New PC DRM!

[TheMailMan78]

WTF are these guys thinking. I mean do they really think they will stop people from stealing the damn game? I give this DRM 48 hours before its hacked.

Ubisoft Unveils New PC DRM Requiring Online Connection To Play (Updated)

Update: Ubisoft has sent over an FAQ with more details (below) including a promise that should the service be stopped, games would be patched to remain playable.

Original: Developer and publisher Ubisoft's new PC DRM solution will feature no CD checks or installation limits and pack support for 'cloud' online saved game storage but will require players be online to authenticate before playing, GameSpy reveals.

Players will be required to login to their Ubi.com account to authenticate each and every time they wish to play--and there will be no support at all for offline play.

"We think most people are going to be fine with it. Most people are always connected to an Internet connection," said Ubisoft director of customer support Brent Wilkinson.

The DRM platform will debut with the closed beta test of Blue Byte city-building strategy The Settlers 7. "Most upcoming Ubisoft PC games" will make use of the platform, though GameSpy says not all will support cloud saves.

What are the key elements of this platform for PC gamers?
Although a permanent online connection is required, this means that a CD/DVD is not required to play the game after installation. The protected game can be installed as many times and on as many computers as you like. Saved games are also synchronized online so the user can continue playing from any location with the game installed.

How many players can the server system support?
There is no limit to how many players can play at the same time. For each title, we carefully study the demand and allocate servers accordingly. We will also of course allocate back-up servers in order to be able to respond to fluctuations in demand. Ubisoft provides 24/7 monitoring of its servers.

How many computers can I install the game on?
There is no limit to the number of computers on which you can install the game. However you can only play with your individual Ubisoft account on one computer at a time.

Can I play my game from another computer?
Yes. As long as the game is installed on the PC, you can play from any computer and your Ubisoft account will recognise your last saved position as well as automatically save any updates.

I am in a strict environment with lots of firewall rules etc. Can I still play the game?
If you can access the Internet from the computer, you can play the game.

What if Ubisoft decides not run these online services in the future? Will my game stop working?
If any service is stopped, we will create a patch for the game so that the core game play will not be affected.

What will happen if I lose my Internet connection when I play the game?
If you lose your Internet connection the game will pause while it tries to reconnect. If the Internet Connection is unable to resume you can continue the game from where you left off or from the last saved game.

Will I need to be online the whole time when I play the game? Including for single player?
Yes. You will need to have an active Internet connection to play the game, for all game modes.

Will this platform use unique keys?
Yes. Unique keys are verified throughout this system.

Will this affect the performance of my PC?
No. The services that we offer run only when you start the game and there are no background services.

Do you have to be a member of Uplay to use this service platform?
This system requires you to have a Ubi.com account. A Uplay and a Ubi.com account are the same. You don't need to use Uplay to use this service platform, but if you wish to do so, it's very simple.

Do you plan to implement this system on home consoles?
This system is for PCs only.

Will this system be available for every Ubisoft game?
Most upcoming Ubisoft PC games will make use of this system.

Source

 

[Hybrid_theory]

as DRM goes this isnt bad at all. its basically steam

 

[TheMailMan78]

as DRM goes this isnt bad at all.

Are you kidding me? Do you know how many people have crappy connections? The whole industry is heading for a MAJOR crash. Mark my words.

 

[Hybrid_theory]

Are you kidding me? Do you know how many people have crappy connections? The whole industry is heading for a MAJOR crash. Mark my words.

dont need much of a connection for authentication. just a connection

 

[TheMailMan78]

dont need much of a connection for authentication. just a connection

Until you lose connection. Read the whole thing.

What will happen if I lose my Internet connection when I play the game?
If you lose your Internet connection the game will pause while it tries to reconnect. If the Internet Connection is unable to resume you can continue the game from where you left off or from the last saved game.

 

[Loosenut]

I agree with you TheMailMan, I have family members on Hughes satellite and it's crappy. Especially in our northern climes on a snowy day

 

[TheMailMan78]

I agree with you TheMailMan, I have family members on Hughes satellite and it's crappy. Especially in our northern climes on a snowy day

My dad lives in the woods of Alabama. He can't even get dialup half the time.

