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DRM vs. Unfinished Games

Posted by Soulskill on from the it's-not-a-bug-it's-a-really-irritating-feature dept.

Rod Cousens is the CEO of Codemasters, and he recently spoke with CVG about how he thinks DRM is the wrong way to fight piracy. Instead, he suggests that the games industry increase its reliance on downloadable content and microtransactions. Quoting: "The video games industry has to learn to operate in a different way. My answer is for us as publishers to actually sell unfinished games — and to offer the consumer multiple micro-payments to buy elements of the full experience. That would create an offering that is affordable at retail — but over a period of time may also generate more revenue for the publishers to reinvest in our games. If these games are pirated, those who get their hands on them won't be able to complete the experience. There will be technology, coding aspects, that will come to bear that will unlock some aspects. Some people will want them and some won't. When it comes to piracy, I think you have to make the experience the answer to the issue — rather than respond the other way round and risk damaging that experience for the user."

5 of 462 comments (clear)

  1. Please insert coin by nomorecwrd · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have several funny and interesting posts in this matter

    Please insert coin to see the first of them.

    1. Re:Please insert coin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I have several funny and interesting posts in this matter

      Please insert coin to see the first of them.

      I put a quarter into the slot on the side of my iMac a few minutes ago, but nothing's happened yet. Did you get my money, or should I call the help desk?

    2. Re:Please insert coin by StuartHankins · · Score: 3, Funny

      Try it with a Windows machine. At least if it doesn't work you can double its value!

      <ducks>

    3. Re:Please insert coin by StikyPad · · Score: 2, Funny

      You idiot! Everyone knows the iMac only accepts bills -- specifically crisp $100s. People like you are the reason vending machines are always broken.

      --
      https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  2. Not too different from shareware / demos by WillAdams · · Score: 4, Funny

    And okay, so long as the company is up-front about it and prices the add-on content fairly in relation to the additional amount of playtime which it adds and works it in in a way which doesn't disturb the gameplay experience:

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/11/6/

    William

    --
    Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.