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Atari statement about Alone in the Dark and SecuROM

by Nick Haywood on 20 June 2008, 12:28

Tags: Alone in the dark, Atari (EPA:ATA), Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii, Action/Adventure

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Yep, you need a net connection...

Atari have issued a statement concerning the use of SecuROM technology on their latest scary adventure-em-up, Alone in the Dark.

It seems PC users will once again have to battle not just the forces of darkness in Central Park, but possibly also the forces of SecuROM before they even get to play the game. Here's Atari's brief announcement about it:

Atari and Eden Games’ Alone in the Dark for PC is certified Games for Windows and is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems.

The PC version of Alone in the Dark is protected using SecuROM™ online activation. This requires that in addition to the content on the game disk, players download an additional component via an internet connection in order to install and run the game. Once the game has been correctly installed and activated, it can be played whilst offline.

To install the game on a different computer, players must revoke the serial number when uninstalling from the first machine (this is an automatic option during the uninstall process).

For activation instructions and more information on the revoke system and license use, please go to the SecuROM FAQ at http://www.aitdunlock.com

PC minimum spec is as follows:

Operating System: Windows XP/Vista 32-bit & 64-bit
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz or Athlon X2 +3800 (Intel Pentium 4 3.4 GHz or AMD Athlon 64 +4000 recommended) *
Memory: 1 GB RAM (2GB recommended)
Hard Disk Space: 9.5 GB free
DVD-ROM Drive: 4X speed or faster
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or ATI Radeon X1950 or better (NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX or ATI Radeon X1950 XTX or better recommended)
Sound: DirectX version 9.0c-compatible sound card
DirectX: DirectX version 9.0c (included) or higher

For more information about Alone in the Dark, visit www.centraldark.com


Here's hoping that other than needing a net connection to play, and the apparently painless uninstalling from one machine before installing on another, (if it does do it automatically), that this is the only hurdle gamers face in getting to run Atari's much-anticipated sequel to one of the best spooky adventures all PC gaming history.

As ever, feel free to tell us your thoughts in the forums.



HEXUS Forums :: 12 Comments

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Well, a couple of things strike me; it's a one-off activation, and doesn't need to phone home periodically, which is OK, and it provides an easy mechanism for de-activating on a specific machine if you want to move it, which is a lot better than OK.
This is all clear on the back of the box, but nice that they're trying to give as much information as possible, setting up a whole website to explain the (simple in my opinion) system is a good step in communications :)

EDIT: just noticed you don't even need a net connection on the exact machine you are playing on, you only need a net connection from any computer. Bonus :D
Yep, those were my thoughts. It (supposedly) deactivates upon uninstallation… which I hope works.

I'm still undecided on having to have a net connection to install and do the first launch of the game though…

If Atari are essentially limiting AitD to gamers with net connections (ok, so those without are rare), then why not save a bundle and make it a download only launch?
Nick
If Atari are essentially limiting AitD to gamers with net connections (ok, so those without are rare), then why not save a bundle and make it a download only launch?

Well you don't need a net connection on the game machine - using one at the library, work, internet cafe etc. all works fine.

Some people just want the box in their hands.
It'll be like Bioshock all over again….couldn't play the frickin game for a whole day cause their stupid servers were overloaded.