[Gaming] Interesting anti piracy method from 1991, was it used?

Lionclaw · 04-24-10, 02:46 PM

Found an old computer magazine from 1991 with an interesting anti piracy method announced by Codemasters at the time.

If you wanted to play the pirated copy, instead of the game a telephone number was shown on screen. The call at the time cost 33 pence per minute. If called you got the necessary instructions required in order to get the game to start.
The purpose was that you had to call that number every time you wanted to play. But only if it was a pirated copy.

Was that actually used?

Quite an interesting method though.

Tried looking via google, but couldn't find anything about it.

I remember some other methods though, it was basically look up page # and enter the code from Row #, Column #.
Or to look up an image on page # and select the correct one.

If you didn't have the booklet/manual with the codes/images. You couldn't play.

One I remember clearly was that the codes were written in glossy black ink on black paper. So you had to move it around in order to see it.

It was due to my older brother that I experienced the C64 and Amiga, good times.

04-24-10, 02:46 PM	#1
Lionclaw Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,006 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	[Gaming] Interesting anti piracy method from 1991, was it used? Found an old computer magazine from 1991 with an interesting anti piracy method announced by Codemasters at the time. If you wanted to play the pirated copy, instead of the game a telephone number was shown on screen. The call at the time cost 33 pence per minute. If called you got the necessary instructions required in order to get the game to start. The purpose was that you had to call that number every time you wanted to play. But only if it was a pirated copy. Was that actually used? Quite an interesting method though. Tried looking via google, but couldn't find anything about it. I remember some other methods though, it was basically look up page # and enter the code from Row #, Column #. Or to look up an image on page # and select the correct one. If you didn't have the booklet/manual with the codes/images. You couldn't play. One I remember clearly was that the codes were written in glossy black ink on black paper. So you had to move it around in order to see it. It was due to my older brother that I experienced the C64 and Amiga, good times.