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[Micro102]

I swear that it's some sort of scam or something. No DRM has ever worked. Yet they keep making them and the cracked versions get rid of the consumer-hurting DRM. It obvious that they would sell more games if they didn't include the DRM so I can only wonder why they aren't doing so.

[nenjin]

*reads comments*

*glances at old AC2 release articles*

Yeah, if you're surprised by this, you clearly haven't dealt with Ubisoft enough yet. This has been the model for almost 2 years now.

Yet they keep making them and the cracked versions get rid of the consumer-hurting DRM. It obvious that they would sell more games if they didn't include the DRM so I can only wonder why they aren't doing so.

Customers who use the DRM products are basically locks for "Uplay", which is Ubisoft's Steam/Origin platform. These services cannot function without invested users who vouch for the system and its offerings. The best way to ensure new customers use it is to make sure they are forced to integrate with it from Day 1. They are enticed with stupid in-game unlocks and such. The only way to assure this kind of audience capture is through DRM. It has the "added benefit" of "preventing piracy."

[Vattic]

My internet has been really flaky lately due to both a malfunctioning router and because of where I'm connecting from. I might have to buy and pirate this just to play for any length of time. I am not impressed.

[Ozyton]

I could have sworn it only made the internet check once you booted the game up, which would make more sense IMO =/

[Djohaal]

Wait...Wait..I need constant internet connection to play SINGLE F*CKING PLAYER MODE?
*insert rant about how online gamplay is being forced down the consumers throat*
It seems like a good game but this online gameplay fad is getting way out of hand...

At least they didn't add "social" gaming to it and force you to add your facebook friends to your totem so you can unlock more power. Or spend real money instead.

[nenjin]

I could have sworn it only made the internet check once you booted the game up, which would make more sense IMO =/

It was too easily circumvented. A single check is easier to write out than successive checks every few minutes/seconds, written in multiple places. As of now AC2 will save your game out and boot you the minute your internet connection is lost.

[Neonivek]

DRM is NOT anti-pirate measures. If they say otherwise for the most part they are lying (and for good reason)

DRM is Anti-resale measures (or anti-giveaway).

Very few DRMs are true anti-piracy and this isn't one of them.

[Cthulhu]

The constant DRM is probably for shareholders.  As much as the people playing the games don't like them (Honestly, I've never been in a situation where I said "Fuckin' a, I wish I could play this game but the DRM is too obtrusive."  It's not a big deal for me) the shareholders will fly the coop if the CEO of Ubisoft says "Guess what guys, no DRM, no CD-key, no protecting your investment, final destination!"

Also what Neonivek said.  Note the rise of GameStop and the subsequent flood of free extra shit they give out for buying firsthand.

[nenjin]

I don't know if resale is such an issue. There are far easier and less intrusive ways to prevent resale, like mandatory product registration. DRM doesn't exist primarily for any single reason anymore, its advantages affect multiple areas that publishers snort mountains of coke over worrying about.

The constant DRM is probably for shareholders.

This too. It's basically an insurance policy that says "Yes, we [developers] care about the fidelity of sales and we demonstrate this by agreeing to include DRM that you made part of our contract." I don't think it's even to the point where it's discussed at all (except where a new DRM suite can impact the delivery of a game's services) anymore, it's a standard part of contractual agreements with publishers where they're spending $300 million+ on your development.

What I find funny about Ubi is that they go above and beyond the standard for DRM, basically playing guinea pig and testing the market's reaction to every new escalation of DRM. It's almost like the publishers sat around and Ubi said "don't worry guys, we're all about this shit. When you don't find our offices consumed in flames, you know it's ok to incorporate the newest DRM philosophy."

[Aklyon]

Yea.  It is a very much heavy-handed approach.  But then, is it any different if you're playing online with say, SC2 and your internet goes out and it kicks you out?

SC2 is very multiplayer, and you obviously can't multiplayer sans internet. This has no apparent multiplayer as far as I can tell, so needing anything more than a online activation check at game startup (and only at startup or sometime before the gameplay starts, if you know I'm a legal copy you don't need to prove it repeatedly unless I'm doing multiplayer) FOR A SINGLEPLAYER, NON BROWSER-BASED (or web-based, etc) GAME is heavy handed without question.

DRM is to make the moneycounters feel safe and nothing else, even if it wrecks part of the experience because of an unrelated happeneing like internet dropping occasinally.

[Neonivek]

I don't know if resale is such an issue

They have said quite a bit of things about Resale. To the point where they outright say it is a bigger concern then piracy.

Heck... THEY WON! DRM is actually what made my Gamestops stop PC resale.

Has DRM affected Piracy? heck no. Has it affected resale? Amazingly yes.

Better yet DRM to the casual observer is anti-piracy not anti-resale (Which any casual observer would be against)

They are currently trying to find ways to stop resale on console games too in a very evil form... but that will HOPEFULLY take a few years to come to light.

[Saint]

Console resale should be allowed as with PC resale.
If your game blows you don't deserve payment.

[nenjin]

Heard about the new Resident Evil game? It only has one save file - that can never be overwritten. So once you start a save game, all progress is permanent, and anyone that plays (buys second hand) is stuck with your save file, where all the missions are beaten, times have been set and stuff have been unlocked.

So they'll let you have your console resale. But not before ruining it first.

[UltraValican]

Heard about the new Resident Evil game? It only has one save file - that can never be overwritten. So once you start a save game, all progress is permanent, and anyone that plays (buys second hand) is stuck with your save file, where all the missions are beaten, times have been set and stuff have been unlocked.

So they'll let you have your console resale. But not before ruining it first.

Capcom has been exeptionally dickish lately

[Grakelin]

(Honestly, I've never been in a situation where I said "Fuckin' a, I wish I could play this game but the DRM is too obtrusive."  It's not a big deal for me)

I was in this situation recently with the copy of Spore I bought on release. It won't let me install unless I call their customer support. What will that be like when support for Spore ends? I ended up not calling because the game isn't worth the effort.