2K "scaling back" BioShock 2 DRM

By Oli Welsh Published 26 January, 2010

SecuROM less restrictive on Steam.

Having stirred up the usual hornet's nest by posting about BioShock 2's DRM on PC last week, 2K community manager Elizabeth Tobey has claimed on Cult of Rapture that the publisher is "scaling back" DRM on the game.

"Over the past two days, I've fielded a lot of questions and concerns about the DRM for both the retail and digital versions of BioShock 2. Because of this feedback, we are scaling back BioShock 2's DRM," she said.

"There will be no SecuROM install limits for either the retail or digital editions of BioShock 2, and SecuROM will be used only to verify the game's executable and check the date. Beyond that, we are only using standard Games for Windows Live non-SSA guidelines, which, per Microsoft, comes with 15 activations (after that, you can reset them with a call to Microsoft.)

However, this appears to be exactly the same setup as what was promised last week. The only change, later confirmed by Tobey on the 2K forums, was a relaxation of the SecuROM controls as they apply to the digital version of the game sold through Steam.

"When I came out on Wednesday and told you guys about the retail version, I did not explain anything about Steam because we went back and scaled back what we were doing based on your feedback, and came out today with what was the most we could do. We most definitely changed our SecuROM to be more of what you asked for," she said. The exact nature of the Steam SecuROM changes was not made clear.

"Feedback like this does not go unheard, and while this might not be the ideal protection for everyone, we will continue to listen and work with you in the future when formulating our DRM plans," Tobey said.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (62) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • abigsmurf #1 2 years ago

    The restrictions on save games are stupid. I don't want to have to worry about my game not saving because my connection had dropped out.It's bad enough that some publishers encrypt save games so that if your console fails, you lose all your progress because they can't be backed up

  • YoungPayters #2 2 years ago

    wow. big who cares from me. loving the amount of none news items.

  • Rirekon #3 2 years ago

    SecuROM = no purchase for me regardless of how "relaxed" the controls are - I'm not having their software installed on my machine again, stealth install your crap on my PC and you won't get any support from me ever again.

  • Rizo #4 2 years ago

    This is the reason people torrent

  • cianchristopher #5 2 years ago

    Jesus, when will these publishers just get rid of the DRM shit?

    Every game is pirated, every single one of them...

    BioShock 2 will be pirated by release day (if it hasn't been already) so what's the point?

  • Salaminizer #6 2 years ago

    still, doesn't make any sense to have any other kind of DRM on Steam.

  • delusionsofnoir #7 2 years ago

    Agree with Salaminizer and Rirekon on this.
    Won't be buying this!

  • funkateer #8 2 years ago

    less restrictive == still restrictive

    While I can fully understand piracy concerns, these kinds of intrusive DRM basically just awards pirates with non-crippled cracked versions and punishes paying customers with restricted versions.
    To me that seems like attacking the piracy problem from completely the wrong angle.
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 11:02

  • ignatiusjreilly #9 2 years ago

    So once again 2K clarify and the whole situation is now clear as mud.

    From yesterday's story: BioShock 2 uses the infamous SecuROM DRM system, but as a disc check for boxed copies only. That is its only use

    From today: SecuROM will be used only to verify the game's executable and check the date

    And isn't it slightly strange to use the headline "2K scaling back Bioshock 2 DRM" and then point out in the story that it hasn't been scaled back?
    Edited by 2 at 26/01/10 @ 11:17

  • masterson #10 2 years ago

    As always, folks are quick to point out "this is the wrong way of addressing piracy" without proposing a viable alternative.
    It seems to me that the piracy riddled PC gaming world only has itself to blame for these draconian measures.

  • space_ace #11 2 years ago

    apparently someone up there still thinks that illegal copies are distributed like audio cassettes on dual cassette recorders, like back in the 80s. no one will try and copy his friend's bioshock 2 dvd, they will download it for free, ready to play, with drm removed. how hard is it to understand?

  • ignatiusjreilly #12 2 years ago

    Viable alternatives:

    1) CD-key check
    2) Steam DRM
    3) 1-time online activation
    4) No DRM at all.

