4 ms·

The other scary thing is this isn't based on decompilation and analysis of the instructions. It's based on Notepad. Which implies that Rockstar not only used t

by angusgr 16y ago

The other scary thing is this isn't based on decompilation and analysis of the instructions. It's based on Notepad. Which implies that Rockstar not only used the crack, they didn't even verify what the crack changed in their binary (otherwise I assume they would seen the logo and at least blanked it out.) This, in my opinion, crosses the line from "inventive, unethical and lazy" to "extremely reckless, unethical and lazy."

angusgr 16y ago
Unless it was intentionally left there as some kind of in-joke, I suppose.
staunch 16y ago
They're playing with fire. If I can't trust Steam games to be 100% virus free I'm a heck of a lot less likely to continue buying them. They owe their customers a full and complete explanation.
romland 16y ago
Rockstar not only used the crack If I recall correctly Myth was not just a cracking group (as in ISO release), they did ripping as well. This basically means that you remove some content from the game (or by other means making the game smaller) in order to fit it into whatever space is the current standard. Unfortunately I can't find a .NFO regarding the release that lists Myth as the cracker... But it makes me wonder if something was ripped here. :) NB: Only searched here: http://www.nfohump.com/index.php?menu=quicknav&item=search http://www.nfohump.com/index.php?menu=quicknav&item=sear... -- enter Myth into "Group" field if you are curious about what else they were up to. Edit This was Myth's farewell note: http://www.defacto2.net/groups/myth/mythbye.nfo http://www.defacto2.net/groups/myth/mythbye.nfo which states that they did ripping: We believe that the rip scene is one of incredible skill. Not only is there the cracking talent needed to be successful like that of ISO, you must have dedicated coders and rippers to fully complete the task. Much time is needed to perfect a rip like that of Neverwinter Nights. (We'll never forget you old friend) A bit later on in that same paragraph they continue with saying "We see groups throw out games now with stolen cracks...". Now, who would have thought that Rockstar... That said, I am not 100% convinced that this was actually a stolen crack. I'll wait for Rockstar to confirm or deny this (or if someone actually has the original release and does a full diff). I base this mainly on three things: 1) I could not find any release information stating Myth as the release group of MP2. This does not mean much, however. And it was just a quick search. 2) It could actually be a joke by Rockstar. I mean, imagine you sit there with the task to remove the copy protection of the game, you bounce it with your boss he laughs and nods and you throw in that Myth logo. 3) It's also not completely unlikely that the guy recompiling the game had some connection with Myth once upon a time. Back in the day (teenager, very long ago <sigh>) we were a bunch of people cracking games for the fun and the race and the majority of them actually went on to work in the gaming industry. So, can anyone do a diff of the binaries? :)
- s3graham 16y ago
  > So, can anyone do a diff of the binaries? :) Probably not easily. SecureROM and similar do full file encryption, so you'd have to crack it yourself and then diff. I'd like to believe #3, but I'm guessing someone needed to "get it done today", googled up a nocd, and went home early.
  - romland 16y ago
    Me too. And yeah, you are most likely right (on both accounts). But I couldn't help but throw in the speculation. :)
- phaedrus 16y ago
  This doesn't sound plausible as a joke. If you were going to do such an obscure joke, why choose Myth? Why not say "Gotcha" or make up an obviously fake cracking group name. Number 3 is at least plausible, but anyone who could do this would have to also know that he'd be caught if someone read the binary. Now, if someone wanted to play a real practical joke, it would be to patch the compiler binary so that the compiler automatically inserts this binary watermark in whatever is compiled.
- u238 16y ago
  The ripping groups had the best crackers, while the ISO groups had the best suppliers. It was normal for Myth to partner with an ISO group to get a game, crack it for them, and then rip the audio/videos and release the 0day version.
- aw3c2 16y ago
  Yeah, this is weird. Max Payne 2 was originally "scene released" by DEViANCE. There is no hint at Myth anywhere on any pre-db I checked. Seeing as many of the Remedy Entertainment developers had their origins in the demoscene, a connection to the warez scene and thus an ex-scener "faking" this does not sound too unlikely.
  - u238 16y ago
    See my comment below. Myth and DEViANCE were partners.
enqk 16y ago
Cracking groups have as much of an incentive not to add viruses to executables than companies do. Their only worth is their fame and the status it procures them. Hurting it through delivering a botched product would erase years of work in building that reputation.

