I am a bit of a gamer and generally keep up to date on new games coming out. I’ve been hearing about Spore for quite a while and was very interested in the whole concept. Until I started reading reviews…

Apparently this game, which is aimed across the board with it’s cutie creatures and was developed by the Sims creator, has the most restrictive DRM I have heard of (feel free to correct me if you’ve heard different).

To use it to its full potential you have to activate it. Yeah, a lot of software (Windows springs to mind) requires that. It’s not that big of a biggie. BUT, you are firstly required to install some DRM software that may or may not mess up your system and (from what I’ve read) is installed in ’superuser space’ and is difficult to uninstall. After all this you are then only allowed 3 installs before you have to ring the company to ask, pretty please, if you may install it again.

This info I’ve gained from around the internet and reviews on shopping sites. The game has only just been released so I cannot fully know how the DRM is going to function in the long run, whether the 4th install is going to be a doddle or a nightmare but what I can tell you is that I will not be buying this game for the PC. My daughter was interested but I just don’t like the possible DRM problems.

So, the good you ask? DRM performs a function. According to big companies anyway. It is there to discourage pirating their products which I can understand and appreciate. The bad is the fact that DRM only affects those who legitimately buy a product. Pirates have their own ways and means and those that buy pirated software are happy with a product that they can use anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The ugly is the level of intrusion these DRM programs have into the private property of those who legitimately buy a product. Penalised for not breaking the law.

Anyway, rumour is that it will eventually come out on the next-gen gaming platforms so I will wait for then. If my daughter wants it she’ll have to get it for the DS and play on a small screen which for this type of game may not be as