Steam has limited reinstalls?

I had to format and reload computer. Reinstalled Steam, restored the backup of Wings Of Prey, and it comes up with, "sorry activation limits are used up." I thought Steam doesn't have this rubbish? I sent Steam a support ticket, and the reply was that I need to contact the game developer. Now the dev has responded to me saying:- it is restricted to 3 installs and 10 deactivations

Isn't this a Steam problem and responsibility? How come games in Steam still have DRM, securerom and activations etc? Isn't a game bought through Steam linked to your account and no other?
Now I'm scared since I have just preordered Bioshock 2 on Steam, only because I didn't want to get the retail version with all that DRM stuff in it. Now I'm betting Bioshock 2 in Steam will be the same. So what's becoming the point of using up my bandwidth if I am getting the same rubbish as retail copies?

That's not a thing with Steam. It's some other DRM that is included with the game. For some games with that sort of DRM they will remove it from the Steam version, but apparently not in the case of that particular game.

If I recall correctly, the Steam version of Bioshock had the activation limit thing removed, so I assume the second one will as well. It's just an assumption though. Your best bet would be to check the Steam Bioshock 2 forums I guess.

I had to format and reload computer. Reinstalled Steam, restored the backup of Wings Of Prey, and it comes up with, "sorry activation limits are used up." I thought Steam doesn't have this rubbish? I sent Steam a support ticket, and the reply was that I need to contact the game developer. Now the dev has responded to me saying:- it is restricted to 3 installs and 10 deactivations

Isn't this a Steam problem and responsibility? How come games in Steam still have DRM, securerom and activations etc? Isn't a game bought through Steam linked to your account and no other?
Now I'm scared since I have just preordered Bioshock 2 on Steam, only because I didn't want to get the retail version with all that DRM stuff in it. Now I'm betting Bioshock 2 in Steam will be the same. So what's becoming the point of using up my bandwidth if I am getting the same rubbish as retail copies?

DigiTM73

First, Steam IS DRM, second, being on steam doesnt prevent the game from having additional third party DRM.

On the email from the devs, they state exactly:-

You have to go to the games directory and run activate.exe to revoke an activation. It is restricted to 3 installs and 10 deactivations. If all activations are used, please contact our support office in Europeor via email in which we will endeavour to look intoregarding possible reinitialising.

I'm sorry, I didn't know I was a criminal for buying a game, that's what I feel like when reading their reply. On initial purchase (preloaded at the time), there was no mention of anything about this on Steam page. Iunderstand it's not Steam, butdoes this mean Steam doesn't have to inform people prior to buying? How was I supposed to know there was an activate.exe file in the directory?The game is great though, I do givew credit there.
I have looked up Bioshock 2 now as well since this, and now I'm scared. There will be a 15x limit activation and reinstall. Also you need GFWL running online in order to save your progress. That's all fine, except the other night I was playing Fallout 3 and the GFWL servers were down, which meant I wasn't able to save my progress.

That's why I have to read Steam forum every time I consider to buy a game from their store.thusaha

I will have to take that advice from here on now.

On the email from the devs, they state exactly:-

You have to go to the games directory and run activate.exe to revoke an activation. It is restricted to 3 installs and 10 deactivations. If all activations are used, please contact our support office in Europeor via email in which we will endeavour to look intoregarding possible reinitialising.

I'm sorry, I didn't know I was a criminal for buying a game, that's what I feel like when reading their reply. On initial purchase (preloaded at the time), there was no mention of anything about this on Steam page. Iunderstand it's not Steam, butdoes this mean Steam doesn't have to inform people prior to buying? How was I supposed to know there was an activate.exe file in the directory?The game is great though, I do givew credit there.
I have looked up Bioshock 2 now as well since this, and now I'm scared. There will be a 15x limit activation and reinstall. Also you need GFWL running online in order to save your progress. That's all fine, except the other night I was playing Fallout 3 and the GFWL servers were down, which meant I wasn't able to save my progress.

