View Full Version : Steam dumps Ubisoft DRM games (UK)
chaparral02
03-19-10, 07:50 AM
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=239684
A PC games industry insider told us this morning: "It's the latest in the Ubisoft DRM blow-up. Steam doesn't want to lose its reputation for customer service, and these games have angered its user-base."
Faamecanic
03-19-10, 07:52 AM
Maybe UBI will take notice now..... this current DRM scheme is male bovine fecal matter...
EDIT: Sigh...... tis only Steam in the UK that has held Ubi games from download.
I wouldn't have blamed Steam for being a host to games that are
unreliable by design, but Steam UK does show some solid integrity
by refusing to be associated with them, despite the undoubtable
short term income loss.
I'm impressed.
Coldcall
03-19-10, 08:24 AM
Good for Steam, and now i am more likely to buy their products.
Well, it was to be expected
Steam is DRM done right although, it's still a content management system.
Ubisfot server issues may tarnish Steam reputation as unaware customers may place the blame on Steam instead.
SteamWake
03-19-10, 08:40 AM
Now if they could only get the US side to drop it as well then Ubi would sit up and take notice.
Do you think that steak UK is a large portion of sales?
Upon release I was all set for buying this game on Steam, for weeks now I have been checking to see if more than just the trailer and video were up on Steam UK. Now it's clear Ubisoft have messed up, if they remove DRM and Steam takes the game up i'll be there! Until that time i'll pay close attention to patches and mods before buying a hard copy.
Nordmann
03-19-10, 08:49 AM
Now if they could only get the US side to drop it as well then Ubi would sit up and take notice.
Do you think that steak UK is a large portion of sales?
I would have thought that Steam would drop it for all regions, rather than just one. No doubt they will do so in the near future.
The UK might be small, but this genre already has a limited following to begin with, any losses will be noticeable.
Arclight
03-19-10, 08:53 AM
Do you think that steak UK is a large portion of sales?
Don't know, but UK is one of the largest markets for games in general.
I think this might spread, especially among other Steam 'regions', possibly more digital retailers. :hmmm:
mookiemookie
03-19-10, 09:01 AM
Don't know, but UK is one of the largest markets for games in general.
I think this might spread, especially among other Steam 'regions', possibly more digital retailers. :hmmm:
If it spreads to the US Steam store, I bet you'll see Ubi dropping the stupid system fairly soon afterward.
Yep, holding my breath for the US outlet to follow suit - although I don't know if they will. If that happened, that would definitely have to translate to real progress.
Bilge_Rat
03-19-10, 09:09 AM
not to burst anyone's bubble, but when I click on the apparently "non-functioning" links provided for in that CVG article linked above, it takes me directly to fully functioning and operational SH5 and AC2 order pages.
Could someone else check? I would not want to be accused of being a Ubi fanboy... :arrgh!:
RSColonel_131st
03-19-10, 09:11 AM
I was told Steam UK never carried it to begin with? And can't everyone simple order from Steam.com?
Not much point to this unless it spreads.
Sonarman
03-19-10, 09:13 AM
@Bilge_rat,
Yes, I'm in the UK and the links are dead to me.
Bilge_Rat
03-19-10, 09:14 AM
@Bilge_rat,
Yes, I'm in the UK and the links are dead to me.
thanks, it must be redirecting me to the US store.
BlackSpot
03-19-10, 09:14 AM
Yet anther blow for Ubisoft. This must have some effect on their sales. This in turn effects the share price, etc. etc.
Fincuan
03-19-10, 09:15 AM
As much as I'd wish for that to be true it's not. Ubi's DRM was not the primary motivator in "dropping", the quotation marks are there because the games were never offered in the first place, AC and SH5 for UK based Steam users.
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1195561
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1173343
Bilge_Rat
03-19-10, 09:25 AM
That CVG article looked fishy to me anyway.
I am always leery of stories that rely on an anonymous "PC Games industry insider".....:ping:
I wouldn't have blamed Steam for being a host to games that are unreliable by design, but Steam UK does show some solid integrity by refusing to be associated with them, despite the undoubtable short term income loss.
I'm impressed.
Ditto !
:up:
Easy Tiger
03-19-10, 09:29 AM
Ubisoft deny this is the reason:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=239684
Sonarman
03-19-10, 09:32 AM
I read on a forum recently that the actual reason is that apparently Ubisoft assigned the online retailing rights in the UK to play.com. Which is strange since as far as I know they don't sell downloadable games yet. Reading between the lines it could be that the deal was done to maximise sales of the boxed product at Play.com as apparently Ubi games usually appear on Steam UK several months after their original release elsewhere.
Coldcall
03-19-10, 09:33 AM
Ubisoft deny this is the reason:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=239684
Very interesting how Ubisoft state that this issue is only UK based.
