SEGA explains Alpha Protocol DRM

By Robert Purchese Published 4 May, 2010

One-off activation, countless installs.

The Uniloc DRM chosen to protect the PC version of Alpha Protocol does not require a constant internet connection and potentially allows for infinite game installations.

Those magic words tumbled out of a SEGA blog post dissecting the DRM following its reveal on Eurogamer in April.

Each installation of Alpha Protocol requires a one-off online activation, and up to five installations of Alpha Protocol can be active at one time. Should you need more, then one will need de-activating - a process that can be done as many times as you like. And activation and deactivation can be done from any internet-connected PC.

Note that once activation is out of the way, the game disc can be put away for safe keeping as it is not needed to run Alpha Protocol.

SEGA added that in around 18 to 24 months after release, Alpha Protocol on PC will be patched to work without "license management".

"We can't be specific about the exact date due to business factors, but rest assured that we will provide an unprotected patch, as we did for Football Manager 2009," the blog stated.

Head over to the SEGA blog for a full DRM Q&A.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (60) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Rizo #1 2 years ago

    How it should be done!

  • JimWest #2 2 years ago

    Good work SEGA, a logical solution to what has turned into a major problem.

  • Dynamize #3 2 years ago

    Sounds sensible, I can live with that.

  • enjoy76 #4 2 years ago

    Why can't other companies learn from this (Ubisoft) then I wouldn't have to avoid your games.
    Edited by enjoy76 at 04/05/10 @ 12:14

  • reelbigkris #5 2 years ago

    Excelent. I am pleased with this DRM

  • Waffleaber #6 2 years ago

    I can't think of a better way of implimenting DRM, especially essentially turning it off via a patch for when the DRM servers inevitably get shut down.

  • cianchristopher #7 2 years ago

    Thanks for keeping an eye on this, Bertie.

    It sounds okay, and I like the idea that the DRM will be removed in 18-24 months.

    In fact, all DRM should come with that promise.

  • Evolution #8 2 years ago

    SaaayGaaaah

  • Irien #9 2 years ago

    Clear, sensible and fair. Can't recall when I last used those words to describe a games publisher!

  • FireMonkey #10 2 years ago

    Pretty good for DRM.

    Only problem I see is that there are still plenty of people out there that for one reason or another do not have an internet connection. They are just screwed I guess.

  • sneetch #11 2 years ago

    Love you, SEGA.

  • HL706 #12 2 years ago

    Isn't this the same DRM that stopped people (like me!) playing Football Manager 2009 for about 48-72 hours after launch?

  • Crunchers #13 2 years ago

    Good news indeed; and I'm sure the game is fine and such. Still, I'm left wondering why SEGA insist on tasking the responsibility of naming such said titles to, what I can only presume to be, a 7 year old(?).

    I mean, really? Alpha Protocol?

    /old fart

  • hardtech #14 2 years ago

    @HL706

    While there clearly is the possiblity of that happening, wouldn't you prefer this DRM than having to be connected to the internet all the time?

  • Aradiel #15 2 years ago

    As long as I can still sell the game to someone else when I get bored, I think this is perfect DRM.

  • thesombrerokid #16 2 years ago

    install limits = no deal, sorry.

  • bad09 #17 2 years ago

    "How it should be done!"

    Amen, although I was quite disappointed Sega decided not to continue with Steamworks (love those retail unlocks!) it's not draconian like Ubiscums so they get my money.

    Keep it up SEGA, you're a great PC publisher no wonder you're the 2nd biggest, maybe you can pip that top spot this year!

    / glares at Ubiscum
    Edited by bad09 at 04/05/10 @ 12:47

  • bad09 #18 2 years ago

    "install limits = no deal, sorry. "

    Of all the DRM complaints I've seen since back on PC I never get this one, who really needs a game installed on more than 5 PCs at one time? Christ how many people OWN more than one PC in the first place?

  • mr_shoe_uk #19 2 years ago

    'thesombrerokid', it's five CONCURRENT installs that get turned off after about a year and half anyway.

    You really are cheating them if this system doesn't work for you.

    - bad 09 got in just before me - to explain the problem elsewhere, some games have install limits, and that's it. Install 5 times and you can't install again, no 'refreshing' possible.
    Edited by mr_shoe_uk at 04/05/10 @ 12:58

  • Rubarack #20 2 years ago

    Deactivation possible from any machine puts this in a level of inconvenience I can put up with. Quite sad that Sega gets credit for having annoying but not crippling DRM, but I guess that's where things have got to nowadays.

  • bad09 #21 2 years ago

    @mr_shoe_uk

    Ah like that TAGES one. OK I understand, still if you can claim it back on a uninstall (like you can here) I see no problem whatsoever.