DigiTM73

what about sumpreme commander 2 whats it using

what about sumpreme commander 2 whats it using

tony2077ca

[QUOTE="tony2077ca"]

what about sumpreme commander 2 whats it using

thusaha

STEAM tells you if a game has 3rd party DRM on the specifications section, so you can look before you buy.

The Steam page for Wings of Prey mentions the DRM. Title: Wings of Prey ...SNIP... 3rd-party DRM: FrontLine ProActive 3 machine activation limit Also there is a sticky on the Steam forums for Wings of Prey titled DRM Information for Wings of Prey. All the DRM info is there if you take the time to read. :)CellAnimation

It wasn't there at first. The game was out for a few weeks before steam noted 3rd party DRM, and this was only after the uproar in the steam forums. Steam sucks.

I was going to buy this game, but geeze, install limits? forget it. Better off buying the console version "IL:2 - Birds of Prey" I think it's the exact same game, and it's probably in the bargain bins by now.

It wasn't mentioned on the Steam page initially. What Steam needs to do is not rush a product onto the page until all the facts about the product is ready to inform the buyer as well. I checked that link, and Steam changed and notified on the 13th, yet I bought it on the 9th.
As for notifying GFWL when install limits are done for Bioshock 2, how many can one remember. So before formatting, I have to spend a good amount of time deactivating games. EA game, go through EA system, Wings Of Prey, go through Yuplay system, Bioshock 2, go through microsoft, Borderlands with DLC, go through Ubisoft/2k games. It's becoming mind boggling.
I only buy games legit, but now I can see why some choose the dark side.
Now Steam does mention 3x activations for Wings of Prey, but still no mention of maximum of 10x total installs, even after deauthorising the game. That means I have only 10x times of reformatting my PC. I better hope this Windows 7 is a stable OS.

After 6 or so hours approx, I have finally received confirmation that I have been reinitialised and I can proceed. Oh you mean I can now play the game I actually bought out of my own hard earned cash,,,geeez thanx.

[QUOTE="tony2077ca"]

what about sumpreme commander 2 whats it using

thusaha

The way Steam works, you'll know what copy protection Supreme Commander 2 uses after release when people complain. Hope it's simple, the first ones were. I feel sorry for Impulse that Steam bought the rights to sell it. Impulse is a rather small digital distributor constantly trying to compete.
Hope there are Steam achievements included.

[QUOTE="thusaha"][QUOTE="tony2077ca"]

what about sumpreme commander 2 whats it using

DanielDust

[QUOTE="DanielDust"][QUOTE="thusaha"] Since GPG has good connection with Stardock, I hope it's Impulse GOO.thusaha

Although you have to admit, Steamworks is a much better tool than all that other DRM rubbish. I would've preferred Bioshock 2 to use Steamworks, than Securerom+GFWL

For future reference, look on the right for a subtitle called, 3rd Party DRM. It's in there that tells you the limit of machine activations. In Wings of Prey's instance, it clearly says 3 activations.

You may be able to get one activation unlocked, if you ask the game publisher, nicely....

@OP you bash steam because of the developer's choice of DRM, really smart there buddy, learn how to read.

This is in no way steam's fault.

[QUOTE="thusaha"][QUOTE="DanielDust"] Isn't it a Steamworks game?DigiTM73

Although you have to admit, Steamworks is a much better tool than all that other DRM rubbish. I would've preferred Bioshock 2 to use Steamworks, than Securerom+GFWL

dev gas powered games

pub square enix

this is all i could find

[QUOTE="thusaha"][QUOTE="tony2077ca"]

what about sumpreme commander 2 whats it using

DanielDust

Its not steam.. its the publisher..

Steam also tells u in the info for the game if there is DRM..

And lastly.. just send an email and you will get more activations. This happened to me on D2D and within a few hours I got a new activation