My suspicion is that because of stricter consumer rights laws in the UK, Steam are having to make refunds and hence they are pulling these titles from Steam UK.
BlackSpot
03-19-10, 09:59 AM
Very interesting how Ubisoft state that this issue is only UK based.
My suspicion is that because of stricter consumer rights laws in the UK, Steam are having to make refunds and hence they are pulling these titles from Steam UK.
Good call.
Before release SHV was up on Steam UK with a countdown to release, etc. The page has been removed completely now.
Bilge_Rat
03-19-10, 11:57 AM
Again I am not sure how to interpret this story. It appears CVG is either making it up or wildly speculating. Their conspiracy theory is not only not backed up by facts, but it does not even make sense.
Is'nt STEAM everywhere, including STEAM UK, owned by VALVE? If they were going to dump it, they would have dumped it everywhere, not just in one country. VALVE's biggest market is the US, that is the one they would not want to jeopardize.
The most logical explanation is that STEAM UK could not market the product because UBi had a prior contractual arrangement with another company for the UK market.
Is there any backup for this rumor...other than just wishful thinking?
Rockin Robbins
03-19-10, 12:42 PM
It will spread. This is like waiting for a factory ship to sink :D
Blub! Blub! Blub! Blub! Somehow I feel ridiculously gleeful about that.:D
These game were never available on Steam UK due to contractual obligations. CVG pulled this out of their *** and people are buying it hook line and sinker. I wonder if the "industry insider" is related to PT Barnum.
chaparral02
03-19-10, 01:16 PM
What going on,as i can still buy SH5 on steam in the UK...:confused:
:hmmm:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d9/chaparral02/sh5-1.png
609_Avatar
03-19-10, 01:55 PM
I wouldn't have blamed Steam for being a host to games that are
unreliable by design, but Steam UK does show some solid integrity
by refusing to be associated with them, despite the undoubtable
short term income loss.
I'm impressed.
+1 :up:
Easy Tiger
03-19-10, 02:14 PM
What going on,as i can still buy SH5 on steam in the UK...:confused:
:hmmm:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d9/chaparral02/sh5-1.png
Hax! :88)
I definitely can't find it so am not sure why some can.
Skullcowboy
03-19-10, 02:36 PM
Ubisoft deny this is the reason:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=239684
Whatever the reason for Steam UK not carrying the titles, I wouldn't put too much stock in UBI's denials, either. They are still claiming there is no fully functional work around for their online requirement...
Marka Ragnos
03-19-10, 02:39 PM
Gotta love steam for this one, i live in Belgium and i hope the game gets pulled from the steam servers, i'll post here again if it ever happens.
I have a stable internet connection, and i still refuse to buy it.
Mostly it's sympathy for people with limited access to the internet and the whole idea behind DRM is just plain absurd.
Solution for Ubisoft:
Make people download steam, there are games out there if you buy them in a store they still need to be activated through steam, filtering the illegal copies alltogether.
Verify the game before each launch, sure there are ways around it but i'm sure this will work much better.
Fire DRM and i will buy Silent Hunter 5!
java`s revenge
03-19-10, 03:39 PM
But am i crazy?? :03:
A couple of weeks before the release of shv ubisoft wrote that
the DRM system was dropped for this game.:hmmm:
So, i was really surprised that it is used.
Protection system against piracy is okay, but don`t make it impossible
to play for the real customers.
Solution for Ubisoft:
Make people download steam
Not a solution for me! or I have a media or my money won't get out from my wallet.
Who tells you that Steam will be around 5 or 6 years down the line? And even if they are who tells you that Steam will still be supporting players that have bought digital version of the game (without media support)....
Well I dont trust comercial companies... if it was some profit-free organisation then I would have a second thought but even so there is no guarantee that a game won't die in few years time simply because its support gets dropped or the company disapears.
Herodotus
03-19-10, 04:17 PM
So they'll drop Ubi's new DRM but not EA's with "C&C4" requiring the same constant online connection. A bit of consitency guys.
Nordmann
03-19-10, 05:33 PM
So they'll drop Ubi's new DRM but not EA's with "C&C4" requiring the same constant online connection. A bit of consitency guys.
It's probably down to returns. If loads of people started demanding refunds because of net requirement, they might take the new C&C off as well.
Not a solution for me! or I have a media or my money won't get out from my wallet.
Who tells you that Steam will be around 5 or 6 years down the line? And even if they are who tells you that Steam will still be supporting players that have bought digital version of the game (without media support)....
Well I dont trust comercial companies... if it was some profit-free organisation then I would have a second thought but even so there is no guarantee that a game won't die in few years time simply because its support gets dropped or the company disapears.
