Oktoberfest: apologies for the 'Off Topic', but I must ask if you can play Panzer Commander on XP? Ever since I upgraded to my Sony Vaio some four years ago, I have been unable to run this tank simulator, even when telling Windows to emulate Windows 95. The game loads, but stalls and locks up about 10 seconds into a scenario. As a marginally computor literate, I would appreciate any advice.

Smart game developers like Ironclad do not use copy protection. You can install one copy of SoaSE on multiple computers and it does not require a cd to run, so you can have multiple friends playing with each other. I think more developers will follow suit with anti-DRM policies. There are many people who support anti-DRM and purposely buy products to support developers who do not use it.

Interview with Ironclad.

The absolute best anti-piracy measue out there is one of the oldest. A good, old-fashioned CD-Key. I "download" a lot of games to try them out before I spend money (and yes, I DO buy the ones I like and unistall the rest) and the ones that I run out and buy the fastest are the good games that require a valid cd-key to play online. A good Example, GTR2, all the guys in my squad were getting into this game and everytime I got on TS to fly with them they were racing. So I downloaded a copy to try it out, I could run the single player stuff no problem but when I wanted to run with my squad I couldn't without a cd key. I noticed right away it was a great game and because of the cd key issue I bought this game the very next day. I would have bought it to support the developer eventually but it may have been a few weeks, bue to the cd key being required for online play I bought it the next day. I know others who are not as scrupulous as me and ONLY buy a game when the cd key is required for online play.

I don't think they have to worry about piracy when it comes to IL2 and BOB. If you spend 200-500 dollars or euros to buy a hotas, track ir etc... I think it's safe to say you'll spend the 10-40 €/$ for the game too.

i have:

Track ir 4 pro 160€
Saitek X52 120€
IL2: Complete Ed. 30€
IL2: 1946 10€

Game = 40€
Equipment to play the game = 280€

Bollox. A thief is a thief.

+1

B

I bought the original IL2 and every expansion and version including 1946. I also use the DVD crack, because I play the game a lot and HATE having to have the CD in. When you can pirate a game easier than run in legitimately, you are asking for trouble. When I bought the original Unreal Tournament, the copy protection wouldn't let the cd drive read the disk, and the store wouldn't take it back. My only recourse? - a "pirate" version, but since I bought it it wasn't really pirated - just a countermeasure for a stupid protection attempt. No matter what the method, there is always a crack practically the second a game comes out. If you deliver enough value, people will buy it, just like I bought all the IL2 stuff! BTW, Theatre of War is cracked, though not like I would use or condone that.

Starforce and that kinda stuff is bad. I'm not a security expert, so I wouldn't know where to start to protect software.

I do know I didn't buy PE-2 because of Starforce, and I've never bought anything LockON after the first release.

I don't have alot of time for IL2 or anything else for that matter anymore. So I want no problems with a software I buy. So, if any possibilities for problems exist... I don't go there.

In Brasil i was the first to buy the genuine imported DVD:

http://yhst-12000246778232.stores.yahoo.net/ilst19.html

I send this link to all my friends, today we have about 700 onliners in Brasil

After months IL-2 1946 arrived, but isnt possible find DVD to buy:

http://www.americanas.com.br/AcomProd/1858/2469791

I voted in that poll. I'm an honest citizen. I own FOUR copies of IL2, from the very first version to the latest 1946 DVD. And I have always used a no-CD crack. On every game and every piece of software I own. And I've got a lot of software (including both Titan Quest and Immortal Throne).

I resent the implication of software houses that purchasers of their software are "dishonest" and must be "disciplined" by copy protection schemes. I'll go out of my way to defeat every one of them on software I've purchased, as a matter of principle, self-defense, and independence. I've felt that way from the first copy of dBase I ever bought to the present time, and that opinion is not likely to change.

I don't fly Lock-On, although I own a copy of it. Secure-ROM will never be on my system (it's MY system and I get to make the rules!). Likewise several shooters I have purchased that I will not play.

So be it.

Bring on SOW. I'll purchase and fly it too, and I'll search out and find a No-CD crack and use it. Unless it is protected by Secure-ROM or a clone. If so, it's "bye-bye", regardless of how much fun it might be.