<!--quoteo(post=1752003:date=Feb 9 2010, 04:32 AM:name=X_Stickman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (X_Stickman @ Feb 9 2010, 04:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1752003"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Got my copy of Bioshock 2 this morning (it's installing now), and figured I'd check a few torrent sites to see if it's been cracked yet, and it looks like it has. At least, there are plenty of seeded downloads for it, although I guess it's possible that they're fake / viruses.
Either way I hope I don't have as much trouble with GFWL with this as I did with Arkham Asylum. GFWL can go jump off a bridge.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I decided not to buy Dawn of War 2 due to the GFWL matchmaking and hassle. It made the demo a pain to play in any enjoyable way.
What's funny is in the summarized interview from PCGamer they ask if implementing this DRM is so Ubi can try to transition their PC gamers to the Xbox / PS3 market, basically asking if they made the PC version hell on purpose. Of course, Ubi said no however this DRM is so inconvenient I'm not even going to buy it or give it a chance for the PC. In my case, I waited months for Assassins Creed 2 to be released on PC but when I heard about this release I purchased a used copy through Gamestop for the PS3. I'm still playing it and having a good time, but ironically Ubi lost out on my sale and from their perspective I basically "pirated" the game.
The only DRM I agree with is digital marketplaces without install limits tied to an account, like Impulse or Steam, and basic CD / CD-Key checks. Anything above that and I really have to like the game in order to buy it. Blizzard is doing the same thing with Starcraft 2 and trying to package it as "You're always on b.net and for some reason that's going to be awesome!" Thankfully for myself I have zero interest in the Starcraft campaign and am only going to be playing the multiplayer, but for other gamers this could be a major inconvenience. I think this DRM does put off a decent portion of potential customers but at the same time publishers understandably feel the need to protect their games.
It will be interesting to see how this "DRM vs The Pirates" finally ends for PC gaming.
This is just great. My most expected games this year include Splinter Cell, Assassin's Creed and Prince of Persia. I'm usually nearly ok with all forms of DRM (simply because even with the bother, it usually ends up working) but requiring a permanent connection is insane.
edit: Stupid question though, aren't x360 games very hackable as well? They're using simple dvds which I believe are burnable without any bizarre manipulation.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Ubisoft: The system is made by guys who love PC games. They play PC games, they are your friends.

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->"If for some reason, and this is not in the plan, but if for some reason all of the servers someday go away, then we can release a patch so that the game can be played in single-player without an online connection. But that's if all of the servers are gone."<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Note "can," not "will." If you buy AC2 for PC, remember to keep an eye on the crackers and get a copy of their crack when it's out so you'll have it the day it'll be the only way you can play the game.
I dunno. Is it warez if you actually own the game? It's more like DRM circumvention, which is also illegal. But yeah, I'm going to remove all those links and "how to" instructions right now, just in case.
I really like Tycho's post (and the comic) on the subject. "Visit any thread regarding the topic, and I mean any thread, and it won't be three posts until someone raises the Goddamned Jolly Roger and says they'll pirate the game as a gesture consistent with some comprehensive ur-morality they've ginned up, one where stealing things is alright provided they were very angry when they did it." I think most DRM is stupid, but you can't act like you're doing something "noble" and "sticking it to The Man" by pirating a game. However, it's true that most pirates will take any self-justification they can get their hands on in order to feel better about pirating games, even if the justification is bogus. If restrictive DRM helps pirates sleep better at night, then less DRM is probably a good thing because then they can't get out of feeling guilty.
Now me, I have never given a crap about DRM. It has never negatively impacted my gaming experience in any way. Well, not since digital downloads anyway. I hated having to keep the CD in the drive. But I can't see Ubisoft's DRM negatively impacting me. Hell, even if I were gaming on the go, which I don't, and i'm guessing 95% of PC gamers don't - there's wifi access everywhere now, in hotels, trains, planes... in fact, I agree with Ubisoft's PR rep that it would be a net positive for me. I wish I could install all my games on the fly to a new computer, and have instant access to all my saved games too.
"Alright, I'm going to stab this guy, climb the wall, pull the other guy OFF the wall, balance across the be-.." *connection lost, resetting to last checkpoint* "######. Okay, stab the guy, climb wall, pull g-.." *connection lost, trying to reconnect... reconnecting... reconnecting... connection reestablished, resetting to last checkpoint* "Grr... Stab guy, climb w-.." *connection lost, resetting to last checkpoint*
Sure, if it WORKS I guess it won't be TOO much of a bother for MOST people. If it works. And if you don't care about gaming "on the go" (which I agree MOST people probably don't).
