SecuROM: Difference between revisions
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[[wikipedia:SecuROM|'''SecuROM''']] is a [[digital rights management]] (DRM) system developed by [[Sony]] for PC games and first released in 1998.<ref>https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/SecuROM</ref> Historically, SecuROM is well known for being the most agitating form of DRM of the 2000s, and its inclusion within [[Electronic Arts]]' ''Spore'' has led to the game retaining its position as the most pirated game to-date.<ref name=":0">https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/</ref> SecuROM stopped being supported by Sony quietly some time after 2017, the release date of the last SecuROM-protected title, [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Onyx Onyx]. In 2014, SecuROM was succeeded by a newer DRM system, [[Denuvo]], through a management buyout of its developer. | [[wikipedia:SecuROM|'''SecuROM''']] is a [[digital rights management]] (DRM) system developed by [[Sony]] for PC games and first released in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SecuROM |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/SecuROM |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PCGamingWiki]]}}</ref> Historically, SecuROM is well known for being the most agitating form of DRM of the 2000s, and its inclusion within [[Electronic Arts]]' ''Spore'' has led to the game retaining its position as the most pirated game to-date.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |date=13 Sep 2008 |title=Spore: Most Pirated Game Ever Thanks to DRM |url=https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[torrentfreak]]}}</ref> SecuROM stopped being supported by Sony quietly some time after 2017, the release date of the last SecuROM-protected title, [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Onyx Onyx]. In 2014, SecuROM was succeeded by a newer DRM system, [[Denuvo]], through a management buyout of its developer. | ||
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===Optical-drive bugs=== | ===Optical-drive bugs=== | ||
Various releases of Secu-ROM have been known to sometimes struggle to even detect legitimate copies of games inside users' disc drives.<ref name=":1">https://web.archive.org/web/20191105161102/https://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_9.html</ref> Additionally, some optical drive models were simply incompatible with SecuROM.<ref name=":1" /><!-- We should find more documentation than what has been provided by Wikipedia --> | Various releases of Secu-ROM have been known to sometimes struggle to even detect legitimate copies of games inside users' disc drives.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Copy Protection & DRM |url=https://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_9.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105161102/https://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_9.html |archive-date=5 Nov 2019 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[TweakGuides]]}}</ref> Additionally, some optical drive models were simply incompatible with SecuROM.<ref name=":1" /><!-- We should find more documentation than what has been provided by Wikipedia --> | ||
===Explicit Congestion Notification=== | ===Explicit Congestion Notification=== | ||
Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN), a feature seen on Windows Vista which helped users with still connecting online with large networks, was required to be turned off because of how SecuROM functioned.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080926003605/http://www.pcworld.com/article/150965/casual_friday_why_spore_wont_work.html</ref> | Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN), a feature seen on Windows Vista which helped users with still connecting online with large networks, was required to be turned off because of how SecuROM functioned.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Sep 2008 |title=Casual Friday: Why Spore Won't Work |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/150965/casual_friday_why_spore_wont_work.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926003605/http://www.pcworld.com/article/150965/casual_friday_why_spore_wont_work.html |archive-date=26 Sep 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PCWorld]]}}</ref> | ||
===Software conflicts=== | ===Software conflicts=== | ||
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===Installation limits=== | ===Installation limits=== | ||
Users who owned SecuROM-protected games would often be allotted a limited number of times that they can install their games. [[EA]]'s ''[[Spore]]'' had a limit of 3 installs (raised to 5), ''Bioshock'' had 2 (raised to 5, before being removed) and would even limit installs per user on the same device,<ref> | Users who owned SecuROM-protected games would often be allotted a limited number of times that they can install their games. [[EA]]'s ''[[Spore]]'' had a limit of 3 installs (raised to 5), ''Bioshock'' had 2 (raised to 5, before being removed) and would even limit installs per user on the same device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Leo |date=5 Sep 2007 |title=One copy of BioShock per family (member)? |url=https://www.neoseeker.com/news/7091-one-copy-of-bioshock-per-family-member/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[NeoSeeker]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 Sep 2005 |title=2K: Tell your brother to buy his own Bioshock, you didn't buy it for the whole family |url=http://maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=20470 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013211034/http://maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=20470 |archive-date=13 Oct 2007 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[MaxConsole]]}}</ref> and Mass Effect had 3, but uninstallations would not increase the number of installs unlike other SecuROM titles. | ||
===Degradation=== | ===Degradation=== | ||
