Quote:
Originally Posted by Triggaaar
So if this activation code is stored, is it checked each time you start the game? ie, you don't go online each time you load the game, but your game checks that you have an activation code and that it matches your PC? I assume not, that would mean your game would stop working any time you made a change to your hardware. So what does it do?
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I think it's quite close to what you say.
Granted, i only gave the .pdf document a brief look, but they did mention that the activation code is a variable dependent on your PC specs.
How restrictive is that? Well, it depends on your upgrade habits and what kind of specs it tracks.
For example, i don't expect the majority of people (bar the hardware enthusiasts) to do more than one major upgrade per year, so if it only checks the OS type, CPU, GPU and motherboard models then i would probably not have have to reactivate for months or even a year.
If however it checks other components that a lot of people change on a more frequent basis, either as a cheap mini-upgrade or due to hardware failures, it could prove a bit problematic. For example, it would be over the top to include the type of RAM sticks, hard drives or optical drives into the calculation of the hash file, since connecting an external drive would suddenly register as a different hardware configuration with a different hash value: the DRM might think it's installed on a different PC and lock you out until you reactivate.
I think that's the main reason they look up the hardware, instead of limiting your amount of installations flat out, they are trying to limit the amount of different PCs you can install on.
I still consider DRM of most kinds a failed approach because they are restrictive to the legitimate user while at the same time being ineffective in combating piracy, so i would prefer the ordinary copy protection on the disk that takes about an equal amount of time to get bypassed but doesn't deprive me the use of something i paid for. That being said, compared to other DRM implementations this tages system looks like a marked improvement.
For me, the main advantages over other kinds of DMR are:
a) It works offline once you activate.
b) You can activate on a non-connected PC without having to carry the whole case with you.
The pdf manual states that you can generate the initial hash file on your gaming PC, copy that file to a thumbdrive and take it to a place with internet access to complete the activation from there.
If i understood correctly the process goes like this:
start installer and input your product key/DVD-key->after the installation completes the DRM checks your PC specs and outputs a hash file->hash file gets uploaded to tages-> tages provides you with the activation code.
So, it's possible to create the hash file on your gaming PC (that's the one you want it to match since here is where you'll be running the sim) but upload it to tages from another location to receive the activation code.
In the automatic activation mode it does this all on its own. If for whatever reason you have problems or lack internet access, you go to manual mode and it provides you with the ability to save a copy of the hash file so that you can manually upload it from another location and receive the unlock code. Then you save the code, go back to your own PC and copy paste it into the activation window to complete the process.
c) As long as your PC specs are unchanged, you can format and reinstall everything on your PC without wasting an extra activation. As long as the specs are the same, the hash value will be the same so you just save that code in a text file on some removable media and just copy-paste it into the activation window whenever you need to reinstall CoD.
d) If you run out of activations you can email your product key to customer support and they'll give you 5 more, effectively resetting your available activation count to the state of a brand new purchased copy.
I still hate having to jump through fiery hoops to play something i paid for, but compared to constant online requirements or limited activations and deactivations that are based on the total amount of installs even on the same PC instead of on the amount of different PCs it's installed on , it's a definite improvement.