Why we will accept Ubisoft's DRM

Hooked Gamers writes: ""A permanent internet connection is required to play the game." The sentence is stamped in bold white letters on the front of Assassin's Creed 2. A variant of the phrase graces the back of the box, headlining a list of features including "No need for cd/dvd to play," "Unlimited installs," and "Saved games are synchronized online," as if Ubisoft is doing us a favor by requiring a permanent internet connection. But we all know that's not true."

[ultramoot]

Ooh, okay. If you say so. I mean, it's not like they're giving us a s**tty a** boring game with last-gen-only graphics after 6 months of it's original release date on consoles, and then expect us to pay $10 more for it while deliberately forcing us to maintain constant net connection on a single-player game and still not allow us to keep our saves.

Besides, shouldn't the title be called, "Why I take money from Ubisoft to defend them in my boring articles."?

[presto717]

DRM sucks. it will take a lot to convince me otherwise.

[Redempteur]

Accept ..it's a failure already

the game is pirated
loyal buyers not able to play for hours

Ubisoft DRM doesn't work

Simple truth

[HolyOrangeCows]

I accept it......I just won't buy their games.

[Noctis Aftermath]

I accept that it is their choice to decide if they will use this kind of DRM, but that doesn't mean people will buy it or crackers won't continue to screw with them because of it.

[Fanb0y]

Last I heard, there's no fully operating pirated version. I think you can load the early map, but can't start missions.

[SaiyanFury]

To be completely honest, I don't understand why these developers never catch on: DRM ENCOURAGES piracy, it does nothing to discourage it. When a person buys a copy of a game, they expect the freedom to install it and play it as they see fit. Then along comes this wonderful little concept called Digital Rights Management. Basically the producer of said game is dictating to the customer rules and regulations that will allow them to play the game. DRM removes freedoms and therefore people will look to free solutions like piracy. Bethesda already knows that DRM doesn't work. All they have is a simple disc check. Guess what; I own a legal copy of Oblivion: Game of the Year edition, and I get no hassles about DRM. Same thing with Fallout 3. People will always gravitate towards the freer choice, not the one that holds you down with crap like DRM. So to the author of this article, I don't accept Ubisoft's DRM. I was actually planning on buying the PC version of the game, but seeing as how I have a really unstable internet connection, I won't be able to play it. Thanks Ubi, you just lost yourselves one sale.

[TotalPS3Fanboy]

Why should loyal customers take the punishment for the pirates, when it's the pirates who actually get a free pass?

DRM does not makes sense. DRM punishes the loyal customers while pirates can play the game free.

[smittyjerkins]

Well, that is clearly logical and makes perfect sense, but not to Ubisoft.

Personally, I believe this article is some Ubisoft spin doctor coming in and trying to make their DRM look good. Seriously, the guy went as far as to say that "Ubisoft's DRM is ahead of its time."

[hikayu17]

you know you're high when you actually said this . sound to me like ubisoft want to turn back time and not release this stupid DRM .

i still dont see why we will accept ubisoft's DRM , but i can tell you why we will NEVER !

[n4gn4gn4gn4g]

PC games but I thought PC players were all fine with STEAM and such...isn't UBI just offering the same thing without the need of STEAM?

[Pandamobile]

Not even close.

[n4gn4gn4gn4g]

doesn't require a constant connection?

[ultramoot]

For single-player, no, not that I know of.

[ultramoot]

Sorry for the double posting......

[Pandamobile]

No, Steam has an offline mode, and doesn't require an internet connection for single player games.

I mean, I played Half-Life 2 on my plane ride to Mexico last week.

[za3redrum]

Steam isn't safe anymore, just like DRM and things like that. I think DRM is safer then Steam, but much users hate DRM cause of the problemes it has. You have to be online constantly for instance. I can understand why Ubisoft uses systems like that, cause those illegal pirates just are too arrogant to pay for what they play and what devs worked for.

[Pandamobile]

There's no safe DRM. Everything is bypassed within a day of it being released.

[DJKGBYF]

So does it make sense just to have PC gamers stay online all the time to play a game, but the same doesn't apply to consoles? The last time I checked you can pirate games on consoles also, so that would also warrant forcing people with an Xbox to connect to Xbox Live every time they want to play a game, or make someone with a PS3 connect to the PSN to play a game. You can't just say that people on the PC pirate games, because it's not true.

[mrv321]

If they hacked WoW they'll hack this system and I hope to god every PC gamer with a variable connection or like to PLAY on launch pirate this game.

I am not condoning piracy but I dislike companies who treat people who BUY their games like scum.

Seriously this won't stop piracy, a pirate usually doesn't pirate because the they can, it's because they can't afford the game. This DRM may stop people downloading it for a month but it won't mean they'll buy the game.

[Charmers]

I stopped buying Ubisoft games when they started using starforce. NOw they have stopped using starforce and they are using this new DRM I will continue to NOT buy Ubisoft games.

I am lucky in a way nothing Ubisoft are producing remotely interests me other than Settlers 7 but I won't die if I don't play that game. I do know if PC gamers don't take a stand against this protection then sooner or later most publishers will adopt it.

I buy my games and I flat out refuse to purchase any game that requires an internet connection to play the single player content. If that means I end up not playing very many games then so be it

Oh and console users want to monitor this situation very carefully because I can see this being implemented in the next round of consoles. This DRM is all about controlling gamers access to content and we all know how much console manufacturers love doing that kind of thing,

[DelbertGrady]

Because we are but gaming wh0res.

