Direct 2 Drive Chaos Theory Question

[DUKE_NUKEM]

@LOXHAZARD

Thx man your explanation was perfect. I've downloaded and read, but there's still something that I did not undaztood at all. You said they give you a key created by special starforce algorytyhms using the classical serial number and you hardware code. Serial number is relatively easy to obtain (there is a keygen for every game created), hardware code dunno, if they decrypt starforce algorhytms the job should be done, am I right? Please be patient I've a brain rpm limitator However I think that the starting point for developing protections should be the necessity not to create probs for legal customers, and not to block piracy at any cost. Unfortunately this isn't possible 'cause piracy is not just a technical prob, but a cultural (and economic) one. E.G. in Italy there are a lot of sites which provide links to warez games, but only if they cost over 30 euros. THIS IS NOT to justify piracy, but there is some kind of (not sufficient anyway) respect for developers and softcos which keep prices low. On the other hand, I see that, with money, softcos are losing their respect for the customers; all of them stupid producers should remember that they have money to produce games until people BUY them, and even if thx to piracy lots of them don't buy games anymore, the few (?????????) who remained honest are slowly losing the hope to see again a NORMAL game, a game which can be installed, run, uninstalled and, why not, backed up and then thrown through the window without stuckin' into some issues with their pc.
Sorry for this waste of words, I go back playin' Onimusha 3 ORIGINAL on my PS2, payed 24 euros new and after only 3 months from the sorting day (do U now platinum gamez? ). Hope not to see some hidden and infecting drivers also there

[LoxHazard]

Originally Posted by DUKE_NUKEM

Serial number is relatively easy to obtain (there is a keygen for every game created), hardware code dunno, if they decrypt starforce algorhytms the job should be done, am I right?

I think, that this argument isn´t correct.

Keygen is imposible in this case, because game don´t valid serial number, only activation key (remember that A.Key depends of Serial number and H.Code) and hardware code are checked by the game to start play.
Serial number of developer, only use to create activation keys, but no more use.
Algorithm serial number isn´t in game files encrypt, because game don´t checked it, and with one serial number nobody could create a keygen.

And starforce algorithm is quite imposible to decrypt, (i´m not sure if someone could do it), but in anycase isn´t legal.

Anyway, is my opinion.

Better only protection and backup discussion, please

[DUKE_NUKEM]

@ LoxHazard

Undaztood bro, nothing to do at the moment...
Yes, it is not legal, it isn't only your opinion, but, if we continue this way, one day games will be no more in the shops, and to buy them you'll be obliged to call them and fix a date, then they'll come to your house and install the game on your pc (only ONE pc, right?) and then get back to their office with the disc in their hands. After all, we only buy a license to use the game. We don't have the right to keep our own and INDEPENDENT copy, we need their drivers and their codes, but OUR money to play.
Ok, let's give the welcome to this new protection, sure that if they cut the prices instead of spending money in protections we would appreciate more...

[LoxHazard]

@ DUKE NUKEM

Ok, i understand you, and agree with you. I wrote it about no keygen or not ilegal asks before, because if we don´t respect forum rules, the thread will be closed, and this is very interesant for all people

Anyway i expose my opinion below post, and explain more about activation.

@ Pigdog Ratsnake

Is not posible.

First, all information of activaction keys and uses of your serial number, are at starforce servers. You can doing online activation, or phone activation, like as windows XP, but starforce guys save this information, and number of activations that you realize.

Second, Act.Code and H.code store in your windows registry when you activate the game, but don´t store serial number in windows registry. At least i believe it.

Third, the game checked H.Code and Act.Code to star to play, how Act.code is calculates with algorithms (with Serial and H.code), when game checked it, Act.code in registry must be accord to H.Code in registry.
Ok, it is posible if you manually modificate registry, but in H.code case, game checked changes in your PC, compare registry with your hardware, and if not correspond then don´t work.
And, if you put your real H.code in registry, then this Act.code is wrong.

Then, the only posibility, is found a PC near exactly or exactly at yours and modify registry (depend starforce % change hardware parameters), but is quite difficult for parameters used to check:
"CPU ID", "Mac Adress", "Ram Size", "Computer Name", "Volume Serial" and "windows PID"

The posibilities are ridiculous, and is ilegal too. I don´t agree with this.


At finally.
I agree with yours (duke and pigdog), goverments protect big corporations, but not simple persons.
Our only power, is don´t buy starforce games, or others games with wild protections, but we haven´t any organization, and information is poor.

PC gaming will die in the future, for don´t piracy posibilities, like as Gamecube of nintendo, people don´t spend a lot of money in new PC hardware if they can´t pirate some games (people aren´t rich, normally), then will buy other sistems (xbox X, playstation X, nintendo X), and game developers don´t make PC games for poor rentals, because the persons who buy games before (and piracy someone games), now don´t buy any PC game.

Anyway, Starforce is dangerous, but TCPA/PALLADIUM or online control, is worst.

Please, no more key asks, only protection and backup discussion, please.

Thks and excuse my poor english.

[Pigdog Ratsnake]

Originally Posted by LoxHazard

I think, that this argument isn´t correct.

Keygen is imposible in this case, because game don´t valid serial number, only activation key (remember that A.Key depends of Serial number and H.Code) and hardware code are checked by the game to start play.
Serial number of developer, only use to create activation keys, but no more use.
Algorithm serial number isn´t in game files encrypt, because game don´t checked it, and with one serial number nobody could create a keygen.

Where is the "activation" stored? It's just a key that is calculated from the hardware key and serial #? Does it phone home to check? If you duplicate the original serial number, that exact game image (Direct2Drive, not DVD), and hardware key (registry entry?), then add the activation key, why won't it work?

Well, if no one cracks this system, you can forget about NoCDs in the future, and this forum will be gone too. Not only because of Starforce, but other upcoming corporate extortions of this type. It will no doubt extend to applications, not just games.

Then they'll start raising prices.