Because of the security features introduced by [[Microsoft]] to [[Windows]] 10 and later, many older SecuROM titles <!-- Mostly found through comparing data on older games on newer hardware. I believe SecuROM titles that released about 5 years before Win 10 can still be run, however I have yet to locate enough software with SecuROM to do a controlled sweep to be certain. ATM, I can run 2012's Crysis just fine on both my Win 10 laptop and Win 11 desktop. | Because of the security features introduced by [[Microsoft]] to [[Windows]] 10 and later, many older SecuROM titles <!-- Mostly found through comparing data on older games on newer hardware. I believe SecuROM titles that released about 5 years before Win 10 can still be run, however I have yet to locate enough software with SecuROM to do a controlled sweep to be certain. ATM, I can run 2012's Crysis just fine on both my Win 10 laptop and Win 11 desktop. | ||
I am prepared to document EA's fuck-up on the wiki whenever secu-rom finally fails on my legitimate copy of Crysis. Oh, and C&C3. --> cannot function on modern hardware without cracking or other means of circumvention.<ref>https://www.legoisland.org/wiki/SecuROM</ref> | I am prepared to document EA's fuck-up on the wiki whenever secu-rom finally fails on my legitimate copy of Crysis. Oh, and C&C3. --> cannot function on modern hardware without cracking or other means of circumvention.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SecuROM |url=https://www.legoisland.org/wiki/SecuROM |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[LegoIsland]]}}</ref> | ||
==Notable anti-consumer events<!-- Organize the list by release year! -->==<!-- Reference PC Gaming Wiki for other games to list here | ==Notable anti-consumer events<!-- Organize the list by release year! -->==<!-- Reference PC Gaming Wiki for other games to list here | ||
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|''Mass Effect'' | |''Mass Effect'' | ||
|2007 | |2007 | ||
|''Mass Effect'' was the first SecuROM game known to not refund installations for users, and also required that the game installation to be verified every 10 days. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080614201655/http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=52618</ref> | |''Mass Effect'' was the first SecuROM game known to not refund installations for users, and also required that the game installation to be verified every 10 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breckon |first=Nick |date=9 May 2008 |title=Electronic Arts Responds to Copy Protection Outcry, Removes 10-day SecuROM Check for the Troops |url=https://www.shacknews.com/shacknews/site/docroot/site.php?object=base&action=article&article_id=52618 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614201655/http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=52618 |archive-date=14 Jun 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ShackNews]]}}</ref> | ||
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|''[[Spore]]<!-- I want an article for Spore, the anticonsumer history behind it is insane, from SecuROM to EA blocking server access for Steam and GOG releases. -->'' | |''[[Spore]]<!-- I want an article for Spore, the anticonsumer history behind it is insane, from SecuROM to EA blocking server access for Steam and GOG releases. -->'' | ||
|2008 | |2008 | ||
|The application of SecuROM in ''Spore'' left the program trapped under always-online DRM<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM</ref>, which in the 2000s was fatal for anyone's internet bills. The popularity of this game, mixed in with its preemptive cracking, and DRM led to the title holding the record as the most pirated video game.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, there were lawsuits that formed over the implementation of SecuROM inside ''Spore.'' | |The application of SecuROM in ''Spore'' left the program trapped under always-online DRM<ref>{{Cite web |last=Modern Vintage Gamer |date=25 Nov 2019 |title=SecuROM - The PC CD-ROM DRM that broke games {{!}} MVG |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>, which in the 2000s was fatal for anyone's internet bills. The popularity of this game, mixed in with its preemptive cracking, and DRM led to the title holding the record as the most pirated video game.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, there were lawsuits that formed over the implementation of SecuROM inside ''Spore.''<ref>http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/09/23/Spore.pdf</ref> | ||
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|''Tron: Evolution'' | |''Tron: Evolution'' | ||
|2010 | |2010 | ||
|Towards the tail-end of SecuROM's usage in 2019, [[Disney]] decided to terminate their license, thus leading to all legitimate copies of ''Tron: Evolution'' to be unplayable, and the game was subsequently pulled from digital software vendors.<ref>https://www.techdirt.com/ | |Towards the tail-end of SecuROM's usage in 2019, [[Disney]] decided to terminate their license, thus leading to all legitimate copies of ''Tron: Evolution'' to be unplayable, and the game was subsequently pulled from digital software vendors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geigner |first=Timothy |date=6 Dec 2019 |title=Disney's Decision Not To Renew SecuROM License Bricks 'Tron: Evolution' |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2019/12/06/disneys-decision-not-to-renew-securom-license-bricks-tron-evolution/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[techdirt]]}}</ref> Disney claims to be currently updating the game to not have SecuROM, however after nearly six years since its termination, there has been no new updates upon whether the game will re-release | ||
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Latest revision as of 14:12, 16 March 2025
SecuRom
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 1998 |
| Product Type | DRM System |
| In Production | No |
| Official Website | https://securom.com |
SecuROM is a digital rights management (DRM) system developed by Sony for PC games and first released in 1998.[1] Historically, SecuROM is well known for being the most agitating form of DRM of the 2000s, and its inclusion within Electronic Arts' Spore has led to the game retaining its position as the most pirated game to-date.[2] SecuROM stopped being supported by Sony quietly some time after 2017, the release date of the last SecuROM-protected title, Onyx. In 2014, SecuROM was succeeded by a newer DRM system, Denuvo, through a management buyout of its developer.
