Football Manager 2010 Installation and DRM Decision

[bcooper]

Hi, some of you may have seen my posts before, but if not, I'm Ben, and I'm the senior global brand manager for Football Manager at SEGA.

During the development of Football Manger 2009 we (both SEGA and SI) were committed to developing and implementing an effective and simple way to combat the piracy that has taken place on each of the Football Manager titles to date. Due to some mistakes on our part, and some malicious external acts, the method chosen to stop piracy resulted in extensive headaches and difficulty in activating and playing Football Manager 2009. This was the last thing we wanted.

As a result of those issues we have been investigating both revised and totally new anti-piracy and activation solutions for Football Manager 2010. We have not been able to find and test a solution that we can guarantee will provide purchasers of Football Manager 2010 with no issues at all.

Therefore customers that buy genuine Football Manager 2010 boxed copies will be able to play the game with no activation. Players using this route will be required to have the DVD in the drive at all times whilst playing.

People choosing to buy digitally from STEAM will receive a version of the game protected by STEAM’s standard activation and DRM and all the benefits and add –ons you get from activating with STEAM, which Miles deals with below. Activating or buying through STEAM means that you do not need to have the DVD in drive when you play following activation.

Consumers buying the PC version through other digital download partners will receive versions of the game protected by Uniloc and including DRM, containing a much improved system over the one used on FM2009 and fixes to all the common errors experienced. There is not a digital download solution that meets our criteria that is not DRM based, so as we still wanted to provide digital download versions of the game, this was the best solution.

Consumers buying the Mac version through digital download will be able to do this via our normal Mac partner, eSellerate.

Long term we remain committed to finding a solution to the piracy that we see every year with Football Manager on the PC / Mac. We will be working with our community throughout the coming year to test and gather opinion on possible solutions with the aim of finding a way of ensuring that everyone that plays Football Manager games in the future pays a fair price for the game, without hindering their enjoyment of it.

Thanks

Ben

[Miles Jacobson]

Thanks Ben.

So it's now over to me to explain the situation with the installation process of the boxed copies, stat collection and in game advertising for Football Manager 2010.

First off, installation of the PC version.

PC users will have 2 choices when installing the boxed game as Ben mentioned above.

The first is a DVD based copy protection system that requires you to have the DVD in the drive at all times whilst playing. This is something that we hadn't considered previously, as we know a lot of people listen to music when playing our games, but with music being so digitally based in the modern era, we hope it doesn't cause too many issues. With this method, there is no registration required, nor do you have to be online at any time to play the game. This method is not auto-patching, so when patches and updates are released, you will need to download them manually (we will be providing patches and updates via the BitTorrent method and any mirror sites of the file that appear).

The second is via STEAM, which is an online based system. By installing via this method, you need to be online the first time you install the game and can easily set it up to play offline in the future. By using the STEAM route, you will automatically receive any patches or updates that we provide for the game in the future (as long as you are online, of course).

There are also extra benefits this year from installing via STEAM. One of these will be a STEAM exclusive skin, which is an updated version of the FM09 skin (including tree menu) which will be available a few weeks after launch.

The second is achievements. STEAM as a platform have had achievements available for many games over the years, and we will have 60 achievements that are attainable to give you bragging rights over your mates. For those who have played the Xbox 360 releases of Football Manager in the past, you will be well aware of some of them, and I'll be giving the full run down of the achievements in a future blog.

The third is that with STEAM you can play the game on any PC that is connected online by downloading the STEAM client and logging in with your user details, with no need to take the DVD with you.


As STEAM is not available for the Mac, Mac boxed copy users will just have the one method of installing, which will require the DVD to remain in the drive whilst playing the game. Mac patches will be provided in both bittorrent and download form.


We are still partnered with IGA (in game advertising) for at least Football Manager 2010. It will (as introduced in a patch for FM2009) be possible to turn off the hyperlinks on the adverts. You will only be served adverts if you are online whilst playing the game, and the adverts only appear in situ, so are only on the advertising hoardings around the side of the pitch.

With stat collection, we have read the concerns that were brought to our attention when we spoke about this earlier in the year. We have therefore spent some time splitting off the stat collection from the other areas of the game where it was integrated, and there will be an "opt out" option in the games preferences screen.

