Poxx wrote:Ok , just as a tip here :
Any software that can be "activated" to full version is usually cracked within a good few hours after being available for download. I know this because of reasons that I won't elaborate on here. However, I'd hate to see this great game be cracked and keygen-ed within a day or so , because I think great software ( and therefor great programmers ) should be supported financially to continue to make great software and earn a fair living ( we all know that programmers have a hard time, especially privatized gaming companies ). Some of the tips I want to give you :
- Use Themida executable packer for anti-debugging, it's one of the hardest packers to unpack.
- Ask in your software for crackers not to crack your software and explain to them why. It's amazing how many crackers will refuse to crack a good program that is fairly priced if the software author specifically asks them not to
- Obfuscate your code
- use a hardware ID challenge to activate the software using the serial key, this way your registration key will not be able to be used on someone else's PC. Don't use VolumeID because that can be spoofed or simply changed with volumeid.exe. Instead use the hardware harddisk serial number (which is unique to every harddisk) and processorID and network card MAC address. An example is to use an algorithm that blends all those ID's into 1 big string, which is then used to activate the software using an activation server online.
- Divide your algorithm over several modules ( or even things like game maps, enemies etc ) so that when it's cracked, the crack will only work up to level 4-5. Many crackers just crack then go on to the next crack, they never test beyond the initial crack. Once it says "software activated" thats it they release it. If you implement checks after your software activation screen ( let's say, after you kill boss "blabla" which is needed for the quest, about 25% into the game, the serial check routines are executed again but then different algorithms using online activation ).
There are plenty of other ways to check if the software is legitimate, but I think this should get you thinking already. The most important is to make the software cheap so people won't even bother cracking it.
Thanks for the tips. The fact is, even the greatest software companies in the world can't prevent their products from being stolen, so what chance do I have? Zero.
Despite the fact that Book 2 is likely to be pirated, I can only offer this in response: we respect our customers. When you buy a game from us, it is
your software to do with as you please. The registration code you receive from us will unlock all three versions (Win/Mac/Linux). We want you to be happy with the product you buy from us.
If any pirate wants to argue that the reason they crack is because developers use crippling DRM or overprice their software... they lose all creditability when cracking our software.
So, we once again ask anyone reading this who is looking forward to downloading their copy of Book 2 from a pirate site, please consider purchasing our game instead. Book 2 cost significantly more than Book 1 to make, and so
it is imperative that you support what you enjoy. We cannot make games just to give them away, just as
you would not be able to work without a receiving paycheck.