BioShock 2's PC requirements out, DRM has "activation limit" of 5?

While it’s great news to hear what kind of desktop monster we need to play 2K Marin’s BioShock 2, it’s not so great to hear of DRM.

Especially when that DRM has a ”5 machine activation limit,” according to Steam. Yet 2K has insisted SecuROM is ”only a disc check”.

Current thinking then is that Steam’s digital version of BioShock 2 carries with it a ”5 machine activation limit” with SecuROM, while the retail copy doesn’t but just has a ”disc check, and nothing more,” posts 2K Elizabeth.

”Games for Windows Live is what controls the activation and the online and offline profiles. Not SecuROM. That is only a disc check, and nothing more.”

However the GFWL system itself does limit you through the number of activations. ”The Games for Windows Live key you get has 15 activations on it. If you reach 16, contacting Microsoft will get the key reset,” she continued in a later post.

”This doesn’t limit the number of computers you put the on. It is just 15 activations. This is a number set by Microsoft.” Right, so - if you buy any copy of BioShock 2 you’re going to be hit with activation limits eventually - what a great way to reward genuine users, eh?

Here are the PC system requirements, if your blood isn’t too boiled by now:

Minimum

■ Processor: AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3800+ 2.4Ghz or better, Intel Pentium 4 530 3.0Ghz Processor or better

■ Memory: 2GB

■ Graphics: NVIDIA 7800GT 256MB graphics card or better, ATI Radeon X1900 256MB graphics card or better

■ Hard Drive: 11GB

■ Sound: 100% DirectX 9.0C compliant sound card or onboard sound

■ OS: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7

■ DirectX: DirectX 9.0c

Recommended

■ Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Dual Core 2.60Ghz, Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Dual Core 2.13Ghz

■ Memory: 3GB

■ Graphics: NVIDIA 8800GT 512MB graphics card or better, ATI Radeon HD4830 512MB graphics card or better

Other Requirements

■ Initial installation requires one-time internet connection.

■ Ability to save game, earn achievements, receive title updates and online play requires log-in to Games for Windows LIVE.

■ Software installations required including Microsoft Visual C++2008 Runtime Libraries, Games for Windows LIVE client, Games for Windows LIVE Client Patch, Sony DADC SecuROM, Microsoft DirectX.

Source: Shacknews