Bucking the usual trends, the PC version of Mass Effect has thus far remained impervious to software pirates. In a world where practically all games are copied'n'cracked on the first day they go up for sale, a working pirated copy Mass Effect has surprisingly not shown up in the larger P2P networks at this time.

While the game's DVD can be downloaded illegally in its entirety, the programmers from the dark side of the Force have not succeeded in breaking the game's copy protection. From comments I've read, the only working pirated copy floating around runs for about an hour before coming to horrible, fiery crash when trying to access the galactic map. From other comments I've read, Bioware employees would probably be very happy to hear that their game's DRM -- even weakened by removing the required every-10 day activation -- has been successfully in at least convincing a few pirates to buy their game:

"I dont have time to mess around with this... im buying it..." said a one guy named raggar86, on the world's largest torrent site ('The Bay.')

"I just ordered the game, should be here tomorrow. What can I say, if it wasn't for the crack not working I would obviously not have bought the game." -- stated 'BasicReality'.

"goddamnit...I will buy this game if crack wont show up soon..." --'Santtuloi' whined.

"lol I just went out and bought it... Apparently they're using a gay-ass online SecuRom checker" reported 'zenzou.' 

While it is unlikely that game-stoning walls of Mass Effect's DRM will prove unbreakable, having lasted this long is an accomplishment. Up to now, the game's DRM has at the very least benefited Bioware's sales a small amount -- but of course, by exactly how much, is nearly impossible to judge.

Although many gamers have a great deal of hate for SecuROM, it does appear to be at least somewhat effective. And after seeing how many disappointed pirates are out there, sitting around, not being able to pirate this excellent TPS/RPG, it seems like Bioware made the right move by going with this tougher DRM. 

With a bit of luck, M.E's DRM will hold out a bit longer; and even more would-be pirates will give up, and then cough up, cash for this well-made game.