Does Starforce periodicly need to 'phone home'

Simple question.

Once I have activated a module that is currently using Starforce, under what circumstances would I be required to reconnect to the internet to maintain the validity of that activation?

Upon subsequent activation (for whatever reason, be it authentication, hardware change, etc etc):

There's even a support-chat-lassie you can speak to on the Starforce website :D

So assuming that nothing has been changed in either the hardware or DCS software, then no internet connection is required to maintain the activation.

Thanks Viper but I would still like to hear what Coff has to say on the subject just for the purposes of having this confirmed by a knowledgeable ED employee.

+1

+1 it would be nice if an offical ED staff member would confirm this please

+1

Especially since this argument (eg. "Even Starforce requires a phone home from time to time.") was used to defend the new in my eyes very problematic drm schema.

Since I haven't played DCS for over 1,5 years (according to the modified date of my dcs.log = April 2016) I made the following test: I disconnected from the internet and started DCS. I was able to use all my bought modules without problems. So it seems that StarForce in DCS doesn't use the "periodic license confirmation" (phoning home from time to time). But to be sure I also want confirmation or negation from ED about that.

+1

 

Especially since this argument (eg. "Even Starforce requires a phone home from time to time.") was used to defend the new in my eyes very problematic drm schema.

 

Since I haven't played DCS for over 1,5 years (according to the modified date of my dcs.log = April 2016) I made the following test: I disconnected from the internet and started DCS. I was able to use all my bought modules without problems. So it seems that StarForce in DCS doesn't use the "periodic license confirmation" (phoning home from time to time). But to be sure I also want confirmation or negation from ED about that.

Thanks for reporting your test results. Over the last seven years I have drifted away and back and never had an indication that my installation phoned home before being able to use it.

+1

 

Especially since this argument (eg. "Even Starforce requires a phone home from time to time.") was used to defend the new in my eyes very problematic drm schema.

 

Since I haven't played DCS for over 1,5 years (according to the modified date of my dcs.log = April 2016) I made the following test: I disconnected from the internet and started DCS. I was able to use all my bought modules without problems. So it seems that StarForce in DCS doesn't use the "periodic license confirmation" (phoning home from time to time). But to be sure I also want confirmation or negation from ED about that.

I too have been for months without connectivity and still had Single Player work flawlessly using the modules I have. I have never kept track of exactly how long because, it has never presented a problem.

I do know that when I got updates, some of the modules had a new Protect.x64, Protect.dll and Protect.exe. I assume they "Phoned Home" when first launching the updated version of DCSW/Modules. But, I had connectivity to do the update at that moment.

Happy Simming,

Monnie

+1

 

Especially since this argument (eg. "Even Starforce requires a phone home from time to time.") was used to defend the new in my eyes very problematic drm schema.

 

Since I haven't played DCS for over 1,5 years (according to the modified date of my dcs.log = April 2016) I made the following test: I disconnected from the internet and started DCS. I was able to use all my bought modules without problems. So it seems that StarForce in DCS doesn't use the "periodic license confirmation" (phoning home from time to time). But to be sure I also want confirmation or negation from ED about that.

This was stated by the moderators, not ED staff.

From what I can tell the only time when the Starforce is doing something is when major game updates happen or HW in PC changes. That is my experience.

How do you think Starforce Pro-Active DRM Console determines that a key has been blacklisted by Starforce?

Starforce Console Checks License Key Status, along w/ other Parameters Like Machine Code against Code stored on Server, if it's been Suspended, BlackListed, etc

How do you think Starforce Pro-Active DRM Console determines that a key has been blacklisted by Starforce?

 

Starforce Console Checks License Key Status, along w/ other Parameters Like Machine Code against Code stored on Server, if it's been Suspended, BlackListed, etc

Maybe StarForce checks the keys only when a module is activated.

At least (according to my test) SF didn't lock the module if it can't reach the server (e.g. no internet connection).

Skates is likely correct. The significant point is that Starforce does not shut down the use of the product when the server cannot be reached, for any reason.

However, I will agree that this limits it's effectiveness since someone who knowingly has a 'blacklisted' key can just remain offline when running the sim and avoid the possibility of being cut off.

However, I will agree that this limits it's effectiveness since someone who knowingly has a 'blacklisted' key can just remain offline when running the sim and avoid the possibility of being cut off.

Yeah, but he can't update the game and given the frequent updates to the game, it doesn't seem like a relevant problem.

Yeah, but he can't update the game and given the frequent updates to the game, it doesn't seem like a relevant problem.

I have to agree with this point, the bugs would never be fixed and he

would be stuck with them (the pirate bloke I mean)