Say something bad about Starforce see the FBI

[XxSATANxX]

StarForce has decided if you don't like the company and complain about them they will sue you and call the FBI.
This from StarForce:

Dear Sir, calling StarForce "Anti-copying malware" is a good enough cause to press charges and that is what our corporate lawyer is busy doing right now. I urge you to remove your post.

More StarForce fun here: http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/31/starforce_threatens_.html

[Ghost_Saint]

Hey starforce, your software is Anti-copying malware, sue me.

[bapenguin]

It's also shit.

[bKangy]

I say it's malware too, so rock this, bitches.

[sickfallout]

<.<

>.>

StarForce is anti-copying malware, and makes me want remove it from my machine with a crowbar and several twist-ties.

[Mortis]

I'm sure the FBI will get right on this, top priority.

[fitbabits]

Excellent. I love me some Starforce - nothing like having to reinstall my whole OS because of it.

[CapnAJ]

Haha, is this for real?!

[Vermillion]

I heard that the people who made StarForce eat babies and strangle puppies.

[fitbabits]

I heard that the people who made StarForce eat babies and strangle puppies.
You've got that arse for tit - they strangle babies and eat puppies. Or so I've been told. :D

[BabyJesus]

I agree, I have never seen such a pain in the ass copy protection. Go to hell starforce!! I will NEVER buy another starforce protected game, PERIOD. Hows that for helping software sales, assmunch idiots.

[askheaves]

You've got that arse for tit [...]:D

That's among the coolest turns of phrase I've heard in a long time.

[CapnAJ]

This sounds like a childlike "My dad is a boxer and if you keep caling me names I'll get him to punch you in the nose!" moment.

[CapnAJ]

That's among the coolest turns of phrase I've heard in a long time.

When I was a kid my friends and myself used to say when someone fell over "Ooh look, he went arse over tit!".

[dotbomb]

Nuh uh... my daddy can beat up your daddy! And while you are at it get off my property!

[ÜberJumper]

Damn, I was going to buy Earned in Blood too...

http://www.glop.org/starforce/#games

[fitbabits]

Damn, I was going to buy Earned in Blood too...

http://www.glop.org/starforce/#games
Nice link! I wonder how many people actually have Starforce on their systems without realizing it. One peek at that list will be enough to have some people tearing their hair out.

[Malovech]

I believe that StarForce also thanked Hitler for their successes.

[sflufan]

The FBI is more likely to file criminal charges against the StarForce creators for wasting their freakin' time.

[total]

I've found Starforce is easy enough to deal with, so I don't complain. I just go to http://www.similarities.org/starforce.html and check to make sure a game I'm going to buy doesn't use it. To this day I would have purchased: Worms 4, Blitzkrieg 2, Freedom Force vs. The Third Reich, Splinter Cell 3: Chaos Theory, and Trackmania + Sunrise had they not contained Starforce. Tell them how you feel with your wallets.

[Zawath]

The truth is that the new Starforce is harmless. Don't believe all that false propaganda because the latest version hasn't caused any problems.

[Taco]

Photoshop anyone? (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/02/23)

[Evil_SPanKY]

lol...harmless....your making me wet my panties.

How can it be harmless? Hunh, THEY EAT BABIES!!1!$?~! That's not harmless...

Oh yeah, and I don't own ONE single game from that list, how 'bout you all? How many have signed on with the devil?

[Taco]

The truth is that the new Starforce is harmless. Don't believe all that false propaganda because the latest version hasn't caused any problems.

Not sure how that matters. You forgive murderers if they start doing nice things after they got busted?

[Zawath]

Not sure how that matters. You forgive murderers if they start doing nice things after they got busted?

Everyone deserves a second chance.

[CapnAJ]

Does it actually have an effect on Game Piracy? As in are any of the Starforce 'protected' games available for download off fileshare networks?

[Taco]

Does it actually have an effect on Game Piracy?

Given the people I know I'd say no. Which is another resaon I hate this crap. It doesn't accomplish anything. A 5 second google search gets you around it.

[XxSATANxX]

Does it actually have an effect on Game Piracy? As in are any of the Starforce 'protected' games available for download off fileshare networks?


It has a dramatic effect on sales so I think it helps in that way. :rolleyes:

[CapnAJ]

It has a dramatic effect on sales so I think it helps in that way. :rolleyes:

Haha too true, from a positive effect on Game piracy point of view.

