Topic: BioShock REVOKE Tool Released

[MysterD]

I think this deserves its own thread -- it's big news and doesn't have much to do w/ the Bioshock game itself, but just the Protection surrounding it.

If the mods here feel the need to combine this into the Bioshock thread, whether it's now and sometime much later, that's fine w/ me.


Anyways, The Revoke Tool for Bioshock has been released for the PC version of the game.

And I will quote the FAQ below -- which has a lot of info worth noting in there on how this all works and whatnot.

BIOSHOCK ACTIVATION REVOKE TOOL AVAILABLE NOW
October 11, 2007

For those of you who would like to revoke one of your activation credits before uninstalling BioShock from your PC, the BioShock Revoke Tool is now available and will help you do just that!

Below is a quick FAQ to help you decide if you need the revoke tool, and how to use it. You can also download the full instruction set included in the ReadMe for instructions on how to properly use the BioShock Revoke Tool.

Download the BioShock Revoke Tool (.zip)

Download the BioShock Revoke Tool User Instructions (.pdf)

REVOKE TOOL FAQ

Q: What is the BioShock Revoke Tool?

A: The BioShock Revoke Tool will de-activate the current license on the computer contact the activation server to free up the activation, for future use.

Q: Do i need the internet to run this tool?

A: Yes, you will need internet to run this tool, as it will need to free up your activation credit.

Q: If I uninstall BioShock on my computer and re-install it again without changing anything, will I use up an activation?

A: No! As long as you have not changed any major hardware component, such as a motherboard, hard disc drive or DVD ROM drive, you will not be asked to re-activate BioShock as it will use the activation information (activation license) from your previous installation.

Q: So I can install and uninstall it as many times on my computer without using up all my activations if I haven’t changed anything?

A: Yes!

Q: What version of BioShock does this Revoke Tool work for?

A: This tool works for the retail box copy of BioShock. The Steam version of BioShock already revokes an activation when BioShock is uninstalled on a machine, and does not need a tool. This tool does not work for Direct2Drive.

Q: Can I install BioShock on the same computer under different user accounts?

A: Yes, although you will be asked to activate it for each user account, which will use up one of your activations.

Q: Will I be able to revoke the activations under each account and free up all the activations for each user account using the BioShock Revoke Tool?

A: No! Unfortunately, the revoke tool will only revoke the activations once for any given computer, the activations used for any additional user accounts will remain active.

Q: So how do I get these activations from multiple user accounts on the same computer back?

A: 2K Games are working on a solution for this with our activation partner, as soon as a solution is found we will make it available. For now, if you get stuck, please refer to the Exceptional Cases - Requests for Additional Activations section in the ReadMe document for more information.

Q: How many different computers can I install BioShock on?

A: Five, but each one will use up one of your hardware activations. For example if you wanted to install BioShock on your main desktop gaming rig and also on your laptop, that will count as 2 different hardware configurations and therefore use up two activations.

Q: I installed BioShock on a machine which I no longer use or someone else installed a copy of my game on their machine. Can I revoke the activation from that machine without having access to it?

A: No, you can only revoke an activation by running the revoke tool on the machine that it was activated on.

Q: What will cause me to have to re-activate BioShock?

A: There are a number of circumstances under which BioShock will require reactivation:
• Changing any main hardware components in your system
• Installing BioShock on new computer
• Activating BioShock in a second user account, even if it has already been activated on and existing computer/hardware setup
• Deleting the license information off your hard drive (say by formatting it or by re-installing Windows)
• If the license information becomes corrupt for any reason and cannot be read

Q: How do I know when one of my activations is being used up?

A: Activations are only used up when you see the activation request and are asked to input your activation key. If you re-install and do not see this requester then, your activation count has not changed.

Q: How does the BioShock Revoke Tool help me with all of this?

A: The BioShock Revoke Tool allows you to re-use activations by resetting and freeing them up on the activation server. If you want to free up and activation at any time, say because you are uninstalling the game and want to move it to a new computer, you can do so with the BioShock revoke tool.

Q: Can I use the revoke tool, even after I have uninstalled BioShock from my system?

A: Yes. The BioShock Revoke Tool, does not require you to have BioShock installed on your system, just that you have an active BioShock license to revoke.

Q: What personal information is collected when I use the Revoke Tool?

A: The Revocation Tool does not collect any information that can personally identify an activation key to any specific user. Any information collected is available only to 2K Games and their online activation partner, Sony DADC (SecuROM) and will not be used for any purpose other than related to the installation and activation of BioShock.

Q: What if I need to increase my activation limit?

A: For most people, you will never encounter an instance when you will need to increase your activation limit. Cases may include having 5 hard disk crashes or formatting your computer 5 times without revoking your license. However, in these rare cases, we have a support division set up to help increase your limit so that you can always play your game, no matter what the circumstance.

If you have already used up your 5 activation limit and cannot revoke them, please visit http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support/revoketool for details on having your activations increased.

Each activation request is reviewed on an individual basis. You will need your activation key from your copy of BioShock, and in some cases, proof of purchase before increasing activation limits. 2K Games reserve the right to refuse increasing activation limits if it is found that the activation key has been abused, for example has had excessive activation attempts from different IP addresses, indicating that it is widely shared.

In most cases, activation limit increases are completed within 48 hours, and can be completed faster if you promptly respond to the support team with the proper documentation.

Note: The Revoke Tool will not remove SecuROM. It is designed to revoke a BioShock license from one computer for future use on another computer.

- Elizabeth

[Xessive]

Handy. Still not a "solution" though, just a time-buying work-around.

[MysterD]

Handy. Still not a "solution" though, just a time-buying work-around.

It helps a little bit more so w/ some of the issues regarding the CP....
...But yeah -- it's still really not enough, as far as I'm concerned.

[scottws]

I think it's stupid.  Why place a limit on the number of installs?  It's so arbitrary.  Is anyone really going to go out and re-buy the game if they use up all their activation licenses?  I wouldn't.

I have played Deus Ex on at least five different PCs over the course of my ownership of the game.   I'd be pissed if it was like, "Hey for no logical reason, you aren't allowed to play this game anymore."

[MysterD]

I think it's stupid.  Why place a limit on the number of installs?  It's so arbitrary.  Is anyone really going to go out and re-buy the game if they use up all their activation licenses?  I wouldn't.

I wouldn't either.

I have played Deus Ex on at least five different PCs over the course of my ownership of the game.   I'd be pissed if it was like, "Hey for no logical reason, you aren't allowed to play this game anymore."

It's like a 5-time game rental, in a sense.

[Pugnate]

How is it a 5 time game rental? You uninstall, and get your token back. If your comp crashes 5 times without you being able to uninstall, then you have to get an extension.

[MysterD]

How is it a 5 time game rental? You uninstall, and get your token back.

As long as you are online and/or use the revoke tool.

I remember back when PC games, if you bought a game -- install it as much as you want, as long as you don't mess the CD/DVD up. That *is* my point.

If your comp crashes 5 times without you being able to uninstall, then you have to get an extension.

Which is CRAP, since I bought the damn game. I'm a paying customer. Why the hassle?

Really, if the game wants to dial "home" actually, how come it just don't check for the DVD/CD being in the damn drive??? What it could do is this, after it dials "Home" -- if it does the check and then if there is no game disc in the drive, then it can throw a license purchasing at your face to purchase the game legit -- wouldn't that make more sense then the "limited number of installs to sometimes revoke" crap to punish legit users with?

[scottws]

How is it a 5 time game rental? You uninstall, and get your token back. If your comp crashes 5 times without you being able to uninstall, then you have to get an extension.

And if they grant these extensions, what is the point in the first place?

[Pugnate]

I guess the issue the extension only after determining if you are the owner of the game. Who knows how many countless number of people use a cd key that has been shared on the popular warez sites.

[Xessive]

I like the principle behind it, it just wasn't done properly and it doesn't make much sense for a singleplayer game.

For example, with Freespace 2 you were allowed to install and run a multiplayer LAN game on 4 different machines per CD (the person running the server needs the CD). So to play a LAN game you didn't need to buy the game several times! Each game had a 4 PC license or so. That idea makes the most sense to me and I wish more developers/publishers would go by it.

[MysterD]

...It just wasn't done properly and it doesn't make much sense for a singleplayer game.

Exactly.

[scottws]

I like the principle behind it, it just wasn't done properly and it doesn't make much sense for a singleplayer game.

For example, with Freespace 2 you were allowed to install and run a multiplayer LAN game on 4 different machines per CD (the person running the server needs the CD). So to play a LAN game you didn't need to buy the game several times! Each game had a 4 PC license or so. That idea makes the most sense to me and I wish more developers/publishers would go by it.

Yeah, that kind of reminds me of the "spawn" copy thing that Blizzard did with Starcraft.