What Sort of DRM protection would you accept? [Archive]

Nisgeis

01-30-10, 04:59 AM

The main objections to copy protection schemes are usually all along the same lines. The top one is that they don't work, as they will be cracked on the game's release and in rare cases even before, due to leaks from the software companies or early review copies. Ultimately, this leads to a situation where people with a legitimate copy have more restrictions or more problems than the people who have stolen the product. E.G. Starforce not working with virtual drives or other systems not working with certain types of hardware. Or worse, keygen software that allows a pirate to play and a paying customer to lose his legitimate key. Clearly this is not the best arrangement.

The ideal copy protection system would stop the pirates playing, not the paying customers. Inconviniencing pirates won't work, as they won't mind having to do a few things to get round copy protection - like starting fake proxy servers to listen for the internet validation requests etcetera.

Dowly

01-30-10, 05:09 AM

No DRM.

Because for the billionth time: there's no stopping the pirates. <-period. (<-wow, another one :o)

ME$$ENGER

01-30-10, 05:11 AM

I would accept DRM that would cripple a portion of a pirated version effectively while posing the minimal amount of hassle to end users. ie: cdkey verification for online play/patching. The current scheme is simply too invasive. It would serve to turn more people into pirates than actually encourage sales.

HundertzehnGustav

01-30-10, 05:11 AM

I install the game, and ping Ubisoft.com to tell them i have done so.

Then i shut down the net connection and play.

Rip

01-30-10, 05:29 AM

I voted other, just buckle under and use STEAM. It seems to be working for most of the rest of the world. It works for SHIV doesn't it?

Uber Gruber

01-30-10, 05:34 AM

CD in the drive works for me.

Mikhayl

01-30-10, 05:59 AM

I voted for one single online activation but that's at the condition that this requirement is removed by a patch ~6 months after release.
After 6 months usually I install/uninstall games regularly and play them on occasion. I don't want to have to register my game when I reinstall it 3 years later (or more).

MercurySeven

01-30-10, 06:51 AM

Any DRM that

Allows me to resell the game when I want
Allows me to play it whenever I want
Does not interfere with my gameplay experience
Does not sniff out my hardware
Does not sniff out my software

One time online activation would be fine. DVD in drive as well. CD-Key would be no problem at all. If I had to I'd even agree to resend my Product ID on a regular basis (say every two weeks?) on start of the game via one mouse click, but that would be pushing it.

That said, I WOULD be willing to provide them with data about my hardware if they reimburse me for my service. I'd go for a % reduction of the purchasing price of their products or a monthly paiment as long as they want to know what kind of graphic card etc I'm using. :smug:

JU_88

01-30-10, 07:10 AM

Well, Since I am still buying the game I guess that means I will accept (or tolerate rather) any DRM.
I dont like it, but its not the end of the world either.

At this point in time, Im too tired of all this to care anymore.
Screw the DRM, screw the the Type IX. screw 44-45.
Im just gonna play SHV, make the most of it and judge it on its own merrit.
end of story.

Ishigami

01-30-10, 07:41 AM

A simple CD-Key without any activation at all that may be checked before online multiplayer sessions for uniqueness.

Everything more than that is ****ing legal costumers and I won’t be UbiSofts bitch.

Iranon

01-30-10, 08:19 AM

None that I couldn't remove without any fuss (and which would therefore be totally ineffective).
Possible exception: Some validation for multiplayer content, where some way to police abusive players may be worth the intrusion. There aren't many companies I would trust with this though.

Letum

01-30-10, 08:30 AM

Any DRM that could prevent a legitimate customer using the game he
bought, in any circumstances, is unacceptable. Everything else I am happy with.

Apos

01-30-10, 08:38 AM

It doesnt matter what kind of protection they use. It will be hacked/pirated in 1st week.

BigBANGtheory

01-30-10, 08:51 AM

DRM doesn't stop piracy it might at best slow it down a little, the joke of it is it usually ends up inhibiting legitamate users much more so than copied versions of the game.

Not sure I agree about the whole 'should be allowed to re-sell the game' argument either mainly from the PoV of the developer. I think the only justification for that is if they fundementally release a sh1t game and you want rid.

