EDIT: Before you read please understand that I am in no way trying to encourage piracy, especially when it comes to Bethesda games.

Hi I have been a long time fan of The Elder Scrolls games since Morrowind. I wanted to create a post to discuss the usage of DRM in not just Bethesda games but in games in general today. This post is a compliment to Bethesda.

The reason I want to make a post like this is because games like crysis and crysis warhead left a bad taste for me because of their install limits on their games. Even though you can revoce installations after reformating and upgrading my computer over the years I eventually lost all my installations.
Upon trying install these games I was hit with a message along the lines of "you have used up your installations, you now have to buy a new copy." No mention of contacting an EA representative to renew my keys and if I had not known I might be out of luck with regards to those games.


The CD key and simple disk check in Morrowind and Oblivion it seams is a dying breed, few games these days don't come with some complicated internet connection required malware DRM to accompany it. However as we know Oblivion is one of those games that sold millions and is still being sold today.
To be honest I have downloaded a few pirated copies of the game over the years, but at the same time I have bought at least 3 copies from stores and from steam.

The point of my message here is that I am super excited for Skyrim to come out. When it comes out I plan to order a new video card JUST FOR YOUR GAME. I want to say here that you really don't need a complicated DRM scheme. I think many reading this will agree with me that we would be more than willing to shell out for the game at release, and then again should you release a Game of the Year edition, as well as possibly having a extra copy for PS3 or Xbox 360.

Games like Crysis or Dead Space 2 pretty much force you to buy a new copy a year or two down the line. Even though EA uses Steam as DRM they STILL put extra DRM in their games. When I buy bethesda games I feel like I'm getting so much more then any other major publisher. So in conclusion I want to say that I have always though of Bethesda games as being of the highest quality, I hope that we will not be forced to sit through problems caused by intrusive DRM like the people who bought Dead Space 2 are being forced to sit through now (not being able to save due to DRM glitch, check steam forums).

I concur. Long live companies like Stardock (or, hopefully still, Bethesda) whose games allow simple, non-online-aware copy protection.

Hi, I absolutley despise any company that sells me something yet still retains control over how I use it, its a bit like buying a motor car and being told if you want to drive it you have to get an engine installed everytime . I have no problem with a company protecting its IP and copyright from piracey. I will not entertain pirated software on my system. Not because I've personally used any pirated software and it's left a bad taste. Friends of mine have had pirated software and all manner of **** has hit their rigs. But its the unweildy and clunky fashion they go about it. I'm very selective about buying games now since HL2 narked me off with that " you must have steam installed to play". I nearly had a meltdown when I saw that and have since stopped buying any of their software. Same goes for BF2142, Bioshock, Deadspace and a lot of other games I wouldn't of minded playing, but if its needs online activation, no way I'm putting up with that, especially as I live on a narrowboat with no internet connection and can only access the net through public networks such as libaries. Not that I believe these companies should change their policies to accomodate me but the whole IP and copyright protection needs a massive and dramatic rethink. Imagine buying a CD and being told " you've played this album 10 times and used all your plays up", samething with "you've used all your installations up". If I want to install and uninstall a game a hundred flipping times I will. I'm getting seriously wound up by these companies treating me like a CRIMMINAL for no good reason.There's alot more I could add but I'm so angry thinking about this I've got to go for a walk to cool off. None of this rant is directed at you Bethesda, don't go changing please.

From what I have heard DRM does not stop pitates so I hope that Bethesda does the same as they have done before

Also I have heard that Steam and online DRM's can conflict with mods so I really hope they are not included

I completely agree. More often than not, complicated systems like that end up causing more problems for the people who bought the game than for those pirating it.

A determined pirate will break any DRM software you throw at him, its just costly, and quite frankly a waste of time and effort. Spore also has the limited download DRM protection, and as with other games, causes more problems for the general user than for the hacker.

I have often wondered about the legal side of things - the thought of buying a product you are not free to forever use as you see fit is absurd. I am sure they have the legal side more than covered but it still seems just dead wrong to me, wich is partly why I never, ever buy any of these games.

I always buy the games that deserve to be bought because I will be prowd to add them to my 15+ year old collection. I am not morally opposed to pirated software, but I believe in showing your appreciation and support for companies that have developed games that left you with memories you will carry for a very, very long time.

I know a few shameless pirates and I have to say when they see a game with DRM they LOL then they crack it in 2 minutes

honestly it just make honest fans like me feel like a moron because I basically bought a DRM headache and the pirate can enjoy the game for free anyways :facepalm:

Same here. An 5 foot long shelf in my room covered with collectors editions of PC games.
Then my PS2 collection stacked in one of my larger unused drawers
360 takes up another smaller shelf.
PS1 takes up a 4 foot tall CD holder.

And one thing that is in common with my 300+ games: I can play them at any time.

When the first line in the OP says - "I am in no way trying to encourage piracy" it makes me check through. These are the home forums of Bethesda Softworks, piracy is not a topic to be discussed here in any form and seeing as how there have been posts following the subject up I am just closing it before someones says something they will regret.