> > > ConsumerX inserts the cart into his GBA, and powers on.
> > > The game code checks the cartridge it is being played on for the
> > > unique ID number it was compiled to check for.
> > > If the cart's unique ID number is the same as the game's unique ID
> > > number, the game starts.
> > > Else, the game will lock up.
> >
> > takes about 10 minutes to be cracked ... at the max ...
>
> It can be prolonged. I'm with the list in that I feel that a serial ID
> system will only work for games which are low-profile enough to not get
> cracking attention.

there's nothing that wont get pirated. people even pirate US $5 shareware
tools. and if the games are low-profile enough to not get cracking attention
they'll not find anyone who wnat's to get 'em anyway.

> That said, I feel it important to point out this essay. (Gamasutra,
> registration required)
>
> http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20011017/dodd_02.htm
>
> This is written by Gavin Dodd, and describes the copy protection
implemented
> by "Spyro: Year of the Dragon". Apparently, it was a cracker's nightmare.

erm, i wouldn't mention Spyro in the same context with "low profile enough
to not
get cracking attention" games. anyway, it got cracked in the end. if someone
is
good enough to create such a nice protection (or in the case of Spyro:
implement
the standart SONY libcrypt protection in such a hard-to-crack way) he could
make
money with protecting other peoples games (hi Rob Northen! :) ).

cheers,
Markus