  • thesombrerokid #22 2 years ago

    i format my pc every 6 months, i don't want to have to de-authenticate every piece of software before doing this, and as a consumer it's my right not to purchase software with this ridiculous limit.

    i have 3 pc's 3 pc's * 3 authentications before one expires = 9.

    to be clear I'm perfectly prepared to wait till they disable the DRM before buying it, as i am currently doing with crysis wars and all the ubisoft games released recently.

  • HL706 #23 2 years ago

    @hardtech;

    It's prefereable to the Ubisoft system - definately! I'd still prefer not to have to jump through hoops though.

  • bad09 #24 2 years ago

    "i format my pc every 6 months, i don't want to have to de-authenticate every piece of software before doing this, and as a consumer it's my right not to purchase software with this ridiculous limit. "

    Well it is an extra step in the uninstall true it's not like it's a big long complicated job or anything (from my experience of revoking licenses), and if you ask me it's a compromise we should all make to avoid publishers using pure evil as it's DRM like Ubiscum.

  • mr_shoe_uk #25 2 years ago

    Of course sombrero kid, buy what you want, but, as opposed to forcing you to only install a few times ever, I don't think every company needs to take into account people who will install the game on each of their 3 pcs...

  • Bitkari #26 2 years ago

    It's not awful, but it's still not ideal.

    I was hoping that they were just going to go down the Steam route, and not bother with anything more annoying.

    Still, good to see that they're going to remove it eventually, and by implication telling us that they'll be offering support and updates for Alpha Protocol for at least the next year...

  • djed #27 2 years ago

    One more password to remember, I'd wager.

    *gets preemptive headache*

  • varsas #28 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid: i have 3 pc's 3 pc's * 3 authentications before one expires = 9.

    So you actually play all games you own on all PCs you own at the same time for more than 6 months?

  • UncleLou #29 2 years ago

    i have 3 pc's 3 pc's * 3 authentications before one expires = 9.

    And you're installing and playing your games on 3 PCs, transferring savegames? And keep the same games installed for months on each of your 3 PCs?

    I guess they can live with the loss of sales from the 2 or 3 people for whom 5 concurrent installs aren't enough.

  • kangarootoo #30 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid

    "i format my pc every 6 months"

    And you do this, why?

  • Grom #31 2 years ago

    Maybe it's a bit like putting magnets in your car's engine, or homeopathy - "I know it doesn't make any difference, it just feels better after I needlessly format my PC!"

  • ignatiusjreilly #32 2 years ago

    Formatting can be a quick way of cleaning your computer's system files and registry and uninstalling unwanted games and programs. It also gets rid of any malware that your antivirus and spyware software (if you run them) fail to pick up, as well as driver conflicts and other annoying quirks.

    No need to jump on the guy for reinstalling Windows regularly, plenty of people do it.

  • cen4pgb #33 2 years ago

    well on the 5 installs, that gives you what;

    4.8 months between formats on 1 pc, and thats if you never bother to deautherise.

    Any word on if the steam version uses this and steamworks, or just steam?

    Edit just followed the link, and yes it does dammit.


    Edited by cen4pgb at 04/05/10 @ 14:04

  • thesombrerokid #34 2 years ago

    @varsas yes @uncleLou no @kangarootoo because i am to my pc what god is to the universe.

  • GamesConnoisseur #35 2 years ago

    Come on we need to encourage alternative such as Sega's rather than moanings. There must be reasons that Sega is not adopting Steamworks's version of DRM. Licencing, costs etc.

    So this seem a perfect system with a least hassle compared to the infamous Ubi's If PC gamers purchases Sega over Ubi and that would send a very strong message to all publishers as to what consumers would be prepared to put up with.

    Steam's is all virtual and off the retail charts.

  • UncleLou #36 2 years ago

    No need to jump on the guy for reinstalling Windows regularly, plenty of people do it.

    I "jumped" on the guy because he complained about this pretty harmless form of DRM being "ridiculous". Always got to be careful with hyperbole, otherwise people might not take you seriously anymore if something really ridiculous comes along.

  • cianchristopher #37 2 years ago

    How exactly does one re-install Windows every couple of months?

    Don't copies of Windows come with activation limits as well? Aren't you going to run out of activations for your OS if you format and re-install every few months?

  • ignatiusjreilly #38 2 years ago

    Well, ten years ago this type of DRM would have been ridiculous, but it's now accepted because we've experienced so much worse.

    I'm quite sure in a few years' time Ubisoft's permanently-online DRM will have moved on to being "normal", and something else will be worthy of the "ridiculous" tag.

