piggyback in on Securom messages to/from EA or Sony.

Answer 5

Digital Rights Management (DRM), it basically means you can only play the game on the computer you install it on, and you can't make copies and give it to friends, thats it.