Another method of activating SOW.........

[the Dutchman]

.......just guessing here,but it will probably go the RoF way,isn''t there any other activation method possible?
How about a "real" key,say an USB stick that you have to put in your pc to interact with the DVD to start up or something?
Wrap it all up in an attractive package and it's a whole different ballgame,not the idea being checked unwanted everytime online,NO.......
Instead your own personal start-up key!
Just a thought............

[Lucas_From_Hell]

Too expensive, I guess.

I feel more uncomfortable for wasting another USB port than for having to be online while playing.

And by the way, for your information, Rise of Flight has dropped the online activation since quite a while

The developers listened to the player's wishes and now everyone's happy.

I'd vote for either RoF or DCS/Flaming Cliffs 2 style activation. No drivers or anything like that, just activate once (i.e. type the code written inside the package) and you're free to go.

I can't see why it wouldn't work.

[AKA_Tenn]

in the end, the best way to do it would be like Blizzard does with battle.net, the only way to log in to play online is with a valid CD key, and playing offline u can do whatever u want with a fake one... because this game will really shine online, i think most people will buy it, even if they could play it offline for free. also they could make any updates/expantions require a valid CD key that needs to be verified by logging into the online mode, so that way those that wanna play offline with a fake key still can, but those with the real key get their updates and expantions.

[AndyJWest]

Originally Posted by AKA_Tenn

in the end, the best way to do it would be like Blizzard does with battle.net, the only way to log in to play online is with a valid CD key, and playing offline u can do whatever u want with a fake one... because this game will really shine online, i think most people will buy it, even if they could play it offline for free. also they could make any updates/expantions require a valid CD key that needs to be verified by logging into the online mode, so that way those that wanna play offline with a fake key still can, but those with the real key get their updates and expantions.

I could live with that, no problem, so long as the checking it does is confined to whether I have legitimate SoW software, and it isn't used as an excuse to nose around elsewhere on the PC.

I can't see much of an objection to requiring connection for initial activation either (preferably with another method if you can't avtually connect with the PC you've installed on - from what I remember, FSX did this). Requiring a check to play offline is not only intrusive, it is unlikely to help sales much though.

[zapatista]

Originally Posted by AKA_Tenn

in the end, the best way to do it would be like Blizzard does with battle.net, the only way to log in to play online is with a valid CD key, and playing offline u can do whatever u want with a fake one... because this game will really shine online, i think most people will buy it, even if they could play it offline for free. also they could make any updates/expantions require a valid CD key that needs to be verified by logging into the online mode, so that way those that wanna play offline with a fake key still can, but those with the real key get their updates and expantions.

probably true for those living in modern western countries with good net connections available everywhere. this isnt true for large parts of russia, latin america, rural area's of western europe, new zeeland and australia, large parts of asia etc..

point being, you can have 4 or 5 players in those less-good-internet area play a coop over local phone lines, a lan meeting, or in their offices after hrs, wifi hot spots etc. having all these people dependent on a server check somewhere in the big modern world is just not realistic. i know oleg takes this in consideration, as he has in the past. good protections are also built into the game during development, not added on at the end as an afterthought (to easy to crack then). i have all confidence in oleg he wont just market his game for spoilt rich kids with uber net connections in the west, and he will have kept in mind lesser net access area's.

the "usb key" suggested by the OP is not a bad idea imho. a bulk purchase for small size usb keys probably brings their price down to less then 1$, its a realistic alternative. i doubt oleg would use it, but its an option

[Skoshi Tiger]

The problem with using a hardware dongle is that there is a cost involved and they are not a 100% secure.

Hacker can still crack the software and bypass the activation code just as easily as they would a software method.

At least with online verification a server can check if you've got a legitimate copy before it allows you to download any updates and patches etc.

I don't mind the ROF method myself and have only been stung once witht the server being down.

Cheers!

[csThor]

I'm sure the guys who would support such BS (= permanently online) would be the first to howl and scream murder once, a few years down the line, the publishers require club membership and monthly fees even for offline content. Have fun in that world ...