I guess what you could do is give free activation to the 1st user, then charge a nominal fee (comparable but less than the % profit the devs would get from initial retail) for subsequent activations.

Hartmann

01-30-10, 09:09 AM

None, cd protection or online activation and cheap prices.

this is the most effective antypiracy system,

here in my country SHV will cost 20 $ :yep:

Highbury

01-30-10, 09:15 AM

At this point in time, Im too tired of all this to care anymore.
Screw the DRM, screw the the Type IX. screw 44-45.
Im just gonna play SHV, make the most of it and judge it on its own merrit.
end of story.

:up:

That was my opinion with RoF and so far this kind of DRM has been harmless to me. I'd rather it wasn't there but it won't stop me buying a game. It never once made me feel repressed, they never stole my credit card info.. my pr*ck didn't fall off.. meh.

Kaleun_Endrass

01-30-10, 09:27 AM

I voted for "other...". The best copy protection I can think of is a mix of serveral techniques currently in use.
The product should be shipped with an unique key that's stored in a database on a server of the publisher. During install you have to enter that key and an online activation is performed plus important files such as the executable will be downloaded. These files have an expiring date, which means that you would have to download these files (let's say) every 3 days, if you want to play. If they manage to entirely think through and make such a copy protection they could stop piracy completely. If important program code is streamed somehow (with a reasonable solution to play offline too) then no pirate, hacker whatsoever will be able to get rid of that protection.

bigboywooly

01-30-10, 09:28 AM

Hitman

01-30-10, 09:38 AM

You know what would be the best anti-piracy measure?

Put in all games a hardcoded loading screen with a picture of the game Devs and their families. With a lettering: "These families live from programming hard for your pleasure when gaming. They need to eat, dress and live, and have the same right as anyone to see their work payed. Look at them and be honest, would you steal them what they have rightfully earned? Thanks for paying for this copy of the software"

Aside from that, my preferred method would be a USB item, or even better, a hardware item that bolts into a PCI slot with the game encoded into it, and whose performance/work system could only be replicated at the cost of spending more money than the game is worth. How many pirated TV cards have you seen in your life? None. Because replicating them is as expensive as buying one.

Nuff said....

Kaleun_Endrass

01-30-10, 09:51 AM

Put in all games a hardcoded loading screen with a picture of the game Devs and their families.That won't stop anyone because behind the screen it's impersonal. You just click it away like spam.
Aside from that, my preferred method would be a USB itemA hardware device is crackable too. I know it from the machine vision software halcon. They use an USB dongle but there's a crack available. Besides hardware is expensive regardless of what number of units.

PaulH513

01-30-10, 09:58 AM

Software that would only show where the pirates live so that we can visit them, rip off their heads and shove the computer down their neck for causing all this trouble in the first place!

utops

01-30-10, 10:14 AM

USB pendrive contains crypted unique code allows run the game
sounds fair to me

onelifecrisis

01-30-10, 10:42 AM

I'll accept anything that works for me without a detrimental effect on my experience.

CD check? No problem provided it works smoothly (which StarForce often didn't, for me).

Online activation? No problem.

Online connection required at all times? No problem as long as their servers (and my internet connection) remain solid.

When SH5 is released I'll monitor bug reports, as I always do with new games, and see what people say about the Ubi servers. If both are within acceptable limits, I'll buy the game.

Webchessie

01-30-10, 10:47 AM

Ubisoft should contact Adobe about how their online activation works with their products, such as Creative Suite. I think it is less intrusive than what Ubisoft proposes.

CaptainHaplo

01-30-10, 11:37 AM

I stated other - and here is my thought.

DRM isn't about piracy. Its about reselling the game.

I have no problem with a NON-invasive DRM that would limit resells IF that was noted as its purpose AND was clearly understood PRIOR to purchase. So a one time online activation (per install) is fine - because if your data doesn't match the online activation - your not the original buyer. Sure the computer specs may not match - but if you provide minimal info (demographic info) - such as age, favorite color and food, and the city you live in (but no name, phone or email address) - then if your serial was used again by someone their data wouldn't be likely to match.

One time activation with unlimited reinstalls based off unique but non-identifying data associated with a unique serial.