    5) If you can't manage those - just pick one form of DRM and use it. Three types of DRM (Steam, GfWL, SecuROM) makes you look like maniacs.

  • ZuluHero #13 2 years ago

    There is so much hassle getting PC games to work in the first place without having to worry about additional problems authorising through so many different protection methods and systems. I wanted the PC version, but instead plumped for the 360 version. Its only £29.99 on Amazon at the mo. Sure its £4 more than the pc version but it’s one less headache to worry about.

    It would cost me around £4 for decent painkillers! :p

    EDIT: Part of me wonders if they are doing this deliberately to force people to buy the console versions. If they kill off the PC market then it’s one less platform to have to develop for?
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 11:28

  • Nithron #14 2 years ago

    This is gonna be the same ridiculous situation again where i buy the damn game and then end up pirating it anyway, pushing up those insane statistics they throw around to justify using more DRM.

    Did these guys do just a little too much drugs at business school or something?

  • ignatiusjreilly #15 2 years ago

    @ZuluHero

    I've wondered that myself, but if they don't want to support the PC they don't have to. Just stop releasing games for it.

  • Sunyavadin #16 2 years ago

    Securom "Scaled back" on Steam????

    SCALED BACK???

    WTF purpose can it possibly serve on a Steam release? Steam itself IS A FORM OF DRM. Utterly pointless adding any more when unless it's an officially registered copy it won't run!

  • cianchristopher #17 2 years ago

    I really don't know what the devs and publishers are thinking! I bought Wings of Prey on Steam 3 weeks ago (I noticed it had Steam achievements, so I foolishly assumed it had Steamworks and didn't include any 3rd-party DRM (the Steam-store page didn't mention anything, I blame Steam for that))...

    So, imagine my delight when I found out that the game gives you 3 activations, with no revoke tool!

    That's it! 3 activations, and you're done! If you go over the limit you've gotta call the publisher (some Russian company) and ask for another...

    I visited the devs' forum and the head of the studio was on there (a very unpleasant person) basically accusing us all of being lying, thieving scumbags for daring to ask him to remove his DRM...

    Fucking insane, the whole thing is! It's gotta be illegal, to sell you shit like this! The only thing to do is not buy the fucking games (but the problem with this is - the publisher will use lack of sales as an excuse not to make games for the PC anymore)...

    They've been saying it for years, but where there's smoke there's fire: PC gaming is dying, there's no doubt about it!

  • UncleLou #18 2 years ago

    This is the reason people torrent

    Nah, people torrent because they're ignorant tight-arses.

  • ignatiusjreilly #19 2 years ago

    People torrent for different reasons and it's impossible to describe thousands of people's motivations in a single phrase.

  • Calundann #20 2 years ago

    They are also ignoring the fact that you can only reset you Key ONCE and multiplayer will only be supported in 28 countries and DLC will have to be bought using MS Points.

  • actionfitz #21 2 years ago

    "2K "scaling back" BioShock 2 DRM"

    "The exact nature of the Steam SecuROM changes was not made clear."

    erm wut?
    I read this arcticle expecting to read about 2K doing a U-turn, and realising that securom and GFWL on the Steam copys of Bioshock 2 is rather pointless.

    But from what I gather they haven't changed anything whatsoever from what was reported the other day...
    and are still forcing securom on steam users - Still a no sale for me, pre-ordering the xbox version is a possibility though.
    Was this really worthy of a brand new article EG? :/

    It is a massive shame that these people continue to make PC gaming increasingly unappealing to me.
    console versions are more expensive these days but at least you can play the games without much extra hassle.

    -limited installs/activations, calls to Microsoft to plead with them for a new key, having to prove you are not a thief.
    -DRM from disreputable 3rd party companies that behaves like a Rootkit / trojan.
    -Needing to be online to save your progress in GFWL.
    -having multiple programs (steam/GFWL) running in the background just to play.

    at some point it just becomes too much hassle to buy games from certain companies for my PC, and some wonder why the PC market seems to be in decline?
    pfff.