  • sneetch #39 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid
    Did you read the part about how "activation and deactivation can be done from any internet-connected PC"?

    If connecting to a website to deactivate your old installs is too much effort (and as the PC itself has not changed it may not even be required) then I'm surprised you bother reinstalling your PC.

    I reinstall my PC occasionally myself but I find that after doing so I don't generally reinstall the same titles I had before, just the one or two I've been playing recently. If I feel like playing older games I install them as and when I want to.

    Oh well, as you said, it's your right and I fully support that it just seems a bit strange to me.

  • kangarootoo #40 2 years ago

    @ignatiusjreilly

    "Formatting can be a quick way of cleaning your computer's system files and registry and uninstalling unwanted games and programs"

    I'm not convinced that is really true anymore. Reformatting, and subsequently reinstalling all your games, quick? Really?

    How about taking one of those 3 PCs, dedicating it to gaming, and avoid installing "unwanted programs". Then take another of the 3PCs, and let that be the workhorse that collects all the crap of daily use, but it won't matter if it slows a little.


    I think Grom hit the nail on the head. There is too much of the "I'm a proper gamer, and I demand absolute performance" about reformatting a PC frequently. It hasn't been necessary since Win98 if you take the slightest care in what you install. And servicing a PC by removing unwanted software is quicker than reformatting with a little research (research that is not beyond the abilities of any techy gamer).

  • thesombrerokid #41 2 years ago

    @sneetch
    tbh i didn't think that meant what you say it means (I've never used uniloc) does that mean you can activate it on a pc then immediately deactivate it and keep using it on that pc in an offline mode? if so i might come round to the idea, although that would be completely defeat the purpose of the whole process and just be extra hoops to jump through for legit users for no reason.

  • ignatiusjreilly #42 2 years ago

    How about taking one of those 3 PCs, dedicating it to gaming, and avoid installing "unwanted programs".

    In recent years, those unwanted programs are coming as part of the games! ;)

    If you have a recovery image, reinstalling Windows can be done in no time at all. Windows 7 installs in about 15 minutes - servicing a PC can take hours, and even if you do a ton of research there is easily stuff you can miss or problems you can't solve.

    Both are valid options for cleaning up a PC, but even if the servicing option is 'better', there's nothing wrong with doing it the more thorough way :)

  • thesombrerokid #43 2 years ago

    @kangarootoo

    for someone who doesn't reformat regularly reformatting is a long and arduous process, for someone who does it is quick painless and allows to to have virtually complete control of what processes run on the system. like ignatiusjreilly says they are both valid maintenance techniques one is just more anal than the other. also it allows you to let other people use your pc without worrying they'll cause irreparable damage to it.

  • sneetch #44 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid

    I'm not sure but I don't think so, I believe it enables you to have 5 simultaneous installs activated so once you deactivate a copy it'll stop working (unless the PC isn't connected to the internet or you deny the game permission to connect to the internet). To be honest I don't know why you'd need to: you have 3 PCs so surely you only need three installations active at a time. If you reinstall windows on one then if that requires you to reactivate the game on that PC again (it may not, they may detect that it was installed on that PC before) then you still only need 3 activations.

    It shouldn't be a problem but if it is then it's refreshing to hear that they're planning on removing the install limitation in the future.

    @kangarootoo

    That's what I tend to do too. Uninstall something when space is needed and only reformat and rebuild when you get that "it has to be capable of doing better than this" feeling although increasingly I've come to realise that that's a fools errand: my computer isn't magically going to speed up because I reinstall windows, in the past that was definitely the case but now the slowdown due to the build up of random lint or registry bloating is practically irrelevant. Defragging your hard-drive does as much good these days IMO, then again these days I don't tend to install much apart from games and a browser.

  • kangarootoo #45 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid

    Well ok, I concede then that perhaps I am behind the times when it comes to reformatting. Last time I followed PC gaming there were much more efficient ways to keep your PC running smoothly then formatting the HD. I guess if one uses drive images of known "good builds" then things will be a lot faster.

    I still question the gains to be made, but not the methods.

    Never let it be said I can't admit I'm wrong :)
    Edited by kangarootoo at 04/05/10 @ 15:22

  • thesombrerokid #46 2 years ago

    the only reason I've such a beef with install limits is the only games I've ever bought which require them, mass effect and bioshock both ended up hitting their limits of 5 installs.

  • varsas #47 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid: Given you said no to uncleLou I don't quite understand how you would go about playing an RPG across multiple PCs without transferring saves?

