Mass Effect PC to have Securom installed, re-authentication required every ten days

If you’re one of the many eagerly anticipating the PC version of Bioware‘s Mass Effect (Xbox 360, PC), then here’s something that could turn out to be a bit troublesome: the Securom implementation in the game will pretty much have users re-authenticating their CD keys every ten days via an internet connection. History repeating itself? Let’s hope not. All the details in the full article, so you’d best jump to it.

  

Remember the hubbub about the PC version of Bioshock having a program called Securom embedded in it, in an effort to curb piracy? Then it seems that this issue could resurface, as BioWare has just released an FAQ about Mass Effect‘s PC version.

They did not only reveal the implementation of Securom itself, but also how it was implemented as well. We have to say, though, that it might be a bit too much.

So, how does it work? Well, after you install Mass Effect (Xbox 360, PC) onto your PC, you will need to re-activate the actual .exe file of the game every ten days, else Securom will pretty much put a stop to Shepard and crew’s adventures in deep space, rendering the game unplayable.

Re-activating is a simple matter – one only has to go online and authenticate the game with the CD key that comes with the retail version. And we reiterate: you’ll have to do this once every ten days, or the game is over.

While this is certainly a very stringent way to protect a game from being copied, there are some potential issues that could crop up. What about the players who plan on purchasing the game but have no internet connection?

And referring back to the Bioshock Securom issue, where the servers pretty much blocked up due to a lot of users trying to activate their copies – if the one-time activation was already problematic enough, what about having to re-activate again and again?

As for the last question, here’s EA’s answer:

EA is ready and we are confident there will be no server problems. EA has assured us that they have their authorization systems and customer support staff in place and ready for the launch of Mass Effect for PC. Anyone having issues with getting the game activated will be able to contact EA Support and get their problem resolved.

Well, we hope that things do turn out well. Updates as we get them.