Mass Effect To Validate Every 10 Days

Software piracy has been a problem for video game developers and publishers since time immemorial. To fight it, most use a verification process that identifies whether the inserted CD or DVD is the original. Others use registration keys and activation codes to determine valid purchases. Both methods have been beaten, so what’s the next step? Well, the PC version of Mass Effect is going to implement something that’s new yet familiar at the same time.

First, the game will use the same SecuROM online activation process. This means that users will only be given three tries to activate the game. Failure to do so will require calling customer service for assistance. If you thought that was bad, it gets worse:

Mass Effect’s security goes one step further, however, by dialing in every five to ten days to double check that your current CD Key and computer info matches the data that was submitted when you first activated the game.

If your Internet connection happens to be down on the day the game dials in, you won’t be able to play the game. Yes, it’s time to punish the legitimate buyer along with the pirate.

Source: Game|Life

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