Steam's Crysis Warhead Copy Protection FAQ (IGN)

Following yesterday's full disclosure, we now bring you official word on what's what in Crysis Warhead copy protection land:

Will the retail version be activated via Steam or does it have an independent EA activation?

The Steam and retail versions both use SecuROM product activation online.

Will the Steam version have an activation limit?

The Steam version of Crysis Warhead has the same activation limit as the retail version of 5 activations. The Steam version of Crysis Wars will only require authentication upon installation just like the retail product.

How often can I install the game which I got from Steam?

Re-authentication is required only if you make significant changes to your PC's hardware, reformat your hard drive, or in some cases, upgrade your Operating System. Multiple installations of the game on the same computer that has not gone through significant changes will not count against the number of computers the game can be installed on.

Does Crysis Wars have online activation?

Crysis Wars is authenticated upon installation. If you want to play through Gamespy Arcade, you’ll need a valid registration key like most online games that use that service.

Can I play online only via Steam?

Online play for all versions of Crysis Warhead is done through Gamespy.

Are Crysis and Warhead the same when being downloaded via Steam as the hard copy ones?

Yes, the binaries and content are identical.

Where is Crysis and Crysis Warhead being installed to when I download it from steam?The game is automatically installed in the SteamApps folder.

If Warhead/Crysis are installed into the steamapps folder, how does it work with modifications then and the auto download functionality of Wars?

The auto-update feature doesn’t mind where the game is installed to. EA and Crytek will make patches available via Steam also, in which case the autoupdate feature will detect that you’re up to date.

Can the Warhead retail copy be activated via the steam account so I can download it from there?

At this time, retail copies of Crysis and Crysis Warhead can not be activated via Steam.

Will people be able to activate old crysis on steam via the cd-key?

At this time, retail copies of Crysis and Crysis Warhead can not be activated via Steam.

Which language versions are available on steam?

Crysis Warhead is available in all languages on Steam (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Polish, Russian, Hungarian)

How does the update functionality work via Steam and w/o Steam?

Steam will update your game automatically if you tell it to. The autoupdate functionality built into the game will check if a patch is available which has a newer version than the one you’re running and direct you to a download location for it. If your game has been updated to the latest patch via Steam, then the version check will pass and nothing will happen.

Is the ingame console the one from Crysis or the Steam one?

Crysis, although in the Steam version the Steam overlays are available (buddy lists etc).

Source

Crytek's Crysis Warhead Copy Protection FAQ (IGN)

Breakin' it down: Five activations (up from three it initially launched with); unlimited installs on five machines if activation token doesn't kick up a fuss following hardware changes; DVD not required in drive post-activation; one authentication at first launch; single-player fully playable offline following one-time online activation; no de-authentication tool available, though EA Support will help out on a case-by-case basis; Steam-Securom copy protection to be detailed tomorrow.

Our passion is making quality games. We put our heart and soul in every game and hope that our fans will enjoy them as well. For years, Crytek fans have been passionately supportive of our efforts and we appreciate all of your dedication.We realize that copy protection and piracy is a very emotional and hotly debated topic. It is very hard to find a solution that fits both our needs. We need to make an effort to limit piracy but we do not want to limit the experience of our fans.

Warhead uses online authentication and allows up to five activations. This gives you the opportunity to install the game as many times as you want on five different machines.

We also know that multiplayer gamers have different needs, so Crysis Wars does not have an activation limit, but requires the game to be unlocked online once you start the game for the first time. Afterwards it will be possible to play in LAN without any online connection. The CD-key is only required when playing online.

I sincerely hope that you will enjoy playing Warhead as much as we enjoyed making it. We are very proud of it. Our community is the main reason we make games. If there is something you feel we could improve, please tell us what and why and we will do our best to listen to you.

Sincerely,
Cevat Yerli

The SolutionThe DRM system implemented for the Crysis Warhead changes copy protection from being key-disc based, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive (this was the system we used in the original Crysis), to a one-time online authentication. This system allows you to play your game without requiring the game disc in the drive on any of five different machines.

Please note: this DRM solution is for the Crysis Warhead disc only. Because of the online nature of Crysis Wars, and because we want to encourage easy-to-start LAN play, you are only required an authentication upon installation. If you want to play online on our servers, you will authenticate via Gamespy as you normally would.

Key Points:

This system allows you to authenticate your game on five computers with the purchase of one disc – you can install your copy on each machine as many times as you want. If you go over five machines, EA Customer Service is on hand to supply any additional authorizations that are warranted.

This DRM solution is safe. EA and Crytek would never allow anything that included spyware, viruses or malware to be installed on anyone’s computers.

We know there is concern about what will happen if the authentication servers turn off or questions about what will happen in five years if you want to play the game again (and we hope you do). If that were to ever happen, Crytek and EA would deploy a patch that would remove the authentication requirement completely.FAQ:Q: What is the difference between the old PC disc authentication solution and the new online model?A: Two things have changed:

First, authentication of your game disc has changed from always needing to have your disc in the drive to an online format, eliminating the need to always have a disc in the drive when playing.

Second, with online authentication, consumers now connect to the Internet the first time the game is launched and are only required to reconnect if they are downloading new game content.Q: How will the game authenticate now?A: We authenticate your game online after installation when you launch it for the first time.Q: Do I have to re-authenticate after the first time my game is launched?

A: Re-authentication is required only if you make significant changes to your PC's hardware, reformat your hard drive, or in some cases, upgrade your Operating System. Multiple installations of the game on the same computer that has not gone through significant changes will not count against the number of computers the game can be installed on.

Q: What are the benefits of online authentication versus the disc-based model?

A: The new system means you don't need to have the game disc in your computer in order to play. You will no longer have to carry disk to enjoy a game you already have installed.

Q: Am I able to play my game on more than one computer? Do I need the disc for that?

A: You'll be able to install and play the offline features of your game on up to five computers without the need of the game disc. Your computer is authorized after installation and the initial launch of the game.

Q: Will I still be able to play my game offline?

A: Yes, you can play offline.

Q: What happens when I’ve reached the maximum number of computers for my game and I need more? (Due to computer upgrades, theft, crashes, etc.)

A: EA Customer Support is on hand to supply any additional authorizations that are warranted. This will be done on a case-by-case basis by contacting Customer Support.

by Andrew Burnes

Crysis Warhead Allows Five Activations (IGN)

According to IGN you can install Crysis Warhead on five different PCs as many times as you want:

Crysis Warhead's data rights management (DRM) will allow users to activate the game five times, an Electronic Arts representative informed IGN. Unlike EA's other recently released title, Spore, which currently limits the game to three installs, the Crytek-developed shooter allows you to install/uninstall the game on up to five PCs as many times as needed.

EA's official reply read: "We have five activations for Warhead. That means you can install the game on five different machines and on each of those machines you can install and uninstall as much as you want."

The original Crysis was pirated quite a bit. Crytek revealed that more people downloading the latest patch than there were legitimate customers of the game.

by Jimmy Thang