IL2 Cliffs of Dover DRM Information

[ms-kleaneasy]

IL2 Sturmovik: Cliff of Dover will use the SolidShield DRM solution. SolidShield features a flexible activation process and allows for up to 3 simultaneous game installs.



FAQ

What type of DRM is being used in IL-2 Stumovik: COD?
Avatar uses a new driverless activation solution to manage activations developed by Solidshield with whom T@GES is partnering.


How many activations do I get?
You can indefinitely activate your copy of the game on the same PC. You start with three activations (so, three different PC hardware configurations) to begin with. After one month, one activation will be re-credited (up to a maximum of three available activations at any given time).


Do I have to be online to activate my game?
While the activation solution will initially attempt to activate your game online, you can elect to manually enter an activation code. You will need to enter the code that comes with your game into the activation wizard, you will then be given an activation code that you can enter manually. So, although you do not necessarily need to have your computer hooked up to the internet, you will need to go online to obtain a code before playing.


Can Solidshield be removed from my computer?
Once the activation process has been completed, the activation solution does not install any software on your computer. Once the activation is completed, a data file is stored. This file is not hidden and can be removed from your computer if you wish. In this case, a new activation process will be triggered at the next game launch (without any effect on your activation count credit). Finally, the activation is driverless: no driver must be installed and uninstalled.


What if I have problems?
You may contact Ubisoft support directly via http://support.ubi.com/.


Is it possible to revoke an installation?
Revocations are not considered, since users get one new activation per month, so if you do somehow manage to burn through your three activations, you only need to wait one month or contact support.

[Jaws2002]

Very fair. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif Excelent.

Thx.

[M_Gunz]

Will Solidshield take exception to my PC having Nero, a DVD burner or any other software or hardware or combination?

Starforce did have such problems.

[Urufu_Shinjiro]

Looks very reasonable! I posted a link to this on the 1C forums, this info needs to get around so as to avoid rumors and speculation.

[biggs222]

good news, thanks.

[K_Freddie]

Originally posted by ms-kleaneasy:
Do I have to be online to activate my game?
While the activation solution will initially attempt to activate your game online, you can elect to manually enter an activation code. You will need to enter the code that comes with your game into the activation wizard, you will then be given an activation code that you can enter manually. So, although you do not necessarily need to have your computer hooked up to the internet, you will need to go online to obtain a code before playing.


This needs to be explained in laymans terms.. a simple yes or no, for these questions.

1)Does 'activate my game' mean only at the time of installation ?

2)Does 'activate my game' mean every time I play ?

3)If I want to play offline, must I enter an 'activation code' every time I play ?

4)Can I play offline with no comms link what-so-ever?

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[JG52Uther]

Looks ok.
Two questions:
Will the dvd version and the D/L version use exactly the same DRM?
Is it possible to backup the D/L version to a disc?

[Choctaw111]

Pretty good news.
Thanks for posting.

[Bearcat99]

EXCELLENT!!

[AUS_Wolf_Rider]

Originally posted by K_Freddie:

This needs to be explained in laymans terms.. a simple yes or no, for these questions.

1)Does 'activate my game' mean only at the time of installation ?

2)Does 'activate my game' mean every time I play ?

3)If I want to play offline, must I enter an 'activation code' every time I play ?

4)Can I play offline with no comms link what-so-ever?

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif


at time of installation/ first run

same as windows, once only

same as windows

same as windows


I wonder why they changed the drm regime?

[Frank_Oconnor]

Eminently reasonable ... and way less nightmarish than previous activation schemes.

[ms-kleaneasy]

Passing questions on guys, I'll post back as soon as I've got some answers http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[avimimus]

Exceptionally reasonable.

The only issue I have is that there is nothing to indicate that the EULA will guarantee that the activation servers will remain up.

It would be very comforting for the lawyers to affirm our right to use the activation software (regardless of where UBI is in ten years).

Otherwise the is acceptable (for a long-time DRM opponent) and I particularly like how there is a means to activate the install without using an internet connection!

[PaulWF]

The only potential problem I see with this is the '3 systems' activation.

How are you identifying if someone is on a different computer?

I've seen countless instances of windows reactivations (both on the server and workstation level) and reactivations required for other software for things as simple as changing a NIC driver, changing a video card, changing a HDD.

Historically these schemes have been unreliable when using some sort of hash based upon hardware configuration being used as an Identifier.

Thanks.