[XxSATANxX]

Everyone deserves a second chance.

No They don't.

Installing software without the knowledge or approval of the user is enough
a reason to ban this crap.

The PR guy at SF wanted attention on this issue. I'm just helping make sure the word gets out. :D

[bean19]

I've found Starforce is easy enough to deal with, so I don't complain. I just go to http://www.similarities.org/starforce.html and check to make sure a game I'm going to buy doesn't use it. To this day I would have purchased: Worms 4, Blitzkrieg 2, Freedom Force vs. The Third Reich, Splinter Cell 3: Chaos Theory, and Trackmania + Sunrise had they not contained Starforce. Tell them how you feel with your wallets.

I'm all against game piracy and don't mind publishers using programs to protect themselves, but not if the protections can potentially slow down my system.

So, thanks for the link (I found it myself through looking for the site that the boingboing blog writer alluded to but did not link - with gamers who are boycotting StarForce). I totally plan on using it.

I've been thinking about getting Area 51 now that it is less expensive. . . but not now. Also, I really wanted HOMM V, so it is a bit of a let-down that they are packaging it with protection that could slow my PC.

[total]

The truth is that the new Starforce is harmless. Don't believe all that false propaganda because the latest version hasn't caused any problems.

I know for a fact that the new Starforce is not harmless. My buddy bought Worms 4 and brought it over to my lan one night in hopes of getting me to buy it. Now I love me some worms, but when he installed it, and it actually disabled his DVD Burner I was a bit spooked. For shits and giggles I took his DVD burner and put it in a spare PC I have and installed Worms 4. After the required reboot I had the exact same problem. Nothing could be read or burned to that drive. I uninstalled Worms 4 and the problem stuck. I formatted the PC and reinstalled Windows and everything was fine. I couldn't believe a video game actually disabled hardware in a system. This was actually what introduced me to Starforce. He tried a bunch of solutions to get his burner working but nothing helped, he eventually had to reinstall Windows too.

A video game should not require a full format to get everything it installs off a PC. If the Starforce crap came off easily I wouldn't have a problem with it. I've had malware (spyware + adware) that is easier to get out of a system. It is a joke, and as gamers we should be outraged. You are being treated like a criminal for buying a product.

Whatever happened to making a backup of a game you own for your own use? What is wrong with taking a 4 CD game you bought and putting it on one DVD so you don't destroy your $50 original? If game companies offered easy, cheap ways to replace the media your game came on there would be no issue. My copy of Doom 3 has a scratch on it and now I can't play online because I need the CD. How about id send me a new copy of the media (how about $10, that is plenty for the media and the shipping) since I already own the license? This is why I like Steam. No copy protection, and once you buy a game it is yours. No dinking around with media that is known to flaw easily.

[Taco]

A video game should not require a full format to get everything it installs off a PC.

Maybe the problem is that our expectations are unreasonably high?

[bean19]

Given the people I know I'd say no. Which is another resaon I hate this crap. It doesn't accomplish anything. A 5 second google search gets you around it.

Actually, according to gameburnworld (or something - just perused it quickly) - there is not a way around Starforce 3.0 yet, but earlier versions are beatable.

I called a friend who pirates games (downloads off the Internet - not a reseller - he also smokes pot, but didn't do either of these when we met so I guess I look past the behavior) and went over the list with him. He states that he got Area 51 off the internet and did not have any problems.

So, yes it is definitely beatable.

What concerns me (as someone who doesn't pirate games) is the idea that the protection could slow my PC. I don't care aobut whether or not it messes up drives that burn CDs or DVDs as I don't own a CD or DVD burner (use a USB flash device if I need one, but mostly can get by e-mailing school assignments). Anyway, they have a contest (http://www.star-force.com/protection.phtml?c=261&id=707) where they are giving away $10K to anyone who can reproduce a drive error in their office.

Still, the fact that this is installed with games and can't be uninstalled afterwards (when uninstalling the game) is enough to get me to ban Starforce protected products.

They need to be up front about copy protection and ensure that it cannot have a negative effect on someone's PC, and that if it does have a negative effect, it can be removed without a complete system format (uninstall functionality).

[alienchild]

Does it actually have an effect on Game Piracy? As in are any of the Starforce 'protected' games available for download off fileshare networks?

The question is, are there any of these games not on any fileshare network? As far as I can see... none.

