$1000 to install a DRM kit and make it break your computer

[AniAko]

Starforce, a Russian company has issued a world-wide contest for disgruntled users of their DRM software. Article on 1up (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3146416)

...they've issued a challenge (http://www.star-force.com/protection.phtml?c=261&id=707) to disgruntled PC gamers, offering a thousand bucks and a trip to Moscow for the first gamer to provide definitive proof that StarForce destroyed his or her machine by reproducing the error in StarForce's offices:

It's a trap! They just want to fly you and your PC to Moscow to brainwash you, give you cybernetic implants, and make you into a universal soldier!

[Scaryboy]

A thousand dollars?? Good to see they're confident in their claim.

[AniAko]

100 to 1 says this software is similar to Sony's DRM management, although it maybe more stable. Without software or secure compliant hardware, this is the only way to apply DRM. Honestly? I wouldn't buy the games that had DRM software on them. The morons forget that it's not the honest consumer that's buying games and submitting ISO's to warez sites. If I buy a game, it's to play it! I ain't uploading crap to a warez community, I work hard to pay for the crap I buy, leave me alone! :mad::mad:

[CrysDark]

In Mother Russia, Rootkit installs you!

[karak]

My system cost me around 2,300 dollars. What the hell are they talking about 1000? Buy me a new Alienware!

[Varsity]

It isn't DRM. DRM is related to the internet.

Edit: of course, the problem here is that you probably can't tell if a system will break until it is broken, and it has to do it in their offices. Plus I imagine they'll only pay for the trip if it does break. You could build a replica of a broken system and try with that, but it's probably going to cost a lot more than $1000 that way and it might have been a software config thing or (gasp) your imagination.

Not that no-one out there doesn't hate SF enough to try it...

[AniAko]

It isn't DRM. DRM is related to the internet.

Edit: of course, the problem here is that you probably can't tell if a system will break until it is broken, and it has to do it in their offices. Plus I imagine they'll only pay for the trip if it does break.

:confused: The internet has nothing to do with Digital Rights management

[Varsity]

It has everything to do with it. Checking for tampered CDs is hardly 'management', and there's no rights handling with SF. It's a yes/no check. The difference between copy protection and DRM is a remote system being involved.

One correction though: DRM is related to any network, not just the internet.

[Klade]

Heh you submit applications to bring it to russia, then they pick from the applications to decide who comes and who stays home. Since they only want to pay for one person I'm sure they will only pick one person. Do you really think they are going to pick the person that knows what they are talking about?

[Varsity]

Heh you submit applications to bring it to russia, then they pick from the applications to decide who comes and who stays home.
At your own expense you arrive to StarForce headquarter which is placed in Russia, Moscow, Altufievskoe shosse, 5/2. Please arrange your visit with us beforehand and during working hours 10 AM to 6PM Monday through Friday Moscow time.Doesn't say you have to give system specs, but I guess they might ask for them.

[fitbabits]

Damn, I could easily replicate a problem I had with StarForce on an older machine. I may well take them up on their offer...

[easi]

In Soviet Russia, Star fuck YOU!

[GoblinToe]

This has got to be the lamest marketing campaign I've ever seen. First off, if something has even a remote chance of physically destroying my computer, it doesn't get anywhere near my computer, ever.

Obviously, they would never offer a money reward if there weren't a significant number of reports of computer damage. Any serious gamer knows well enough to stay clear of Starforce, but now the unsuspecting consumer knows, too!

Nice job!

[Varsity]

Any serious gamer knows well enough to stay clear of Starforce, but now the unsuspecting consumer knows, too!
Remember that the unsuspecting customers are coming at it with open minds. Makes a very large difference.

[Worldcrafter]

I've seen this trick before somewhere. Where was it...oh yes, some guy dressed in black, with a top hat, waved his hands in the air, and then pulled a rabbit out of his ass. This sounds about the same; a bunch of hand waving to direct the audience's attention away from the real problem: If we have bought the software, leave us and our systems alone, and stop making it harder for us to enjoy the product we legally purchased. Game companies are wasting too much money trying to recover profits lost to piracy that wasn't even there in the first place. If someone is going to buy a game, they'll buy it, if not, they won't. All these anti-piracy systems are just a sport for crackers/pirates, and annoying for the rest of us. Keep your $1000, and your pointless software.