However, we would really encourage people to allow us to collect the hardware stats that we do. It's made a massive difference to us as a dev team to be able to deliver a better gaming experience to people by being able to see our users hardware information. We're able to concentrate the functionality and compatability testing for the game much better by using these stats, which will mean that the game should play better on any system that was able to play the game last year, and make the game more compatible out of the box with some of the graphics cards that had to download files separate to the game last year to get it up and running.

Cheers

Miles

[nikandros33]

So, are the 5 licenses gone?

[bcooper]

Hi, there are no licenses or seats as in FM2009 if you buy the boxed copy, you simply need to have the DVD in the drive

[weeeman27bob]

A quick Mac based question:

At the moment the disk drive in my laptop doesn't work. To get round this, I load the Fm CD onto the family desktop, then share the disk across to my laptop and I can then load up the game.

So presumably this won't work for FM10 as i'd need the disk in all the time?

It's no real problem, because my laptop won't be able to play it anyway, and I'd be getting a new one sometime in the future anyway.

[BigBeast]

So I'm right in thinking, when buying the boxed copy its not possible to activate it via uniloc? (or is not activating it just a further option?)

Not a problem, but I'm lazy and enjoyed not having to bother putting the disk in last year

[edwingray]

As someone who had absolutely no problems with installing FM 2009, I'm disappointed that the option of having the boxed version and not having to have the disc in the computer has gone.

[DanGLiverpool]

Am presuming it is then not possible to buy the boxed game and activate through Steam? :|

[arsenal_2111]

So there is no option to activate the game so I don't have to use the disc? Or is there an option?

[lmarsha_926]

Am presuming it is then not possible to buy the boxed game and activate through Steam? :|

you can via steam like last year

[DanGLiverpool]

Ah good, because it would have been a disappointment not to be able to buy the boxed copy, install the disk in once then never have to see it again, unless of course I need to reinstall.

[Miles Jacobson]

A quick Mac based question:

At the moment the disk drive in my laptop doesn't work. To get round this, I load the Fm CD onto the family desktop, then share the disk across to my laptop and I can then load up the game.

So presumably this won't work for FM10 as i'd need the disk in all the time?

It's no real problem, because my laptop won't be able to play it anyway, and I'd be getting a new one sometime in the future anyway.

You could buy via digital download, but that wouldn't work for the boxed copy, no.

So I'm right in thinking, when buying the boxed copy its not possible to activate it via uniloc? (or is not activating it just a further option?)

Not a problem, but I'm lazy and enjoyed not having to bother putting the disk in last year

You don't have to put the disk in. You can install the game via STEAM, which also gives you patches automatically, an exclusive skin, and achievements.

As someone who had absolutely no problems with installing FM 2009, I'm disappointed that the option of having the boxed version and not having to have the disc in the computer has gone.

That option is not gone - please see above

[Miles Jacobson]

Serious question to those who have just asked about needing the disc in the tray - did you actually read Ben and my posts?

If you did, then I'll see if there's a way to make the point clearer, because I thought that it was already clear that with the 2 methods, one required the disc in the drive, and one didn't.

[bcooper]

As someone who had absolutely no problems with installing FM 2009, I'm disappointed that the option of having the boxed version and not having to have the disc in the computer has gone.

Hi, we have given you the option. You can either install the game and not have to activate at all, but you have to keep the DVD in the drive while playing, or to activate through STEAM which means you can play without the DVD in drive.

Thanks
Ben

[weeeman27bob]

Thanks for clearing that up Miles.

My broadband speed is so slow it would take about a week!

[edwingray]

Serious question to those who have just asked about needing the disc in the tray - did you actually read Ben and my posts?

If you did, then I'll see if there's a way to make the point clearer, because I thought that it was already clear that with the 2 methods, one required the disc in the drive, and one didn't.

To be honest it wasn't clear in your post.

If I understand you correctly now, then if we don't want to have to have the disc in the drive, we have to authenticate via steam.

Ok, Ben just answered this, but what about those of us who would prefer to avoid having to use Steam?

[stevio11]

I,m dissapointed about having to buy the game and not being able to activate via STEAM so I can receive the updates automatically.

