Thursday, November 10th 2011

Ubisoft Abandons Despised Always-On DRM For Upcoming Assassin's Creed: Revelations

Hot on the heels of our story Are The Days Of DRM Numbered? news reaches us that for its upcoming title, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, Ubisoft is abandoning its despised always-on internet DRM, which continues to cause much controversy. This type of DRM requires the hapless gamer to have a persistent internet connection, with authentication data constantly flowing between their computer and Ubisoft's servers. The instant that connection is interrupted, the game stops dead in its tracks with a warning message to restore the connection. What if someone experiences an extended ISP outage? What if they want to play while away on holiday, where there's no internet connection, or it's very limited and expensive? What if the authentication servers fall over as they have done so in the past? There are in fact, too many serious negatives to list here. This is a dreadful and shameful way for Ubisoft to treat its customers who are being handled like criminals with curfew electronic ankle bracelets. This requirement eats into a gamer's monthly bandwidth allowance just for the benefit of Ubisoft. No wonder it's despised and hated so much.
This drop is despite Ubisoft claiming that it has reduced piracy significantly. Apparently, they have seen "a clear reduction in piracy of our titles which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success". What they haven't said of course is whether the reduction in piracy has actually increased sales. If it had, one would expect this glorious achievement to be shouted from the rooftops, wouldn't it? The only thing that companies listen to are their bottom lines and lawsuits, which really affect their bottom lines. Therefore, one can reasonably conclude that sales have actually reduced due to this draconian DRM. Also, the servers must be expensive to maintain, which eats into their precious profits too. Hence, it sounds like they're just keeping their options open with that statement. Shall we take bets on them dropping always-on DRM from all their titles in time? The sooner the better. PC gamers will have to wait until December, a few weeks longer than their console counterparts, to get their hands on the game.
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58 Comments on Ubisoft Abandons Despised Always-On DRM For Upcoming Assassin's Creed: Revelations

#51
CrAsHnBuRnXp
qubitPC gamers will have to wait until December, a few weeks longer than their console counterparts, to get their hands on the game.
At least its not months on end like it has been with every other AC title. But what is it lately with companies holding back a highly anticipated title for a month lately?
Posted on Reply
#52
qubit
Overclocked quantum bit
CrAsHnBuRnXpAt least its not months on end like it has been with every other AC title. But what is it lately with companies holding back a highly anticipated title for a month lately?
I reckon it's a cynical way to build pent-up demand and the anxiety that goes with it to cause an explosion of sales on release day.
Posted on Reply
#53
n-ster
qubitI reckon it's a cynical way to build pent-up demand and the anxiety that goes with it to cause an explosion of sales on release day.
I know so many people with a console copy AND a PC copy... At worst, they buy the PC copy right before the next release in order to stay fresh into the series
Posted on Reply
#54
qubit
Overclocked quantum bit
n-sterI know so many people with a console copy AND a PC copy... I worst they but the PC copy right before the next release to stay fresh into the series
Couple of things:

1 Why would they buy a copy for both platforms?

2 I think the editing gremlins have hit your post and I didn't really understand the rest :toast:
Posted on Reply
#55
n-ster
qubitCouple of things:

1 Why would they buy a copy for both platforms?

2 I think the editing gremlins have hit your post and I didn't really understand the rest :toast:
ROFL sorry I didn't read my post after writing it :p

Because they like the slightly better graphics and the ability to pause the game and chat with whomever on msn or facebook and continue and download this or that and then listen to music etc etc. They also like playing it in their room vs the living room (as they leave their console there and don't bother moving it). Then they probably have other reasons I don't know of lol

I meant that sometimes what they do is buy the console game when it comes out, and then later on, closer to the release of the next AC, they buy it on PC either at sales @ Best Buy or Amazon, or on sales @ Steam
Posted on Reply
#56
Super XP
DRM was a ridiculous technology that only messed with legitimate buyers. If anything it made piracy worst.
Posted on Reply
#57
mediasorcerer
Well about time too, ive had it with this drm rubbish, really had it. If we the consumers are paying a lot of money to game, no wonder were pissed, its disgraceful .
Posted on Reply
#58
n-ster
Super XPDRM was a ridiculous technology that only messed with legitimate buyers. If anything it made piracy worst.
keep thinking that lol

the majority of people don't bother with today's piracy, but every Dick, Bob, Joe or Jane could stick a CD in a CD burner and click copy
Posted on Reply
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