<!--quoteo(post=1754227:date=Feb 20 2010, 01:17 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lolfighter @ Feb 20 2010, 01:17 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1754227"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Note "can," not "will." If you buy AC2 for PC, remember to keep an eye on the crackers and get a copy of their crack when it's out so you'll have it the day it'll be the only way you can play the game.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The silliest part is, if that patch can be done, it will be done waaay before the servers are down. You know, the same way the <a href="http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2008/07/ubisoft-drm-snafu-reminds-us-whats-wrong-with-pc-gaming.ars" target="_blank">Rainbow Six Vegas 2</a> no-cd was "released" by Ubisoft.
And in the event of bankruptcy/studio closure, what is going to be their primary concern? Getting a patch out that is going to preserve the reputation of a dead company, or trying to evacuate as many assets as possible?
Comments
Either way I hope I don't have as much trouble with GFWL with this as I did with Arkham Asylum. GFWL can go jump off a bridge.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I decided not to buy Dawn of War 2 due to the GFWL matchmaking and hassle. It made the demo a pain to play in any enjoyable way.
PC Gamer interviewed Ubisoft then summarized here:
<a href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=235596" target="_blank">http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=235596</a>
with Penny Arcade doing a comic on the topic here:
<a href="http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/2/19/" target="_blank">http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/2/19/</a>
What's funny is in the summarized interview from PCGamer they ask if implementing this DRM is so Ubi can try to transition their PC gamers to the Xbox / PS3 market, basically asking if they made the PC version hell on purpose. Of course, Ubi said no however this DRM is so inconvenient I'm not even going to buy it or give it a chance for the PC. In my case, I waited months for Assassins Creed 2 to be released on PC but when I heard about this release I purchased a used copy through Gamestop for the PS3. I'm still playing it and having a good time, but ironically Ubi lost out on my sale and from their perspective I basically "pirated" the game.
The only DRM I agree with is digital marketplaces without install limits tied to an account, like Impulse or Steam, and basic CD / CD-Key checks. Anything above that and I really have to like the game in order to buy it. Blizzard is doing the same thing with Starcraft 2 and trying to package it as "You're always on b.net and for some reason that's going to be awesome!" Thankfully for myself I have zero interest in the Starcraft campaign and am only going to be playing the multiplayer, but for other gamers this could be a major inconvenience. I think this DRM does put off a decent portion of potential customers but at the same time publishers understandably feel the need to protect their games.
It will be interesting to see how this "DRM vs The Pirates" finally ends for PC gaming.
edit: Stupid question though, aren't x360 games very hackable as well? They're using simple dvds which I believe are burnable without any bizarre manipulation.
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7pZIB-2bpgk/SYtPGPJyORI/AAAAAAAAABI/KMDDknm5bNw/s400/ShiningTwins.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Note "can," not "will." If you buy AC2 for PC, remember to keep an eye on the crackers and get a copy of their crack when it's out so you'll have it the day it'll be the only way you can play the game.
Now me, I have never given a crap about DRM. It has never negatively impacted my gaming experience in any way. Well, not since digital downloads anyway. I hated having to keep the CD in the drive. But I can't see Ubisoft's DRM negatively impacting me. Hell, even if I were gaming on the go, which I don't, and i'm guessing 95% of PC gamers don't - there's wifi access everywhere now, in hotels, trains, planes... in fact, I agree with Ubisoft's PR rep that it would be a net positive for me. I wish I could install all my games on the fly to a new computer, and have instant access to all my saved games too.
too bad I already beat AC2 in one rental =p
Sure, if it WORKS I guess it won't be TOO much of a bother for MOST people. If it works. And if you don't care about gaming "on the go" (which I agree MOST people probably don't).
The silliest part is, if that patch can be done, it will be done waaay before the servers are down. You know, the same way the <a href="http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2008/07/ubisoft-drm-snafu-reminds-us-whats-wrong-with-pc-gaming.ars" target="_blank">Rainbow Six Vegas 2</a> no-cd was "released" by Ubisoft.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->there's wifi access everywhere now, in hotels, trains, planes...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not everywhere in the world. Let's not even talk about free wifi access.
Ubisoft DRM servers went down today. Nobody is able to play their games.
Steam's offline mode now completely works.
Heh.
What the hell, Ubi. You used to be a cool guy.