 

[Loosenut]

My dad lives in the woods of Alabama. He can't even get dialup half the time.

Ouch

Sorry to hear that

 

[assaulter_99]

as DRM goes this isnt bad at all. its basically steam

Not every one has an internet connection, so its not right. Anyways, when will they learn that drm is just "shiite"? Even steam has been hacked. They must realise that pirates dont even go online, play online or whatever. They just play the damn single payer and that's it. Its not because of them that we, honest buyers, should go and authenticate whatsoever every time we decide to play. Thats just bull**** I mean pirates are better off now than us, no cd, no internet check, no gfw live login crap... Its coming to a point that you must nearly wait 10 minutes or so before you start playing.

 

[Kreij]

Will I need to be online the whole time when I play the game? Including for single player?
Yes. You will need to have an active Internet connection to play the game, for all game modes.

:shadedshu Remind me to not get any of the games that use this. I am already perturbed with Steam, and it's not as bad.

 

[Loosenut]

:shadedshu Remind me to not get any of the games that use this. I am already perturbed with Steam, and it's not as bad.

Same here Kreij

Anyone with Ubi stock better sell...

 

[TheMailMan78]

:shadedshu Remind me to not get any of the games that use this. I am already perturbed with Steam, and it's not as bad.

All Ubisoft games man. ALL OF THEM FROM NOW ON. No more new Splinter Cell for me. :shadedshu

 

[Loosenut]

Splinter Cell...

 

[TheMailMan78]

Splinter Cell...

No Prince or Persia, No Rainbow Six, No Assassin's Creed.

 

[Loosenut]

No Prince or Persia, No Rainbow Six, No Assassin's Creed.

Stop it... You're killing me...

 

[assaulter_99]

Splinter Cell...

OH NOES! The Settlers 7? So I guess it won't start with assassin's creed 2 then? This may be my last ubi soft game... No prince of persia too...

 

[TheMailMan78]

OH NOES! The Settlers 7? So I guess it won't start with assassin's creed 2 then? This may be my last ubi soft game... No prince of persia too...

Guess again. Assassins Creed 2 will have this also.

 

[Kreij]

Well that is total Bull sh ... oh wait. I haven't bought a Ubisoft game in ages. I feel better now.
Better enough to give MM a thanks for the OP.

 

[DirectorC]

The whole industry is heading for a MAJOR crash. Mark my words.

You rabid little naysayer you!

 

[assaulter_99]

Guess again. Assassins Creed 2 will have this also.

This thread is making me sick Thats sad news indeed

 

[Loosenut]

pirates are better off now than us, no cd, no internet check, no gfw live login crap...

True, I know quite a few at work who pirate, some of them have been playing Mass Effect2 for over a month and the official release is today I think

 

[assaulter_99]

True, I know quite a few at work who pirate, some of them have been playing Mass Effect2 for over a month and the official release is today I think

The worst part of it, they dont even have to pay. That's just BS.

 

[Kreij]

True, I know quite a few at work who pirate, some of them have been playing Mass Effect2 for over a month and the official release is today I think

You do realize that is the whole reason these companies feel compelled to add this draconian DRM, don't you?

 

[Loosenut]

You do realize that is the whole reason these companies feel compelled to add this draconian DRM, don't you?

I don't like pirating anymore than you

 

[newtekie1]

As far as DRM goes, I've seen worse. And it really isn't unreasonable for the indusry to assume there will be a constant internet connection, this is the 21st century, we live in the internet age.

What is it, something like 60% of homes in the US have an internet connection, and something like 90% have access to broadband in one form or another(not saying they have it, just that they have access to it if they wanted it)... The chances are pretty high that if you are a computer gamer, and interested in this game, you'll have an internet connect. Yes, there will be a small few that don't, but saddly they will be left out for the greater "good".

And I am often surprised at how many people will say "don't they realize DRM doesn't stop piracy". Don't you realize that DRM is not meant to stop piracy? It is meant to slow it down, specifically in the casual pirate area. But the casual pirates are getting less casual by the day, or maybe piracy is becoming more casual... In most cases DRM on a game is only designed to hinder casual piracy for the first two weeks of sales, when sales are the strongest.