Ubisoft eases PC DRM (a little)
Gamers unstuck from web restriction
DRM checks on Ubisoft Games appear to have changed - gamers can now play titles like Assassins Creed 2 without a constant internet connection.
The DRM system, launched with Settlers 7 in March last year, required players to be netted-up the entire time in order to play. The changes mean these games no longer require a permanent connection, however still need one to validate the install each time the game is booted.
Fighting piracy
The change in copy protection was noticed by gamers on Reddit, who posted screenshots of Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction running without t'interweb.
To many, this may feel like a door-in-the-face move by Ubisoft, with original protection plans too extreme to work in the first place. Nevertheless it's good news for most, especially those stealing a flaky unlocked Wi-Fi signal from the neighbours. ®
COMMENTS
Maybe the drop in sales...
might explain the 'change of heart'
Why would you buy a game which won't run on your PC without jumping through the hoops set by UBIsoft?
I was an loyal Ubisoft customer for a long time but I finally gave up when my latest legally purchased game refused to play because I run a virtual drive on my PC. I finally had to use a crack to get the game to run. I found that little tip on Ubisoft help forums.
I loved Farcry 1+2 and all the Tom Clancy’s Games and Unreal rocked! But there is plenty of other game developers out there which don't insist on a DNA sample before you play.
I have a choice and I exercise everytime I put my hand in my pocket.
icon? Ubisoft don't make their customers feel very welcome. Maybe they should.
Why the slight?
"Nevertheless it's good news for most, especially those stealing a flaky unlocked Wi-Fi signal from the neighbours."
I don't understand this slight at gamers, it has absolutely no relevance to the article.
As for the DRM, it has been systematically bypassed and because of it's failings (cutting off legitimate gamers) has been acting as a motivation to download pirated games and not a deterrent.
small step in the right direction
Well its nice to see a small move into the correct direction, the thing is DRM doesn't stop piracy the pirates go oh thats a nice DRM you have there *rip* *crack* oh look im playing the new title all copied. The paying customers then are lumbered with the restriction's, compatibility issues, degraded performance all for what? Nothing as the pirates are still playing the game. It serves nothing more than to punish your paying customers.
The thing is look at MMO's or games that have a strong online element but require a CD key to use the online features, they do better than the single player games with weak online features and stupidly strong DRM.
It was the same when spore came out I bought it couldn't play it and was told get a crack, well to hell with that I took the game back got a refund and then downloaded a pirate copy played it and then deleted it, I've now no longer bought games with any major form of DRM since, and I've stuck to using things like steam rather than retail (have to love this xmas's sale)
Good News?
I presume by "booted" the author mean game loaded... In which case, what is the practical difference? None really.
Up 57% you say...
I don't think they are talking about PC game sales.
<quote>
''This performance was achieved thanks to a greater number of higher margin Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 titles released.''
</quote>
If you are going to post something to support your argument you should read it first...
the conclusion I got from the document is that the PC games aren't doing very well at all and the company are relying on Xbox and PS3 sales to boost their figures.
shoot own foot.. DOH!
