Warning, this game has online (internet required) DRM (in addition to steam)

[Solorvox]

So I've had this game installed since launch. During initial install it required a code be pasted into website and a result pasted back in. Fine, install verification DRM for single player game is acceptable, though not ideal. I was lead to believe that was a one-time, or install only check.

Now, a few months after beating the game I decided to go back and play some more. Same install, nothing changed except a few patches that came on steam. I go to play and I get:

“The server is not reachable. Check your internet connection and click “Retry”.

WTF? An internet connection is ***NOT LISTED*** as a requirement for the game on the store page. This is bull**** DRM for a single player only game. I would have never purchased this game if I knew it had that. I've changed my previous “positive” review and recommending anyone else avoid it.

Just to be clear, I've not re-installed, moved the game to another drive or anything like that. I only went to play a few months later. Who knows how many times it will require another new "check"? And what if their servers are done or unreachable like they were for me? You're screwed out of playing a game you paid money. Again, the only ones who win are the pirates.

Way to reward your paying customers.

[ED13]

I would only get this problem after each patch, if i didnt run the game after the patch and try to play it offline i would get the problem.

[Nasenbaerus]

Wow, thanks. I just thought about buying the game. But no way I'm going to support bs idiotic online DRM.

[Stainless Steel Rat]

Played 90% of Mad Max in off-line mode. Only went on-line to patch it.

The DRM is not invasive like many others.

[Laptop]

Internet is not required to play this...

You need Internet to download + launch it for the first time, same as every other game on Steam.

You need Internet to patch it... but this obvious.

Finally, there is one in-game mechanic that requires an online connection, but all that does is allow you to generate a bit more scrap, it doesn't cut off or block any parts of the game at all.

[Solorvox]

Originally posted by Laptop65:

Internet is not required to play this...

Except it is and you're wrong.

Originally posted by Laptop65:

You need Internet to download + launch it for the first time, same as every other game on Steam.

This is wrong, there is an extra 3rd party DRM that also must validate OUTSIDE of steam. More on that below.

Originally posted by Laptop65:

You need Internet to patch it... but this obvious.

Again, I already had the game INSTALLED and had authorized it ONCE already. This is after patches that it's asking AGAIN to authorized with WB servers.

Originally posted by Laptop65:

Finally, there is one in-game mechanic that requires an online connection, but all that does is allow you to generate a bit more scrap, it doesn't cut off or block any parts of the game at all.

I'm not talking about the stupid scrap yard bonus when off-line. I'm talking about my ablility to freaking LAUNCH and play the game.

You are very much incorrect when you say it does not require internet as it does. Maybe the check is after each patch, but it still is not letting me play until I re-authorize with WB servers.

And in case you say it's just Steam, HERE is the support link minus a huge Base64 encoded string

https://revalidate.wbgames.com/madmax/?l=<base64 encoded data here>

Yep, that's right, REVALIDATE @ WBGAMES.

Screenshot #1:
http://i.imgur.com/AN4GPj4.jpg

Screenshot #2
http://i.imgur.com/ggpSGI9.jpg

[Stainless Steel Rat]

Do you have a WB account linked to Mad Max?

Is that what it is?

Have never had anything other than patch the game 3 times. As said 90% of my playtime maybe longer is off-line.

Never once had either of those screens in all my playtime.

But I also do not have a Wb account.

[Solorvox]

Originally posted by Rowho:

Do you have a WB account linked to Mad Max?

Is that what it is?

Have never had anything other than patch the game 3 times. As said 90% of my playtime maybe longer is off-line.

Never once had either of those screens in all my playtime.

But I also do not have a Wb account.

Nope, never set an account up, nor did I play with the online features before. I couldn't have cared less about extra scrap when offline or trying to beat hacked race times.

Again, those are of course "optional" features. But not being able to launch the game is plain old ONLINE DRM and not included in description on steam.

[Stainless Steel Rat]

Same who needs x scrap. my feelings to Wb are eat a cake. Still weird though. As never had those screens.

[Hollapeno]

Never had these things? I don't remember doing anything like this, even for the initial install...

[HeadWound]

I've had to agree to DRM's on a whole bunch of reasons, usually to do with content change, licensing, patches, law suits, advertising soft drinks and the list goes on.

Games 'tethered' to publishers isn't a new deal either, if that's what it is. it's most likely that you've already agreed to it a few times.

If it's requiring you to do it every time you want to play the game, I'd be cranky too if it's not listed on the store.

If it's requiring you to 'verify' your game, or the PC it's installed on and/or agree to a DRM change, they may be restricted to a date after which you must do so, a couple of games had banned content imposed post release, others use it to control licensing.

Windoze 95 was Microsoft's 'public' debut but it's also part of being 'online' with your 'licensed' games available 24/7, well 24/7 hour's later, but still.

If so, you'll have already agreed to do it the first time you started the game.

If you think it's somehow sinister and recures, post a screen shot, it's worth a thousand words.

[Solorvox]

Not sure what you're actually trying to say there HeadWound.

But again, bought the game at launch. Did the authorize over the website. It's asking me to do it on the same install months later to play the game. If I don't, then it won't launch. That's online DRM however you want to spin it.

And again, it's NOT listed on the store page. People should know this before purchase, as I wish I had before I sent them my money.

[Laptop]

Okay... I've had enough of this.

I'm gonna go into Steam offline mode at some point and will disconnect my Internet, and then try Mad Max to see if it wants to connect to the Internet.

[Solorvox]

Originally posted by Laptop65:

Okay... I've had enough of this.

I'm gonna go into Steam offline mode at some point and will disconnect my Internet, and then try Mad Max to see if it wants to connect to the Internet.

You've had enough of the truth? Even provided screenshots and you're calling me a liar? Really?

Oh and for the record, I have steam in online mode. I just didn't allow mad max access to the internet.

[Stainless Steel Rat]

Ok

Ran in off-line mode (as have done for 90% of this game) Yanked out the ethernet. Shock horror The Game ran as always no issues.

So it has to be your side.

[Solorvox]

Originally posted by Rowho:

Ok

Ran in off-line mode (as have done for 90% of this game) Yanked out the ethernet. Shock horror :fear: The Game ran as always no issues.

So it has to be your side.

You're blind right? Or are you saying those screenshots are fake too? You can read the MAX MAX and WB in the URL right? I have no idea what the tirgger for the DRM check is. Maybe it's time, it has been two months? Or maybe it's every patch based? I think I saw patch 3 had something about DRM.

Either way, only the devs know really. The fact is it has ONLINE check required and it's not listed in requirements.