+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 18, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted May 18, 2009 (edited) It can't be a good day for EA, maybe someone opened an umbrella inside, as The Sims 3 has leaked over three weeks before it's retail release. This follows on from the news that Rock Band Unplugged for the piracy rampant PSP leaked nearly a month before release. It begs the question what can EA and other publishers do to stop this trend of early leaks? Whatever they do people will always find a way to get their hands on this stuff before they are meant to. Either way bad times for a rapidly threatening problem for the industry. The Sims 3 is set for release on the 5th of June over here in Europe and includes many game changing features to this casual life simulator. For more information check out our preview from March of last year. Source: http://www.nidzumi.com/the-sims-3-leaks-ea-calling-a-plumber Pretty harsh for EA, happened with Rock Band for PSP a month early as well. Clearly they have someone internally leaking things. Certainly doesn't help with the state of piracy on the PC platform as it is, although The Sims 3 should still sell well overall. No links. Edited May 25, 2009 by warwagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Wizard Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Wow, I was expecting to have to wait 'till launch for this :) That's if my pc can run it at all:( :o Its already got over 2000 leechers in one place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BeLGaRaTh Subscriber¹ Posted May 18, 2009 Subscriber¹ Share Posted May 18, 2009 I can't believe people actually play these games!! Yet they seem to be number 1 in the charts all the time :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fubar Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Damn that was quick :| wonder when it's due out on the ps3... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Decryptor Veteran Posted May 18, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 18, 2009 I find it funny that the image contains the name of the torrent. Anyway, I think it could hurt sales, but not by much, Spore got pirated as much as it did because of their DRM scheme, EA made a note of not using that method with Sims 3 (It uses the same method as Sims 2 did) Sims 2 is still pirated a whole lot, but it's also still in the top selling games list fairly consistently, so the pirating isn't hurting them that much (if at all) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomwarren Veteran Posted May 18, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 18, 2009 Ouch, not good for EA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot B. Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Wow, I was expecting to have to wait 'till launch for this :) That's if my pc can run it at all:(:o Its already got over 2000 leechers in one place. 3000, now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiagosilva29 Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I can't believe people actually play these games!! Yet they seem to be number 1 in the charts all the time :( I still have almost all of the The Sims 1 games/expansions. ****. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 18, 2009 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 18, 2009 I find it funny that the image contains the name of the torrent. If that's a problem I can blur it out? I know it's a risky topic, but it's a fairly substantial hit to EA now with two games leaking very early and definitely a talking point. People scream "DRM, no buy", but if something without nasty DRM leaks 3 weeks early you can be sure many of these people are probably hoping on board for a free game. No DRM just makes it 10x easier for the pirates. It's times like this releasing something through steam seems like a good option as it's encrypted until release - But that would damage sales of The Sims due to it's widespread popularity worldwide, people/casuals need it on disc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Wizard Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I know it's a risky topic, but it's a fairly substantial hit to EA now with two games leaking very early and definitely a talking point. People scream "DRM, no buy", but if something without nasty DRM leaks 3 weeks early you can be sure many of these people are probably hoping on board for a free game. No DRM just makes it 10x easier for the pirates. If there is DRM then its more likely to harm the sales overall rather than when its released, because with a game with DRM you get less restrictions if you pirate it which is stupid :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fagutish Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I know a bunch of Sims people that were seriously thinking of pirating this game due to DRM and more importantly, microtransactions. The idea of purchasing every extra bit of content one by one doesnt seem to be particularly palatable. I guess this leak made their decision easier for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+John. Subscriber¹ Posted May 18, 2009 Subscriber¹ Share Posted May 18, 2009 Oh dear =/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 18, 2009 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 18, 2009 If there is DRM then its more likely to harm the sales overall rather than when its released, because with a game with DRM you get less restrictions if you pirate it which is stupid :p The people who whine about DRM make up a small % of those on online messageboards. Within that % you can bet a large % of them pirate games and are mainly moaning from the stem of "oh geee wiz, might mean I need to wait a few weeks after release till I can download". For a game like The Sims the majority of people likely to buy it don't have jack **** of an idea what DRM is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Symons Veteran Posted May 18, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 18, 2009 Whoa... leaked three weeks before release? That's quite a big deal, to be honest :| It'll be interesting to see what happens about