[apple3.14]

Do I have to be online to activate my game?
While the activation solution will initially attempt to activate your game online, you can elect to manually enter an activation code. You will need to enter the code that comes with your game into the activation wizard, you will then be given an activation code that you can enter manually. So, although you do not necessarily need to have your computer hooked up to the internet, you will need to go online to obtain a code before playing.



We received many questions about the Digital Rights Management solution used in IL2 : COD. we understand it is an important subject for many of you, and we are a glad to tell you that IL2 Sturmovik: Cliff of Dover will use the SolidShield DRM solution. SolidShield features a flexible activation process and allows for up to 3 simultaneous game installs.

Please note that the game will also use the Steam platform for services such as matchmaking, anti-cheat etc… So you will need a Steam account to play the game.


So which is it? can we play on a machine that's not connected to the net or not?

[JG52Uther]

Steam http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

http://il-2-sturmovik.ubi.com/...vers/blog/uk/?p=1162 (http://il-2-sturmovik.ubi.com/cliffs-of-dovers/blog/uk/?p=1162)

[FlatSpinMan]

That is all a bit perplexing.

[jafa1967]

Blimey , how much more stuff can the take out and how much more crap can they stick in before were all sick of this shambles.

[PaulWF]

I'm fine with steam if they do a proper steam implementation:

- allowing offline mode after the game has been initially activated

- does not require later periodic 'authorisation' to allow you to play offline

[PaulWF]

OH - it does NOT say 3 computers - but 3 computer CONFIGURATIONS.

That is not good news at all!

Not only that - it's not necessary.

If the Sim does a proper steam implementation the game should be keyed to your steam user account and nothing more. It removes all these other requirements.

[K_Freddie]

This sounds like Solid Shield creates 3 encryption keys, which are determined by your hardware and how it's configured.
This is a problem if you change your configuration regularly, and having to wait for the end of the month can be, another nail in the coffin.

AND...The following question still has not been answered ?????


So which is it? can we play on a machine that's not connected to the net or not?

Unanswered questions means the answer is negative. Looks like Team-D still has a lot of life in them yet http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Skywalkr2006]

I can live with This DRM!!!

[slipBall]

Steam sounds OK to me

[Heavy_Weather]

Oh no, Steam? Oh well, you just lost a customer UBI.

http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/51.gif

[DD_Jabo]

Originally posted by K_Freddie:
This sounds like Solid Shield creates 3 encryption keys, which are determined by your hardware and how it's configured.
This is a problem if you change your configuration regularly, and having to wait for the end of the month can be, another nail in the coffin.


yes, except that they have also said you can contact SolidShield who will provide you with a key if somehow you've managed to burn through all 3 in a month


Originally posted by K_Freddie:
AND...The following question still has not been answered ?????
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
So which is it? can we play on a machine that's not connected to the net or not?

Unanswered questions means the answer is negative. Looks like Team-D still has a lot of life in them yet http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Initial activation will have to be done online (although there have been things said which indicates there may be other options e.g. phone), but offline play after that will not require access.

This is a supposition based on other steam games I currently run or have run recently.

Personally I don't care one way or the other, Steam or not, DRM or not, I'm just looking forward to the new game. It'll either work or not, and if not there'll be ways found to make it work. It'll make no difference to whether or not I'll need to go to work or take the kids to school.

It's all good.

Jabo

[clearedtoengage]

I am quite amazed that so many of you would not buy a game simply because it requires Steam. It seems like a critical arrogance to me. I have never once had a problem with Steam. Steam is not malware, nor will it hurt your computer. There are so many drama queens around here, getting all bent out of shape over computer "configurations" versus computers (means the same thing from the dev's point of view) and Steam. Are you really going to let a little thing like Steam (which is actually a helpful tool and good program) stand in your way of enjoying Oleg's newest sim? I sure won't.

[USAF77]

I never had issue with Steam either.

What issue I have is in finding out when this game will be released in America.

[timholt]

What happens if I sign up for Steam when CoD is released, install it and the game on my current computer and then upgrade later on - will it let me re-install on a new computer?

[acare84]

I love Steam as a DRM but why do you need 3rd party DRM on Steam too? Steam itself is a DRM, I hope you will remove the TAGES DRM in future.

[Gimpymoo]

Originally posted by timholt:
What happens if I sign up for Steam when CoD is released, install it and the game on my current computer and then upgrade later on - will it let me re-install on a new computer?

Yes, you can download an unlimited number of times using the Steam service.

[Beirut]

And once again the pirates will have this game days, if not weeks, before many of us and they won't need Steam or anything else to fly.

We the paying customers will wait, and pay, and maybe jump through a few hoops after paying our $50, and then fly.

The pirates will just fly.

Oh well.