  • IneptPercy #22 2 years ago

    Is it just me as a PC gamer who doesn't car as it doesn't really cause a problem? Not to fussed with bioshock and may wait for a steam sale but I know if I did buy it I could install and play it with no problems.

    I must say I did reach my activation limit on crysis warhead, couldn't be bothered getting activations back so I did 'patch' it.

    Anybody who says DRM is forcing them to pirate is just using it as an excuse, if they can honestly say if the retail game had no DRM they would buy it then to a point fair enough, but as mentioned you can buy games and bypass the security if it is a problem.

    Most people pirate as its £14.99-£29.99 vs Free.

  • ignatiusjreilly #23 2 years ago

    I must say I did reach my activation limit on crysis warhead, couldn't be bothered getting activations back so I did 'patch' it.

    And you said you have had no problems with DRM in the past? I guess I am less tolerant than others.

    BTW If you did that 'patching' with Bioshock 2, multiplayer would no longer work.

  • Calundann #24 2 years ago

    @notmyrealname
    I agree with you, DRM is a part of the game and should be included in reviews like all the other features of a game

  • IneptPercy #25 2 years ago

    So yes it was a slight problem, but with that I have installed downloaded games before and there is more work than I had to do as you usually have to mount, install and patch at a minimum.

    By all means if I needed it legit for multiplayer I would have got on the phone to EA and sorted the problem out.

    As for the pirates, do they really have an easy time if they want to go online? from what I know that is one of the hardest things to get round as a pirate.

  • Darren #26 2 years ago

    I'm going against the grain here but DRM has never bothered me particularly, certainly not to the extent that it's slowed down my machine or corrupted data, and I doubt I'll even notice BioShock 2's either.

    The reason?

    Although I still prefer to buy PC games on disc (because they're cheaper!!!), once the game is installed I then locate a NoDVD hack and use that to avoid having the disc in the drive. These NoDVD hacks circumvent the DRM protection and are typically used by pirates for illegally downloaded games but also serve a very useful purpose for legitimate buyers too who don't want the hassle of swapping discs. GameCopyWorld is usually my first port of call once I've installed any new PC game. I already have a Mass Effect 2 NoDVD file for example. :)

    Makes me laugh when people say that they won't buy the game because of DRM. Why deprive yourself when you can just download a NoDVD hack and do away with DRM once the game is installed?

  • actionfitz #27 2 years ago

    @UncleLou
    Nah, people torrent because they're ignorant tight-arses.
    ---
    actually, in Bioshock 2's case, many will either download the game to avoid the Trojan-like Securom, the clunky GFWL and limited installs and phonecalls to an oversees Microsoft callcenter etc.

    I even foresee people buying the game and then downloading a 'patch' to get rid of the unwanted elements.

  • ignatiusjreilly #28 2 years ago

    Why deprive yourself when you can just download a NoDVD hack and do away with DRM once the game is installed?

    As I said to IneptPercy, that usually means you can't play online so it's hardly a perfect solution.

  • Darren #29 2 years ago

    @ignatiusjreilly - So long as the key you're using is legitimate then NoDVD hacks don't stop you playing online. I've got NoDVD hacks installed for Colin McRae DiRT 2, Red Faction Guerilla, FUEL and Need for Speed SHIFT for example and I've played them all online. The first three are Games for Windows LIVE games too. ;)

  • IneptPercy #30 2 years ago

    I second what Darren just said, gaming with a pirate version is a lot of hassle if not impossible due to not having a key.

    So how is pirating better again?

  • ignatiusjreilly #31 2 years ago

    @Darren

    Thanks, didn't know that, that's pretty cool :)

    Have never really needed cracks as I pretty much buy all my games by digital distribution now.

  • dsmx #32 2 years ago

    Actually pirating a PC game is almost no hassle, most of the time it's you download the game; install the game as normal without having to put a cd key in; then you just copy over 1 file with the hacked version and the game works. That's not a lot of hassle.

  • IneptPercy #33 2 years ago

    "Actually pirating a PC game is almost no hassle, most of the time it's you download the game; install the game as normal without having to put a cd key in; then you just copy over 1 file with the hacked version and the game works. That's not a lot of hassle. "

    Can you play that online?

