What is the DRM scheme on King's Bounty?

[JudgeMan]

I got it from D2D, you got unlimited download after purchase. They give you an activation code. However, I don't thinks it's online activation, it's more like a Cd-key.

[Roman]

Originally Posted by JudgeMan

I got it from D2D, you got unlimited download after purchase. They give you an activation code. However, I don't thinks it's online activation, it's more like a Cd-key.

This would be acceptable to me if you are correct and there is a serial number, but no install limit of the downloaded game and no online activation. Can you in theory install the single download an unlimited number of times or do you have to redownload it or get a new serial number after a set number of installs?

[JudgeMan]

Just looked at the D2D faqs:

How many licenses or activations do I get?
All licensing has a limit to the number of simultaneous activation to protect the product. However our customer service will see to it that should you encounter a need for more licenses that you are accommodated.

So I guess you can't have millions of simultaneous installation but who really needs even 10 anyway. But I don't see anywhere a limit of total installation

[phoenixreborn]

I have the US retail version bought in a store.

It requires the cd to be in the drive to start.

I haven't tried installing it on a second machine...but why wouldn't it work?

[NatashaQuick]

I installed this game from the retail disc and it did not require a CD key, nor did it appear to require online activation, but in the readme there are some notes about needing certain firewall ports open when you install the game. So, if the game does contact a website when you install it, it must be doing it silently. Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer on that.

The only "DRM" that I know of for sure is that this game checks for virtual disc drive software running on your computer. If you do have one running, simply shutting it off will allow the game to work. Then if you need the software later, you can re-start it. This seems to be a very customer-friendly game in all.

[Roman]

Originally Posted by NatashaQuick

I installed this game from the retail disc and it did not require a CD key, nor did it appear to require online activation, but in the readme there are some notes about needing certain firewall ports open when you install the game. So, if the game does contact a website when you install it, it must be doing it silently. Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer on that.

Hmm, thanks for trying anyway. The part where it does not obviously go online to do an activation is encouraging, but the bit about the firewall ports seems worrying - why ask to have them open unless it plans to go online? Hmm, I guess the only way to find out for sure, apart from an official word, would be to try to do an install while shutting down internet access (say, by disabling LAN on the computer if it is connected to the net over LAN).

The only "DRM" that I know of for sure is that this game checks for virtual disc drive software running on your computer. If you do have one running, simply shutting it off will allow the game to work. Then if you need the software later, you can re-start it.

That's fine by me - I don't have any virtual disc or emulation software, nor do I really plan on getting any, so that should not impact me.

This seems to be a very customer-friendly game in all.

Yeah, I guess the possibility of the need for online activation remains my only worry.

[Roman]

I am happy to say that the DVD version of King's Bounty: The Legend does not have online activation. I asked a retailer if it has it and he told me no, so I said that I will buy it, but will return it if it does require online activation. So I bought the game and installed it on a computer without an internet connection. It works like charm and is an excellent game! Hurray!