Anti-Piracy Ideas

[ELIXIR]

Hey, why not make it like this. When you install the game, it would make you go to the net, and the net would check your game serial, and that way if someone has two same ones, it wont let you install it......... so all those key-gens wouldnt work.

Or hackers can bypass it? Any more ideas?

 

[FISKER_Q]

Hey, why not make it like this. When you install the game, it would make you go to the net, and the net would check your game serial, and that way if someone has two same ones, it wont let you install it.........

Or hackers can bypass it? Any more ideas?

It's technically what Windows does. So it is possible to bypass.

However i would think something like this:

use tages or starforce as protection, with the unrest in the scene it will take a lot of time.

Of course this should only be for the singleplayer version, as soon as you install it over steam it will be run and authenticated over steam.

So people wanting to get it for warez will have to wait a long time, and normal users can just either play normally or play online without starforce(but steam protection).

 

[Subz]

they will crack the fact that it has to be validaed online.

 

[ELIXIR]

It's technically what Windows does. So it is possible to bypass.

However i would think something like this:

use tages or starforce as protection, with the unrest in the scene it will take a lot of time.

Of course this should only be for the singleplayer version, as soon as you install it over steam it will be run and authenticated over steam.

So people wanting to get it for warez will have to wait a long time, and normal users can just either play normally or play online without starforce(but steam protection).

so the downloaded version will be playable offline, but not playable on-line right?

 

[FISKER_Q]

so the downloaded version will be playable offline, but not playable on-line right?

The downloaded/pirated version won't be playable until it's cracked, but then it would only be offline. (Gangland tooks ages to do, and it used starforce 3 i think). Although pirating never has been proved to destroy sales, it seems to destroy the first couple of weeks of sale.

That's why it was critical for those behind Gangland to have it out in like a month before it got pirated, and their sales went through the roof.

People were like "Screw this i'm just buying it". Cause they didn't want to wait.

Steam would use cd-key authentication so no dice there.

The bought version would only be playable offline(like CS:CZ) and then you would have to install steam to use it online. However when you do that it should pass over to steam protection, so you can play without cd.

 

[Kirkburn]

That's why it was critical for those behind Gangland to have it out in like a month before it got pirated, and their sales went through the roof.

Uh, how does that make sense? Of course they would release a game with anti-piracy stuff, and before it gets hacked!

 

[FISKER_Q]

Uh, how does that make sense? Of course they would release a game with anti-piracy stuff, and before it gets hacked!

I'm meaning that good anti-piracy software actually placed them in the top of the US sales lists

 

[Alec_85]

Hey, why not make it like this. When you install the game, it would make you go to the net, and the net would check your game serial, and that way if someone has two same ones, it wont let you install it......... so all those key-gens wouldnt work.

Could you explain why key-gens wouldn't because of this system? AFAIK, key-gens GENERATE new codes everytime you hit the "generate" button. And the codes are usually like 20 chars long with both letters & numbers involved. So the odds of somebody getting the same combination as someone else is kinda like a billion to one.

If they should use this idea, they should add something like this:
Add a list of released keys (you know, the codes shipped to stores etc) that the program can compare the codes uploaded with. If it finds that someone has uploaded a code that haven't been released to the stores / sees that no one has bought that code yet (might require some sort of communication between Valve & stores though) then stop them from playing. That way, the program can see if it's a generated key or not.

Just upload a key. Then the securitybot runs a search for that code in its system. If it finds it, then you'll get to play. Or it will complain that it's already activated (this creates a problem with re-installs I guess) by someone. If it doesn't find it, then, well, it's either a fake (read: generated) or not yet bought/shipped to a store. I bet the current system uses something similar Or it can see directly into the code (like in the matrix teehee) & see if it's a fake or not.

BUT I believe this is NOT something new to either the warezers NOR to the companies who make these kinds of systems. So my post was kinda unneccesary anyway Oh well.

