What is Goo?

no pissing contest

http://islanddog.impulsedriven.net/article/344308/Stardock_throws_GOO_on_DRM
from Stardock Forums

Stardock introduces a new DRM called Goo. What I'm interested to hear are the things that are not in the article.

  • How exactly is the encrpytion used?
  • What parties are involved when a game needs to be activated?
  • When is a game in need of a reactivation?
  • How are illegitimate users locked out?
  • What happens if stardock goes belly up and a game needs to be activated?
  • What restrictions are there on activation?
  • How would you activate without a network?
  • Can a user obtain the plain installation file of the game that is not Goo encumbered?
  • How does Goo ensure that after the expirey of the copyright on a game the game can enter the public domain?
  • How does Goo ensure that libraries can lend copies of Goo encumbered games?

Stardock should clear the air as to what Goo does and how it does it.

This post is not about opinions, pissing contests, endless discussion, why I'm a wanker, how I'm a dumbarse, or anything else then answers to the above questions. If you don't know the answer, don't post.

If yo do known an answer post it complete with reference and quote of the source. Don't bother to post answers that are based on inference, opinion and speculation of yourself and others. Do not attempt to answer questions that are already answered meeting these conditions.

 

off-topic
18,833 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

I can answer a few of your points (but not all)...

1.  What Parties are involved when a game needs to be activated

The act of activating a game occurs between the user's individual machine and Stardock's authentication servers.  In this respect, it is similar to other online activation systems. 

2.  What are the restrictions on activation?

Restrictions on activation are set by the game's publisher.  This will be on a case-by-case basis.

3.  Can a user obtain the plain installation file of the game that is not Goo encumbered?

Games that are distributed via Impulse, GOO'd or not, will not be provided as stand-alone installers.  Impulse Anywhere will allow users to download .impulse files to any machine and then transport them via USB drive, CD, DVD etc to the machine they want to install on.  This installation will require Impulse on the machine.

4.  How does Goo ensure that after the expirey of the copyright on a game the game can enter the public domain?

In order for a game to enter the public domain, the owning company has to formally abandon the IP to start the process, or they have to intentionally make it public domain.  In the case of intentionally placing the title in the public domain, the publisher/developer would notify us and have us Un-GOO the title. 

I don't think there are any games that have actually "slipped" into the public domain yet (as opposed to ones that have been intentionally released).

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

How exactly is the encrpytion used?
End of quote

The exact workings are probably a secret. My guess is that it uses standard symmetric key encryption technologies, with the key being provided by the publisher when the product is activated.

What parties are involved when a game needs to be activated?
End of quote

The answer to that question can be found in this spiffy diagram.

When is a game in need of a reactivation?
End of quote

The article you linked to answers that question:

When a player runs the game for the first time, the Goo’d program lets the user enter in their email address and serial number which associates their game to that person as opposed to a piece of hardware like most activation systems do. Once validated, the game never needs to connect to the Internet again.
End of quote

How are illegitimate users locked out?
End of quote

The article you linked to answers that question:

When a player runs the game for the first time, the Goo’d program lets the user enter in their email address and serial number which associates their game to that person as opposed to a piece of hardware like most activation systems do. Once validated, the game never needs to connect to the Internet again.
End of quote

What happens if stardock goes belly up and a game needs to be activated?
End of quote

Nothing, as indicated in this spiffy diagram.

What restrictions are there on activation?
End of quote

You have to have an email address and a serial nimber, as indicated by the article you linked to:

When a player runs the game for the first time, the Goo’d program lets the user enter in their email address and serial number which associates their game to that person as opposed to a piece of hardware like most activation systems do. Once validated, the game never needs to connect to the Internet again.
End of quote

How would you activate without a network?
End of quote

You won't.

Although if I remember correctly, they will be allowing you to do so at another computer. I don't have the time to look up where they said that at the moment, though.

Can a user obtain the plain installation file of the game that is not Goo encumbered?
End of quote

Only if the publisher allows it.

How does Goo ensure that after the expirey of the copyright on a game the game can enter the public domain?
End of quote

The publisher can always re-release the game without GOO.

How does Goo ensure that libraries can lend copies of Goo encumbered games?
End of quote

The libraries can simply contact the publisher.

I don't know of any libraries that keep catalogs of games. Could you point out for me one?

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