[Knite]

It really amazes me that it's almost as if you can trust the pirated software more than the storebought. Seriously. At least if the pirated software has something malicious in it it generally shows on a virus scan.

[Taco]

Anyway, they have a contest where they are giving away $10K to anyone who can reproduce a drive error in their office.

Seems to me they are only covering claims that it physically damages DVD and CD drives. As in if you take the drive out and put it in an other StarForce free system the problems will still exist.

Anyone who says that is full of shit.

[XxSATANxX]

Star force is offering to pay money to anyone who can prove the software is harmful.


please someone take them up on that!

[Taco]

From the terms of the rigged publicity stunt contest.

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 product itself must not be hazardous for optical drives) 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.

Sorry that doesn't cover the real issues.

[Taco]

Christ, not to mention this:

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.

Nice guys.

[Varsity]

BoingBoing is the online equivalent of the Daily Mail when it comes to DRM. It won't happen, but a victory for the SF guys would certainly put a smile on my face, if for no other reason than the chance to see another arrogant hater being put back in his (might be her I guess, I'm not familiar with 'Cory') place.

[bean19]

Taco - I totally didn't read that part. Wow.

So. . . if it breaks the original user's drives they don't see it as a problem unless it stays broken on a system that doesn't have Starforce installed? Wow. . . that's pretty messed up.

[total]

Seems to me they are only covering claims that it physically damages DVD and CD drives. As in if you take the drive out and put it in an other StarForce free system the problems will still exist.

Anyone who says that is full of shit.


I also believe you have to get it to appear on their hand picked hardware. So they cherry pick the hardware that reproduces no errors when combined with Starforce. As everyone knows, there is a myriad of hardware out there. Apparently Starforce does not work with all of it.

Here is a sticky from the Codemasters forum discussing Starforce:
http://community.codemasters.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41307

[Deadend]

Starforce is stupid, hell, all copy protection is stupid, as there is always a way around. Hell, I can't belive that Starforce is trying to play games with Cory Doctrow, he is friends with the EFF and the anti-copy protection stuff.

Oh, did anyone else notice that Sudeki was on the list? I thought it was an Xbox only medicore RPG, but it seems to be on PC as well.

[Taco]

Going against money grubbing, evil and damaging companies = arrogant hater? Hope you're enjoying that corporate milk you're sucking.

http://news.com.com/5208-7349-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=11535&messageID=86618&start=-184

Anytime someone sides with a company acting like Starforce they should get Tazed.

[drakkarim]

i hope to god someday somone will come up with a better solution then starshit and bankrupt those fucking russians into being the red square whores again.

[Varsity]

Going against money grubbing, evil and damaging companies = arrogant hater?
Bless your little soul.

[Dirty Harry]

Does it actually have an effect on Game Piracy? As in are any of the Starforce 'protected' games available for download off fileshare networks?
To be completely honest, pirates have been continually able to defeat and bypass starforce protections with a blink of the eye. The excuse that starforce adds a few weeks for the game to be cracked is such BS its truly amazing.

[Beelzebud]

StarForce was cracked on the first title that used it.

Now it's just anti-copy malware. :D

[Andro]

It'd be nice if Spybot/Ad-ware et-all picked this up.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

This thread is malware! Oh no Evil is gonna sue meeeeee! And that didnt even make sense!

[Kelegacy]

I don't buy games that have Starforce on them. It's my own personal boycott.

[doyama]

The real problem is that there are some great games out there that unfortunately use the Starforce mechanism for copy protection. I can barely play UFO Aftermath because the game behaves in such weird ways like 10 minute load times between levels or just crashing into oblivion.

Hammer an Sickle is great too, but again it uses Starforce though seems to be more stable on my machine than UFO is.

[Lodin]

All I will say about this is that I bought a copy of Space Rangers 2 a couple of months back and could not get it running no matter what. After two months of trying anything and everything to get past SF I finally gave up, tossed the DVD in the closet and downloaded a cracked version. Now I can finally play the game I bought all that time ago.
Hooray for effective anti piracy measures!

[Tia]

Can they put Starforce on X360? I fear that day, since you can't even reinstall the operating system on that.

Evil anti-copy malware.

[Dr Quincy]

After two months of trying anything and everything to get past SF I finally gave up, tossed the DVD in the closet and downloaded a cracked version.

Read all about it! Industry leading anti-hack, StarForce promotes piracy!

[gawaintheblind]

I think that its important to note here, in all seriousness, that there isn't anything that can't be broken, software wise. It just doesn't exist. Period.