[AniAko]

It has everything to do with it. Checking for tampered CDs is hardly 'management', and there's no rights handling with SF. It's a yes/no check. The difference between copy protection and DRM is a remote system being involved.

One correction though: DRM is related to any network, not just the internet.

Not true at all. Sony's DRM I believe I remember doesn't rely on a internet connection. The point of DRM is to ensure consumers use a product "WITHIN" their rights. Preventing illegal copies and distributions included. There's many ways to try to enforce a user's rights. The most used architecture is physical encryption, which can be circumvented with additional effort. This alone deters your average person from trying.

[Kelegacy]

I haven't bought a game with StarForce protection since Beyond Divinity. And I WON'T again if i can avoid it. UbiSoft seems to enjoy using the protection on their new PC games, though. Assholes.

[AniAko]

Game companies are wasting too much money trying to recover profits lost to piracy that wasn't even there in the first place. If someone is going to buy a game, they'll buy it, if not, they won't.

Indeed. The reason why most people get pirated copies for free is just that. They don't want to pay for the title, and if you eliminated ALLLLLLLLLLL ways of getting a hold of a pirated copy, they wouldn't buy a real copy. Of course there are the few hobbyists and "REAL" theifs, in which case they'll figure out a way to do it.

This goes way back to Napster. I remember trolling IRC channels looking for MP3s. When it became easy for your 80 year old grandmother to download MP3s for free at the click of a button, and every Tom, Dick and Harry was doing so, that's when there's a problem for the music industry.

[Varsity]

Not true at all. Sony's DRM I believe I remember doesn't rely on a internet connection.
In which case it isn't technically DRM either. I'm not saying you are wrong, just that the common use of the term isn't always accurate.

[bapenguin]

In which case it isn't technically DRM either. I'm not saying you are wrong, just that the common use of the term isn't always accurate.

Varsity - DRM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management) is a very broad term. It most certainly doesn't have to involve the internet. For instance...using TIVO to Go allows you to transfer a TIVO program to your PC. The file though has some sort of DRM on it allowing you the right to use it only with a specific password on your specific machine. No internet involved.

The only requirement is that it's Digital.

[Varsity]

In that example you've still got an external machine, but I can see a similar system working entirely on a client.

DIS-MOUNT!

[Cubfan]

пейте более овальный tine

[XxSATANxX]

Well it appears that the complaints of Gamers against Starforce is causing them to react with this LAME ASS OFFER!

[bgivnin]

купите более овальный tine

LMFAO!!! That was awesome! :D

//AltaVista (http://babelfish.altavista.com/)

[AniAko]

You know what I'd rather do? I'd rather give the publisher all my personal information. Social Security, Driver's License, Adrress, credit card numbers, the works. In return I don't get the DRM software, and if they come to find I've abused my software rights, they can solely prosecute me to the fullest extent of the law...

...right after I purchase more ovaltine...

[Genital Eclipse]

In Mother Russia, Rootkit installs you!


This post gets the approval of Mike Correrio and fellow cosmonauts.

[MasterEvilAce]

This is sort of funny. I take this as a "When we released our Starforce shit into games, we tested it on our PCs, and nothing bad happened! So if you had problems, we ask you to come here and test on our PCs to prove us wrong."

Duh!


But Starforce hasn't ruined anyone's computers, has it? If anything the game just doesn't fucking work, wasting your money... so what's the point?

[Zurik]

Yeah, what the hell are they talking about? StarForce either doesn't read in my CD drive, or makes the game not work. Did they think that install software causes electrical shorts and burns up your computer?!?! How about $1000 for coming down there and showing them how much crap I have to go through to get a game to work with their protection. Maybe I should fake like I have a problem just to meet these fellows and punch them in the face.

[atariv8]

They're not invading by parachute, it's by the internet!

