im lucky enuff to be the first 20 persons to get a free copy of BioShock from slizone. 
hopefully will receive it soon. yay!

question: i've got FPS syndrome (except counter strike.. even HL2 also cannot play). so my Q is.... how can i try out the game without needing to activate it? if im going to puke when playing this game, hopefully can sell it out. 

does this game support widescreen anyways?

The Box already stated....
THis game required internet access activation...

You can order it online... and you don't need credit card for online purchases. Both tsb and pcgame has bank in options. Delivery is free as well.

As for online activation, you can email them and they will provide you the manual activation key. This is proven possible.

If you email them, and they provide manual activation key, then it works.
"Proven possible" sounds oxymoronic.

The activation problem

Then several problems have hit the game itself that really do affect how you enjoy it.  The activation system was down for a better part of yesterday (August 21) which meant those that purchased copies of the PC game could not play it, on launch day, which doesn't make much sense to me.  You are REQUIRED to activate the game online or use a rather cumbersome offline activation system.  I ended up using the offline method which involved sending my serial key and provided activation code to 2K Support and wait for another code that I had to use to override a system that didn't work in the first place.  Basically, I was required to wait 24 hours before I could play a game I purchased.  This was compared to a car dealer allowing you to buy a car and not providing the keys for a period of several hours while you wait helplessly.  My advice to 2K is to avoid the partnership with STEAM.  Both retail and download copies were affected by this horrible activation scheme but the retail buyers got the worst of it.

SecuROM Support Response: Ticket Number [64450]  

<***> sent the following support request   on 09/07/2007---------------------


Hi,
 
I would  like to purchase a copy of Bioshock,  however, the PC I will be  installing it in does NOT have internet  connection.
 
Is there a way for me to activate the  game OFFLINE?  Maybe something like e-mailing you to request for an  offline activation key  etc?
   
I would really like to know the answer to this  before I  go out and purchase the game. Don't wan't to waste my money on  something  that I won't be able to use later.
   
Hope to get a reply to this ASAP.
 
Thanks,
 


From:  support  
To: ***
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 7:32  PM
Subject: SecuROM Support Response: Ticket  Number [64450]

Hello.

Thank you  for your email.

An open internet  connection is a system requirement for this game.

If you have any questions, please feel free to  ask.


Best regards,

SecuROM Support Team
SecuROM on the  web: http://www.securom.com
or via  e-mail: support@securom.com

*** Please  include the subject line exactly as written above including your ticket number  in all communications to ensure proper handling  ***

<***> sent the following support request  on 09/07/2007---------------------


Meaning there is NO way for me to activate the  system offline? I find that very hard to believe.
 
I googled and found this below....isnt it an  offline activation??
 
***************
If you  encounter activation issues and cannot get the activation to work online, the  activation module can generate an unlock request code that we can use in  conjunction with your activation code (serial) to provide an Unlock Code.  

Please try activation several times before submitting a manual unlock request  to support. The server is very busy and may take several attempts.

In order for us to supply an Unlock Code, please send the following  information with an explanation of your request to support@securom.com:

1) Serial (activation code located on the back of the BioShock game  manual)
2) Unlock Request Code (will be shown in offline activation  dialog) As soon as we receive this information, we will be able to investigate  your activation issue and provide an Unlock Code, if necessary.

Some of the activation issues stem from users typing in the serial number  incorrectly.

Please include the dashes in the serial number located on the back of the  BioShock game manual.
Some Os are being entered as Øs (zeros). There should only be one numeral  in each of the five 4-character blocks (separated by dashes) in the  serial/activation code.

***************

----- Original Message -----
From: support
To: ***
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 7:42 PM
Subject: SecuROM Support Response: Ticket Number [64450]


Hello.

Thank you for your email.

The internet connection is not necessary need for the activation, but for the installation an internet connection is required.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.


Best regards,

SecuROM Support Team
SecuROM on the web: http://www.securom.com
or via e-mail: support@securom.com

*** Please include the subject line exactly as written above including your ticket number in all communications to ensure proper handling ***

Because they likes to screw the legit customer over something that shouldnt be there in the first place. The email reply you got are really retarded. If you cant install without the internet, what is the farking point for offline activation ?

Thats why i got the *ahem* version. We dont pay for such kind of crap. You got it for free but too bad the installation proccess are such pain in the ass.

Thanks for the spoon though.. appreciate it...

20-30 fps on first level. 8800gts.

20-30 for 8800gts ? omaigod, i wonder how 8600gts gonna fare.

me getting 50-60 8800GTS dx9

And you're running that on the E6850 @ 3.0ghz? Plus you're on SLI as well. My 20-30fps is after I oc'd the 3800+ to 2.5ghz. If it was stock, it would've been lower. I did try the game on a GTX which a friend brought over but I didn't take note of the fps although the general experience was much smoother. I'm guessing it's the extra RAM. Anyone with a 8800gts 640mb is willing to confirm this?

Also, did anyone else noticed that Bioshock is capped at 60fps? All in-game cutscenes are running at 60fps constant . So I'm assuming there's a cap there.
The 8800gts is beginning to suck. So far, the new games that come out is really killing my card. At 1680x1050 res, games like MOH:A, Bioshock, Company of Heroes and Lost Planet can really murder the gts in DX10 Vista. Either that, or nvidia has really bad drivers for Vista. This new era of DX10 gaming is turning into a nightmare.