this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 18, 2009 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 18, 2009 Whoa... leaked three weeks before release? That's quite a big deal, to be honest :| It'll be interesting to see what happens about this. If it's something internal I'm sure we might hear about it, now that this is the second game to get leaked very early. I don't even know if reviewers would even have copies of the games yet? I seriously doubt it in Rock Band PSP's case, that game leaked just over a month early. That had to be internal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fagutish Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Within that % you can bet a large % of them pirate games and are mainly moaning from the stem of "oh geee wiz, might mean I need to wait a few weeks after release till I can download" But they don't. DRM is a nonissue for piracy. I can cite Bioshock's leak as a game with heavy drm that got stripped like every other game and was released before actual commercial release. Even this Sims 3 leak seems to have already cracked whatever updated DRM they utilized. The only possible exception for this was the GTA4 leak and the cracker's failure/or nonchalance to remove the date check (that being said the game leaked the DAY before release so why bother) DRM, however its implemented, has NEVER and will NEVER prevent piracy. It only slows it down the same way a fly splatter slows down a bullet train. Not at all. EA should be flattered though, people really want this game. If its good a significant portion might end up buying this game for the multiplayer/online features they couldn't otherwise enjoy. Edit: Grammer guyz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furyshinobi Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 The people who whine about DRM make up a small % of those on online messageboards. Within that % you can bet a large % of them pirate games and are mainly moaning from the stem of "oh geee wiz, might mean I need to wait a few weeks after release till I can download".For a game like The Sims the majority of people likely to buy it don't have jack **** of an idea what DRM is. That is actually true imo since lots of my casual gamer friends are not 'tech savy' enough to know what DRM is. I actually feel bad for EA :( Since this time they listened to what gamers want, no restrictions on installations. Oh well, just watch, The Sims 3 is going to dominate the Top 10 overall game sales in Australia for a very long time :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sethos Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 The game will probably sell like hotcakes anyway and the 2500 expansion packs should rake in some money as well. This is The Sims after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 18, 2009 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 18, 2009 (edited) But they don't. DRM is a nonissue for piracy. I can cite Bioshock's leak as a game with heavy drm that got stripped like every other game and was released before actual commercial release.Even this Sims 3 leak seems to have already cracked whatever updated DRM they utilized. The only possible exception for this was the GTA4 leak and the cracker's failure/or nonchalance to remove the date check (that being said the game leaked the DAY before release so why bother) DRM, however its implemented has NEVER and will NEVER prevent its piracy. It only slows it down the same way a fly splatter slows down a bullet train. Not at all. EA should be flattered though, people really want this game. If its good a significant portion might end up buying this game for the multiplayer/online features they couldn't otherwise enjoy. You miss the point of DRM and piracy prevention. It's far too early in combating piracy to wipe it out completely. The main idea behind DRM on the PC is prevention for as long as possible, and also to prevent issues like this. In terms of Multiplayer some devs can prevent piracy "forever" as it's easier to block pirates in the online component. If The Sims 3 was encrypted and required some sort of online activation then even if the game leaked 3 weeks early it would only work when The EA servers went online. Instead right now you have 90% of people who know how to use torrents hoping on board and the fact they'll be playing it free for 3 weeks deters even those who come out with the "if I like it I'll buy it" argument. You're really going to shell out $40/50 after 3 weeks of free play? :rolleyes: Or if the game itself was hard to crack they may get away with a few weeks before it's beaten. What happens in that few weeks? Apart from pirates balling their eyes out on EA's forums about DRM, some of them may be persuaded to shell out the cash if it's a game they REALLY want. No one likes waiting weeks/months longer than their friends/online friends. Slowing it down can be significant enough to help the title out the gates. What developers need to do is continue to research DRM and improve upon their implementations of it, I'm not about to stand here and say "all DRM is awesome", it's definitely not when done wrong. I do not think "No DRM" is the future, I think developers releasing games without DRM is a backlash to the complaints about it until they can research more efficient/invisible ways to implement it. That may be through digital distribution, EA Sports already saying they're hoping to shift to that. However as I said earlier for things like The Sims digital distribution only is too early right now for the market. You see a lot of indie devs going "DRM is bad, we don't support it, it's not the future!". Like the World of Goo guys. My take on that? Publicity stunt/PR. They're trying to grab the attention of the supposed online gamer who says "DRM, no buy" and become his/her friend saying "look at our game it has no DRM buy it!". That does jack **** though for the majority, they just want a free game, no DRM just makes it easier for them to download/install. Then months later the same indie dev is posting some ridiculous pirate % for their game "complaining" about it. You can bet the minute more unobtrusive DRM is researched or brought about