The Sims 3 won't have 'overly invasive' copy protections

The Sims 3. Credit: Maxis / Electronic Arts

Stung by the backlash from the copy-protection scheme it had for Spore, Maxis today announced it would not have the same system for its upcoming game, The Sims 3.

Instead of SecuROM, a program that required online authentication to prevent pirated copies from being played, Maxis said it would revert back to the disc-based copy protection it used for The Sims 2. As a result, the anti-piracy measures for The Sims 3, due out June 2, will require users to enter a serial code to play the disc. That means players can use that disc to play the game on any machine as long as they have the code.

Here's what Rod Humble, head of the studio owned by Electronic Arts, said:

We feel like this is a good, time-proven solution that makes it easy for you to play the game without DRM methods that feel overly invasive or leave you concerned about authorization server access in the distant future.

Players last fall rebelled against the SecuROM digital rights management system in Spore, which restricted to three the number of computers on which players could install the game. They punished the company by giving the game low marks in reviews on Amazon.com, driving down the average rating for the game. Two weeks after the game was released, Maxis loosened the locks and raised the limit to five computers.

-- Alex Pham

Comments

[khashayar]

Thanks GOD that maxis hasn't applyed this failed system on THE SIMS 3,which is my favorite game.

[Rob]

How about more details? Does it have a driver? Does it require a service? Does it require admin rights? Does it limit which drives you use?

Some of the worst protections in existence, like Starforce, don't use online activation.

[Z]

According to the EULA, the digital download version of Sims 3 uses SecuROM and online authentication is required. Also see the part about in game dynamic advertisement.

http://na.llnet.eadownloads.ea.com/u/f/manuals/eula/en_US/eula_sims3_physical+digital.pdf