Adding SecuROM to the PC version (the most hated security system for computers) seems not be enough. Mass Effect will require an online activation for the first time the player runs the game, nothing that unsual nowadays. But there must be more, or, at least, that’s what Derek French, Technical Producer at Bioware seems to think:

“After the first activation, SecuROM requires that it re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez’d and gets banned). Just so that the 10 day thing doesn’t become abrupt, SecuROM tries its first re-check with 5 days remaining in the 10 day window. If it can’t contact the server before the 10 days are up, nothing bad happens and the game still runs. After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run.”

The first reply was anything but unexpected:

“Well, i guess i won’t be buying Mass Effect then. When playing your legally purchased game is more troublesome than playing a pirated copy, somebody somewhere should realise the system is fraked.”

Back in October last year, BioShock was also met will a scandal due to the inclusion of SecuROM and the limited number of installs it allowed. In the end, 2KGames had to give up on the policy. How will Bioware and EA manage this one?