  • dsmx #34 2 years ago

    depending on the game it is possible to play online with a pirated version of the game. Also it is possible with some games to get the pirated version and then use a real cd-key and play online as a way of bypassing installing securom.

  • Ryboy #35 2 years ago

    Yeah, I'm in the "DRM never affected me crowd".

    Going to be a great game, canny wait.

  • smoison #36 2 years ago

    'Games for Windows Live' is enough to keep me away form this.

    After Gears of War and DOW 2 , I will never be making that mistake again.

    Too bad Bioshock 1 was pretty good.

  • jellyhead #37 2 years ago

    Be careful swapping binaries if it's a steam installed game as it might detect the change to the program as a hack and VAC ban you for cheating.

  • Eraysor #38 2 years ago

    Idiots. I bought World of Goo even when it has no DRM whatsoever. Just because it didn't have DRM didn't mean I was going to pirate it.

    EDIT: One of the worst examples of GFWL was in GTAIV especially if you bought that game on Steam. You had to go through Steam, Rockstar Social Club, GFWL and the actual game itself to play it.
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 14:23

  • IneptPercy #39 2 years ago

    I can't see the problem with gfwl, I have an online and offline profile which works great. Offline works pefectly for my single player games while the online profile for online games or games I want the achievments on (which get added to my 360 gamertag).

    Yet again whats the problem, if anything it would be nice if all games used it as a commen interface for going online and saving games.

  • SYS64738 #40 2 years ago

    Never ever had any issues with any type of DRM (including Starforce infected titles), not sure what i'm doing wrong:D

    The only 'problem' I would have with copy protection is having to play with CD/DVD in the drive, but I sorted that out by buying most of my games on Steam. Getting hold of no-DVD hacks on dodgy websites I find more risky than a corrupted/locked game due to DRM, so will keep my hands off those.

  • Sunyavadin #41 2 years ago

    Anybody who says DRM is forcing them to pirate is just using it as an excuse

    The Securom on C&C3 decided my preordered Kane Edition wasn't legit. It took me a week to find a working crack for it. This bug wasn't fixed until several official patches later. Myself, and many other customers simply couldn't play the game we'd paid for while anyone who had pirated it could. This is NOT "just an excuse".

  • IneptPercy #42 2 years ago

    My copy of bioshock work just fine on day 1, must have been lucky.

    Eitherway I still don't see how DRM means its ok to steal something, if you don't agree then buy the game leave it full wrapped and install a DRM free version.

    Yes there maybe some f**k ups with DRM sometimes but as a general rule you wouldn't even know its there. The pirates may tell you they are trogens etc, but the reality is they just sit on you system and kick in when using a certain game. Most people who say DRM messed up there computer are either lying or they where trying to hack/remove it and failed.

    Yes steam is DRM in itself, I only really buy of them when they have offers as its usually cheaper to buy on a disc but I did get GTA IV for £4.99 not long ago.

    As example AVP is £17.99 on PC vs £39.99 on the consoles, at that kind of money just buy it, the DRM won't affect you. If you want to pirate it because you are cheap then go ahead, just stop using bulls**t excuses to try and justify it.

  • cianchristopher #43 2 years ago

    Uh, IneptPercy, I dunno if you know this - but Alien Vs Predator is a Steam game...

  • IneptPercy #44 2 years ago

    I am very aware of that, so it will install onto my computer infected with that Steam DRM just nicely.

  • IneptPercy #45 2 years ago

    Love how every time I say 'Its no excuse to steal' I get marked down.

  • ignatiusjreilly #46 2 years ago

    @IneptPercy Maybe it's not the excuses thing, more the fact you said: "at that kind of money just buy it, the DRM won't affect you."

    I didn't mark you down, but I can see two reasons why someone might - firstly because you have no idea how any DRM will affect anyone else, and secondly because some people think it is worthwhile sticking to their principles by not buying stuff when they don't agree with the methods used to sell it.