Edit: I guess I based my theory on current non-Steam security systems.

 

[Kirkburn]

I'm meaning that good anti-piracy software actually placed them in the top of the US sales lists

Yes, pretty much all games have excellent anti-piracy software now, Starforce 3 is exceptional! I'm all for it ... although to get a game at the top of the best sellers list I'd think it needs to be good, not have good anti-piracy stuff!

 

[Daiceman9]

Yes, but you all forget the hype and expectations of HL2, it will be a big deal for the first group that has it cracked, so i would allmost expect it out a week or so after it is gold.

 

[Kirkburn]

Still, glad they won't be playing online

 

[Wesisapie]

It will be the same as every other game out there.
Single player cracked
MP only on cracked servers.

They'll probably use some replacement steam with a clever name, like Vapour.

 

[SubKamran]

Could you explain why key-gens wouldn't because of this system? AFAIK, key-gens GENERATE new codes everytime you hit the "generate" button. And the codes are usually like 20 chars long with both letters & numbers involved. So the odds of somebody getting the same combination as someone else is kinda like a billion to one.

If they should use this idea, they should add something like this:
Add a list of released keys (you know, the codes shipped to stores etc) that the program can compare the codes uploaded with. If it finds that someone has uploaded a code that haven't been released to the stores / sees that no one has bought that code yet (might require some sort of communication between Valve & stores though) then stop them from playing. That way, the program can see if it's a generated key or not.

Just upload a key. Then the securitybot runs a search for that code in its system. If it finds it, then you'll get to play. Or it will complain that it's already activated (this creates a problem with re-installs I guess) by someone. If it doesn't find it, then, well, it's either a fake (read: generated) or not yet bought/shipped to a store. I bet the current system uses something similar Or it can see directly into the code (like in the matrix teehee) & see if it's a fake or not.

BUT I believe this is NOT something new to either the warezers NOR to the companies who make these kinds of systems. So my post was kinda unneccesary anyway Oh well.

Edit: I guess I based my theory on current non-Steam security systems.

Crap, you stole my idea.

 

[Wesisapie]

There is no way to get around single player piracy. End of story.

 

[Stigmata]

MP only on cracked servers.

I don't think you'll be able to run "cracked" servers on any Steam-powered game. Because in order to run the Steam front-end to get to the multiplayer, you'll need a unique, valid key to be checked against the the Steam master servers. So anyone who wants to run a server will likely also need a valid key, otherwise whenever you join a server it will automatically check your key with the master server database.

Maybe. I dunno. I kind of confused myself there :rolling:

 

[Daiceman9]

But, they can just crack that too, the only limmit is practicality and number of people who would actucally do it, and because this is HL2 then there is a chance for there to be a significant demand for it.

 

[SubKamran]

There is no way to get around single player piracy. End of story.

Pessimist.

Who knows sometime in the future someone will be smart enough to have anti-piracy standards where microchips are embedded onto the CDs to prevent piracy.

 

[clarky003]

what about a piece of programming on a game disk that detects weither your trying to copy the information,, ..? then either makes the disk unreadable or wipes critical information. so the disk becomes void.

maybe crazy but couldnt you develop a specific type of disk for games or any important material that could do that? I mean data on a disk ... does it have to be static? like with modern disks, or can you have a membrane that keeps information in an unstatic form, so the inormation can change itself to a programmed degree (enough to stop the game from working, or being copied), if its triggered to do so.

 

[UKchaos]

Hey, why not make it like this. When you install the game, it would make you go to the net, and the net would check your game serial, and that way if someone has two same ones, it wont let you install it......... so all those key-gens wouldnt work.

Not everyone that will play HL2 will have internet access.

what about a piece of programming on a game disk that detects weither your trying to copy the information,, ..?

The game is installed from a legit CD then cracked to work without needing the CD present.

