Spacehamster’s Blog

I was really looking forward to the PC port of Mass Effect. I played this game on a friend’s XBox360, and remarked at the time that this game was meant for the PC. So I was disappointed to discover that EA had implemented a strict Copy-protection scheme for the PC game. According to the Wikipedia entry -

In addition, only three activations will be allowed per CD key[80]. Reinstalling Windows or upgrading certain parts of a computer the game is installed on will use up an additional activation. Bioware employees have repeatedly stated that they do not have any information on what parts can be upgraded without triggering a new activation. [81]

As far as I’m aware, it hasn’t been made clear by either EA or Bioware under what circumstances an activation is required. Is it on re-installing the game? Or when Windows is re-installed (which is patently ridiculous)? And gamers have to regularly upgrade their videocards and soundcards for the best gaming experience. I was forced to re-install my Windows installation from a Norton Ghost image only just last week.

EA and Bioware have the right to protect their property from software piracy. But I do feel that the activation scheme unfairly punishes people who legally purchase the game.
UPDATE: Kotaku have reported that Bioware and EA have changed the schema to a once-only online activation, although the 3-times only limit still applies.

An article in The Age notes that tourism has flatlined over the past 7 years. The Tourism Minister has pointed out that soaring petrol prices and the strong Aussie dollar are factors in tourism’s decline. I can’t help but wonder whether there’s another much less important factor - Australia’s rising nationalist sentiments.

You only have to look at any thread on Muslims in any Aussie forum to see the rise in Aussie nationalism, and the increasing hostility towards foreigners. Particularly those from Asian countries or the Middle-East. Not to mention the increasing perception abroad of Australians as being obnoxious in their behaviour while overseas. I personally think the perception is totally justified - I’ve seen that behaviour for myself and it ain’t pretty.

So why would foreigners want to visit our country if that’s the kind of hostile welcome they’re going to receive? I don’t think it’s occurred to the Tourism industry yet that if they want to increase their numbers, they might want to look at Australia’s hostile attitude towards non-white foreigners too. Otherwise we’ll become the pariah of both European and Asian tourists.

That is, if we aren’t already.