Ubisoft DRM (Or how to make sure I never buy your product again)
Wibble Send a noteboard - 19/02/2010 05:54:02 PM
DRM...we've all been here before, we've had the arguments. Some shout out that only pirates need fear it, some (like me) that it is killing the PC industry and removing the right of ownership.
I have argued that you don't own your game, I have argued that it's invasive on your PC, i've said good luck playing when the company shuts down it's servers. Some have agreed with me, many have not.
Well folks, welcome to the future you have created. I give you - Ubisoft DRM.
This wonderful new piece of technology will be released with all new Ubisoft games, Assassins Creed 2 - Settlers - Ghost Recon etc. And it requires you to always be online to play a single player game...always...
Ubisofts system requires a constant connection to their authentication servers for single player gaming to happen. If you are disconnected then you lose any data since you last saved. If the Ubisoft servers go down, you cannot play your game, your single player game that has no need of a server environment, is defunct.
Want to play on a laptop in your hotel room? Hardlines unless you have a connection.
Want to play on your laptop when on a long haul flight? Nope, not going to happen, it's not your game after all. Despite paying for it.
Have a shaky wifi connection, or just shaky internet full stop? Well, good luck, have fun watching Ubisofts great screen telling you you can't play and you lost all your data since your last save.
When asked to confirm that their servers would always stay up and would not be down in 5 years time, meaning no one could play the game they paid for. Ubisoft said they were gamers too. When asked if that meant they could absolutely confirm it. Ubisoft said they didn't have plans too. When asked if not having plans too meant they absolutely would not. Ubisoft pretty much refused to answer.
Brilliant, what a system. Welcome to the future, were you have to download a pirated game to actually be able to play it. I mean seriosuly, at what point did it become easier and better to pick up a pirated game than to buy it?!?! Up yours Ubisoft, I hope you go bust.
I have argued that you don't own your game, I have argued that it's invasive on your PC, i've said good luck playing when the company shuts down it's servers. Some have agreed with me, many have not.
Well folks, welcome to the future you have created. I give you - Ubisoft DRM.
This wonderful new piece of technology will be released with all new Ubisoft games, Assassins Creed 2 - Settlers - Ghost Recon etc. And it requires you to always be online to play a single player game...always...
Ubisofts system requires a constant connection to their authentication servers for single player gaming to happen. If you are disconnected then you lose any data since you last saved. If the Ubisoft servers go down, you cannot play your game, your single player game that has no need of a server environment, is defunct.
Want to play on a laptop in your hotel room? Hardlines unless you have a connection.
Want to play on your laptop when on a long haul flight? Nope, not going to happen, it's not your game after all. Despite paying for it.
Have a shaky wifi connection, or just shaky internet full stop? Well, good luck, have fun watching Ubisofts great screen telling you you can't play and you lost all your data since your last save.
When asked to confirm that their servers would always stay up and would not be down in 5 years time, meaning no one could play the game they paid for. Ubisoft said they were gamers too. When asked if that meant they could absolutely confirm it. Ubisoft said they didn't have plans too. When asked if not having plans too meant they absolutely would not. Ubisoft pretty much refused to answer.
Brilliant, what a system. Welcome to the future, were you have to download a pirated game to actually be able to play it. I mean seriosuly, at what point did it become easier and better to pick up a pirated game than to buy it?!?! Up yours Ubisoft, I hope you go bust.
Ubisoft DRM (Or how to make sure I never buy your product again)
- 19/02/2010 05:54:02 PM
725 Views
I don't think these companies realize they're encouraging piracy.
- 19/02/2010 06:11:51 PM
721 Views
Yep. I have been unable to understand the company reasoning behind such systems.
- 19/02/2010 06:54:22 PM
475 Views
There is only one reason I can see. To destroy PC Gaming
- 19/02/2010 06:59:45 PM
522 Views
That doesn't make any sense.
- 19/02/2010 10:53:50 PM
540 Views
Re: That doesn't make any sense.
- 20/02/2010 09:04:53 PM
492 Views
So the crux of your explanation is that simply ceasing to publish PC games creates bad press.
- 20/02/2010 09:47:36 PM
458 Views
Well, we have two options: the first is going to require that we kill you.
- 23/02/2010 11:11:28 PM
537 Views
PC games should just drop all DRM measures or go with Steamworks.
- 19/02/2010 08:34:44 PM
586 Views
Don't get me started on Steam again, it's just as insiduous as other DRM 'solutions'.
- 19/02/2010 10:37:00 PM
511 Views
I might resist more if I weren't a Valve game fan, but it's a pretty solid service.
- 20/02/2010 02:59:40 AM
491 Views
Steam has managed to reach a balance where it offers something
- 20/02/2010 04:57:08 AM
502 Views
Re: Steam has managed to reach a balance where it offers something
- 21/02/2010 11:37:40 PM
484 Views
Agree on the functionality complaints, disagree on the ownership bit.
- 23/02/2010 11:40:06 PM
497 Views
Is that really how you play games?
- 24/02/2010 10:54:42 PM
531 Views
Yeah, I rarely replay old games.
- 25/02/2010 12:48:10 AM
517 Views