Maybe Skyrim will have DRM with online activation required, or maybe no DRM at all. (unlikely)

In the event it is released with a DRM solution for all copies (including boxed versions), which would you prefer, and why?

Steam only because I already have it.

I have never had any issues at all with steam, the rest of those options are terrible in every way, especially :flamethrower: Securom

For me, Steam. I'll probably end up buying it from Steam anyway.

I can understand why some wouldn't want Steam DRM, though.

I can see it being somewhat of an issue with people who don't have reliable internet, but you can solve that issue by simply running Steam in offline mode.

If people don't want to deal with DRM, as long as it isn't extremely obtrusive like Silent Hunter V's DRM (which required continual online access or else the game would stop), people will crack it.

That being said, Steam's DRM is not only the easiest to deal with, but coming from a group of gamers who get how DRMs can be buzzkills and have worked around that issue. GO STEAM!

Pete confirmed today Skyrim will be a Steam game.

My prefernece is a simple disk check, it's pretty straight forward, just install the game, and as long as you have the disk, you can play. No need for online registration or third part programs that should be unnecessary with features I'll never even use, or any of hat nonsense. It's the most convenient, least intrusive form of copy protection available for the player.

Although Steam is still preferable to Ubisoft style DRM or limited installs or whatever, but I'd also rather be punched in the chest than kicked in the groin, I'd still prefer to not have to deal with either one, though apparently Bethesda doesn't care that some players feel that way.



I have a reliable internet connection (hence why I can post here regularly.) but I still don't want to have Steam forced on me.

SecuROM for the first two months, and then a standard key + disk check afterwards. I understand the need to keep the pirates at bay for the first couple of months, because that is when the most sales are made, but after a couple of months the pirates will have already cracked it - so there is little point in keeping it after that. Once that happens, just do the basics like always.

I hate this new online activation bull, because it means that you only get to play the game as long as the publisher "allows" it.

Interesting! Did he post it somewhere on the forum?

I didn't see any mention of this on his twitter feed.

The problem with SecuRom is how intrusive it is. Limited number of installs for one, and some versions of it will literally screw up your system just as bad as any malware (anyone besides me remember the uproar over SecuROM in Spore a while back?)

U guys dont know much about piracy, do you? The game can be pirated and online before you get back from the midnight release, no matter what precautions u take to avoid it

Steam

Say no to EA/Ubisoft's drm garbage.

I say disk check is the least intrusive. Steam is going to win this one though because many people are already in dire straights with them so they have nothing to lose. Look at the http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1148714-steam/ and you'll see that Steam loses when the only other choice is No Steam.

Which is also illegal and very unwise to talk about doing on Bethesda's official forums.

During install, let me choose between Disc-Check (need DVD in drive to play) combined with a serial, or Steam activation (no need for DVD in drive). You and me (the common guy) are not capable of cracking either, and devoted crackers are able to crack both. When the critical period is over, the Disc-Check can be removed in a patch. Even the public beta builds had disc-check removed. This is how it's done in Arma2 (although it's also an online game making it easier to ban hacked keys).

Update/patch the game frequently, which checks against released keys. This check and checks against modified exe can be several places within the exe itself, modules, and dlls. Don't make life easy for the crackers. Allow a couple of hours of play (randomly 2-8) before bad things starts happening. Character becomes weaker than his stats suggests, colors loose specularity, player keeps dropping his weapon, can't hit anything with a bow. Players who complains about these "bugs" in the forum - bam -you're banned for piracy and IP blocked.

Have some kind of online system that makes it worthwhile having the original. Of course you're not required to be online to play the game, only to grab the new content. Could be anything from an internet based updater to user shared content like sword designs, characters, Arena fights, and whatever.

Arma2 FADE protection in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSxiz9yWJfQ

My 1st choice would be a simple disc check. But that is ineffective aginist pirates, so if we have to live with more stringent DRM then Steam is the lesser evil.

STEAM I don't even consider it DRM.
The rest (secuROM,TAGES,Ubi online always,etc.) are nothing more than pointless,intrusive,and ridiculously annoying headaches.

DRM isn't about stopping the pirates, its about stopping the used game market. The pirates will be happily playing for free within a day or two of release, and in some cases, a day or two before the release.

IOW, we aren't suffering because of the pirates, we are suffering because of Gamestop.

I dont and never have pirated. I just know tons about it and how its done

How does steam keep you from buying and selling used games?

A disc check is terrible, how?

Disc check--I want to do as I have done for decades--buy the game on disc, put my disc in my computer and play it without third party intervention.

SecuROM can be more than just a disc check, my friend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SecuROM#Controversies

You can only activate the game with one accout. So the game can't be used by some one else who would of course have another account. I don't sell my games, but that is a joke.