As some of you will already be aware, EA uses a system called SecuRom. This system is an attempt to stop piracy.. well it isn't working so EA has recently added in a new feature, Activations.

First off, this is not a propaganda article against electronic arts (EA for short). Though I can't deny I have some bias against them.

So what exactly is an activation?

An activation occurs when you first install the game to a PC. Then after that if you go and install it on another PC then it counts as another activation.

3-5 activations later and the game won't install anymore.

Sounds fair, why is it bad?

An activation is only supposed to occur on a different PC. The problem comes from what EA considers a different PC.

The following will all account for a new activation:

These things all are routinely done by gamers, mostly to be able to play the game that we "bought". In some cases a gamer might go through all their activations just attempting to get the game to work once.

Last thing I will mention here, if you buy the game second hand from eBay. The game will have at least one of it's activations used up already.

What can I do if I use up all my activations?

EA will handle using up all your activations on a "case to case" basis. So really you are at the mercy of EA, when they deny you then you have to purchase the game AGAIN to replay it.

You unfortunately have no other legal means to get the game again.

Anything I can do to help get rid of activations from future games?

Yes! you can stop buying games published by EA. You can also be as vocal as possible about how much you hate this whole misguided (sorry my bias is showing through their) idea.

EA is a company and therefore live for money. If gamers stop buying their games (which is already starting to happen) then they will quickly stop punishing their consumers, though they will come up with some other concept which will undoubtedly fail to stop piracy and just hurt the end user.

So what games have activations on them?

This will not be a comprehensive list so you cannot 100% rely on it. Please tell me if I miss any or make a mistake on any.

-Bioshock
-Crysis: Warhead
-Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
-Dead Space
-FarCry 2
-Fifa 09
-Fifa Manager 09
-Football Manager 2008
-Left 4 Dead (According to amazon.com)
-Mass Effect
-Mercenaries 2
-MySims
-NHL 09
-Need For Speed: Undercover
-Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (According to amazon.com. I'm not sure this is even EA. I hope this is a mistake)
-Spore
-The Sims 2: Free Time (According to amazon.com)
-The Sims 2: Apartment Life (According to amazon.com)
-The Sims 3
-Warhammer Online