[BigBeast]

Serious question to those who have just asked about needing the disc in the tray - did you actually read Ben and my posts?

If you did, then I'll see if there's a way to make the point clearer, because I thought that it was already clear that with the 2 methods, one required the disc in the drive, and one didn't.

I read the two posts, yes.

I knew you could download the game via steam, but it wasn't clear at first reading whether you could only use steam if you hadn't bought the box copy.

[Miles Jacobson]

To be honest it wasn't clear in your post.

If I understand you correctly now, then if we don't want to have to have the disc in the drive, we have to authenticate via steam.

Ok, Ben just answered this, but what about those of us who would prefer to avoid having to use Steam?

I've expanded what I previously wrote in my original post now to try and make it clearer.

Those who would prefer to not use Steam have the option to install the game and play it, but with the DVD in the drive, or can buy the game as a digital download via one of the many companies who will be selling it as a digital download, and install the game that way with no STEAM, and no need for a DVD.

[roberto922]

I'm still a little confused, will I still be able to install a boxed copy using steam and not have to download anything (other than patches) or keep the disc in the drive when I play? Sorry but my reading skills have gone to the dogs today through tiredness and flu

EDIT: Ah seen bcoopers reply, doesn't matter. Great news

[stevio11]

Silly me, the above posts answered my query whilst I was typing so I can still buy the boxed copy and activate via STEAM as last year if I read this correct

[zapatero]

Why not keep Uniloc as an option? Keeping the game disk in is a PITA, encouraging people to search for "alternate" solutions. The Steam option is a no-go for me. Don't like it at all. The Uniloc option was the best IMO.

[Miles Jacobson]

I,m dissapointed about having to buy the game and not being able to activate via STEAM so I can receive the updates automatically.

You can....

[bcooper]

To be honest it wasn't clear in your post.

If I understand you correctly now, then if we don't want to have to have the disc in the drive, we have to authenticate via steam.

Ok, Ben just answered this, but what about those of us who would prefer to avoid having to use Steam?

I've edited my post to hopefully clear this up.

Those that don't want to activate through STEAM can either buy a digital version of the game, or will have to have the DVD in the drive while playing. I would recommend STEAM personally, not just for the added benefits, but I find it a pretty good way of having access to my games at any time. But hopefully with all the options we've provided this year, including not having to activate or register anything and just play out of the box, we've given everyone a pretty good choice.

Thanks
Ben

[edwingray]

I've expanded what I previously wrote in my original post now to try and make it clearer.

Those who would prefer to not use Steam have the option to install the game and play it, but with the DVD in the drive, or can buy the game as a digital download via one of the many companies who will be selling it as a digital download, and install the game that way with no STEAM, and no need for a DVD.

Fair enough, but it's a shame the option to authenticate like last year has been taken out.

[roberto922]

edwin - Uniloc was a disaster, Steams much better

[bcooper]

Why not keep Uniloc as an option? Keeping the game disk in is a PITA, encouraging people to search for "alternate" solutions. The Steam option is a no-go for me. Don't like it at all. The Uniloc option was the best IMO.

Hi, The uniloc option is still there, if you buy a digital download of the game.

[edwingray]

edwin - Uniloc was a disaster, Steams much better

Like I said, I had absolutely no problems with uniloc last year, but I've heard terrible things about Steam.

[roberto922]

What's so bad about Steam? You can just type in your code and it's done, and if you download it they can handle the demand whereas many other services can't

[hasdgfas]

I might've missed it, but if you install via STEAM, can you install it on as many computers as you want that use that STEAM account? And do you have to be logged into STEAM when using it in that fashion? Because my net access is very iffy at times, and often conks out on me while I'm playing games.

[arsenal_2111]

Serious question to those who have just asked about needing the disc in the tray - did you actually read Ben and my posts?

Yeah, I read both of your posts.

When you say 'installing the game', is that activating?

So the two different ways of installing the game are to just install normally and to play with the disc in, or to install using Steam and to not have to use the disc (which will also get us extra stuff)?

[bcooper]

Fair enough, but it's a shame the option to authenticate like last year has been taken out.

