quote:
Originally posted by Peter Gilis:
I sincerely hope not, because to me that's a realist statement. I mean, come on, it's impossible G-Col is [b]so stupid creating a new system for their BGames to fight the piracy and increase their sales, but ends harming all their customers instead. No programmer can make such mistake and expect NOT to be fired (if he's lucky).
Probably they're working hard fixing all the possible bugs by now, before the release date of LMMeow, their very first BGame using such very unusual system.[/b]
A number of points. first, G-C is trying to render cracked copies of LMM useless. The activation process is geared towards that. Second, w/ this VM system, you would not be able to lend your legitimately purchased copy of LMM to a friend to play. Third, you won't be able to sell the game if registered w/ VM. Fourth, if G-C goes out of business then your copy of LMM is useless b/c VM server won't be around to startup your game. Fifth, if your computer is unable to connect to G-C server through VM launcher program for whatever reason, essentially you're cut off from all G-C products that utilize VM. (That's my situation w/ NCsoft server; my computer setup cannot make the online connection, and I'm unable to play City of Heroes, LineageII, and the upcoming Guild Wars; the 50 bucks I spent on CoH went down the toilet.)
Aside from point one, the rest of these points affect consumer interest. And possible connection problems through VM is the biggest unknown factor right now, and potentially the biggest obstacle to growth of future product sales.