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In a statement to Gamasutra, EA has denied suggestions that the copy protection system implemented in recent PC release Spore installs spyware on users’ PCs, labelling the claims “absolutely false”.
“EA has not changed our basic DRM copy protection system,” said Mariam Sughayer of EA’s corporate communications in a statement to Gamasutra. “We simply changed the copy protection method from using the physical media, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive, to one which uses a one-time online authentication.”
Sughayer likened the system to iTunes which allows users to use their music on a limited number of computers and said installing the game doesn’t transmit any more than a “fingerprint” of user information which is used to authenticate the install.
It’s somewhat ironic then that EA’s measures to prevent piracy of its prized PC release have led to a huge number of illegal downloads – over 170,000 during a ten-day period in September.
DRM issues aside we thought Spore was excellent and is well worth buying.
