starforce free SH 3 release
 

Just to let folks know that SH3 has been released again in the UK on the 'Revival' label (seriel number REV138/D) without including the dreaded Starforce protection system. It installs without use of a key code.
It also has the benefit of being the 1.4b version therefore does not need the usual patching.

I have installed it and added the Greywolves Gold mod onto a PC running Windows 7 Home Premium without any problems whatsoever. :yeah:

I paid £3.99 for it at my local Maplins store today - It runs perfectly.

( I also own the original release and the Focus re-release barcoded 3 307210 171207 and 5 031366 016324 respectively, both of which have Starforce and neither of which would run on Windows 7 without a 'no-cd' fix/patch.
Sadly, the no-cd fix stops the Greywolves mod from being applied correctly)

Steve

PS The manufacturer lists their website as www.focusmm.co.uk

I received 2 second hand copies of the Focus (5 031366 016324) thru Amazon yesterday and they were V1.4 with no Copy Protection.
There must be 2 versions of this using the same barcode :hmmm:.

Here are the three copies I have (from left to right) the original, the 'Focus' reissue (both Starforce) and the 'Revival' reissue 2010 (no Starforce) which will work with Windows 7 + Greywolves Gold mod.

Hope this is of help (The 'Revival' issue is available from several UK online sources - Google it!!)
Incidentally, the PC system requirements on the game box list windows 2000/XP and Vista.

Steve

http://www.redshed.pwp.blueyonder.co...d/100_0802.jpg

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Hunte...pd_sim_vg_h__6 is also SF free. And it's in stock at half the price.

Only early Focus copies have SF; the latter ones do not. The telltale sign is the CD label. If the top half is silver, SF is included. If it's white, SF is not included.

I bought a copy just after I installed 64-bit Win7. Best $5 spent ever.

I just ordered the Revival version in the UK (I live in the US) so that I can install the GWX version without the inconvenience of the Starforce protection system.

I find it ironic in my case to have to pay twice for the same product (I bought the original when it came out, I was playing SH2 then..)

Thank you for the tip guys!

I just got mine from Amazon and it doesn't look like any of the above but it's 1.4 and no cd required. :)

There are other versions out there as far as I am aware, the two above are simply examples to aid people in what to look out for.

Isn't it ironic how this has worked out? The software pirates got around the copy protection for free, while loyal and honest customers have purchased one or more copies of the game and were punished by the original anti-piracy scheme. I have the no-disc hack files and use them when I reinstall the game. I wanted my brother to have the game, so I bought another [SF] disc for him, even though I could have installed it on his system with my own disc. But I do not believe in stealing, so I am inconvenienced by the SF issue. Thieves go for free and honest customers pay for themselves and the thieves. :damn:

BUMP...:down:

The original StarForce versions proved to be broken by StarForce.
The Reloaded hack broke even more stuff.

I find it repulsive that UbiSoft would recommend the Reloaded Hack as a fix
when they had the original StarForce free files the whole time!
:nope:

It´s not a good way to avoid piracy when UBI send costumers to a Pirate place for updates and patches :down:

It is like the movies, you buy one, after three months there is the director's cut, after other 3 you have the extended version, after another 1 year The exntend but not so extended, how many times do they want me buy the same crap ehehehheheh
I give up on this things

I got mine off of steam for $3. No CD, No DRM, and fully patched.

Mine is also from Steam, and I've had no issues. They let you backup the game if you want, and mods are no problem. I may look into getting a non-Steam version eventually, so this info is of use. Thanks.

Not to start a debate, but it should be mentioned that many consider Steam to be DRM, just a mild easy-going form of DRM. (As you need to connect to play, including offline mode initially.) So depending on how hardcore you are about DRM-avoidance, it may not be something you want. Myself, I don't mind it, and can recommend it.