General problems[edit | edit source]
Optical-drive bugs[edit | edit source]
Various releases of Secu-ROM have been known to sometimes struggle to even detect legitimate copies of games inside users' disc drives.[3] Additionally, some optical drive models were simply incompatible with SecuROM.[3]
Explicit Congestion Notification[edit | edit source]
Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN), a feature seen on Windows Vista which helped users with still connecting online with large networks, was required to be turned off because of how SecuROM functioned.[4]
Software conflicts[edit | edit source]
SecuROM also fought multiple other pieces of software,[3] one of which being Process Explorer.[5]
Installation limits[edit | edit source]
Users who owned SecuROM-protected games would often be allotted a limited number of times that they can install their games. EA's Spore had a limit of 3 installs (raised to 5), Bioshock had 2 (raised to 5, before being removed) and would even limit installs per user on the same device,[6][7] and Mass Effect had 3, but uninstallations would not increase the number of installs unlike other SecuROM titles.
Degradation[edit | edit source]
Because of the security features introduced by Microsoft to Windows 10 and later, many older SecuROM titles cannot function on modern hardware without cracking or other means of circumvention.[8]
Notable anti-consumer events[edit | edit source]
| Game | Release year | Notable effects | Relevant article |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioShock | 2007 | Users were limited to 2 installs of the game, and had to call in to be allowed further installs. It was raised soon to 5 after a misprint of a phone number in a manual, and eventually the limit discontinued in 2008, however it took much longer before editions of BioShock would be officially released without SecuROM. | |
| Mass Effect | 2007 | Mass Effect was the first SecuROM game known to not refund installations for users, and also required that the game installation to be verified every 10 days.[9] | |
| Spore | 2008 | The application of SecuROM in Spore left the program trapped under always-online DRM[10], which in the 2000s was fatal for anyone's internet bills. The popularity of this game, mixed in with its preemptive cracking, and DRM led to the title holding the record as the most pirated video game.[2] Additionally, there were lawsuits that formed over the implementation of SecuROM inside Spore.[11] | |
| Tron: Evolution | 2010 | Towards the tail-end of SecuROM's usage in 2019, Disney decided to terminate their license, thus leading to all legitimate copies of Tron: Evolution to be unplayable, and the game was subsequently pulled from digital software vendors.[12] Disney claims to be currently updating the game to not have SecuROM, however after nearly six years since its termination, there has been no new updates upon whether the game will re-release | |
| Final Fantasy 7 (PC, re-release) | 2012 | The distribution of the re-release of FF7 for PCs caught users off guard when Square Enix distributed this version with SecuROM, and on release, servers were inaccessible, so users could not verify their licenses until much later.[13] |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "SecuROM". PCGamingWiki. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 Van der Sar, Ernesto (13 Sep 2008). "Spore: Most Pirated Game Ever Thanks to DRM". torrentfreak. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Copy Protection & DRM". TweakGuides. Archived from the original on 5 Nov 2019. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "Casual Friday: Why Spore Won't Work". PCWorld. 12 Sep 2008. Archived from the original on 26 Sep 2008. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
- ↑ http://forum.sysinternals.com/printer_friendly_posts.asp?TID=10337
- ↑ Chan, Leo (5 Sep 2007). "One copy of BioShock per family (member)?". NeoSeeker. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "2K: Tell your brother to buy his own Bioshock, you didn't buy it for the whole family". MaxConsole. 5 Sep 2005. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2007. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "SecuROM". LegoIsland. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Breckon, Nick (9 May 2008). "Electronic Arts Responds to Copy Protection Outcry, Removes 10-day SecuROM Check for the Troops". ShackNews. Archived from the original on 14 Jun 2008. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Modern Vintage Gamer (25 Nov 2019). "SecuROM - The PC CD-ROM DRM that broke games | MVG". YouTube. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/09/23/Spore.pdf
- ↑ Geigner, Timothy (6 Dec 2019). "Disney's Decision Not To Renew SecuROM License Bricks 'Tron: Evolution'". techdirt. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/05/final-fantasy-vii-pc-released-early-then-pulled/