    That's not even me BTW - I have quite a few games with silly DRM, although I do avoid the worst offenders. I just think there's nothing wrong with (indeed there is something honourable about) sticking to your guns.
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 16:28

  • IneptPercy #47 2 years ago

    I full support that if you don't agree with it don't buy it, but then you have to live with not playing the game or an inferior console version. What I am saying is to most people would never know it was there and the whole thing is being blown out of proportion to justify piracy.

    Seriously if you really don't like it then start acting on it, write to publishers and tell them you are not buying a game because you don't agree with the level of DRM, as an individual it might not make a difference but in the millions and they might start to take notice.

    Personally I think limited activation is the best way but with each game have it in the menu what machines its activated on so you can install on say 3 machines but not have to use discs and de-activate machines easily.

  • the_mtfr #48 2 years ago

    @IneptPercy, you are expressing your opinion quite strongly, that DRM should still exist in games to fight piracy.

    Perhaps you should take 5 seconds to think about it. It really only takes that much for any brain that can sum two digits. For those who play pirated games, DRM does not exist. It is excised from their games. Therefore the "pirates" themselves never meet DRM face to face. This leaves the owners of genuine games the only ones to co-habit with DRM. DRM sometimes is invisible, sometimes it gives headaches. So considering this, tell me a reason why should DRM still exist, giving headaches (admittedly in a small statistical percentage) to *just* the legal owners?

    Apparently the only real effect it has, is it stops borrowing the game to your mate. But your mate will then go and download it illegally. So IneptPercy, it would seem you are quite inept at opinating about DRM's crusade against downloading games illegally.

  • ignatiusjreilly #49 2 years ago

    the whole thing is being blown out of proportion to justify piracy.

    I don't really buy this - if you go to pirate bay and download a game nobody asks you to justify yourself, you just do it. So why would you need to make up excuses? Also, I genuinely believe that the people complaining tend to be (potential) buyers rather than pirates. After all, pirates aren't really affected by any of the DRM so why would they care?

    Now I think being able to install on 3 machines at once is OK (I only own one computer), but as a theoretical question, what does that do to prevent piracy? You would have to allow 1000+ installations for it to be worth putting it up for mass downloading. So why limit it to just 3, and not 30? Because the limit of 3 people partly stops you lending it to friends or family - that is the only thing it can posssibly hope to achieve.

    If this is not the case, tell me why you would limit it to 3 installations - what would you hope to achieve by that?

  • IneptPercy #50 2 years ago

    In basic terms all the current DRM does is delay the pirates. Instead of a game being on the torrents a week before release it may actually last until after release and this can have an effect on sales.

    I must say the whole cd-key seems to work on multi-player games as it really is a pain to get round for the pirates but single player games don't have this.

    I do hope they can come up with a better method of DRM which works and stops pirates instead of delaying them but of course any method will eventually be broke.

    As I say, if you don't agree with then don't buy it, just don't pirate it either.

  • Dynamize #51 2 years ago

    we are only using standard Games for Windows Live non-SSA guidelines, which, per Microsoft, comes with 15 activations (after that, you can reset them with a call to Microsoft.)

    Wait, what? All Games for Windows Live games can only be uninstalled and reinstalled 15 times? Is that right?

  • Dizzy #52 2 years ago

    It is simple: SecureRom == no sale. Case closed.

  • the_mtfr #53 2 years ago

    @IneptPercy, "just don't pirate it either".

    The moment you have a genuine copy but you are hard pressed to get a cracked exe just so you can run your own game (it happened to me, with Witcher Enh. Ed. that the DRM didn't see the disc as genuine) -- then the corporations will not hesitate to label you a pirate just so they can inflate their imaginary "pirates" statistics they claim "steal" hundreds of millions worth from them.

  • Nithron #54 2 years ago

    If you aint gonna buy it, you may as well pirate it anyway. They aint lost a sale so everyone wins.

