Dragon Age: Thread View

Hi Everyone,

I have some good news to pass on to you today that answers one of the most frequently asked Dragon Age: Origins PC questions.

We’re happy to announce that the boxed/retail PC version of Dragon Age: Origins will use only a basic disk check and it will not require online authentication. In other words, the retail PC version of the game won’t require you to go online to authenticate the game for offline play. We have chosen not to use SecuROM in any version of Dragon Age that is distributed by EA or BioWare.

Some other cool stuff that we hope you’ll like - we have already launched the Dragon Age toolset beta, which offers developer-grade tools, and we’re looking forward to what fans will create with it. We’ll also be supporting the game with a ton of great downloadable content that will be available for purchase after the game’s release. Together these features will provide some very cool reasons to go online with Dragon Age: Origins.

We’re really excited as we head towards the release of Dragon Age: Origins this fall on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, so keep an eye out for more news as we’ll be providing you with more details shortly.

Stay tuned for more coolness to come…

I just answered the question in teh toolset forum (where it belongs).

Please keep this thread on topic.

Quote: Posted 05/04/09 19:48 (GMT) by Sblade

Just a notice: Starforce can´t be used in North America.

Safedisc has gone RIP

This leaves us with 2 choices: Uniloc or Tages.

Am I right Mr. Priestly?

I think neither constitute a 'simple disk check'.

Quote: Posted 05/04/09 19:35 (GMT) by Quixal

Possible DDRM was the only thing standing between me and a purchase.

Dance Dance Revolution Multiplayer?

Quote: Posted 05/04/09 19:08 (GMT) by cogadh_x

This is certainly good news, but the way it was worded leaves some significant questions. The game will not be using SecuROM, but what will it be using for the disk check? Starforce? Tages? Something worse?

I don't think we are hitting the specifics yet, but I can tell you two things. Starforce is not a basic disk check. Tages is not a basic disk check. (Please see Chris's first post if you are unsure of the "basic disk check" phrase.)

Quote: What about versions that are not distributed by EA or BioWare, will they use SecuROM?

In the most basic sense, without referring to Dragon Age directly, most digital distributors use whatever they usually use to protect the games they sell. For example, Mass Effect on Steam used Steam for its DRM.

Quote: Posted 05/04/09 21:16 (GMT) by deoren

Standalone patches please?

We have always released standalone patches for our games.

Every once in a while, interacting with all you jerks is worth it.

Then use the private message system or the correct forum. Thanks.

Please try and stay on the topic of the copy protection announcement and not on other things unrelated.

Quote: Posted 05/25/09 21:50 (GMT) by Phaidon_atlas

Derek French did not mention SecuROM...

Of course I didn't because the original press release says that we aren't using SecuROM for Dragon Age: Origins. I can say it again if it wasn't clear.

We are not using SecuROM for Dragon Age: Origins.

Quote: Posted 05/26/09 00:36 (GMT) by Sylvius the Mad

You can't expect people to do research or understand the issue, Derek, geez.

And that is why we need the ability to upvote comments on this forum.

Quote: Posted 06/03/09 16:04 (GMT) by Sblade

The Maxoids of the BBS stated the same for Sims 3, and we are seeing what has happened.

A program designed by Sony. They are getting the same issues that Securom has in The sims 3 forum. Whatever Copy Protection the Sims 3 has, I hope it isn´t the same in DAO.

Then I will say it again:

Quote: Derek French:
"We are not using SecuROM for Dragon Age: Origins."

Quote: Posted 06/03/09 16:36 (GMT) by Delerius_Jedi

Quote: Posted 06/03/09 16:22 (GMT) by Derek French

Then I will say it again:

Quote: Derek French:
"We are not using SecuROM for Dragon Age: Origins."

Derek, if what you are using has the same list of incompatibilities/issues that SecuROM had, it doesn't really matter what you call it. That is the concern right now. A lot of people are skeptical about the protection on The Sims 3 because it's made by Sony DADC, who also make SecuROM. Given your parent company, EA's and Sony DADC's previous response to customers' concern over their DRM policies and products, you must understand that this revelation will cause concerns amongst your customers.

If this new custom model really does nothing but check for the disk, without RING0 access, blacklisters and overly exaggerated taxation on optical drives, then I will still be happy to purchase DA:O. But if it has the same flaws and issues that SecuROM 7 has, then I will pass.

Well, it doesn't work like SecuROM, get implemented like SecuROM, or behave like SecuROM, so I think for some people out there that won't believe anything we say, we will have to wait until someone posts an analysis of it after the game ships.

Quote: Posted 06/03/09 16:42 (GMT) by Sblade

OK I´m happy Derek. I take that as you won´t use Securom or (/b)any custom program built by them(b)

The disk check software we are using is not made by Sony. We are not disclosing any more details about it at this time.