Bioshock rootkits? SecuROM?

I read on the forums how to remove these, and all of that jazz.

But my questions are...
- Are these "rootkits" and this secuROM thing a big deal?

- Am I going to regret buying this game because of these?

- Is it true that I can only install the product 5 times before my key is no good?

- Why would they do this if it just is going to, or has been cracked already?

- Booo.. :[

 

It's not a rootkit in Bioshock's case.
Just annoying DRM software.

As I remember it, you can free up instals by uninstalling the game. If you format your computer without uninstalling, you can call them to get it freed up.
They also claim that they will remove this restriction at some point in the future, "when it is no longer necessary".

And yes, of course it has been cracked. But it took a day or two, and some in the company believe that it boosted sales overall.

 

So the installed software wont hurt my comp or hide bad stuff?

 

The limit of five pc installation exists...and even cracked version are having in-game problem...

 

SecuRom is a right pain for legitimate users, I've read lots of rants against it in the past for its invasive methods and ridiculous approach to anti-piracy.

To the OP: hopefully your PC doesn't develop problems because of this. SecuRom has a bad habit of screwing up PCs as part of its copy protection routine.

 

Oh yes, that is why I didn't buy Bioshock. Nearly forgot. Just as well, I probably wouldn't play it a lot...

 

I didn't buy it either. I played it on my friend's system and was thoroughly underwhelmed; couldn't be bothered to even complete it. It's just a highly overrated and overhyped game that comes with draconian DRM.

 

Gawds, you people make it sound like the end of the world... And make me want to take it back somehow.

 

Bioshock does not install a rootkit.

It does, however, contain DRM. It limits you to 5 simultaneous installations. So you can have the game installed on five different computers at any one time. If you want to install more (or more likely, move the game to a new computer), you have to use the Revoke Tool to revoke the license on that computer, which will add to your "credits".

It's convoluted and annoying, but it's not the end of the world...

You might be thinking of StarForce, which was known to screw up DVD drives. I've never heard of SecuROM messing up computers (I could be wrong though).

In any case, OP: I wouldn't worry too much. The DRM is annoying, but it's not going to mess up your computer. Bioshock is an amazing game - play it and have fun.

 

Thanks for the correction. Starforce was indeed what I was thinking about. Still good luck to the OP with the copy protection.

 

Note: You can install the game 5 times. Even on the same computer. I.e. if you have 5 different users i.e. 'accounts' on the same computer and each one had an install of the game it counts toward the 5 'limit'.

Just to be clear.