So really all that is happening here is that the people who DON'T pirate games end up having to piss around with meaningless crap before they can play.

Its too late for anti-piracy software. Maybe if in the 80s they had started creating hardware with copy protection built into it, we might have something, but even that I doubt. With all the console mods avaliable right now, it probably wouldn't have mattered to go that way either.

[Voodoo]

StarForce Ate My Balls! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ate_my_balls)

[XxSATANxX]

Read all about it! Industry leading anti-hack, StarForce promotes piracy!

And Piracy promotes sales. Ahhh shit never mind that's a different thread :o

[Thenetcase]

I think StarForce is a friggin joke. They screwed up several games that I like because of their HORRIBLE, PATHETIC lack of support for Windows X64!
I would almost dance in the street if they died. Not because I don't believe in copy protection, but because I hate anyone who intrudes into my computer and causes problems. They are definitely malware since they do physical damage to your OS in many, many cases.
Not to mention the fact that I've seen people who had legit software end up screwed badly because their starforce authorization went south on them. What ended up happening to both people I know was that they had to reinstall their entire friggin' OS.

So yes, StarForce can sue me and turn me into the FBI too. But it would be a more practical spending of time to actually make their system less of a piece of crap and more of a useful tool.

-TNC-

[Stooby]

The truth is that the new Starforce is harmless. Don't believe all that false propaganda because the latest version hasn't caused any problems.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/01/25

[Goronmon]

Man, there really is a PA for every situation...

[[Jez]]

Does it actually have an effect on Game Piracy? As in are any of the Starforce 'protected' games available for download off fileshare networks?
2 mins on one web site:
7 Sins (c) Monte Cristo 46x15 MB
Area 51 (c) Midway 155x15 MB
Brothers in Arms: Earned In Blood (c) Ubisoft 180x15 MB
I'm bored now but you get the idea....
The truth is that the new Starforce is harmless. Don't believe all that false propaganda because the latest version hasn't caused any problems.
I reviewed a Starforce game (CRC2005) for a web site and it worked fine untill I used the auto update witch installed newer Starforce protection, then my PC would reboot everytime I tried to run it
...I very much want GothicIII... I just hope to god they see sense

[CapnAJ]

Cheers [Jez]. Didn't think it would be so easy to locate the games.

[Heretic Machine]

Chuck Norris had this to say about Starforce "...," and then he roundhouse kicked their baby-eating asses.

The question here is whether I'll be sued by Chuck Norris, or the makers of Starforce?

[Demo_Boy]

Starforce + game = I'm not buying that game.
It could be Halo. I don't care.

[bean19]

Jez - Do these pirated games come without the Starforce software that can potentially hurt your system? If so, I might consider buying HOMM V, leaving it in the box, and downloading the "pirated" version.

[Zurik]

I love how in their contest they only address the rumor of Starforce destroying a DVD drive. Not the reality, where it just disables your drive as long as starforce is on there. I can't believe they're still around, do people actually buy the games that come with this? If so, what DVD drive do you have that works? I'd really like to know considering I wanted to play Splinter Cell 3, but the lock-ups killed it.

[Taco]

99.9999999% of the people don't even know what StarForce is, let alone which games it's bundled with. I'm surprised StarForce doesn't lower their profile and ignore the criticism.

[Dag-Sabot]

Thanks for the heads up i removed my starforce malware last night. Im staying well away from UBI in the future, just as well, after all the stinkers they've released of late.

[Expugnare]

Damn, I was going to buy Earned in Blood too...

http://www.glop.org/starforce/#games
Cool, I don't have any of those games and I wasn't intentionally boycotting.

[[Jez]]

Jez - Do these pirated games come without the Starforce software that can potentially hurt your system? If so, I might consider buying HOMM V, leaving it in the box, and downloading the "pirated" version.
I've just looked at the nfo for Brothers in Arms:EIB it is protected by SF3.6 and to play it you just install and copy a cracked file over from the disc, I dont really know about piracery (including how to spell the word :) ) but it sounds simple enough, no mention if sf installs but if it does you can use the uninstall tool to remove it, just please buy the game... we need more PC sales :p However if I buy a SF protected game I will prolly download it, burn it then take photos of em both and email them to the devs with a title like "This is what you made me do!" :D

[Nik_Doof]

Good ol' Starforge, they like threating everyone :), anyone remember the one on Cnet?