Question about activation

[Tapsa]

Hi guys!

First of all, I really like your game. I played the demo for Space War Commander over the weekend, and got seriously hooked. Very nice I'm almost ready to buy the game, but I have a question about the activation process first.

The registration ID is unique to each computer, right? I always install all my games to both my desktop and my laptop. I travel a lot and want to play my games on the road, but prefer to play them on my home computer when at home. As I see it, if I want to install the game on two computers, I need to buy it twice? And what happens if I buy a new computer, or have to reinstall the OS? Do I need to buy a new activation key? If the answer to all these is yes, then I'm not buying. I want to install the game on all my computers, and I don't wan't deal with contacting customer support for new keys if I change my hardware or OS. Didn't you guys read all the negative feedback Spore got for its DRM scheme? Your system is even more evil than EA's evil schemes...

Why don't you put your game on sale on Stardock's Impulse? It's DRM system is simple, efficient and most of all, user friendly. A lot if independent developers have their games on Impulse, and I'd buy this game right away if I could get it from there.

[Godeke]

This is a good question. I don't mind a game bound to an account (ala Steam) even though it is always disappointing when the company vanishes and your game can not longer be authorized. (See this post: http://rocketmonkeys.com/post.325 where you can see that even the "big boys" decide to turn off authentication servers after a very short time; the comment that such purchases are really just rentals hits home).

The most common response is "well, if we have to do that we will release a final patch that removes the DRM", but my experience with failing game companies is that the final patch never comes: after all, it is just another expense that can't be afforded.

Curious what the response will be here; the demo appeals to be greatly (I found out about the game through http://www.geocities.com/islandofd/GoD/GoD.html where a fan went so far as to make a similar board game) but the lack of a "big name" authentication system is a downside.

[Program Fatebringer]

You can install the game on as many computers as you like or after you delete it from your current computer. Simply email us and we'll gladly send you a unique key each time. Within 24 hours. We're a small company, so the most important thing for us is to keep the customer happy. Period. Furthermore, if this company goes out of business, I will personally email the key to you as long as I am alive I am only 26, so let's call it a 50 year guarantee!

The people who make Steam are not interested in working with small/indie developers like us. PC Gamer ran an article about this recently. We've sent them countless emails, I assure you. They are truly "big business" and have never replied to us.

[Godeke]

That's a shame that Steam isn't interested. Ah well, I'm not all that interested in the multiple computer install and the game amused me, so I will be registering despite the machine bound reg code.

[OUFOOTBALLROCKS]

Great, glad to have you aboard Godeke

[Tapsa]

Thanks Fatebringer. Maybe I'll risk making a purchase then I will need that second code right away so I can install the game on both of my computers, so you'll be hearing from me soon.

Have you guys tried to put your game on Impulse? In case you don't know what it is, Impulse is Stardock's digital distribution platform, similiar to Steam, only much better They have a lot of games from independent developer on sale there, so you should have no problems getting your game there. Check it out: http://impulsedriven.com/ I've bought several games from Impulse (Sins of a Solar Empire and The Witcher to name a few) and some from Steam, and can honestly say that Impulse is much better.

And besides, Stardock basicly is an independent developer, although one that is doing quite well thanks a few successful games

[Program Fatebringer]

We're definitely looking at Impulse for the future. They are planning to launch an indie-friendly service in February.

[Tapsa]

Just an update, that I bought the game and got a second activation key quite easily. So I'm a happy customer

You might want to post a mention of this on the main web site or FAQ. I'm sure other people might also be concerned about can they install the game on another PC or can they get a new key in case they need to reinstall their OS or buy a new computer. With all the fuzz about DRM and copy protection these days, gamers are getting more and more concerned about what kind of limits there are to installing the game and using it.