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Ubisoft Scales Back Driver DRM
We recently discussed Ubisoft's plans to bring back their controversial always-connected DRM for their upcoming racing game Driver: San Francisco. Gamers raised their voices in protest, and it seems Ubisoft listened, scaling back (but not removing) the DRM. Instead of requiring a continuous connection, the game will now require a connection only when the game launches. Unfortunately for Ubisoft, complaints are now arising that the company misled players with regard to the DRM implemented in the PC port of From Dust.
*rustling leaves*
That's the sound of Ubisoft caring about what you've said.
Our advice is simple: don't buy From Dust. In the future, do not buy Ubisoft games at launch until their claims can be verified.
And to take it a step further: Don't buy ANY Ubisoft games. PERIOD. This is not how you treat customers, and anyone who chooses to be a customer of Ubisoft's at this point simply is a fool.
No, the only thing that works is to stop buying the product and stop downloading it as well. As long as 10s or 100s of thousands of people are downloading it for free Ubisoft is going to just go on thinking they need more and more intrusive DRM to fight piracy.
You know what's hilarious about this, if I were to pirate the game I would probably have an easier and more reliable experience than someone who bought the game because the annoying DRM would be removed.
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
I have many older games that span back 20+ years that I go back and play often. I have been forced to pirate or crack many of those games because the DRM that is used does not work with modern DVD players, operating systems, or were crappy DRM schemes to begin with.
It is really sad that I have to pirate games I own in order to continue to play them.
Some changes are probably related to gameplay, San Fransisco just isn't made to drive through at 120 MPH; it wouldn't be more frustrating than fun. I suspect the reason it feels so jarring is because they tried to recreate a real place and then tacked the gameplay modification on top wherever they could. I'd think the GTA technique of designing maps that are good for gameplay then making changes to give the look of the city is probably more effective in actually feeling like the real thing.
I wonder if Ubisoft cares about how many people decide to wait for SKIDR0W's release before laying out $60 for their DRM-laden product?
I bet that sets some leaves a-rustlin' over at Ubisoft, huh?
You can show disdain for your customers for only so long before the favor is returned.
You are welcome on my lawn.
Cracking something you bought is clearly not piracy.
They did an absolutely awful job of recreating SF in every previous iteration of the franchise, why would this one be any different?
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
wait 24hrs -2 weeks after release, dial down the DRM to something bordering on reasonable. Get more sales from the PR of "lessening DRM".
Requiring an Internet connection when starting the game does not come anywhere near to reasonable. Maaaaaaybe on installation, but I still view that with suspicion because 95% of my games are from companies that no longer exist. Thankfully they employed in-game questions for the DRM.