MS: Jury’s still out on GTA 4 SecuROM DRM

The “jury’s still out” on Rockstar’s controversial use of SecuROM DRM for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto 4, according to Microsoft’s PC gaming community manager.

In a post on his blog, socrossblog.com, Ryan Miller, who works under Microsoft’s Games for Windows and Games for Windows Live unit, said of Rockstar’s decision to remove install limits on GTA 4 but impose software installation that can be hard to remove on PC hard drives: “It seems like a reasonable compromise to me, but what do you think? Is the lack of install limits enough to overlook the installation of code you can’t remove? I think the answer is yes, but the jury’s still out for me.”

Gamers who buy boxed copies of GTA 4, out in the UK today, will require an internet connection to activate the software and will need to keep the DVD in the drive. It will also require Games for Windows, Adobe Flash, Internet Explorer, SecuROM and the Rockstar Games Social Club application to be installed.

Unlike other high-profile PC releases this year, however, the retail version of GTA 4 will have no install limits.

Earlier in the month Rockstar defended it’s anti-piracy measures it has taken with the PC version of open-world phenomenon GTA 4, saying it protects the integrity of its titles and future investments.

Miller was posting in response to comments made by Valve president Gabe Newel, who said in a recent email to a gamer: “As far as DRM goes, most DRM strategies are just dumb. The goal should be to create greater value for customers through service value (make it easy for me to play my games whenever and wherever I want to), not by decreasing the value of a product (maybe I’ll be able to play my game and maybe I won’t).

“We really really discourage other developers and publishers from using the broken DRM offerings, and in general there is a groundswell to abandon those approaches.”

Miller said of Newell’s views: “It’s certainly great to hear this kind of talk from an industry big wig like Valve. I think the problem with DRM is not so much the particular method used, but the attitude behind it. It makes us feel like we’re all being punished for the sins of the few. It is also pretty clear that most DRM is not a problem for the pirates, just for the legitimate consumers. These two factors combine to make a ton of bad feelings on the consumer side.

“From the company’s side, it’s not hard for me to see where some of this comes from. If someone stole from me, I’d be pretty peeved about it, and I’d want to take immediate action. Also, the faceless nature of piracy makes it hard to go after the actual bad guys. I think that DRM is a necessary part of our digital world. However, the attitude behind DRM needs to shift, and that’s what was so heartening about Mr. Newell’s words.”

What do you think about Rockstar’s anti-piracy measures with GTA 4? Is Valve’s Gabe Newell right to say “most DRM strategies are just dumb”? Let us know in the comments section below.