WOLVERINES!!!!!

[CrysDark]

This thread has been nominated for Comedy thread of the day :D

[Frongoid]

Cool. So I can fuck up my computer, blow a couple grand to go bother some Russian wage-slaves during their work hours, and then get almost nowhere near enough money to make me care?

Do I get to buy dinner too?

[Voodoo]

Wage Slaves?! Hahahaha! Have you even been to Moscow? It is awesome! There are some seriously bad ass dance clubs there too. And I am a sucker for Russian foods so their resturants are very good as well. There really isn't anything cooler than sitting near Lenin's Mausoleum while slurping up a Strawberry milkshake from McDonalds.

[DeadPixel]

пейте более овальный tine
WTF is this? Makes no sense, did you use a Russian web translator?

[Vulture]

Star Force does not destroy hardware, it does mess up some CDR/DVD-R software dirvers and depending on the cdrom device makes some games unplayable.

But no they want you to prove destruction. I say send a PC with a built-in self destruct device... "This PC will self-destruct in 5 seconds after detecting Star Force."

[Kelegacy]

WTF is this? Makes no sense, did you use a Russian web translator?
You will buy more Ovaltine.

[Clancy]

LOL, what a gimmick. You got a bit more than 30 days to prove it...

Why don't they prove that it doesn't by opensourcing the so called 'protection'? I am sure we can get people to offer them a $1000 + airplane ticket so then can prove to the world their protection sux0rs!

They got nothing to hide right? :p

[Clancy]

ROFLOL, Check out the terms... This just proves that A) you CAN prove that starforce will muck up your machine, and NOT the hardware. Check out the colored text...

.... Pffffffffttttttttt
=======================================
Here's the terms:
1. StarForce offers you to participate in contest among users of StarForce protected applications in accordance with these terms (hereinafter – Terms).

2. At your own expense you arrive to StarForce headquarter which is placed in Russia, Moscow, Altufievskoe shosse, 5/2. Please arrange your visit with us beforehand and during working hours 10 AM to 6PM Monday through Friday Moscow time.

3. Using your PC (the subject PC’s hardware must be under warranty terms) or any StarForce office PC you demonstrate that:
- All the drives in the system are properly functioning prior to the installation of a StarForce protected product of your choice. A legal version of operational system must be installed and there must be no other third company products installed. StarForce experts have full access to the subject PC for verification of installed software.
- After the installation and start-up of StarForce protected product the CD or DVD drive in the subject PC is not reading CD/DVD discs or the drive is not writing CD/DVD discs.
- After this demonstration the subject Drive must be removed from the subject PC and installed into any other computer that has no StarForce protected products or drivers installed, that has a legal version of operational system and has no third company products installed. StarForce experts have full access to the subject PC for verification of installed software.

Should the subject Drive fail to read or write CD/DVD discs in the second PC, you will be acknowledged the Winner.

4. If you are acknowledged as the Winner StarForce shall compensate your travel expenses (air fare round trip to Moscow economy class, pay your two days lodging (three star hotel of your choice) in Moscow and pay 1000 USD as prize.
Your full name will be mentioned on www.star-force.com as the Winner of the Contest.

5. If you fail to reproduce the mentioned above terms, you will be acknowledged the loser and StarForce will mention your full name on www.star-force.com in the list of Losers of the Contest and any expenses shall not be compensated.

6. All disputes arising in connection of this contest will be resolved in accordance with legislation of EU.

7. Sending of application for participation in the contest confirms that you agree with these Terms.

[Stooby]

I stopped buying Ubisoft games because Starforce is super gay. First of all, you have to jump through hoops to get the damn thing working. Then, your computer fucks up and your CD drives disappear, etc.

However, if you download the starforce games, you install, mount the mini-image, and click on the exe. Voila! You are playing the game hassle free.

EDIT:
I think they missed the point. I don't think Starforce is actually ruining peoples hardware, it is just fucking up their drivers and making shit not work. That is what happened on my computer at least.

