How to tag a game?

[Konidias]

Only way I can think to really protect a game is require an online login system but that's a bit extreme for just a typical offline game. It would just irritate a lot of people.

[blub]

But that would mean that the users can't play the game anymore if the website went down. Or he stops paying the server.

Also people could still crack the part where the game asks for a valid login. Happened to AAA titles too.

I still say that protecting the game is not worth the hassle.

[Shawn]

I still say that protecting the game is not worth the hassle.

I totally agree. I know everyone wants to protect their investment, but it's just not possible. Every measure you take will easily be circumvented. As I posted in another thread, if EA and other publishers can't stop it, I don't see how any of us could even hope to try.

Best thing to do is just accept the fact your work will be pirated no matter what and just focus on delivering a good product. If your product is worth paying for and priced right you'll still make money regardless.

[XStar]

How could someone hack the .exe version of the game anyway? That really isn't what I'm trying to protect, mainly because I don't see how it is possible, and because I merely want to keep track of how many games are out there.

[blub]

Just because you don't know how, doesn't mean it's impossible. The examples are out there. I can't think of any major title that wasn't cracked. Even a lot of online games.
You can always read out certain calls and make injects, etc.

If you want to keep track of it. As i said: Compare the key to the ip location.

[Eliyahu]

I'd say blub's suggestions are the best bet in this fight. You can't stop piracy, but you could maintain a log in a database for each key to keep track of them.
Obviously you don't want this automated; people can legitimately change locations or IPs, and you don't want to prevent access for these legitimate users.
If you have a log of when each key is used and from what IP, you can find suspicious activity. Then you can suspend a key.

[XStar]

Ok, I'll try that!