Copy Protection of Computer Games

by Richard Hyams

Abstract:

In this dissertation we look at the effectiveness of copy protection for 
computer games distributed on physical media such as CD and digitally, over 
the internet. To set the scene a history of computer game piracy is described 
and the threats to today's computer games in terms of piracy are reviewed. A 
demonstration of how to obtain a pirated game is performed to show how easy 
this has become since the growth of the internet. Copy protection techniques 
are then described initially from an historical perspective and then by 
looking at the state of the art for both physical media and online distributed 
copy prevention. Each is reviewed by looking at the capabilities and 
shortcomings along with the possible methods of attacking each type of 
protection. We find that at present with the new techniques that online 
distribution bring that it is far more effective than physical media 
protection. The technique of making the consumer bind their game to an account 
which allows them to play online has been particularly effective. Finally it 
is demonstrated that online copy protection is effective in the real world, by 
investigating how long it takes for a copy protection to be bypassed for a 
number of computer games released either on physical media or online. It was 
found that none of the games released online had any pirated copies available 
online leading to the conclusion that this protection had not been bypasses 
yet. It was however noted that most of the computer game titles with large 
sales were released both online and on physical media and therefore the attack 
will be towards the physical media copy protection rather than online and so 
until games are only distributed online can we be really totally sure of the 
online copy protection effectiveness.