2K Games drops activation, install limits for BioShock PC

Shortly after word streamed from BioWare‘s Forums that users were aggravated at the activation limits imposed by the new copy protection scheme, 2K Games lifted similar activation limits from the PC version of BioShock. That’s all they’ve rid PC gamers of, though – everything else stays. Look to the full story for more.

2K Games‘ community manager Elizabeth Tobey has announced in the 2K Games’ official forums that BioShock on the PC will no longer have limited numbers of activations and installs. Gamers will now be able to install BioShock on as many PCs and accounts as they wish and also activate the game as many times as they can without need of revoking.

This is in lieu with the game label’s promise that they will lift the limits on activations and installs, spurred by much pressure from the PC fan base. Perhaps now 2K Games will see a resurgence of sales for the PC version of BioShock, but only if they can shrug off the rest of the copy protection still set in place. Tobey said:

Our other methods of copy protection remain. You will still have to activate your copy, and you will still need to keep the disc in the drive. SecuROM has not been removed — just the activation limits on number of installs and number of computers you can install BioShock on simultaneously.

As I promised that the activation limits would go away, I can promise that if we ever stop supporting BioShock in the ways you speak of, we will release a patch so that the game is still playable. I believe, as you seem to, that BioShock will be the kind of game we will want to revisit 5, 10, 15 or more years from now. I want my copy to be playable, just as you do, and so does 2K.

The community manager claims that no additional patch is needed – the activation and install limit procedures have already been implemented and can be availed of immediately. Some might still want to look to the day that BioShock won’t come with SecuROM’s DRM, which has been cited as being incompatible with certain hardware and software. Updates as we happen upon them.