After 10 years, No-CD?
It would be nice to have no-cd, the game has been out for 10 years already, I think it hinders more than helps to require the cd at this point.
we'll copy over the data files required and done.
Wadda ya say Team17? YES?
This does not depend on us and it does not depend on Team17. So no.
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marzzbar commented
Actually, scenario 2 would be pretty cool so long as people who owned the CD could get the downloadable version for free. But I guess the hard part is proving that you own the CD. Valve were able to do that with Half-Life, since it had a CD-Key. Worms has no such thing...
In any case, I think one of these things will happen eventually. For games this small (relatively), CDs are becoming a thing of the past. I guess I'll just have to wait :P -
KoreanRedDragon commented
Yeah, BattleNet can be circumvented, but it's a reasonably complicated course of action to take for today's average consumer whore; the vast majority won't bother. Also, I guess the experience BattleNet offers is a far more convincing argument than WA's own WormNET, which doesn't even let you register an account in its current form, much less provide an exciting ladder system. I think taking care of this would be a fine first step for our beloved WA. (:
And for the record, I wouldn't mind the first option from my previous post happening either. The price surely wouldn't be high and you never know, maybe Steam or whoever would be able to come up with a promotion for those who can prove they already own the CD version of the game.
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marzzbar commented
Ah ok. Thanks so much for this response. Very informative.
I suppose I could argue that BattleNet copy protection has been circumvented with people using pirate servers or VPN networks (like iccup, hamachi or garena), but that kinda misses the point. I guess I thought that, since WA is such an old game, Team17 would be a bit more relaxed about copy protection, which might be why Blizzard made nearly all their games able to run without the cd with patches released only a couple of years ago.
Also, I didn't realise how widely available the game still is. After a while some games become rare, or have compatibility issues and don't work on new systems. WA still works great.
I guess I'm just hanging out for scenario 2 :P. Sort of like what Rockstar Games did with GTA1 and 2. -
KoreanRedDragon commented
Blizzard were able to do that because their games have an online authentication system in place, namely BattleNet. In having offered what are essentially no-CD cracks via official patches, they did not have to sacrifice much [if any] actual protection against piracy, while WA's only means of copy protection is the CD check.
Now I know this is an old game we're talking about and I can think of a couple of solutions that would get you what you want, but neither of them are doable via a simple update:
1. Team17 make an updated version of the game available through a digital distributor, one that utilises its own form of copy protection aka DRM. You're able to play the game without a disc, the system ensures everyone online has to use the latest version and T17 get more than 0 money from it, not counting the initial investment.
2. Team17 simply release an update that removes all attempts of copy protection and start offering the game for free via their website. Death Rally is a recent example of this happening. This option is potentially problematic because of legal issues, but it also gets you what you want.
Both of these ways out would require a lot of lobbying/convincing Team17 and I don't think they keep track of this feedback page. I suppose the official forum would be a better place for it.
Hope this sheds some light on things.