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Bat · 2008-10-01 7:47 pm

DRM has been a huge issue for PC gamers lately. EA has come under fire for their DRM integrated into Spore and Crysis Warhead; a class action suit was filed last week for their use of SecuROM and its lack of an uninstall feature. DRM has become so obtrusive that it's getting to the point where many PC gamers need to know which DRM techniques ship with games before they're released.

With this in mind, Shacknews asked Bethesda's Pete Hines about the copy protection techniques integrated into Fallout 3. Here is what Pete had to say on the topic:

Shack: Similar question in the sense that it's an issue that can be overblown. What kind of copy protection will be included on the PC version of Fallout 3?

Pete Hines: Pretty similar to what we did for Oblivion, which was--we basically don't do any--we do the mildest form possible. I actually don't know if I even want to get into what it is that we exactly do, but we try to be really noninvasive when it comes to that stuff. [ed- Oblivion employed a simple DVD check.] And to have to support all of that--which is often the unspoken thing that nobody really wants to point to. You can argue all day whether or not somebody would have bought a copy of a game they pirated, but you can't argue, and you will never win the argument that I'm not having to provide tech support for those folks. Because I know for a fact that we are. We catch those folks all the time, where we're providing support for somebody who turns out didn't actually pay for the game and just downloaded a copy.

...

Further along in the interview Hines mentions that the game has been extensively tested with NVIDIA cards, but he doesn't mention ATI hardware. Hopefully the game will work equally well with both IHVs products when it debuts later this year.

http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsart … chid=20894

ukimalefu · 2008-10-01 8:52 pm

What!? Pirates actually call tech support? I know stupid people exist, but come on...

Bat · 2008-10-08 8:31 pm

Anyway, the 'when' is now settled.

Golden: Fallout 3

Fallout 3 has gone gold and will be hitting shelves Oct 28th in North America and Oct 31st in Europe. Based on the Gamebryo engine, the game comes from the same developers as Oblivion and is set in the year 2277. Here's a bit from the PR:

Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America’s First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation.

Vault 101 – Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you’ve ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth.

Fallout 3 features one of the most realized game worlds ever created. Set more than 200 years following a nuclear war, you can create any kind of character you want and explore the open wastes of Washington, D.C however you choose. Every minute is a fight for survival as you encounter Super Mutants, Ghouls, Raiders, and other dangers of the Wasteland.

http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsart … chid=20911

Bat · 2008-10-09 4:55 pm

Following premature reports yesterday, Bethesda Softworks now officially announces that Fallout 3 is gold, and the post-apocalyptic RPG sequel is due in North America as promised (story) on October 28, in Europe on October 30 (a day earlier than previously announced), on October 30 in Australia, and on October 31 in the UK. There is now a FAQ on the Fallout Website with these release dates, details on the game, and system requirements. Here are those specifications: The minimum system calls for a 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor, Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 256MB RAM (NVIDIA 6800 or better/ATI X850 or better), and 1 GB of RAM for Windows XP and 22 GB of RAM for Windows Vista. The recommended system specs include an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512MB RAM (NVIDIA 8800 series, ATI 3800 series).

http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board. … adid=92099

My bold. (Gee, I knew Vista was RAM-hungry but... wink )

Last edited by Bat (2008-10-09 4:56 pm)

Bat · 2008-10-13 1:36 am

On sysreqs, the thread title and more...

Ubisoft creative director: 'Piracy’s basically killing PC'

While speaking with videogaming 24/7 about a PC port of Tom Clancy's End War, Ubisoft Shanghai Creative Director Michael de Plater had some harsh words for PC gaming: "To be honest, if PC wasn’t pirated to hell and back, there’d probably be a PC version coming out the same day as the other two [Xbox 360 and Playstation 3]. But at the moment, if you release the PC version, essentially what you’re doing is letting people have a free version that they rip off instead of a purchased version. Piracy’s basically killing PC.

Ouch. With games like Crysis, CoD 4, and WoW all selling well on the PC, I'm still not convinced that piracy is as rampant as these industry executives would have you believe.

http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsart … chid=20912

Bethesda has released the system requirements for their upcoming RPG, Fallout 3:

Minimum System Requirements:

Windows XP/Vista
1GB System RAM (XP) / 2GB System RAM (Vista)
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
Direct X 9.0c compliant videocard with 256MB RAM (NVIDIA 6800 or better / ATI X850 or better)
Recommended System Requirements:

Intel Core 2 Duo processor
2 GB System RAM
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512MB RAM (NVIDIA 8800 series, ATI 3800 series)

Supported Video Card Chipsets:
NVIDIA GeForce 200 series
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 series
NVIDIA GeForce 9600 series
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 series
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 series
NVIDIA GeForce 8500 series
NVIDIA GeForce 8400 series
NVIDIA GeForce 7900 series
NVIDIA GeForce 7800 series
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 series
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 series
NVIDIA GeForce 6800 series
ATI HD 4800 series
ATI HD 4600 series
ATI HD 3800 series
ATI HD 3600 series
ATI HD 3400 series
ATI HD 2900 series
ATI HD 2600 series
ATI HD 2400 series
ATI X1900 series
ATI X1800 series
ATI X1600 series
ATI X1300 series
ATI X850 series

In other news, Fallout 3 for Xbox 360 has already leaked out on the web. Someone needs to send this link to the Ubisoft Creative Director that basically accused all PC gamers of being pirates.

http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsart … chid=20916

That would be

Fallout 3 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC are still a good 20 days aways from release, yet owners of slightly shadier Xbox 360 systems are already getting their game on, thanks to a copy of the game now making the rounds at the more popular torrent sites on the web. Seeing as Fallout 3 just went gold, this is more than likely a leaked review copy that got into the wrong hands.

I've personally confirmed that there is indeed a file purported to be Fallout 3 on several sites I visited, all weighing in at a uniform 6.52 GB in size. I won't give site names, and I won't be downloading it to verify it's veracity, because a - I don't have enough time or patience to do so and b -

I wake up and i see THIS? This is like an early xmas gift Thx loder! U're the man
Game pirates are dickheads.

Fallout 3 360 Compromised By Pre-Apocalyptic Pirates

Can't disagree there. Still, I increasingly get the impression it's being scapegoated for other issues. Easy target.

(It might even happen to GoW 2. Then where would Cliffy be?)

MacZiMiZer · 2008-10-13 10:10 am

good thing my mac pro can hold p to 32 gigs of ram

Forums | MacLife

#1 2008-10-01 7:47 pm

Fallout 3 shipping sans DRM?

#2 2008-10-01 8:52 pm

Re: Fallout 3 shipping sans DRM?

#3 2008-10-08 8:31 pm

Re: Fallout 3 shipping sans DRM?

#4 2008-10-09 4:55 pm

Re: Fallout 3 shipping sans DRM?

#5 2008-10-13 1:36 am

Re: Fallout 3 shipping sans DRM?

#6 2008-10-13 10:10 am

Re: Fallout 3 shipping sans DRM?

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