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Tensions Rise Between Gamers and Game Companies Over DRM
Tootech recommends an article at the Technology Review about the intensifying struggle between gamers and publishers over intrusive DRM methods, a topic brought once more to the forefront by Ubisoft's decision not to use their controversial always-connected DRM for upcoming RTS RUSE, opting instead for Steamworks. Quoting:
"Ultimately, Schober says, companies are moving toward a model where hackers wouldn't just have to break through protections on a game, they'd also have to crack company servers. The unfortunate consequence, he says, is that it's getting more difficult for legitimate gamers to use and keep the products they buy. But there are alternatives to DRM in the works as well. The IEEE Standards Association, which develops industry standards for a variety of technologies, is working to define 'digital personal property.' The goal, says Paul Sweazey, who heads the organization's working group, is to restore some of the qualities of physical property — making it possible to lend or resell digital property. Sweazey stresses that the group just started meeting, but he explains that the idea is to sell games and other pieces of software in two parts — an encrypted file and a 'play key' that allows it to be used. The play key could be stored in an online bank run by any organization, and could be accessed through a URL. To share the product, the player would simply share the URL."
They have talked about this new DRM system before. Basically they think they can sell it to the game publishers on the basis that "only one person can play it at a time". Similar to the way steam works. IE: I can give my steam account to anyone, but only one of us can use it at any given time. I think that most of the publishers will stick with more traditional DRM, and continue moving away from PC games as a whole (since the console market is somewhat more secure). In any case, to answer your question. Yes.
Uhmm no offense but they only 'ported it to linux' due to the fact that they'd lied about linux support right up until 2 weeks before release, promised it would be out by the end of the month, then kowtowed for 6 months while really putting it out while all those people who bought it release day on the promise of linux support VERY SOON started to discuss class action lawsuits against them for false marketing.
But that could just be me. And you'll also note Bioware has not had a single game *SINCE* that supported linux, even though a number of other games used derivatives of the engine.
- A Former Bioware fan.
3. Can I backup games downloaded from GOG.com? Yes you can, and as a matter of fact we strongly recommend you do so - backing up your stuff is a very good habit, you know? Because our games are DRM-free, as soon as you download the setup file, you can back it up on a DVD or your external hard drive without hassle. Plus, as our installers are wrapped in nice exe files, you can save them in one folder and create a nice local backup of your games library! And if you forgot to backup your purchased games, fear not. You can always re-download them from our website for free - see below for more info. Sure, downloading will take a little bit longer than launching an installer from your backup disc, but that's no big deal.
4. Can I re-download my purchased games? Is there a limit to the number of re-downloads? You can always re-download games bought at GOG.com via the "My account" page. Also, there is no limit to the number of re-downloads, but please remember that you're not allowed to share your GOG.com account with other users as only you are entitled to download games from your account.
Also if you have more than one computer they don't have a problem with that either:
9. Can I install one game both on my laptop and desktop PC at home? Yes. We are not limiting the number of installations or re-installations as long as you are installing your purchased game on PCs in your household. So yeah, if you've got a render-farm in the basement, you might actually break the world record for the number of legal Fallout installations in one household. However, if you think about installing your game on a friend's PC or sharing it with others then please don't do it, okay?
Already, the big names treat the PC platform like crap. Might as well just show them the door, let them have the uber locked down console market, and let Blizzard, ID, and indies with something original to write take over.
Blizzard? I'm not sure they really deserve that anymore. Yes, they create good games still but think of some of the recent annoyances.
no LAN play for SC2... SC2 is linked to one and only one battle.net account ever (effectively getting rid of resale and eliminating multiple people being able to play online via one copy of the game)... bnetd. etc
Wow... thanks for posting that. I had no idea that region locking existed in SC2 before you posted that. I live in Mozambique, Africa as a missionary and wanted to buy it and play with my 3 brothers who live in the States. Looks like I won't be wasting my money on THAT.
What's worse is that they're not even providing all languages in all regions. Living in South Korea, yet not being fluent in Korea means I can choose a low-ping version I don't really understand, or a high ping version I understand. Multiple e-mails to blizzard resulted in a round around and a suggestion I just buy a copy so that I can contribute to some suggestion thread to recommend they smarten the hell up. No. Fuck you Blizzard.
You have completely and utterly gone to shit and should be embarrassed of what you've become.
Believe it or not there are people in this world that still use physical mediums to transfer data. It's possible to actually buy a disc that has a game (or games) on it, install them from the disc, and them play them all without permission from an outside source.
A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
Unfortunately, it's nothing new, and nothing unique to Blizzard. Back in '99, I moved from one continent to another, and brought with me my copy of Baldur's Gate. When I bought the "Tales of the Sword Coast", it would not work on my copy, because it was region locked. I had to go to napster to find an illegal copy of it. Bioware support refused to replace either of my copies -- they wanted me to re-buy the software because I had moved.
That's the true face of region locking.