I don't see why you're suddenly shocked that this is the case. When you buy a pill from the pharmacist, you've never been allowed to take the pill, reverse engineer the compounds in it, and start making it and selling it. When you buy the Wizard of Oz you never bought the rights to use the songs in your school play. When you bought a Model T, you always bought the car, you didn't buy the right to take the car apart, figure out how it works, and start building your own.
True. But when I bought my Model T, I didn't have to pay the manufacturer for every road I chose to drive it down. Nor did I have to pay extra if my gf (or any other person) decides she needs an Aleve from the bottle I bought, or if you want to say prescribed meds - I don't have to pay extra to take the meds at work vs at home. (BTW, The Wizard of Oz is a bad example because, well, it's what you're trying to compare to...)
The point is, and you've helped me make it actually, that when I bought those items, I have the right to use them when/where I see fit (even the meds - I don't have to adhere strictly to the prescription). This is not equivalent to the recording industry where I buy an mp3 and can only use it on one computer. Technically, it's illegal to let your friend borrow your CD because he/she hasn't paid for the right to listen to it.
This is the major problem I have with most copyright complainers on the internet - they're crazy. If you want to protest the DMCA and copyright in the US, go right ahead. There's a lot of BS in there, including the idea that publishers and music rights holders can literally take the right to a work from the artist, then not use that right - stranding the work in limbo.
Ok, well, thanks for calling me crazy. That, honestly, doesn't really mean much considering the context of your rabid posts in this thread. But, ok.
But the rantings that instead come out are just over-the-top stupid. Half of what you're asking for is legal and a lot of companies have made technologically simple (it's like complaining that Windows ME sucks, so you won't buy Microsoft products), the rest no one has ever had the right to do at any point.
I'm sorry to be the one to tell you that you can't get a good grasp of our legal system by reading a few pro-theft blogs. But you're regurgitating stupid talking points here, not thinking.
Excuse me, these are not regurgitated talking points. These are real-life, every single day issues I deal with when debating whether to purchase an mp3 or not. To purchase a DRM free mp3, I have to pay extra. If I don't pay extra, that mp3 cannot be played in my car or truck. That is fact, not just some talking point being regurgitated. If you don't care to address the meat of the issue, so be it. But that's on you.
No, it's NOT entirely up to you. What the hell? Needing certain prerequisites to play a game has ALWAYS been understood. This is software, it has certain requirements before it can be run.
The fact that you think that system requirements to run software are bs because what computer you have is 'entirely up to you' is complete nonsense. If you think this game has requirements that are unnecessary, don't buy it. I certainly never thought that the original Halo required a graphics card computer so powerful that they'd be top of the line in my PC, and in fact I blamed it on a stupid artifact of a console port, but I just didn't buy it. I never complained that Bungie deprived me of my right to play Halo because the system requirements for the game to run smoothly were ludicrously beyond what that sort of game actually required.
Congratulations on completely missing the point of that. You're right, I have the choice whether to purchase the game or not - I am well aware of that. In fact, I even stated as such in my previous post. However, not being able to play the game because of DRM is not the same as a computer not having the proper specs to play. Is gameplay itself (not being able to play notwithstanding, but the game itself) affected by the absence of an internet connection? No. The DRM is not required for the game to run smoothly. Period. Proper specs are. There is quite the distinction there.
It's this constant disconnect with reality that drives me nuts with this particular forum debate. It feels like I'm talking to some kids with posters chanting slogans, not actual human beings.
Look, drop the condescending attitude. Alright? No need for it.
You, apparently, didn't even bother to read my post. You saw it as just another pirate/script-kiddie posting. This is, in fact, the same error the RIAA makes on a regular basis. I am not posting as pro/anti-piracy. I am anti-DRM that makes me jump through hoops to gain the access I've purchased.