Firehed's Blog

I'm beyond fed up with DRM everywhere.  I bought Spore not even realizing how invasive it was - I didn't think to read the 1-star reviews plaguing Amazon first (three years in the hype chamber will do that to a game).  While it hasn't manifested itself too painfully within Spore, I've been bitten by DRM more than enough times that I'm simply staying away from all "activation required"-type products from now on.  Yes, I'll be voting with my wallet, as I'm so often advised to do.

I'm sick of fighting my software, instead of using it.  Maybe someone out there finds enjoyment in software activation, but it's the last thing I want to do when I'm in the gaming mood.  I understand and respect the fact that companies want to protect their products, but I'm no longer going to tolerate anything more invasive than a serial key.  I don't care whether they're doing it in a flawed attempt to kill piracy, trying to kill off the completely legal second-hand market (after having read a few forum posts, this would seem a likely candidate), or just have a contract with SecuROM.  I'm done.  If they want me to be a customer, then damnit, they'll treat me like one.

EA,

I'm writing to inform you that you have permanently lost me as a customer.  This is due entirely to the DRM in Spore and your intent to put it in future products.  By using this technology you belittle and disrespect me as a customer, and as such have lost all future business with me.  I purchased a copy of Spore, which aside from being disappointingly shallow prevents me from using the product as I purchased it.  There was no indication of this on the packaging whatsoever, and I would have returned the product as defective had I discovered this prior to opening the game (be thankful for Best Buy's abusive software return policies - they made you $50).

Your decision to use DRM - especially a system so invasive as SecuROM - has provoked me to make this move.  Not only have you lost all of my future business, but I will be telling everyone I know to avoid all of your products until DRM is no longer used on ANY of your products.  My money will be going to developers that are willing to treat me like a customer, not a criminal.

I don't expect you to rectify this in any way; the damage has already been done.  I just wanted to reiterate what countless others have already said.

Sincerely,

A former customer.

Goodbye, EA.  You and your done-to-death rehashing franchises will not be missed.