Hi,

the problem is it wasn't an option last year, it was a mandatory that caused a fair percentage of buyers a headache, either large or small. So this year you can choose not to authenticate and have the DVD in, to install and authenticate through STEAM and not have the DVD in, or to buy digitally and authentiate with Uniloc like last year.

Thanks
Ben

[peter-evo]

Bit gutted about the lack if Uniloc. Won't be using steam though, will have to put up with the disk being in the tray.

[Neji]

Good news to see the on line activation left out, credit for that, I did have a feeling we were going to see a very similar thing.

Looks like I'll be going to Steam this time around, I hate having to have the disk in the drive. So it's also good that we can activate via Steam if we buy a boxed version

I'm assuming that same as last year, we can still play without Steam even if we activate through it?

[bcooper]

Yeah, I read both of your posts.

When you say 'installing the game', is that activating?

So the two different ways of installing the game are to just install normally and to play with the disc in, or to install using Steam and to not have to use the disc (which will also get us extra stuff)?

Yep, pretty much. If you buy the game you can choose just to install and not activate the game (ie not have to put in a code or connect to a server or phone a phoneline), or you can choose to activate with STEAM (with the benefits of no DVD and extra stuff)

[edwingray]

What's so bad about Steam? You can just type in your code and it's done, and if you download it they can handle the demand whereas many other services can't

If what I have heard is true then steam has serious security problems concerning phishing and hacking.

I hope people don't misunderstand me, I think it's good that SI and SEGA have looked at the problems of last year, just can't believe that I was the only one who had no problems installing FM2009 and it's a pity that we can't have the option to either play the game with the disc in the computer (without authentification) or attempt authentification with uniloc and be able to take the disc out.

Also, would just like to add that I'm generally very impressed with what I've seen of FM2010

[roberto922]

I'll say again, what is the problem that people have with Steam? It's been great whenever I've used it, certainly better than the atrocity that is Uniloc, or having the disc in the drive, please say it's not because of 'privacy concerns' over the anonymous data collected.

EDIT: Aimed at Peter-evo

[bcooper]

If what I have heard is true then steam has serious security problems concerning phishing and hacking.

I hope people don't misunderstand me, I think it's good that SI and SEGA have looked at the problems of last year, just can't believe that I was the only one who had no problems installing FM2009 and it's a pity that we can't have the option to either play the game with the disc in the computer (without authentification) or attempt authentification with uniloc and be able to take the disc out.

Also, would just like to add that I'm generally very impressed with what I've seen of FM2010

You can edwin, if you want you can buy a digital download of the game and authenticate through Uniloc, avoiding both STEAM and the need to have the disk in the drive.

You aren't the only one not to have had problems, but I can tell you from bitter memory that many did. By taking the decision we have they will not encounter the problems they had, and you can still play the game in exactly the way you want.

Glad you are liking what you've seen so far.

[peter-evo]

I'll say again, what is the problem that people have with Steam? It's been great whenever I've used it, certainly better than the atrocity that is Uniloc, or having the disc in the drive, please say it's not because of 'privacy concerns' over the anonymous data collected.

EDIT: Aimed at Peter-evo

I'm not sure, I've just never really liked it. Have got a lot of games on there but Steam isn't on my system at the minute. Might download it again actually. Is there a way to play FM without actually running steam?

[bcooper]

I'll say again, what is the problem that people have with Steam? It's been great whenever I've used it, certainly better than the atrocity that is Uniloc, or having the disc in the drive, please say it's not because of 'privacy concerns' over the anonymous data collected.

EDIT: Aimed at Peter-evo

I think a discussion about the percieved benefits or concerns people have with STEAM probably should have it's own thread, rather than dominate this one. You have the option of whether to use it or not.
Thanks
Ben

[bcooper]

I'm not sure, I've just never really liked it. Have got a lot of games on there but Steam isn't on my system at the minute. Might download it again actually. Is there a way to play FM without actually running steam?

Do you mean FM09? You could authenticate through Uniloc using your keycode.

For FM10, I think we've covered the other options

[Miles Jacobson]

I might've missed it, but if you install via STEAM, can you install it on as many computers as you want that use that STEAM account? And do you have to be logged into STEAM when using it in that fashion? Because my net access is very iffy at times, and often conks out on me while I'm playing games.

Yes, you can have your STEAM account on as many computers as you want. No, you do not have to be logged into STEAM, as there is a "play offline" option.

[peter-evo]

Do you mean FM09? You could authenticate through Uniloc using your keycode.

For FM10, I think we've covered the other options

I meant: If I authenticate FM2010 using Steam, will I have to have steam running whenever I play the game?

[stevie_G_32201]

there is one question i would like to ask about activating through steam with a boxed version of the game. i will be getting a new laptop soon so i would prefer to be able to play this on the go without taking the disc with me everywhere so steam will probably be my choice but would activating it be a strain on my download limit? while using the net i have a 1GB limit so i hoping it wont use too much. any help with how much it might use? thanks

[Romanista.]

i suggest you give people who buy the boxed version an option of either keeping the disk in at all times or activate through uniloc.
i wont buy the game if i have to keep the disk in at all times.

[nikandros33]

If we want to have the game installed in a pc and a laptop too, can we still do it with the STEAM way? Or can we intall it (let's say) two times with the dvd but in order to play, we should put the dvd either in the pc or the laptop?

[Neji]

i wont buy the game if i have to keep the disk in at all times.

You don't have to, if you don't want the disk in, you use Steam.

[bcooper]

i suggest you give people who buy the boxed version an option of either keeping the disk in at all times or activate through uniloc.
i wont buy the game if i have to keep the disk in at all times.

Thanks, however the decision we have reached has been taken from looking into options such as this and ruling them out. If you don't want to have the disk in the drive while you play the game you have three other options to play the game,
To buy boxed and activate through STEAM, meaning you don't need the disk in
To purchase through STEAM meaning you don't need the disk in
To purchase a digital download and activate through Uniloc meaning you don't have to have the disk in and you don't have to use STEAM if you do not want to

I hope one of those options is ok for you and you do buy the game

Thanks
Ben

[bcooper]

If we want to have the game installed in a pc and a laptop too, can we still do it with the STEAM way? Or can we intall it (let's say) two times with the dvd but in order to play, we should put the dvd either in the pc or the laptop?

Both ways would be ok.

[roberto922]

i suggest you give people who buy the boxed version an option of either keeping the disk in at all times or activate through uniloc.
i wont buy the game if i have to keep the disk in at all times.

Use steam.

[DanGLiverpool]

Steam has just become pretty sexy for me. I had to wipe clear my laptop the other week, and as I couldn't find my FM disk, I feared I had lost FM 09. Just reinstalled Steam, and I have found out that I can reinstall the game through Steam.

Good times with Steam

So, Steam can be pretty useful, and I recommend it.

[zapatero]

Hi, The uniloc option is still there, if you buy a digital download of the game.

Yes, I got it but the problem might be that, if it happens as last year, I can purchase the boxed version at a much reduced price than any download version I could find. Which is a bit crazy in itself but that's the way it worked last year.

By the way, last year I got FM2009 for 19,99 Euros (or thereabout; give or take an euro cent) from www.game.pt. This price was available at game time release.

[Romanista.]

Thanks, however the decision we have reached has been taken from looking into options such as this and ruling them out. If you don't want to have the disk in the drive while you play the game you have three other options to play the game,
To buy boxed and activate through STEAM, meaning you don't need the disk in
To purchase through STEAM meaning you don't need the disk in
To purchase a digital download and activate through Uniloc meaning you don't have to have the disk in and you don't have to use STEAM if you do not want to

I hope one of those options is ok for you and you do buy the game

Thanks
Ben

thanks for your answer. the first option "To buy boxed and activate through STEAM, meaning you don't need the disk in" is not mentioned clearly in the opening two posts. i will buy the game and use that option. though do i need then to go through steam everytime or just the first time?

[markypoos77]

Some of the extra benefits of buying through steam do sound appealing...however, just managed to pre order fm for £7.95 so am happy with having the disc in the drive at all time at this price!!

[markypoos77]

having gone through steam for fm09 though, how do i uninstall it from my laptop, as i heard a few people have been having problems doing this?

ta

[zapatero]

Use steam.

It seems you have shares on that Steam thingy? Give us all a break, we've already understood that you are a lover of Steam. But there are others who don't like it. Fair enough?

[Neji]

It seems you have shares on that Steam thingy? Give us all a break, we've already understood that you are a lover of Steam. But there are others who don't like it. Fair enough?

The response was to a poster who obviously hadn't seen that Steam was an option if he didn't want to use the disk. Let's not turn this into a Steam debate/squabble please.

[roberto922]

No, I just don't see the problem with it, it's just a much better version of uniloc, which was disastrous, I'm not a lover of steam, more a hater of Uniloc.

[Red Right Hand]

Thanks for the option to not have to authenticate. I'm "Old School" and like to have the disc in the drive .... or even better the cassette!

[stevie_G_32201]

is there any way of knowing the download limit needed to activate through steam for people with small monthly allowances?

[richard weston]

pleased about activation issue being resolved . but what about an updated version via disc at the end of transfer window next jan ?

[CrashOverride]

I brought the game in the box last year and activated via steam. I dont play many PC games and had no idea what steam was. Its fantastic imo and I have ordered the game through steam this year. I just hope that people dont get their DVD's early like we did last year otherwise they will be playing and Steam users will be waiting for 00:01 to activate the game.

Will we be able to download the game early and then activate at midnight or will the download only be available at 00:01?

[Sir_Liam]

Fantastic news that there'll be no activation. The PC I play FM on isn't online so I had to use the phone which had lots of problems, and when it did work was far too long a process than it needed to be.

I have no issues with having to have the DVD in at all times, as I never take FM out anyway! I'd rather that than have a whole weekend ruined trying to activate again.

Thank you SI/Sega.

[edwingray]

and you can still play the game in exactly the way you want.

Actually I can't because I would like to own the boxed version and not have the disc in the computer.

I'll take a look at the Digital Download options, but I am disappointed.

[saberhagen83]

Happy to see the Unilock thing gone! Can't see what the fuss is to have the disc in the drive when playing? I also use Spotify and mp3 when playing FM so don't need to use the drive during those times anyway, so no problems for me anyway. Now I have 2 drives in my tower as well so I can probably just leave the Fm disc in there at all times.

[Stevenhp1987]

If I understand this correctly...

Whats to stop people buying the game, registering it with Steam, then selling it on?

Or can we not activate our boxed version with Steam.

My FM09 disk lives inside my drive even though I activated through Steam... pretty pointless but I'm still used to the old school ways!

[Herter]

Superb!.. I will activate via steam -Works flawlessly

[Ramon Mol]

Hmm.. I hate steam and the fact that I'm being forced using it troubles me..

[sandhams]

I have pre-ordered FM 10 from zavvi at £17.95. If I am reading your OP correctly, I would have to cancel this and then pay a higher price just to download the game to not have to put the DVD in the computer all the time. I do not think this is acceptable, as a lot of people have pre-ordered the game through zavvi at this price, and you are advising them to pay more for a downloaded version

By the way, I am and still will be addicted to the game, I love it.

[Steve Cox]

I have pre-ordered FM 10 from zavvi at £17.95. If I am reading your OP correctly, I would have to cancel this and then pay a higher price just to download the game to not have to put the DVD in the computer all the time. I do not think this is acceptable, as a lot of people have pre-ordered the game through zavvi at this price, and you are advising them to pay more for a downloaded version.

No.

Okay.

If you wish to buy a digital download version of FM2010 from Steam you will pay the price that Steam have set for FM2010.
If you buy a boxed copy of the game you pay the price the retailer has set for the Game.

However.

If you have purchased a boxed copy of the game and wish to install through Steam to use their services they will not charge you anything extra.


Edit: So in your case if you really didn't want to have the disc in your drive when you receive your pre-order you can install your boxed version via Steam and keep your disc safely in it's case never to see your disc drive again, and not pay a penny/cent more.


I hope this clears things up.

[eminempark@yahoo.com]

Dear Ben,

Is there any possible that we can download the demo version for free first?
If can, can you give me the link?
Because I already try to find it for weeks, but the result is still 0.
Thanks.

[Steve Cox]

Dear Ben,

Is there any possible that we can download the demo version for free first?
If can, can you give me the link?
Because I already try to find it for weeks, but the result is still 0.
Thanks.