GREY WOLF 3

01-30-10, 12:02 PM

Software that would only show where the pirates live so that we can visit them, rip off their heads and shove the computer down their neck for causing all this trouble in the first place!
:o they have not caused all this ubi wants to track your surfing habits ,then SPAM in your inbox.THEN OTHERS will flood in to get you to buy ,other games.in other words BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.
ANTHING ONLINE WILL BE DOWN TO ADWARE,SPYWARE ETC

conculsion stuff ubi.
That is my beleaf . Goodnight DRM:down::down::down::down::down::down::down:

Onkel Neal

01-30-10, 12:22 PM

No DRM.

Because for the billionth time: there's no stopping the pirates. <-period. (<-wow, another one :o)

You never know, they said the same thing about going to the moon, can't be done. :)

Nicolas

01-30-10, 01:06 PM

I have buyed rFactor, superb racing sim, it has a online 'activate once' way with 5 oportunities, and this game is multiplayer, but wait, you can contact them and if you ask them for more activations they will give more to you without any charge. And theyre customer support is great.

I will be honest, lot of people play games copies and they are no thieves, i say this, because if you have a decent pc, but not enough money, it happens you know, sum up Windows + some other app + 5 games, you almost buy a new pc with that!, ok it is not excuse, what im saying is that some people money priorities are other than games, and if they copy it's not because of stealing, it's because if they want to pay for a game it will hurt theyre wallet, they just will not buy the game, probably they will forever grateful for those hours of entertaiment. You can think of rich people only have good pc and internet, (and the right to play)? not true. They can't spend on all the games. Here in Uruguay for example, commercial programs piracy is not allowed and the goberment will close your businnes or have to pay a 'fee', but in your home... Yes i know i'm not supposed to say this but the subsim forum are members from a lot of places, including 'third world' (term i hate but ok).

Task Force

01-30-10, 01:11 PM

I would be happy with just a cd key I put in when I install the game, and maby haveing to put the CD in the drive to play it...

Steeltrap

01-30-10, 01:11 PM

I selected 'other'.

Possibly a shame there isn't a "make available via Steam" as it's probably the most widely used system. It also has the advantage of not needing a different account for each publisher.

artao

01-30-10, 01:27 PM

Single online activation with a CD-key, perhaps with an occasional re-check but not even monthly. Like how Win XP (and later?) does it. It's irritated me a few times, like when I changed hardware too much, without 'net access, and had to phone them to get re-activated, but I was able to do so. Just about the only thing I WON'T put up with is being required to be constantly connected to play a single-player game. BOOOO!!!

Webster

01-30-10, 01:35 PM

You never know, they said the same thing about going to the moon, can't be done. :)

i think their biggest problem is i think they are looking in the wrong direction.

it seams that you need to stop all this log in, check in, monitoring BS and simply have a disk drive format that is unreadable or encrypted and cant be opened or looked at by any burners so even if someone wants to copy it they cant.

if they made burners able to read a certain formatted disk but as an industry wide standard all burners cant open/explore or rewrite anything in that format then thats the ticket.

it seams the most logical aproach and all pirated disks (not just games) would be able to use the protected format.

might take a little coopperation but its in the best intrest of all software makers so they have the infuence to do it.

yes someone will be able to crack the opening part of the protection but it would only have limited use since they cant burn it to a disk so piracy is limited to first having the actual game disk in your hand and isnt that the key? if you had to buy the disk to try to pirate then why would you still need to pirate it?

Platapus

01-30-10, 02:10 PM

Ubi could make authentication a fun part of the game.

Enigma

Registered users would download once per month a list of that month's Enigma settings.

Prior to every patrol, the player would access either an ingame or independent Enigma simulator (of which there are several online)

Using the codes downloaded, the player sends Ubi a password or some other piece of information.

Once the message has been acknowledged, The player/Kaluen is authorized by Ubi/BDU to start the patrol. The player will then exercise the appropriate "radio silence" i.e. disconnect from the server.

Ubi gets authentication that would be hard to hack

Players get immersion into the coding and decoding that was part of the U-boat experience.

If we have to have authentication, make it fun and part of the game experience. :up: