Electronic Arts (EA) is under fire from consumer rights advocate Louis Rossmann over the restrictive DRM system used in Dead Space 2, which limits players to five activations before locking them out permanently. Despite the removal of the activation reset tool years ago, the game remains available for purchase on Steam for $19.99 with no warnings about the DRM restrictions.
Dead Space 2 Owners Locked Out by Activation Limits
Dead Space 2, originally released in 2011, uses the TAGES SolidShield DRM system that restricts users to just five machine activations. This means players who upgrade hardware, reinstall Windows, or replace storage devices risk permanently losing access to their game once they hit the activation limit.
Previously, EA offered an activation reset tool through their support channels, allowing users to regain activations. However, the company has confirmed the tool was removed years ago. Despite this, the Steam store page still misleadingly references the deauthorization process with a link that now redirects to EA’s homepage. Related coverage: Steam Launch: Free-to-Play Mechanic Simulator Gains Strong Early Reviews.
Consumer Advocate Louis Rossmann Calls Out EA
In a recent YouTube video titled “EA Shows Why Piracy Is Completely Justified,” Louis Rossmann criticized EA’s handling of Dead Space 2 DRM after hearing from a German gamer who was unable to reactivate their legally purchased copy. Rossmann condemned the company’s contradictory approach, pointing out the absurdity of accepting payment without providing proper support.
He stated, “You (EA) can still take my credit card information and take my money for the game, but you can’t support me being able to activate the game. Like, it’s one or the other, man. You can just pull this sh**t out of your a** and make up the rules as you go.” Rossmann also highlighted how the outdated Steam store description fails to inform buyers that the activation reset service no longer exists. For more context, you may also want to read Sony WH-1000XX The ColleXion Launch Date Confirmed with New Design.
Rossmann suggested that if EA no longer profits significantly from the game, they should release a patch removing the DRM entirely. This would prevent locking out legitimate owners and avoid frustrating customers with obsolete restrictions.
Industry Hypocrisy and Growing Piracy Concerns
Rossmann argued that situations like this contribute to the rise in game piracy, framing it as a moral response by consumers seeking access to products they have already paid for. He called the behavior “corporate hypocrisy” and stressed that it undermines trust between publishers and players.
Currently, Dead Space 2 remains available on Steam without any notification about the DRM lockout risk, despite the platform’s two-week refund window often expiring before players even discover the issue. While regulators have yet to intervene, evolving EU consumer protection laws may eventually pressure companies like EA to address such problems.
Until then, many affected gamers may feel driven toward unauthorized copies simply to regain access to games they legitimately own.
(Via)