  • the_mtfr #55 2 years ago

    Nithron, agreed, we all say "I sure as hell ain't never gonna buy this or that game" and I believe beyond that point we are not causing any "financial damage" no matter what we do, except if the publisher is paying for the electricity at thepiratebay. But the corporations never acknowledge this point of view (which has been revealed in university studies), instead they erroneously use it to add up to fabulous fucking billions of imaginary losses through "stealing".
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 21:49

  • Sunyavadin #56 2 years ago

    And this is why those familiar with scientific method and peer reviewed research, and willing to put the truth before agendas should be in charge of everything. People who won't continue arguing till the cows come home when all the factual evidence points to the OPPOSITE of what they are saying.
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 22:59

  • Skurmedel #57 2 years ago

    I never had any problems with DoW 2 DRM, but I bought on Steam though, so it sounds like a skipped a big pain in the butt there. Still it has Games for Windows, which adds absolutely zero to the experience.

    This crazy scheme brings another game to mind, Grand Theft Auto 4: Steam, GFWL and Rockstar Anti-social Club

  • oerhoert #58 2 years ago

    The point is not to avoid piracy, the point is to avoid leaking the game before release. If they can hold the pirates out for three or four days, that equates to better sales. I'd guess that if the game sells 1,5 million this time, several hundred thousand of those risk being lost if the game leaks early.

  • IneptPercy #59 2 years ago

    Makes me wonder how many people pirate games, I say piracy is stealing and get marked down, somebody else says piracy is fine and gets marked up.

    The whole I would never have bought it argument just doesn't work, you can only say that if you never want to play the game to which you won't buy or pirate it. If you want to play that that shows intent to buy, yes it may not be at full price but if you want to use it then you should buy it.

    Basically the time you are playing you pirated games would need to be filled which would lead to legitimate purchases.

    EG psychonauts is currently £1 on steam, you will get hours of entertainment for £1 and be perfectly legal.

    "The point is not to avoid piracy, the point is to avoid leaking the game before release. If they can hold the pirates out for three or four days, that equates to better sales. I'd guess that if the game sells 1,5 million this time, several hundred thousand of those risk being lost if the game leaks early."

    That is exactly the point, with no DRM it would be instantly out there and lose a lot.

  • Sunyavadin #60 2 years ago

    Just about every game is available to torrent either ON launch day or often BEFORE launch. Removing DRM wouldn't impact the people DETERMINED not to spend money on it at all, one way or another.

    It's just a big scam to con publishers into parting with more money they could be investing in the development and marketing instead. It's a protection racket, nothing more. Never more so literally than in the case of Starforce, who have been known to actively seed torrents of games by publishers who pull out of using their DRM.

  • funkateer #61 2 years ago

    I think we can all agree that these DRM things on PC are there because of piracy.
    But is there any evidence that DRM helps at all? Now that we have SecuROM and friends, is PC gaming doing any better now?

    "The point is not to avoid piracy, the point is to avoid leaking the game before release. If they can hold the pirates out for three or four days, that equates to better sales. I'd guess that if the game sells 1,5 million this time, several hundred thousand of those risk being lost if the game leaks early."
    So how is that not avoiding piracy??

  • IneptPercy #62 2 years ago

    Its a sad thing it doesn't avoid piracy it just delays it, as mentioned it slows them down as it does take time to crack it.

    Yes there is people who won't pay if they get the game early or late and will wait for a crack whatever happens.

    As much as you all dismiss DRM it is stopping some piracy, if i game is well priced and crack isn't already available some people will buy it.

    Secondly the install needed is enough to put people off, yes us computer literate people can very easily patch a game and sometimes there is more than just dropping a file in, secondly you usually need to burn a disc or mount an image, yet again not everybody can do this.

    With that these same people can go and buy a copy cheaper than the console versions, they won't notice the DRM as they ony need to install it once.

    I say this as i have a friend who doesn't know about computers but wanted 1080p gaming, he really doesn't have the knowlodge to download/install/patch/crack but he can use steam and he can insert a disc and press next a few times.

    So as much as you all say it doesn't stop piracy, no it doesn't I do agree, but it does stop some piracy.

    Secondly if a company uses DRM its there customer services who have to sort any problems, now if every mcahine stopped working as some people are making out then it would cause them a lot of problems.

    Basically they know what they are doing, and the sums must add up as it costs to put it on there and it costs in staff time giving activations back etc but this cost must be outweighted by the piracy stopped.

    Basically if it caused mass chaos to the people who bought it and didn't stop a single pirated copy would they bother?