 

[eediot]

1) you cannot have a complete list of shipped CD-keys anywhere connected to the internet, no matter how indirect. What are you, crazy? Do you want everybody who bought the game to have their cd-key's invalidated? it's not going to happen, and with good reason. it's just too insecure, and the results of a compromisation would be disastrous.

2) "what about a piece of programming on a game disk that detects weither your trying to copy the information,, ..? then either makes the disk unreadable or wipes critical information. so the disk becomes void."

how will it determine how it is being copied/cracked/hex'd? It does not have operating system level power, it can't control the system to decide if it's being manipulated incorrectly, and besides, how could it tell? there are many many operating systems out there, and many many ways to do what the crackers want to do. and what if innocent activity from a valid customer is misinterpreted as unauthorised activity? are you just going to wipe the CD and go "whoops, sorry, collateral damage, you understand."

The most they can do is make it as annoying for the crackers as possible, and the advantages of buying the game as appealing as possible, and hope that the people who have it as an option, are more attracted to purchasing the game legit.

 

[clarky003]

The game is installed from a legit CD then cracked to work without needing the CD present

but surely theres a difference,, afterall the crack is different to the cd, it just fools the computer into thinking that the cd is there... maybe the only way is to make computers a bit more inteligent.. aswell as the software.

 

[Daiceman9]

Pessimist.

Who knows sometime in the future someone will be smart enough to have anti-piracy standards where microchips are embedded onto the CDs to prevent piracy.

Windows and intell are trying to make an operating system/chip that will compleatly wipe out not only piracy but privacy.

 

[clarky003]

privacy.....?? can they do that. its already as unprivate as it gets in this age of the internet,.. right?.. so if we dont have any privacy atall.. where does the law come into it? or do microsoft think their above the law?

 

[Daiceman9]

Yes they can do that, it is their software you are using, if you dont like it then you can use some other software...Lunix might start looking pretty good in the next coupple of years...

Sirously though they really are trying to do this, if you think about it most people couldn't use lunix as it is so they will have no choice but to let microsoft get all their information.

 

[sabre89]

Wtf I said this before, there will always be piracy untill Al Gore turns off the internet. Geez

 

[tvgm2]

Could you explain why key-gens wouldn't because of this system? AFAIK, key-gens GENERATE new codes everytime you hit the "generate" button. And the codes are usually like 20 chars long with both letters & numbers involved. So the odds of somebody getting the same combination as someone else is kinda like a billion to one.

Most keygens only have keys that have been verified to work at that time. Cracking an algorithim is extremely difficult to do, and most hacking groups wouldn't waste their time with it, unless it's a huge release... such as windows. If keygens and algorithims were that simple, they would've come up with more complex security solutions by now.

 

[Mountain Man]

Here's my anti-piracy idea: Lower the prices and include more value in the box. Instead of selling a regular edition then an even more expensive special edition, make the special edition the regular edition and sell it for half the price.

My logic works like this: A warez kiddie can either buy a game for $50, often with a poor manual if one is even included, and the game CDs in a proper case if you're lucky, or he can get the same value for free off the internet. Obviously, downloading a warezed copy of the game is the better "deal" and there is little incentive to actually buy it.

But imagine if that same game sold for $25 and included a colorful, well-written manual, a t-shirt, and a poster for your wall. Now what's the better deal, get the game for free with no extras, or spend $25 and get yourself a cool little prize package? Suddenly, the free version doesn't look so good and spending money actually gets you more value.

Of course, a t-shirt and poster may be fairly mundane, but I'm sure the marketing departments could come up with some great ideas. The whole point is to make the boxed copy the better value which will encourage more people to buy rather than steal.

 

[UKchaos]

but surely theres a difference,, afterall the crack is different to the cd, it just fools the computer into thinking that the cd is there...

Once the game has been cracked you can create a new installer out of the contents of the hl2 installation folder. Even if windows was designed to detect these things, people would make work arounds for that too. There are a whole communities of very dedicated crack makers and only one of them has to be sucessful for the game to be come free to all.

