Problem with Sword of the Stars (gob file)

[Warnstaff]

[EDIT] Nevermind this post. I saw somewhere that I had SOTS with SF and didn't bother reading it fully before going on a near-reformat of my system because of it [/EDIT]

[Joe Forster/STA]

Just as I expected, the file starts with the usual "TMSAMVOH" signature of ActiveMark-protected archives. ActiveMark is, perhaps, the most popular copy protection-activation-playtime limitation system for "digital download" games and game demos.

Unless it is decrypted, you can't see anything that's inside it. The game sees this archive through the ActiveMark virtual file system which decrypts data on the fly, so the game is happy to handle it as a plain ZIP archive (as if it weren't encrypted).

[Warnstaff]

So I can't extract it? What a rip off!

Well, thanks for your help I appreciate it

[DABhand]

LOL

And why wouldnt it be protected, whats then to stop someone downloading it and then giving it out to countless millions of people?


The protection isnt obtrusive its not stopping you from making a backup of it. All it requires is you to activate it online.

Unless you had something else in mind?

[Warnstaff]

Like say..... modding the game?

The gob file is very much like the .big file from homeworld. Extract it and the extract will overide the big file, only with SOTS it needs a zip utility, not a special tool.

Besides, warez and piracy is why CP was brought about in the first place (was it not?). Why would I see to it that these idiotic piss poor excuses for "protection" have a reason for companies to use them?

[Warnstaff]

Just a quick update: I just purchased the copy from Gamersgate, and it is not encrpyted, so I am now able to modify to my hearts content. Just figured you'd like to know


P.S. Yes, I had some extra cash Benifets from saving $100 for the game when released

[DABhand]

Well I see you got mixed up, no doubt the guide you read about modding was for the retail version of the game.

The electronic version will be different for a specific reason so people cant just borrow someones retail game to add this file to the electronic versions files, etc.