Major German Computer Magazine: No Review due to OSP Server problems

[janh]

http://www.tomshardware.com/de/Assassins-Creed-Server-Anmeldung-ueberlastet,news-244093.html

"Assassins Creed II–Serverüberlastung und Spielerfrust" -- "Assassins Creed II–Server problems and player frustration"

Unfortunately not directly regarding SHV, and in German, but since many people here speak German it concerns the OSP problem, I post this nonetheless. I'll summarize the core elements:
For the 2nd time, this article says, the journalists postpone their review of ACII, and they are pretty angry about what they call an "badly planned and untested OSP DRM scheme". They also "remind Ubi" that the DRM clearly "harms the customers", and suggest Ubi to use an "emergency break" to stop this before "this game ends as a flop". They also state that their review of ACII will be affected negatively by this DRM.

Since Tom's Hardwarde is not a little kiddies gamers magazine, this may be not so important to Ubi. But this magazine has a pretty large readership, so inevitably Ubi is making presently more bad news in Germany (they are quite proficient in that regard). If the journalists and forums keep the pressure on, Ubi may be forced to listen. Though that will probably not help the titles released beforehand anymore.

PS. I also noticed that the first used copies of SHV are on sale at amazon, btw. I wonder what people will say in ten years from now about the OSP DRM.
Or will be in 10 years have a Netflix kind of game service: Have one at home and download as many as your broadband allows -- but only play one at a time! For only $9.55 a month! Wouldn't that be awesome? You could test and toss crappy games much faster...

[Noren]

Seems SHV isn't the only game with online problems.

I hope we'll get official news from ubisoft soon regarding the negative critic.

[HundertzehnGustav]

Bullseye.
ze ubiship iz zinkingk!

[Mud]

Seems SHV isn't the only game with online problems.

I hope we'll get official news from ubisoft soon regarding the negative critic.

AC2 forum http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5251069024/m/1601001838

Mud

[Noren]

Im actually constantly checking ubisoft's SHV forum where many are having trouble with DRM right now, all over the world. It has been reported, a moderator said.

Their reputation is going down in flames...its approaching crushdepth, just look at amazons reviews (no, they dont all complain only about DRM) and I think something major on ubisoft's part is needed to have loyal customers again.

[Nordmann]

Ouch, looks like Ubi's reputation has been well and truly depth-charged. I still cannot understand how they thought their OSP would go down well with consumers, especially given the problems it has introduced.

Someone really made a bad call here, now it remains to be seen whether or not Ubi have the balls to admit it, and drop this useless rubbish like a live grenade. Something makes me think they will try and save face, despite the fact that it's going to cost them sales and future customers.

[janh]

Let's be a bit French... Revolution! La revolution! Let's call for a "head"! ;-)

It remains to be seen how this strategic marketing move by Ubisoft will impact its sales, and finally its stocks. Luckily stock holders are less forgiving, and not at all caring about the games, but about their investments and capital. If the sales tumble and stocks follow, we might see Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot having to take responsibility. I can imagine that stepping down would be a good measure in that case to start over with the customers and a completely new service policy. (Erratum: Unfortunately this is unlikely to happen, if 81% of UBisofts sales volumes comes from other than PC game market.)

Though I agree that piracy is to a certain degree a problem, I think fighting the symptoms with copy protecitions and, thus, neither solving the root causes plus hitting the customers will only make it worse. Why are so many music companies now reversing their earlier strategy on this now by the turn of the century. I really think software companies need to follow that trend. Provide quality products, that are completely playable, and already almost bug-free at the release data. Provide added-value by nice, informative and useful printed manuals, maps, keyboard-overlays, historical background booklets etc. Have and open ear to customer wishes, and if that means, they don't like the way the new game would be designed, then don't design it that way -- or live with a flop, but don't blame generally and simply it on others.
I am convinced that this affects people moral to pay honestly more than a copy protection. If I buy a DVD, book, car, piece of music, I have something in my hand that I can do whatever I please with. And I will have it for eternity, or at least as long as my DVD player lasts. It is mine, and if I didn't like it, I can resell it. Or can make a back-up of it, just to avoid my little (imaginary) kid not to screw it up when playing in the living room. I get something solid for my money. Ah, where is software going again?