Prepare for the pirates to throw themselves overboard in distress. The PC release of Grand Theft Auto IV will utilize the oft-criticized SecuROM copy protection, publisher Rockstar has confirmed, though some controversial SecuROM features, such as install limits, will not be utilized.
“GTA IV PC uses SecuROM for protecting our EXE until street date has passed, to ensure the retail disk is in the computer drive, and is used for Product Activation of the title.”
However, the retail version will have no install limits, Rockstar clarified that the physical version “can be installed on an unlimited number of PCs by the retail disk owner.” As for digital distribution, the company stated that “each digital download vendor has its own policy on the number of installations that are allowed.”
The studio also noted that “using a cracked copy of GTA IV PC will result in varying changes to the game experience,” explaining that “these can range from comical to game-progress-halting changes.”
Rockstar know more than well what the landscape is like on PC, and I must admit I’m quite keen to see the “comical changes” that pirates may experience, knowing Rockstars sense of humour it should be interesting.
Source: Shacknews
Last Updated: December 1, 2008
