Just Checking - 100% DRM Free, Correct?

[Faithful]

I am looking forward to the game and the boxed edition looks very nice, but I just want to check that Eschalon: Book II will be 100% DRM Free.

Thank you.

[BasiliskWrangler]

Yes, it will be 100% DRM free, but we will be using a "registration code" method of activating the full version. This is in no way copy protection or digital rights management- instead it allows us to put the full version online for download which plays like the demo until you enter a registration number to unlock it. That way you can always have access to the latest version without having to ask us to send you a new download link.

There are no server checks and other than downloading the setup file, you don't have to have an internet connection to play. Your registration code unlocks all three versions of the game (Win/Mac/Linux).

[Faithful]

Thank you for the honest and forthright answer; it is very much appreciated.

Would you please tell me if the boxed version will have the same style code unlock as well?

Thanks again

[BasiliskWrangler]

Yes, when you buy the boxed version, you'll still get the Registration Code emailed to you upon purchase. The CD will come 7-10 days later. You can download a copy of the game right away and use the code to play it, or just wait and install the game from the CD. You will still need your registration code to unlock the game on the CD, just like many other games require. But remember, there is no server check and no internet required for this process. After installation, the game does not need or check for the CD, and there are no DRM checks of any kind that might slow the game's performance.

Because of the way the disc is manufactured, the Registration Code will not be printed inside the DVD case. You'll need to save your original receipt email which has the Registration Code with it.

So, what will the CD have on it? Right now we have planned:

- All three versions of the game (Win/Mac/Linux), ready to install.
- The complete soundtrack in MP3 form.
- A high-resolution map of the entire world of Eschalon
- The forthcoming trailer in high-resolution.

[macdude22]

Your registration code unlocks all three versions of the game (Win/Mac/Linux).

I love you, like a man loves a fine cigar.

[Painted Lady]

It is going to be worth buying the CD version just to get the map. Cannot wait.............

[Dragonlady]

So, what will the CD have on it? Right now we have planned:

- All three versions of the game (Win/Mac/Linux), ready to install.
- The complete soundtrack in MP3 form.
- A high-resolution map of the entire world of Eschalon
- The forthcoming trailer in high-resolution.

Kewl!

Is the map all the known world of Book 1 & 2 or just 2 or 1, 2 & 3?
Still great to get some good extras.

[CrazyBernie]

Is the map all the known world of Book 1 & 2 or just 2 or 1, 2 & 3?
Still great to get some good extras.

- A high-resolution map of the entire world of Eschalon

There's my guess...

[Faithful]

Thank you for your help and answers to my questions. I am looking forward to the game.

[salend]

BW,

I was very impressed with the professionalism of the answers you provided above. Not only was the content of the answers welcome, they were presented in a timely, complete, and concise manner. This is a template I would love to see other members of the industry follow.

DanS

[Faithful]

I was very impressed with the professionalism of the answers you provided above. Not only was the content of the answers welcome, they were presented in a timely, complete, and concise manner. This is a template I would love to see other members of the industry follow.

You hit that right on the head. I have too many times been ignored, or made out to be a pirate for asking about the content of DRM or not in a game.

There is an RPG releasing in about 10 days from now and I have asked about DRM and never received an answer from the developers thus far.

It is so refreshing to see honesty and integrity, which of course makes me want to support Eschalon Book II even more.

[BasiliskWrangler]

Thank you for the kind words, everyone. We just want to show that we respect our customers rights. If you buy a game from us, it is yours to use anytime, anywhere.

It is our hope that if we show our customers support and respect, we will get that in return. We need the financial support of our fans to keep doing what we do.

[Unclever title]

Thank you for the kind words, everyone. We just want to show that we respect our customers rights. If you buy a game from us, it is yours to use anytime, anywhere.

It is our hope that if we show our customers support and respect, we will get that in return. We need the financial support of our fans to keep doing what we do.

Stop it, Basilisk games. You can't make me love and respect you anymore than I already do, it won't work it's not physically possible. Not without me transforming into crazy stalker mode.

ALTERNATE ENDING:

Wait... this seems too respectful... too sincere... couple that with a generally awesome game that's not too expensive two more awesome games of the same series in the future combined with even more games (of different series) to come down the road... not possible.

I SUSPECT ALIEN ROBOTS!!

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But on a less funny and more sane note, you folks continue to be awesome, keep it up.

[Sslaxx]

In other words, pretty much the same sort of scheme used in, say, NWN 1 and its expansions. Pretty reasonable if you ask me.

[Poxx]

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.