[Chris_TC]

Why we will accept it? I won't bend over for them to f me in the b. Keep your games, apparently you don't want my money, suckers.

[retro]

And whichever company sells stupid and bad products... will not be successful.

As long as DRM is not hasslefree for customers... NO BUY.

[Gun_Senshi]

to accept this kind of DRM.

[I Call 9MM]

Ubisoft lost me as a customer with the implementation of this draconian DRM, the lack of refinement and PC specific enhancement with their console to PC ports, as well as the inflated prices they use. Same thing with EA's Command and Conquer 4 (a series that I own every game), similar DRM in place (that they deny is DRM). And Activision lost me buying Call of Duty MW2 with their inflated price and crappy matchmaking/lack of dedicated servers and mod support/also not enough PC refinement.

I just borrow the console versions from my friends, as I refuse to buy games that force these inconveniences upon me. I don't condone pirating (which is why this crap is around), but I don't condone supporting publishers who implement this crap. Companies treat us PC gamers like children, I say hit them where it hurts, their wallets. Don't buy the game if you don't support this stuff. Maybe then they will learn.

[TABSF]

Steam in the UK has pulled most Ubisoft games with this DRM including Assassins Creed II

If Ubisoft removed their DRM from Steam versions I would purchase
Splinter Cell, Assassins Creed II and The Settlers 7 ASAP otherwise I'm boycotting it, Yes I will not play ever even though I love these games series

DRM is killing PC

DICE and EA have done the right thing and removed DRM from Steam version of BC2

[Charmers]

This is a myth steam in the UK did not pull the games from the store. It is well known that steam in the UK NEVER offered Assassins Creed 2 or Silent Hunter 5 for sale. There is apparently a business agreement in the UK with some retail shop group which means Ubisoft cannot sell games via the UK steam store.

[TABSF]

I'm sorry but they was on Steam right up until the release

Plus where have you heard this retail deal
Why would anybody get retail versions anyway

[Charmers]

It was ADVERTISED on UK steam but they never let you "pre-order" it. Here is a topic about Assassins Creed 2 :-

http://forums.steampowered....

If starts with a post from a moderator that clearly stated Assassins Creed 2 would not be available for purchase in the UK. The date of the post was 3rd March 2010 which was nearly two weeks before Assassins Creed 2 went on sale. If you need further proof then :-

“The games listed are available for sale in all other countries on Steam. The fact it is not available on Steam UK has nothing to do with the DRM but is linked to a local business discussion between Ubisoft and Steam in UK.”

http://www.edge-online.com/...

I imagine that Assassins Creed 2 will appear on UK steam at some point after the deal runs it's course. However the point remains the game was never sold on UK steam it was just advertised.

[Senden]

People won't accept it... casual pc gamers would have succumbed to the fact that ubi clearly favour consoles and buy it on their ps3/xbox, hardcore gamers will either give their games the middle finger or download out of spite.

[Vazz]

AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH HAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAAHHAAHAHHAAHAH!!!!!!!! That's the funniest thing I read all day. Good one.

Also stopped reading at "consider the new service that is going to revolutionize gaming: OnLive." LOL, another good one.

I also love how people try to point out the no cd check like it's a big deal. Because cracks are so hard to find and use right? Give me a break.

[Kiriel]

If you don't believe that services like OnLive are the future, you have a severe case of tunnel vision that will bite you in the ass one day. :)

[js726]

Considering OnLive as the future is one thing. Players will subscribe to that service with the knowledge that they will need to be connected to the internet to play. Regular PC gaming, not including MMOs, has not up until now, and only with Ubisoft.

I for one, will not be buying anything from Ubisoft on PC. This DRM is ridiculous. If I buy a game, I don't want to be forced to be connected to the internet to play. Hell, I may as well pirate the game just to spite them. And I wouldn't be the only one.

The community, mostly, won't accept Ubisoft's DRM. Instead, more and more of us will revert to piracy and/or cheer on the pirates as they rebel against these tyrannical publishers.

[kraze07]

You guys can bend over and let Ubi hit it from the back, but I won't just roll over and let the, screw me over with this DRM. My money won't be going towards any game with this type of DRM.

[chak_]

If there is that DRM on splinter cell I won't buy it.

Mark my word UBi, I was planning on getting it since it's annoucement.

[shadowspike117]

Really tired so not 100 percent sure about how good this idea is. What if the companies shipped an authenticator with the game, like blizzard's WOW authenticator. You press the button and it gives you a code, but instead of having to be connected to the internet every time for the game to know if your code is right, you just download a file once a week, or however long, that updates a file that knows what codes to accept, a file that wouldn't be able to be seen or understood by you. You would only be able to download the file after logging into their website with your account that you would register when registering the game and the authenticator, and only allow a couple of log-ons a day to stop others from sharing accounts. Of course the code list would have to be different for every person, or at least a certain number of lists given in a random order, just in case someone would be so dedicated to piracy enough to post their code everyday for everyone to see on the internet.

[mistajeff]

They're obviously testing the waters and gearing up to launch their own digital distribution platform for their own games, only you won't be able to play your games offline, so they won't really be YOUR games. I first started thinking this when I saw all that uplay sh!t that no one ever cared about.

On a vaguely related note, I think Steam should offer a service where you can swap games with other users. What do they care? If you trade someone a $10 game for a $50 game, Steam still has $60, why would they care who plays what?