It is actually ironic to note that with all this DRM stuff going on, my disagreement with pirating and people searching for cracks gets slowly psychologically undermined. I just can't come up with many reasons anymore against it.
Though logically I find it the wrong way to go. The only way that does not cause negative side-effects and still conveys my "consumer disagreement" with companies' strategies remains my wallet. Though likely many formerly potential buyers of SHV or ACII have made the same statement to Ubisoft, unfortunately the pirating of both has probably washed that clear statement into the loo...
Marka Ragnos
03-19-10, 06:10 PM
Not a solution for me! or I have a media or my money won't get out from my wallet.
Who tells you that Steam will be around 5 or 6 years down the line? And even if they are who tells you that Steam will still be supporting players that have bought digital version of the game (without media support)....
Well I dont trust comercial companies... if it was some profit-free organisation then I would have a second thought but even so there is no guarantee that a game won't die in few years time simply because its support gets dropped or the company disapears.
I have steam now for about 6 years, and while you are correct about companies leaving... but if i have to bet?
Then I think steam will still be around in 5 years, not so sure about the ubisoft servers and the online saved game feature.
The last couple of years i have 0 complaints about steam and it's service.
I lost my serial key for GTA 4, 50 bucks gone because of a number.
If i had it on steam i would just re-download it.
That said, i understand your mistrust completely.
I'm afraid the good old days of cd/dvd/install/serial key/play forever are behind us :(
KiwiVenge
03-19-10, 06:28 PM
I'm afraid the good old days of cd/dvd/install/serial key/play forever are behind us :(
It is too bad really. I loved the days of massive printed manuals and the install sequence quoted.
Are they really gone for good? :cry:
BlackSpot
03-19-10, 06:37 PM
It is too bad really. I loved the days of massive printed manuals and the install sequence quoted.
Are they really gone for good? :cry:
Looks that way' eh? Problem is, it's not just games. I bought a serious piece of software some years ago and the manual is about 3 inches thick. Last year I upgraded to a new version costing over $700. The new manual ... a pdf. :yeah:
(BTW. It's a big upgrade not just a few additions)
LiveGoat
03-19-10, 06:48 PM
Official statement from Ubisoft president:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06kXXJUddHQ
Marka Ragnos
03-19-10, 06:56 PM
It is too bad really. I loved the days of massive printed manuals and the install sequence quoted.
Are they really gone for good? :cry:
I remember when i bought Jane's Hunter Killer
It had a manual that covered the entire game i loved that.
Arclight
03-19-10, 06:59 PM
Yep, but those don't fit in the modern boxes anymore. :lol:
:cry:
Remember Jane's Longbow; 1 page for every type of vehicle, including an illustration, technical details, and a description.
Fast forward to SH5: 1 page for every crewmember, almost irrelevant and info easily retreived in the game. :nope:
Catfish
03-19-10, 07:01 PM
Official statement from Ubisoft president:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06kXXJUddHQ
Trust the company by all means. Ahem.
Another independent source:
" ... A PC games industry insider told us this morning:
"It's the latest in the Ubisoft DRM blow-up.
Steam doesn't want to lose its reputation for customer service,
and these games have angered its user-base." ..."
Go UBI !
Catfish
BlackSpot
03-19-10, 07:10 PM
Trust the company by all means. Ahem.
Another independent source:
" ... A PC games industry insider told us this morning:
"It's the latest in the Ubisoft DRM blow-up.
Steam doesn't want to lose its reputation for customer service,
and these games have angered its user-base." ..."
Go UBI !
Catfish
I'm always skeptical about "insider' sources. It makes the whole statement invalid. If it's a named source then fine.
Uber Gruber
03-20-10, 06:15 AM
I find it hilarious that a company with access to sales data, who employ PR companies, who harvest market research, who have many suitably qualified employees can make such a disasterous decision as to include their irrelevent DRM/OSP/BOLOX in SH5.
And little ol me sitting in me shack on me lonesome could see the writing on the wall from day one.
I'm afraid there seems to be no other comclusion to draw from this humungus brain fart other than "UBI employs monkeys to make decisions".
What a joke!
UG
TwistedFemur
03-20-10, 06:47 AM
Whatever the reason for Steam UK not carrying the titles, I wouldn't put too much stock in UBI's denials, either. They are still claiming there is no fully functional work around for their online requirement...
:yeah:
These game were never available on Steam UK due to contractual obligations. CVG pulled this out of their *** and people are buying it hook line and sinker. I wonder if the "industry insider" is related to PT Barnum.
That's not true, SH5 had it's own page on steam uk with the release ticker. On release day the date changed to "available on may 2010"
If it was never to be available in the uk on steam then why waist time putting the SH5 page on the steam uk site?
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