"Always On" DRM Idea gets more publishers.

[TheMailMan78]

Damn this Internet DRM crap. Its getting out of hand.

Namco Bandai Partners Supporting "Always On" DRM Idea

Namco Bandai Partners VP, Olivier Comte, in speaking with CVG has called Ubisoft's always-on DRM solution for PC games "a good strategy" in the absence of an alternative.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 and The Witcher 2, two upcoming PC titles from Namco Bandai Partners.
This comes just a day after Blizzard co-founder Frank Pearce called the fight against piracy with DRM a "losing battle."
The full explanation from Namco's Comte, who's company is publishing Test Drive Unlimited 2 and The Witcher 2, goes a little something like this:

I will be very honest. I think it's a good [approach] for one reason: I have no alternative today. Is the best one? Certainly not but as of today if I can make something else I'll do it, but it's better to do something than not do something.

Surprisingly, Comte also admits that regardless of the DRM system is utilized, "it'll be cracked in Russia... two hours before putting it out." Seems like a good reason to punish paying customers. I cannot say for sure, but perhaps Namco Bandai will face some backlash for backing Ubisoft on this one.

This shouldn't serve as a confirmation of always-on DRM for the two games mentioned, but it seems likely. Console versions of both titles will also be released.

Source

[eidairaman1]

Boycott!!!

[Phxprovost]

Go ahead and tack on all the drm you want cause my back log is more then big enough for me not to care about your shit future releases. So drm away publishers cause I could care less

[jmcslob]

Even though I don't like a single game they produce and wouldn't have bought any to begin with..


I SAY BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[assaulter_99]

Sad reality is, we'll have to live with it, its either that, or buy a box that hooks with the tv to play our games. Its sucks yes, but we have to admit piracy is rampant. That doesn't give devs much choice. Anyways, drm isnt the option, like it has been proved countless times. Just take a look at modern warfare 2, you're supposed to log in online to play (multiplayer) even this has been hacked, some guys just put up alteriw.net and thousands of people are on it. Meh, I'm tired of this shit.

[TheMailMan78]

You pirates make me sick.

[Easy Rhino]

pirates have pushed these companies to the very edge. now they have no alternative but enforce the most strictest of DRM controls. they have nobody to blame but themselves.

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

You pirates make me sick.

Pirates will pirate regardless of the DRM technology. It's the moronic companies that make it worse for consumers. I will not buy another ubisoft game until they're DRM is gone. If others establish it, I will not buy the game.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

pirates have pushed these companies to the very edge. now they have no alternative but enforce the most strictest of DRM controls. they have nobody to blame but themselves.

And now we have to pay for these dumb asses and their cheapness.

Originally Posted by DrPepper

Pirates will pirate regardless of the DRM technology. It's the moronic companies that make it worse for consumers. I will not buy another ubisoft game until they're DRM is gone. If others establish it, I will not buy the game.

And the only reason DRM exists is because of pirates so your argument is null. I won't buy something because of DRM but I understand why publishers are going this route.

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

And now we have to pay for these dumb asses and their cheapness.

Actually it feels like these companies are exagerrating their loses to piracy to kill of pc gaming because it isn't as profitable as consoles.

[Phxprovost]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

pirates have pushed these companies to the very edge. now they have no alternative but enforce the most strictest of DRM controls. they have nobody to blame but themselves.

Pirates have not pushed anyone anywhere, please tell me you dont buy into that shit Piracy has existed since the very beginning of video games and last time i checked...the industry right now is bigger then it ever was...and is projected to keep getting bigger with no end in sight. Ever think maybe all this drm is driving more and more people to pirate? Im sorry but i hope every company that uses this crap burns to the ground.

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

Actually it feels like these companies are exagerrating their loses to piracy to kill of pc gaming because it isn't as profitable as consoles.

it doesnt matter if they are exaggerating. they are the owners, the pirates are the thieves. now we all have to be treated like thieves because some people refuse to pay for a game or have some strange grudge against game companies who provide them with all of their fun.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

Actually it feels like these companies are exagerrating their loses to piracy to kill of pc gaming because it isn't as profitable as consoles.

Do you think they care what we think? Really? If that were the case they would just cease to make games for the PC. They don't need vast conspiracies.

Originally Posted by Phxprovost

Pirates have not pushed anyone anywhere, please tell me you dont buy into that shit Piracy has existed since the very beginning of video games and last time i checked...the industry right now is bigger then it ever was...and is projected to keep getting bigger with no end in sight. Ever think maybe all this drm is driving more and more people to pirate? Im sorry but i hope every company that uses this crap burns to the ground.

And now comes the argument to justify theft.

Do you have ANY idea how much DRM costs these companies? Between DRM and piracy PC game publishers are getting their asses kicked. DRM is the only way to secure new investors.

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

it doesnt matter if they are exaggerating. they are the owners, the pirates are the thieves. now we all have to be treated like thieves because some people refuse to pay for a game or have some strange grudge against game companies who provide them with all of their fun.

So where is the logic and reason behind such intrusive DRM. It has the opposite effect it lowers sales for games and lowers customer satisfaction. The only people getting screwed are those who bay money for it.

[Phxprovost]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Do you think they care what we think? Really? If that were the case they would just cease to make games for the PC. They don't need vast conspiracies.

yea you try telling your share holders your not making pc games anymore without the aid of "vast conspiracies"

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Phxprovost

yea you try telling your share holders your not making pc games anymore without the aid of "vast conspiracies"

Try getting investors without DRM.

Investors care about money. They do not care about the product but how their investment is protected.

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

So where is the logic and reason behind such intrusive DRM. It has the opposite effect it lowers sales for games and lowers customer satisfaction. The only people getting screwed are those who bay money for it.

obviously it is not lowering sales.

[Phxprovost]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

And now comes the argument to justify theft.

ohh but its not theft its copyright infringement

[Phxprovost]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Try getting investors without DRM.

pc games have existed for 20 years without intrusive drm

[Easy Rhino]

copyright laws exist to protect companies from thieves. it grants the govt legal authority to levy fines and possibly jail time to those who infringe upon it.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Phxprovost

pc games have existed for 20 years without intrusive drm

Yeah? Did Pac Man take 25 million to develop?

[Phxprovost]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Yeah? Did Pac Man take 25 million to develop?

did pacman spend 5 million on drm and 50 million+ on marketing?

[Easy Rhino]

why would anyone who pays for games condone piracy? the pirates are the ones who do not pay for the games. that means they get free stuff all provided by those of us who do actually pay. now those of us who pay have to deal with stupid drm policies.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Phxprovost

did pacman spend 5 million on drm and 50 million+ on marketing?

Dude read this. Then think REALLY hard about your position.

Modern Warfare 2 cost $40-$50 million

A further $200 million on marketing and production.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has generated sales of over $550 million, but how much did the blockbuster video game sequel cost publisher Activision? According to an LA Times report the cost of development and marketing combined was as much as $250 million.

Development is said to have cost in the region of $40 to $50 million, but biggest outlay has been on marketing and the cost of producing and distributing the game discs - a massive $200 million.

The investment looks to have paid off though, with Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian estimating the game will eventually go on to sell 15-20 million units, exceeding $1 billion in sales.

[Gzero]

I reckon we are going a little off topic here, lets rain it in. It's the PUBLISHERS that are calling for the DRM. They hold the final profits/sales figures.

The internet has opened the door to both the pirates and the publishers for methods to curb each other.

Remember the manual for Grand Prix? That was dang hard DRM back then.