 

[Z|insane]

Here's my anti-piracy idea: Lower the prices and include more value in the box. Instead of selling a regular edition then an even more expensive special edition, make the special edition the regular edition and sell it for half the price.

My logic works like this: A warez kiddie can either buy a game for $50, often with a poor manual if one is even included, and the game CDs in a proper case if you're lucky, or he can get the same value for free off the internet. Obviously, downloading a warezed copy of the game is the better "deal" and there is little incentive to actually buy it.

But imagine if that same game sold for $25 and included a colorful, well-written manual, a t-shirt, and a poster for your wall. Now what's the better deal, get the game for free with no extras, or spend $25 and get yourself a cool little prize package? Suddenly, the free version doesn't look so good and spending money actually gets you more value.

Of course, a t-shirt and poster may be fairly mundane, but I'm sure the marketing departments could come up with some great ideas. The whole point is to make the boxed copy the better value which will encourage more people to buy rather than steal.

I have heard the same idea ( the general idea - lower prices / more value ) for music, yet I really have a hard time believeing that publishing companies will ever go for it...

 

[Mountain Man]

I have heard the same idea ( the general idea - lower prices / more value ) for music, yet I really have a hard time believeing that publishing companies will ever go for it...

Probably not. They obviously consider piracy an acceptable loss while gouging legitimate customers.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

maybe the only way is to make computers a bit more inteligent.. aswell as the software.

yeah.. that day is coming thanks to Microsoft and Intel.

Windows and intell are trying to make an operating system/chip that will compleatly wipe out not only piracy but privacy.

/me nods

its the next Windows operating system that Microsoft is trying to build which incorporates hardware tech with software..

and in the middle of it all is the issue of privacy.. :|

 

[G-Dub]

Hey, why not make it like this. When you install the game, it would make you go to the net, and the net would check your game serial, and that way if someone has two same ones, it wont let you install it......... so all those key-gens wouldnt work.

Or hackers can bypass it? Any more ideas?

What if the buyer doesn't have internet access? They would be screwed!!!

 

[bigun]

if valve hadnt of incorporated offline mode, then piracy would be impossible with steam, even for singleplayer.

that is, if the game REQUIRED you to have a net connection even to play singleplayer so it would auth you every time you wanted to play.

give it a few years

 

[Kirkburn]

I agree that internet checking would be an excellent way of preventing piracy - people without net access may complain, but is that not similar to having a graphics card that is too old, or a PC that's too slow? It'll just be another one of those 'requirements' to run a modern game

 

[Dougy]

Does it realy matter?

as long as there are games there will always be piraters...

and no shitty idea that billgates dreams up will change that.

 

[Kirkburn]

What exactly was the point of that post?

Microsoft has come up with some very good ideas in the past, don't flame them for something they may/may not think up! Anyways, most anti-piracy stuff is not MS so whats the problem?

 

[staddydaddy]

Hey, why not make it like this. When you install the game, it would make you go to the net, and the net would check your game serial, and that way if someone has two same ones, it wont let you install it......... so all those key-gens wouldnt work.

Or hackers can bypass it? Any more ideas?

this is what black and white did. It even took screens of your game and sent them to a master server.

 

[Fat Tony!]

Hey, why not make it like this. When you install the game, it would make you go to the net, and the net would check your game serial, and that way if someone has two same ones, it wont let you install it......... so all those key-gens wouldnt work.

Or hackers can bypass it? Any more ideas?

What if you arnt able to access the net? Not everyone has an internet connection. God knows how windows xp gets by the fact that not everyone has it.
/me is confused or misinformed

 

[<RJMC>]

HL2 will be pirated

believe me

 

[Kirkburn]

I don't think there's anyone here who doesn't believe that it will get pirated ...
(Also stop copy and pasting urself from other threads, RJMC)