via Computer and Video Games
Rockstar has confirmed that the PC edition of Grand Theft Auto 4 will implement SecuROM measures to curb the game's susceptibility to being pirated.
"We invest a considerable amount of time and effort to release each title, and employ a large number of people in the process. Having copy protection allows us to protect the integrity or our titles and future investments," Rockstar told IGN. "But at the same time we have worked very hard to ensure that our solutions do not persecute the legitimate players of our games."
Those who have purchased the boxed retail copy of GTA IV for the PC will need an internet connection to activate the software. Furthermore, the game's disk will need to remain in the DVD drive in order to play.
"GTA IV PC also requires a number of software installations, including Games For Windows, Adobe Flash, Internet Explorer, SecuROM and our Rockstar Games Social Club application."
Rockstar has added that there is a way to install the game on a computer that isn't internet-enabled, though information on how this works is not yet available. Rockstar have commented that this process will require an internet connection, though it doesn't have to be via the user's rig. Once activated, the single-player game will not need an internet connection.
However, "to save offline gameplay and Achievement point progress related to a particular Games for Windows Live Gamertag, you must have logged in with that Gamertag at least once and saved your progress with it. Achievement points are not tracked in 'offline' accounts in GFWL games."
The good news is that GTA IV will have no install limits for the retail disc version of the game, and that version can be installed on an unlimited number of PCs by the owner. Rockstar added that it "rewards loyal, paying customers and will offer incentives and downloadable content that will only be available to registered users of the game, running non-hacked copies, via Rockstar Games Social Club."