There will be a free Demo as usual but it's not available yet.

[bigdunk]

The demo's not out yet. It will be out a couple of weeks before the game's released (so mid october probably).

[eminempark@yahoo.com]

There will be a free Demo as usual but it's not available yet.

Oh I see. Approximately, when it will be available?
Thanks for the reply, Steve Cox.

Thanks.

[crouchaldinho]

Anyone care to take a bet on how many times this will need to be explained in total?

C.

[sandhams]

Message received and understood Mr Cox, I appreciate your prompt answer. Thank you.

[CrashOverride]

Dear Ben,

Is there any possible that we can download the demo version for free first?
If can, can you give me the link?
Because I already try to find it for weeks, but the result is still 0.
Thanks.

The demo will be out a couple of weeks before the game. It will announced in these forms and stickied

Hang round here and you'll find out first

[Steve Cox]

Oh I see. Approximately, when it will be available?
Thanks for the reply, Steve Cox.

Thanks.

Fraid not.

We'll give out a release date for the demo when it's almost ready to go.

If you visit the boards you'll be one of the first to know.

[Miles Jacobson]

If I understand this correctly...

Whats to stop people buying the game, registering it with Steam, then selling it on?

Or can we not activate our boxed version with Steam.

My FM09 disk lives inside my drive even though I activated through Steam... pretty pointless but I'm still used to the old school ways!

You'll have a code that you use to register the game via STEAM which is then linked to your STEAM account.

[Stephanie McMahon\'s Secret Lover]

Its good to see that having been here for over 9 years people still cannot read properly.

[Feedolover]

All this stuff tends to confuse me a bit, so I've just got a few questions.

If I went out to the shops and bought the game, would I be able to get automatic updates such as the ones we got via Steam this year?
Or would I have to do something further? Or even simply buy and download the Steam version?

Thanks Miles

[drunkpunk]

I have a small query about the installation/drm that hopefully Matt or Ben can answer.
I'm currently planning on buying the boxed copy and installing via steam so I don't have to have the disc in my DVD drive all the time. I understand that installing via steam requires you to be online during the installation but not online after that. Does this mean like with FM09 you don't actually have to have the steam client running to actually play the game once the game has been registered?

[SmurfDude]

I'll probably be using steam this year then. I just hope it's as straight forward to use and edit custom graphics as it is when installing normally.

[MECAP]

You'll have a code that you use to register the game via STEAM which is then linked to your STEAM account.

ok, if I use that code and play that way on my laptop, can I still use the option - DVD in drive on my desktop pc ?

p.s. and for the record I can buy via steam one game and 2 and a half retail DVDs from zavvi for that price, seriously WTF is that kind of marketing

[Fidney]

I've pre-ordered the DVD version, but I hate having the disk in my drive constantly (I managed to "glue" a previous incarnation into my CD drive by leaving it in 24/7, thus ruining both drive and disc) so I'm going to then activate through steam.

Question is - once activated can I then uninstall steam and still run without the DVD in the drive?

[Miles Jacobson]

All this stuff tends to confuse me a bit, so I've just got a few questions.

If I went out to the shops and bought the game, would I be able to get automatic updates such as the ones we got via Steam this year?

Thanks Miles

Yes.

I have a small query about the installation/drm that hopefully Matt or Ben can answer.
I'm currently planning on buying the boxed copy and installing via steam so I don't have to have the disc in my DVD drive all the time. I understand that installing via steam requires you to be online during the installation but not online after that. Does this mean like with FM09 you don't actually have to have the steam client running to actually play the game once the game has been registered?

If that's how it worked with STEAM on FM09, then it will work the same way with FM10.

ok, if I use that code and play that way on my laptop, can I still use the option - DVD in drive on my desktop pc ?

p.s. and for the record I can buy via steam one game and 2 and a half retail DVDs from zavvi for that price, seriously WTF is that kind of marketing

We don't set prices, neither do SEGA, and the price of something has nothing to do with marketing. SEGA set a price that the retailer pays it, and the retailer sets the price it sells it onto the customer for.