those indie devs will be jumping on board. No one, absolutely no one likes to see their hard work freeloaded. For example, Bioshock, a game that was plagued with some issues, I have about 4 or 5 friends who bought it for their PC, not one of them said anything to me about DRM or whined about it. They don't even know what DRM is, yet all of them completed and enjoyed Bioshock just fine. However if you looked on 2K forums you'd think Bioshock was killing and maiming PC gamers families. Edited May 18, 2009 by Audioboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Wizard Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 If it's something internal I'm sure we might hear about it, now that this is the second game to get leaked very early.I don't even know if reviewers would even have copies of the games yet? I seriously doubt it in Rock Band PSP's case, that game leaked just over a month early. That had to be internal? PC Zone have reviewed it, but as far as i'm aware they're the only ones to have done so. They gave it 92% as well so it looks as though it should be quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fagutish Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 You seem to have little faith in the pirate community. If a release is high profile enough, no amount of DRM, no matter how draconian, will slow them. History has proven this to be the case. You seem to think pirates are the people moaning and whining about DRM. I'm pretty sure they couldn't care less. The crackers see it as a challenge/competition and the beneficiaries won't even be troubled with any of that after they copy paste a file into their game directory. I'll admit. The only real thing DRM is stopping is personal sharing. E.G. letting a friend borrow your game. I have yet to see it successfully pull off any other scenario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 18, 2009 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 18, 2009 (edited) You seem to have little faith in the pirate community. If a release is high profile enough, no amount of DRM, no matter how draconian, will slow them. History has proven this to be the case.You seem to think pirates are the people moaning and whining about DRM. I'm pretty sure they couldn't care less. The crackers see it as a challenge/competition and the beneficiaries won't even be troubled with any of that after they copy paste a file into their game directory. I'll admit. The only real thing DRM is stopping is personal sharing. E.G. letting a friend borrow your game. I have yet to see it successfully pull off any other scenario. You force peoples hands long enough people will crack (no pun intended :p). Look at the console scene, the PS3 is uncracked. Do pirates own a PS3, yes they do. What do they have to do? Buy the games. The more difficult it is made, the higher chance you have of ****ing some pirates off enough you give them a reason to buy your game. If your games coming out with no DRM and not even some sort of .exe check, these people you talk about are "never" going to even consider buying your game, ever. I do not buy into that "if it's good I'll buy it argument" at all. Why would you shell out your money for something you're sitting playing for free? There's little incentive to if your as desensitized to the pc gaming community as many are. On no other platform do we have as many people campaigning piracy is fine because "not every games has demos/not every game is good/i cant believe all the reviews/pc games are too expensive/i do what i want/DRM killed my dog". Prevention of a few weeks might not turn over millions of people, we already know the attitude online is "just wait a few weeks it'll be cracked". However if that time can gradually keep increasing, you're going to see a higher % of people bail on the waiting as everyone round about them buying the game proclaims how good it is. You even see it on the messageboards/nfo sites right now - Forum users admitting they've caved after something has gone a few weeks without a crack. Edited May 18, 2009 by Audioboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red. Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Don't they have a lot of online based stuff in this game? If that's so the wouldn't it be obvious who has pirated the game, or has that been cracked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Decryptor Veteran Posted May 18, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 18, 2009 ...If The Sims 3 was encrypted and required some sort of online activation then even if the game leaked 3 weeks early it would only work when The EA servers went online. Instead right now you have 90% of people who know how to use torrents hoping on board and the fact they'll be playing it free for 3 weeks deters even those who come out with the "if I like it I'll buy it" argument. You're really going to shell out $40/50 after 3 weeks of free play? :rolleyes: ... This is what Steam does, the GCF file storing the game is encrypted, but even then it doesn't store the main executable, so even if somebody downloads it early and decrypts it, you still can't play it. Methods like that will completely kill 0 day piracy, other methods just don't cut it. 0 day piracy is their biggest problem, no DRM will stop piracy after the game has gone into general distribution (and personally I think using more and more invasive methods of DRM just annoys consumers, It annoys me that I can't have certain apps running when I play GTA4 or Fallout 3) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ylcard Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Good man inside. Wait, what do you mean by "the PS3 uncracked", correct me if I'm wrong, but there are plenty of cracked games for PS3. Sometimes no one bothers cracking something, there are quite a few games that have never been cracked, simply because the effort isn't worth it, or patches for example - not all groups bother to release a new crack (it's not always needed, but I assume devs include some sort of a modification to the security with each patch). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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