by angusgr 16y ago

angusgr 16y ago

Unless it was intentionally left there as some kind of in-joke, I suppose.

staunch 16y ago

They're playing with fire. If I can't trust Steam games to be 100% virus free I'm a heck of a lot less likely to continue buying them. They owe their customers a full and complete explanation.

romland 16y ago

Rockstar not only used the crack If I recall correctly Myth was not just a cracking group (as in ISO release), they did ripping as well. This basically means that you remove some content from the game (or by other means making the game smaller) in order to fit it into whatever space is the current standard. Unfortunately I can't find a .NFO regarding the release that lists Myth as the cracker... But it makes me wonder if something was ripped here. :) NB: Only searched here: http://www.nfohump.com/index.php?menu=quicknav&item=search http://www.nfohump.com/index.php?menu=quicknav&item=sear... -- enter Myth into "Group" field if you are curious about what else they were up to. Edit This was Myth's farewell note: http://www.defacto2.net/groups/myth/mythbye.nfo http://www.defacto2.net/groups/myth/mythbye.nfo which states that they did ripping: We believe that the rip scene is one of incredible skill. Not only is there the cracking talent needed to be successful like that of ISO, you must have dedicated coders and rippers to fully complete the task. Much time is needed to perfect a rip like that of Neverwinter Nights. (We'll never forget you old friend) A bit later on in that same paragraph they continue with saying "We see groups throw out games now with stolen cracks...". Now, who would have thought that Rockstar... That said, I am not 100% convinced that this was actually a stolen crack. I'll wait for Rockstar to confirm or deny this (or if someone actually has the original release and does a full diff). I base this mainly on three things: 1) I could not find any release information stating Myth as the release group of MP2. This does not mean much, however. And it was just a quick search. 2) It could actually be a joke by Rockstar. I mean, imagine you sit there with the task to remove the copy protection of the game, you bounce it with your boss he laughs and nods and you throw in that Myth logo. 3) It's also not completely unlikely that the guy recompiling the game had some connection with Myth once upon a time. Back in the day (teenager, very long ago <sigh>) we were a bunch of people cracking games for the fun and the race and the majority of them actually went on to work in the gaming industry. So, can anyone do a diff of the binaries? :)

s3graham 16y ago
> So, can anyone do a diff of the binaries? :) Probably not easily. SecureROM and similar do full file encryption, so you'd have to crack it yourself and then diff. I'd like to believe #3, but I'm guessing someone needed to "get it done today", googled up a nocd, and went home early.
- romland 16y ago
  Me too. And yeah, you are most likely right (on both accounts). But I couldn't help but throw in the speculation. :)
phaedrus 16y ago
This doesn't sound plausible as a joke. If you were going to do such an obscure joke, why choose Myth? Why not say "Gotcha" or make up an obviously fake cracking group name. Number 3 is at least plausible, but anyone who could do this would have to also know that he'd be caught if someone read the binary. Now, if someone wanted to play a real practical joke, it would be to patch the compiler binary so that the compiler automatically inserts this binary watermark in whatever is compiled.
u238 16y ago
The ripping groups had the best crackers, while the ISO groups had the best suppliers. It was normal for Myth to partner with an ISO group to get a game, crack it for them, and then rip the audio/videos and release the 0day version.
aw3c2 16y ago
Yeah, this is weird. Max Payne 2 was originally "scene released" by DEViANCE. There is no hint at Myth anywhere on any pre-db I checked. Seeing as many of the Remedy Entertainment developers had their origins in the demoscene, a connection to the warez scene and thus an ex-scener "faking" this does not sound too unlikely.
- u238 16y ago
  See my comment below. Myth and DEViANCE were partners.

enqk 16y ago

Cracking groups have as much of an incentive not to add viruses to executables than companies do. Their only worth is their fame and the status it procures them. Hurting it through delivering a botched product would erase years of work in building that reputation.