Q1: What is Virtual-Mate?
A1: Virtual-Mate is G-collection's new anti-piracy scheme, and was designed by Interlex, Inc. The end user aspect of V-mate is basically a utility that you install on your computer. This utility makes on-line connections with Interlexâs server to ensure that the user is not playing a pirated copy of a particular game (see Q3 below for details). In other words, if the game being played is not a legitimate copy, V-mate won't allow it execute. Besides its purpose as an anti-piracy tool, V-mate will "[enable] customers to interact with game developers and receive additional services via their Internet connection."
Additional services huh? Auf das, durch V-Mate erstellte, Benutzerprofil angepasste Spammails?
Q1a: What are these interactions and additional services?
A1a: Right now, there is work on an e-magazine (Yes, you can opt out of it. We hate Spam as much as you.). The biggest current additional service is the lowering of price. Future services will be unveiled as they become ready. Yes there is additional stuff. I asked three times about that. But Iâm not allowed to tell you about them. Yet.
Oh nein!! SO spannend!!!!111
Q2: How does this on-line registration work?
A2: The first time you buy a V-mate game, you will be required to choose a username and password, as well as input your e-mail address. This username and password will be used for all subsequent V-mate games. After registration has been completed once, you will only have to input an activation code (on-line) for each V-mate game you buy during installation. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address you provided each time you activate a game. You may change your E-mail address and password at any time through the registration website.
Q2a: What is the privacy policy on Virtual Mate?
A2a: The offical policy, as on the page, is:
The information and your e-mail address will be stored in our license certification server for support purposes only. Your hardware information will be coded into irreversible data (personal information cannot be retrieved from this coded data) and sent to our server. Your email address will be transferred via Secure Socket Layer (SSL).
Through usage of this product, it is understood that you agree with the above terms and conditions to play Virtual-Mate games. All information regarding this privacy policy is subject to change. However, should changes be instituted, the information will be announced on our website. Through continued usage of Virtual-Mate games after privacy policy changes have been announced, it is understood that you agree with the privacy policy changes.
Interlex, Inc. may access and/or disclose information if required to do so by law or in the good faith that such action is necessary to: Comply with a legal process served on Interlex, Inc., protect and defend the rights or property of Interlex, Inc. and its family of websites, and to act in urgent circumstances. In the good faith that such action is necessary to act in urgent circumstances? Soso...
We occasionally hire third party companies to provide server maintenance on our behalf. We only provide those companies with the information they need to deliver this service. They are required to maintain the confidentiality of that information provided and are prohibited from using that information for any other purpose. We are not responsible for any possible misconduct by these third parties.
Q3: Does Virtual-Mate require Internet access?
A3: Yes. Every time you start a V-mate game the game must connect to an Internet server. This connection is automatic and does not require input of a username or password. Once the connection is made, you can disconnect and play the game as normal. If you exit the game, and then try to start it again, then you'll have to reconnect once more.
Q4: Is there a limit on how many computers you can install a particular V-mate game?
A4: Yes. The limit is 3 computers. V-mate keeps track of your hardware configuration. If it changes significantly (because you upgraded your computer), then V-mate will recognize the upgraded computer as a new computer. Formatting your hard drive, or reinstalling a V-mate game will not affect the 3 computer limit because your system hardware has not changed. Any special issues will be handed on a case by case basis as they arise, if they arise.
Also: Von nun an keine Systemupgrades mehr! Naja, zumindestens nicht mehr als 3, ansonsten hat man sich nen teuren Briefbeschwerer gekauft.
Q5: I can sell my V-mate game...right?
A5: Well...sort of. First off, our games arenât really meant for resale. If you insist, however, each game can only be played on 3 different computers. If you sell it to someone, they can only play it if you haven't used up your computer limit. Second, assuming you installed the game on one of your computers, they will need your username/password to play it. You can change your password... but so can they. You cannot change your username. You can create a new account for each new game that has never been registered. Once a game is registered with a username, the game CANNOT be registered under a different username. Any special issues will be handed on a case-by-case basis as they arise, if they arise. Yes, I brought up several possible special issues, and we have contingency plans for them.
Auch ne tolle Möglichkeit die Kunden zu zwingen sich ein neues Game bei G-Col zu kaufen bzw sein langweilig-gewordenes Game nicht zu verkaufen
Q6: What if I can't connect to the V-mate servers, due to a lapse in my own connection, or due to the V-mate servers being off-line?
A6: Then you will not be able to play, unless it is a game that we have issued a patch for. See Q8.
Hrhr! Und ob noch ein Patch rauskommt, wenn G-Col aufhört steht in den Sternen. Ich schätze mal, dass die zuständigen Programmierer wie Ratten das sinkende Schiff verlassen und nicht "mit ihm untergehen" (das war jetzt bildlich gemeint).
Q7: What are the benefits of V-mate?
A7: We have reduced the prices of their games to $40 (from $50). There will be additional services through V-mate as well. While there hasnât been anything publicly released, there are developments in the pipeline. Finally, V-mate is supposed to reduce piracy. And reduced piracy will benefit all paying customers.
Toll... die 10$ hätten die sich auch sparen können. And reduced piracy will benefit all paying customers. Hmm... normalerweise schon, jedoch nicht wenn die Möglichkeiten (Wiederverkauf, Gebrauchtkauf, die Hardewareüberwachung,...) für den Kunden so eingeschränkt werden.
Q8: What are you doing to rectify the perceived problems with V-mate?
A8: The current plan is to release a patch that will allow the user to play V-mate games normally like any other game. This patch will require an activation code to install, as with regular registration. The patch installation will NOT require an Internet connection. The patch for each game will be released LESS THAN 1 year after the end of sales.
Und wann wird das sein? In 2 Jahren? In 5? Niemals? DOR ist jetzt seit 2 Jahren erhältlich und es wird immernoch verkauft. Und es ist anzumerken, dass das Game nie wirklich beliebt ist. Wie lange die da wohl die beliebten Games nachproduzieren und verkaufen? Hmm...
Q9: What about...?
A9: More answers will come as soon as Iâm less surly and cranky, so as to be able to slog through who knows how many pages of stuff demanding responses.
