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Socoder -> Off Topic -> Software Protection / Registration

Mon, 06 Nov 2023, 13:39
Kuron

Software Protection/Registration


Back in the day I used Armadillo, which I no longer have. It was lost in the move and it is no longer made. I also used to use this, which is also kaput.

I picked up via a Humble Bundle a while back, Install Creator Pro, but I am going to imagine that will kick off a lot of false positives.

Short of Enigma Protector, I am not really seeing anything good out there and or even anything bad out there. Enigma is a tad more than I can afford at this time. I am really wishing there was a bit cheaper solution like 1Way (link above) was. Rolling my own, post-TBI is a beyond my current capabilities.

Any suggestions?
Mon, 06 Nov 2023, 14:22
Jayenkai
Does doing things the "Proper" Windows Store way (or Steam Store) offer any kind of native protection?
I can't remember having to additionally register anything I've bought on Steam.

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''Load, Next List!''
Mon, 06 Nov 2023, 18:03
therevillsgames
What sort of protection are you after and why? I accepted years ago our games where going to be available on the seven seas, people will either pay for it or won't.
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 09:25
Kuron
Windows Store is for universal apps IIRC, they take a huge cut and it limits your customers to people using Windows Store which is virtually nobody and leaves out Linux and Mac users.

Steam is not as bad as Big Fish Games with the amount of spyware/malware that gets installed. I bought TRGs one baseball game from BFG, but was never actually able to play the game. Steam is a bit better, but not without its issues.

Anymore, if I buy something I buy it directly from the author's site or itch.io.

That said, I am not looking for quasi publishers like Steam or MS Store. Simply a good old fashioned way to release limited software that can be set to expire and to unlock it, people simply put in the key they are given when registering.
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 09:28
cyangames
I can't rate Steam that highly either as they're preventing Windows 8 and below from accessing the service from the end of the year. ( bye bye gaming on most of my PCs that can happily run the games I've bought from them for 2 decades)

Chumbalumbasoft who make my favourite 3D editor Milkshape 3D looks like they just use their own server for a one-off verification post-purchase program load, then it's all verified from there, of course the on-going cost of webspace, etc is going to be a pain but I guess the only alternative is creating keyfiles for each copy... eurhghhhh.

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Web / Game Dev, occasionally finishes off coding games also!
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 09:36
Kuron
I have bought stuff from Steam (Humble Bundles) that I simply have never used because Steam tries to hijack the system too much and contains way too much spyware.

There are a couple of indie games I would really love to buy on Steam, but I am just not interested in the Steam experience, no matter how good the games may be. It would be different if I could afford a machine just for Steam stuff.

@cyangames are you still running Windows 8?
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 09:39
cyangames
Windows 7

The funny thing is my lil Linux Laptop will become my main gaming PC for steam come next year, hahaha how strange!

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Web / Game Dev, occasionally finishes off coding games also!
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 09:40
Kuron
Milkshape 3D? I used to own that and all of the similar software (not that I had the talent to use it). I remember it always being affordable, just checked and it is still extremely affordable! Kudos to them!

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@cyangames 32 bit or 64 bit?
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 09:41
cyangames
Yeah!!!! I still stick to Milkshape 3D for any 3D stuff, not that I do much nowadays since moving to just retro game dev.

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Web / Game Dev, occasionally finishes off coding games also!
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 10:11
Kuron
@cyangames 32 bit or 64 bit for Windows 7?
Tue, 07 Nov 2023, 10:13
cyangames
64bit