STEAM turns into hardware-based DRM, fanlords rejoice

[baronjohn]

Sometimes limiting what you can do with the stuff you’ve bought isn’t such a bad thing.

Spoken like a true moran

[..] you’ll apparently need one of the second-generation Intel Core CPUs (Sandy Bridge et al) and associated motherboard, which will soon be updated with something called Intel Identity Protection Technology (IPT). This is hardware-based DRM, essentially, designed to mean that you can only access Steam (and presumably other types of account) with pre-approved hardware. “IPT generates a new numerical password every 30 seconds, integrating into the processor functionality that previously required a separate card or key fob”, it says here.

Apparently, it's not like an attacker can root your Wintendo and then fuck with your steam account.

Processors apparently so good that they prompted Gabe Newell to say they’re “a game-changer” and will “bring a console-like experience to PC.”

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/03 ... -password/

 

[Angthoron]

What the fuck.

 

[AdmiralHugbunny]

Welcome to the future.
This vision of a better cyberspace was conceived by such visionaries as Bill Gates back in the late nineties.
The future is Trusted Computing and what a glorious future it is.

Seriously though, the day Steam implements this shit is the day I stop using it. Besides, all security systems get hacked and this will be no exception.

"Game changer", my fluffy ass.

 

[Destroid]

Way to misrepresent the article. It's talking about a security feature, which of course could be used as DRM in the future but at this stage it is not, and only functions on specific hardware anyway.

 

[Crooked Bee]

It's voluntary self-policing for now, but yeah, it doesn't bode well for the future.

 

[Yeesh]

God I hope all software being free on the PC lasts until I'm in a better financial position.

 

[AdmiralHugbunny]

This is Trusted Computing by another name. It will start out small, but then other vendors will start requiring it too and it will become mandatory for even booting up Windows.

Fuck that.

 

[Angthoron]

Way to misrepresent the article. It's talking about a security feature, which of course could be used as DRM in the future but at this stage it is not, and only functions on specific hardware anyway.

Optional is one executive decision away from mandatory.

 

[Achilles]

I don't know, it doesn't seem so evil to me. It's true that it may be used for hardware-based DRM in the future, but for now it's just an optional thing . I am a little worried by I still trust Valve to not go that far.

 

[baronjohn]

I don't know, it doesn't seem so evil to me. It's true that it may be used for hardware-based DRM in the future, but for now it's just an optional thing . I am a little worried by I still trust Valve to not go that far.

Like a cow to the slaughter.

 

[Wirdschowerdn]

Stop fucking around Valve and release Ep3 already.

 

[Konjad]

Stop fucking around Valve and release Ep3 already.

I don't care about EP3 as much as about Portal 2

 

[Gord]

Depending on how that turns out, it might well be the nail to the coffin that makes me stop using Steam again.

If that means that I have to bypass drm to the games I rightfully aqquired, be it so.

But we will see, in the meantime I will certainly think twice before buying any game on Steam that's not in the bargain bin.

 

[MapMan]

Hahaha. You buy a game (OEM version ) and then when you change your cpu you loose the game.

 

[Faustian Covenant]

Hahaha. You buy a game (OEM version ) and then when you change your cpu you loose the game.

Plus they know what you play when you play at all times and you can't run anything without network connection.

 

[Gerrard]

This is what you get for supporting Intel.

Also broken mainboards and getting your CPU remotely disabled.

 

[Unkillable Cat]

This is too much of a one-sided deal for it to be anything but a screwover for the user.

IMO Valve needs to make a compromise, even when this is still optional at this stage. An idea off the top of my head would be that you're entitled to a (partial) refund for your Steam titles if you lose your account while under this new "protection" scheme.

My patience with Steam and Valve is just about running out.

 

[chzr]

Processors apparently so good that they prompted Gabe Newell to say they’re “a game-changer” and will “bring a console-like experience to PC.”

“bring a console-like experience to PC.”

“bring a console-like experience to PC.”

“bring a console-like experience to PC.”

“bring a console-like experience to PC.”

 

[Deleted member 7219]

It is optional.

 

[Clockwork Knight]

Sometimes limiting what you can do with the stuff you’ve bought isn’t such a bad thing.

...I can kind of understand it if it's a feature to protect the user from his own stupidity (like Vista's nagging). But DRM? I'd love to hear his warped reasoning.

 

[Gondolin]

If that means that I have to bypass drm to the games I rightfully aqquired, be it so.

You don't rightfully acquired a game. You rightfully acquire the privilege to play a game, a privilege granted under certain conditions which can be revoked any time the owner of the game (i.e. NOT you) feels like it.

 

[Rogue]

bring a console-like experience to PC

I don't know, it doesn't seem so evil to me. It's true that it may be used for hardware-based DRM in the future, but for now it's just an optional thing . I am a little worried by I still trust Valve to not go that far.

Like a cow to the slaughter.

Indeed. I always enjoy watching the massacre myself.

 

[fizzelopeguss]

I don't know, it doesn't seem so evil to me.

Because there's nothing evil or drm about it, it's little more than an elaborate authenticator. The op is twat-nugget.

 

[Rogue]

This is absolutely priceless:

Sometimes limiting what you can do with the stuff you’ve bought isn’t such a bad thing.

 

[Hobo Elf]

Fellas. It's time to put on our trench coats and sunglasses. ITZ coming to the world of technology.

 

[racofer]

+

 

[baronjohn]

I think in about 5 years Valve will make this mandatory, citing "increasing levels of account theft". Six months later AMD will come out with their own variant. 5 years later, the US will make it illegal to own a CPU without DRM and it will push the law on other first world countries as well (like it did the Disney copyright act and now ACTA).