As for your question, if you have the boxed copy, you can install via STEAM on your laptop and use the DVD option on your desktop, OR use the STEAM option for both.

I've pre-ordered the DVD version, but I hate having the disk in my drive constantly (I managed to "glue" a previous incarnation into my CD drive by leaving it in 24/7, thus ruining both drive and disc) so I'm going to then activate through steam.

Question is - once activated can I then uninstall steam and still run without the DVD in the drive?

You cannot uninstall STEAM and run without the DVD if you buy the boxed game, no.

[SCIAG]

Two questions/statements:

I don't have an internet connection on my PC (this isn't mine!). As a result, I can't activate through STEAM. Is it worth setting up phone activation for people like me, or simply not value for money at your end? If not, I'm fine.

Secondly, you say you must keep the disk in the drive at all times. However, with FM08 and beforehand, you only needed the disk in the drive at set up. Will it be the same again, or will you need to keep the disk in the whole time?

[Poize]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but if it's anything like before, making the game playable off a disc only, crackers will just be able to rip the game and then it'll be played off a "virtual drive". No need for disc at all.

IMO, you've made it easier.

[Smiggs]

This is excellent news; the best of both worlds, you've gained a sale.

[Miles Jacobson]

Two questions/statements:

I don't have an internet connection on my PC (this isn't mine!). As a result, I can't activate through STEAM. Is it worth setting up phone activation for people like me, or simply not value for money at your end? If not, I'm fine.

Secondly, you say you must keep the disk in the drive at all times. However, with FM08 and beforehand, you only needed the disk in the drive at set up. Will it be the same again, or will you need to keep the disk in the whole time?

Phone activation is not a case of value for money - it's not a service that STEAM offer.

As for your other question, you will need to keep the DVD in the whole time.

[SCIAG]

I was meaning more along getting Uniloc or whoever to do it again.

[sifrow]

As for your other question, you will need to keep the DVD in the whole time.

That is a bloody awful decision. The old "load and remove disc" option was far better.

[SmurfDude]

I was meaning more along getting Uniloc or whoever to do it again.

Get the digital download if you want to use uniloc

[playmaker]

So it turns out SI/Sega aren't an evil corporation that don't care about us and just want our money after all.

Seriously, well done guys. There is a viable solution here for everybody.

Judging by the potential for confusion, I hope that the installation routine is clearly worded. e.g.

- Play without disc (requires online activation through Steam)
- Play with disc (no activation required)

[playmaker]

That is a bloody awful decision. The old "load and remove disc" option was far better.

Am I missing something? What difference does it make?

[SCIAG]

Am I missing something? What difference does it make?

Loads. I can't put in an audio CD to listen to whilst playing. I'd have to open up 07 before 10, if I forgot I'd have to close 10.

I'd rather they'd just kept phone activation tbh, this is only making things worse.

[PGB_SPURS_FM09]

Just thought i would post a thumbs up towards this system you are taking as there seem to be so many who aren't reading what you say properly and who still slate the decision even though you have given an option to satisfy every single kind of opinion on what would be satisfactory for them to have confidence in buying this game!

[fmobande]

steam is the best i think when you unstall it it unstalls the memory and the files and stuff but you can reinstall back again since steam saves in on ur account which means you dont need CD which is a very great feature once i unstalled fm09 because i thought that i wouldnt go on it again since fm 10 was comming out but did i couldnt handle not playing it and guess what steam had it there still so i installed it without the CD when you use via steam way throw your FM CD away cause you wont be needing it again :P

[Miles Jacobson]

I was meaning more along getting Uniloc or whoever to do it again.

SEGA evaluated all of the available options. The concensus was that the options we've presented are the best possible the keep as many people happy as possible, including the retailers and consumers.

[TheGulls]

I cannot believe people do not understand this, or worse are still not happy

Can I just say thankyou Sega and SI for listening and responding to the feedback given last year, I had no problems in Activating FM09 but understood that many did so at least you have attempted to help the users.

I don't mind having the DVD in the drive but what might be a thought is for SI to incorporate there own media player in the game so I can add tracks and play them through the game otherwise I have to load Windows Media Player as well as FM. A few years ago I wrote a Horse Racing Sim Game and added a Media Player within the game so players could listen to there own music.