    Regarding this activation/deactivation, if it's on the same PC then I'm not sure one would need to re-register that PC. If re-installing Windows changes something as far as the DRM is concerned then I don't see how an extra couple of clicks to de-register the previous PC install and registering the new one would be arduous?

    @ignatiusjreilly: If you have a recovery image, reinstalling Windows can be done in no time at all. Windows 7 installs in about 15 minutes - servicing a PC can take hours, and even if you do a ton of research there is easily stuff you can miss or problems you can't solve.
    If thesombrerokid is just re-imaging then I don't see why there would be any need to re-activate. If not then a complete re-install of Windows and all programs must take longer than 15 minutes...
    Edited by varsas at 04/05/10 @ 15:31

  • canuter #48 2 years ago

    I'll get it in 18-24 months' time then.

  • ignatiusjreilly #49 2 years ago

    @varsus

    Maybe, I don't know his particular circumstances, but I was just sticking up for the concept of reformatting as a relatively painless way of freshening up an ailing PC.

    Personally I only have one computer, and I will reinstall it as and when I feel the need (usually once every year or so) rather than on a strict schedule. And the few games I have with activation limits just get cracked anyway because I'd rather not have to worry about this stuff. I can barely remember to backup my browser bookmarks, let alone going through all my games finding out which ones need revoke tools and running them.

  • dudefella #50 2 years ago

    SEGA in a "we get what consumers actually want now!" shocker!

    Good on them.

  • sneetch #51 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid
    the only reason I've such a beef with install limits is the only games I've ever bought which require them, mass effect and bioshock both ended up hitting their limits of 5 installs.

    Ah, in those cases I believe its because those games don't deactivate themselves properly, quite often even if you do uninstall the game properly, in fact they often require you to phone some tech support line where they, often reluctantly, reset your activation limit (FarCry 2 also does this or it did at least, they may have fixed that). I agree that that is completely unacceptable and I refuse to buy any more games that handle it that badly. You certainly shouldn't have to phone them to go "please sir, can I game some more".

    SEGA seem to have a better method here, allowing the users to handle it themselves: at the end of the day it's just updating a database entry there's no reason why they shouldn't.

  • Red-Moose #52 2 years ago

    That's fair enough, very similar to Microsoft's once off activation and installation numbers.

  • hiddenranbir #53 2 years ago

    They should make DRM their new mascot. Cause Sonic needs tor retire.

    Have a DRM run past the SEGA logo.

  • FooAtari #54 2 years ago

    @kangaratoo
    "@thesombrerokid

    "i format my pc every 6 months"

    And you do this, why?"

    Does it matter? *EDIT - Nevermind, read your post after this one :)

    As am example that is not 100% relevant here as this game will not see a release on Linux. But some distros release a new version every 6 months. Many people choose to do a fresh install rather than upgrade.

    While this DRM is better than some we have seen recently, it's still not great. It will still be cracked within a few days, or at best few weeks. However I have to put up with the inconvenience of ensuring I deactivate the game when I legitimately purchased it.

    This does not sit will with me, probably never will because piracy is NOT MY problem, so why should I have to be part of the solution?
    Edited by FooAtari at 04/05/10 @ 19:37

  • kangarootoo #55 2 years ago

    @FooAtari

    I completely understand the "only the legit customers have to jump through the hoops" concern, and its true. But I figure at least SEGA are having a go, which should be applauded. If their sales increase because of their less heavy handed DRM, other publishers may take a look and think twice. Maybe eventually that will lead to solutions that require no hoops to be jumped through?

    Little steps is what I see here, for an industry that is scared and stumbling about in the dark a bit. At least SEGA are stumbling in the right direction :)

  • Rack #56 2 years ago

    I can understand the issue, but almost every pc game has some form of DRM, or at least a simple CD check. If it works this system at worst is no more restrictive than a CD check, so it seems to be a good compromise between security and protection (even if it doesn't stop organised piracy it will at least stop casual piracy).

    That's not to say it's perfect by any means, but the issue is that it is limiting as regards to 2nd hand sales and durability (the game will be unplayable once the authentication servers go down.) Convenience really isn't that unreasonable here.

  • mkreku #57 2 years ago

    I like this solution. Not too intrusive, not too much hassle.

  • ChocNut #58 2 years ago

    Ingenious - well done SEGA!

  • Segnit #59 2 years ago

    Thanks SEGA! :)

  • kangarootoo #60 2 years ago

    @Rack

    "the game will be unplayable once the authentication servers go down"

    Specific reference was made to unlocking titles after 18-24 months, the implication being that this date would always be in advance of any removal of servers or other necessary services.

    What this also means I guess is that the resale market only kicks in after that time also (which is a seperate issue).