different methods of anti-piracy ?

skip · 01-31-10, 02:38 PM

A few years a go I purchased a tank simulation called Steel Beasts Pro, this was sold with a usb dongle which as far as i know has made the game uncrackable.

I appreciate that Steel Beasts Pro cost a hell of a lot more than the normal game but surely UBI could come up with a system similar to this without adding too much extra to the cost of the game.

what do u guys think or has Steel Beasts Pro been cracked

Letum · 01-31-10, 02:53 PM

No crack.
Good idea.

Who knows why they haven't done it.

JU_88 · 01-31-10, 03:36 PM

I cant comment on Steel Beasts Pro, but Dongled software has been cracked in the past by using a patch that fools the software in to thinking the dongle is present.
So its not uncrackable (nothing is) add this fact to the extra cost of the Dongle hardware - and I expect that is your reason why the dongle never caught on.

IanC · 01-31-10, 04:00 PM

I think the real question here is who came up with the word dongle?

Jimbuna · 01-31-10, 04:17 PM

I use them regularly at work...it allows multiple users to access various systems whilst maintaining the integrity of the system and the users.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongle

Adriatico · 01-31-10, 05:17 PM

I see as a "civilised" protection FADE-system applied in Armed Assault 2... basically if .exe file is not genuine - some fetures in game behave in vierd way, spoiling the gameply... so far not cracked

But apparently it is beyond "Ubi brains"...

Dowly · 01-31-10, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriatico

I see as a "civilised" protection FADE-system applied in Armed Assault 2... basically if .exe file is not genuine - some fetures in game behave in vierd way, spoiling the gameply... so far not cracked.

FADE was there already in OFP IIRC, it's cracked... ages ago.

Thomen · 01-31-10, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

FADE was there already in OFP IIRC, it's cracked... ages ago.

Indeed, in some rare cases it even screwed up your legit copy, where the publisher had removed the copy protection/DRM.... happened to me.

ME$$ENGER · 01-31-10, 06:11 PM

I still think the most effective way to encourage sales is to just use cd key authentication for online play and/or patching. The truth is even when you come up with something impossible to crack, the end result is those that pirate will most likely not buy the game anyway. They'll end up moving on to something else. :S But crippled functionality in game is like an itch you can't scratch. Some will pay to get rid of the itch.

JScones · 02-01-10, 02:26 AM

Human make it, human break it...

01-31-10, 02:38 PM	#1
skip Helmsman Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 108 Downloads: 379 Uploads: 0	different methods of anti-piracy ? A few years a go I purchased a tank simulation called Steel Beasts Pro, this was sold with a usb dongle which as far as i know has made the game uncrackable. I appreciate that Steel Beasts Pro cost a hell of a lot more than the normal game but surely UBI could come up with a system similar to this without adding too much extra to the cost of the game. what do u guys think or has Steel Beasts Pro been cracked

01-31-10, 02:53 PM	#2
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	No crack. Good idea. Who knows why they haven't done it. __________________

01-31-10, 04:17 PM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,525 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I use them regularly at work...it allows multiple users to access various systems whilst maintaining the integrity of the system and the users. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongle __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

01-31-10, 05:17 PM	#6
Adriatico Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2007 Location: Periscope depth Posts: 860 Downloads: 119 Uploads: 0	I see as a "civilised" protection FADE-system applied in Armed Assault 2... basically if .exe file is not genuine - some fetures in game behave in vierd way, spoiling the gameply... so far not cracked But apparently it is beyond "Ubi brains"... __________________

01-31-10, 03:36 PM	#3
JU_88 Silent Hunter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 3,803 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	I cant comment on Steel Beasts Pro, but Dongled software has been cracked in the past by using a patch that fools the software in to thinking the dongle is present. So its not uncrackable (nothing is) add this fact to the extra cost of the Dongle hardware - and I expect that is your reason why the dongle never caught on.

01-31-10, 04:00 PM	#4
IanC Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Running silent and deep Posts: 902 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	I think the real question here is who came up with the word dongle?

01-31-10, 06:11 PM	#9
ME$$ENGER Watch Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 27 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	I still think the most effective way to encourage sales is to just use cd key authentication for online play and/or patching. The truth is even when you come up with something impossible to crack, the end result is those that pirate will most likely not buy the game anyway. They'll end up moving on to something else. :S But crippled functionality in game is like an itch you can't scratch. Some will pay to get rid of the itch.

02-01-10, 02:26 AM	#10
JScones Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,501 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Human make it, human break it...