If you've heard about the deal about the PC version of Bioware's Mass Effect (Xbox 360, PC) having a rather nasty-sound 10-day period online re-authentication, then good news: it seems that BioWare has listened to the massive outcry following the announcement, and has responded in kind. No, there will be no ten-day periodic re-authentication, replaced instead with a one-time online authentication process. Sweet.

This comes directly from a post in the official BioWare boards, where Community Manager Jay Watamaniuk explained how the decision came to be. He revealed that due to the outcry of the fans, as well as gamers in the armed services, they have decided that the ten-day periodic re-authentication has to go. Here's his statement, verbatim:

To all the fans including our many friends in the armed services and internationally who expressed concerns that they would not be able re-authenticate as often as required, EA and BioWare want you to know that your feedback is important to us.

The solution being implemented for Mass Effect for the PC changes copy protection from being key disc based, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive, to a one time online authentication.

Very awesome, indeed. So instead of having to constantly remind yourself that the ten-day re-authentication process is looming over your head as you play, instead it's just a one-time deal that you probably have done before for your other games.

This online verification also takes care of the deal with having to keep the DVD in your DVD drive as you play - instead, you can just keep it around for re-installation.

It's good to know that some companies can still listen to its fans. Now only if they can clear the DRM/SecuROM bits. Updates as we get them, and you can check out more info in the via link below.