Spore was released in the last few days, meanwhile in both Europe and the US. I was really excited about the game. And yet I’m most probably not going to buy or play it, at least not until EA releases a version without SecuROM. Even though I’d probably enjoy it. Too bad.

I hate piracy, but even more so I can’t stand rigid DRM. Particularly when it has compatibility problems with legit programs, restricts other legitimate activities on a computer, or acts akin to a rootkit. Even if EA removed the need to be online to play an offline game.

Anyway, that alone wouldn’t warrant a blog post – but this is utterly hilarious: Tons of customers that are as disgruntled as I am (or even more so, apparently) went to Amazon and did this to Spore’s review score:

Spore Reviews

Well-deserved, EA. This comic here sums it up nicely.

Other reactions: Now also on Basic Thinking (in German), with fitting video, and on Rock, Paper, Shotgun, where the poster takes a stance different from mine and the discussion in the comments is tremendously interesting. Next step: BBC – the mass media are picking up!

Update 08-09-09 20:57: Amazon US meanwhile has nearly 1500 1-star reviews, while Amazon UK deletes anti-DRM comments, and EA continues using SecuROM, all via Basic Thinking. Let’s hope the momentum carries this a bit further into mass media and provokes some more attention before it all dies down under the censoring monetary weight of major corporations.

Update 08-09-12 00:23: More coverage, on ars technica (that I saw, but haven’t linked before), and in German at Spiegel Online, via Crossmediale Kommunikation (German as well).