[Kelegacy]

I stopped buying Ubisoft games because Starforce is super gay. First of all, you have to jump through hoops to get the damn thing working. Then, your computer fucks up and your CD drives disappear, etc.

However, if you download the starforce games, you install, mount the mini-image, and click on the exe. Voila! You are playing the game hassle free.
Ironic, isn't it?

Or you could use the Starfuck Tool. I'd rather not have to unhook my CD/DVD drives in order to play a game, but I hear the newer Starforce games have made the Tool ineffective.

And to that list of Terms: No 3rd party stuff? Jesus H., what computer doesn't have 3rd party software? It's nearly impossible to enjoy a computer without 3rd party software these days.

[Stooby]

Ironic, isn't it?

Or you could use the Starfuck Tool. I'd rather not have to unhook my CD/DVD drives in order to play a game, but I hear the newer Starforce games have made the Tool ineffective.

And to that list of Terms: No 3rd party stuff? Jesus H., what computer doesn't have 3rd party software? It's nearly impossible to enjoy a computer without 3rd party software these days.

Nah, Star Fuck still works. You just have to have it on a different disk drive than your Windows install and close it after turning off your CDs instead of leaving it open the entire time.

I'd rather just use the mini-images though. They make life so easy.

EDIT:
I think the worst thing about Starforce is if you actually buy the game and try to play it, it forces you to restart your system before you can play. I havent restarted my system in like 3 months and I don't want to have to wait for the damned thing to restart just so I can play some stupid game.

[Worldcrafter]

Thanks for listing the rules Clancy. Reading through them, the project is completely set up to make anyone who tries to show them what's wrong with StarForce lose, and be publicly humiliated, as well as be down several hundred bucks. What an arrogant bunch of pricks.

"Our users have some legimitate problems with out software. We could either fix it, or pretend all is well by setting them up for failure, and then tell the world they are an idiot. Yeah, I like the second option better."

They're clearly hearing complaints, but they just aren't listening. Man, that just makes me sad.

[camberiu]

To meet is seems like a desperate act from a company that is facing a HUGE user backlash.

[Groo]

Ah, so the real culprit behind the rootkit fiasco is finally revealed: outsourcing. In the hopes of saving a few bucks, Sony outsourced their DRM software to Russia, and it ended up costing them much more in the end.

[jpublic]

Okay, I'm confused.

What does STarforce supposedly do? I've got 2 products that use it: X3: The Reunion, and the HOMM5 beta. I've noticed no issues with any of my hardware.

Given, my computer is only 2 months old, but am I missing something?

[camberiu]

Okay, I'm confused.

What does STarforce supposedly do? I've got 2 products that use it: X3: The Reunion, and the HOMM5 beta. I've noticed no issues with any of my hardware.

Given, my computer is only 2 months old, but am I missing something?


There are several things wrong with Starforce.

1) It install itself into the kernel (core) of your OS (which is a security no-no) and *COULD* make your computer vulnerable to hacker attacks. Starforce will stay on your Windows even if you completely uninstall X3 or HOMM5 from your machine. This is not a bug, it is done BY DESIGN.

2) It disables absolutelly legal and legitimate programs such as Alcohol 120 or Daemon Tools that you might have installed on your machine.

3) There are reports of RAID arrays being rendered completely useless and requiring a complete rebuild after Starforce was installed. There are also issues with stability and speed in some machines.

4) Some games that are 2 years old WILL NOT work on Windows x64 because of Starforce.

[Twigmaster]

Starforce, a Russian company has issued a world-wide contest for disgruntled users of their DRM software. Article on 1up (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3146416)



It's a trap! They just want to fly you and your PC to Moscow to brainwash you, give you cybernetic implants, and make you into a universal soldier!

Leave it to them to turn they own tragic downfall into a "Contest".

[H.Bogard]

Its pretty easy to run warez'd games that use star force, just download the iso/clone and mount it with daemon 4, install the game (make sure your dvd/cd drives are unplugged) run the game..........voila! I am not ashamed to admit that i play pirated versions of all star-force games....why? because i will only buy the real ones if they come without bullshit in the box.