The facts of life: A heartfelt defense of Ubisoft and DRM - Page 6

urfisch · 03-10-10, 02:48 AM

useless thread...in my opinion. anyway..as some said: drm is a must these days, but the way of usage and the used system is, what counts! this drm we have here is a fraud...crap. cheeky...and not well developed. a pain in the ass...some might say, and would be right.

so, let ubi get their lessons and lets hope, there will be other studios, making it better.

so far...

bobafett_12 · 03-10-10, 02:53 AM

What's with all the love over the fact that Ubi is a moneymaking entity? Somehow the fact that they are a company who seeks to make a profit means they are justified in doing whatever they please to do so? This sounds like something you'd hear from a business major who hasn't had business ethics.

As for the the whole "The box lists an internet connection as required hardware" argument, the point is that the internet connection isn't required by the software to function properly, unlike the video card you mentioned in your horrible strawman argument.

The rest of your post has been torn apart in the rest of the thread, but the only sentiment that really matters is this: The DRM that Ubisoft has implemented has absolutely zero value to the end user. It's sole purpose is (supposedly) to help prevent piracy. It failed in this regard almost immediately upon release and furthermore it is actually preventing paid customers from using the product they purchased. End of story. It's terrible business practice and shows a complete lack of respect for the customers that support the company.

RSColonel_131st · 03-10-10, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tater

BTW, I've made it clear before that I'm fine with DRM, just not this DRM as it stands. Right now it's a system that makes piracy far more desirable than owning a legit copy. To me this is the wrong business model. They should add value so that the DRM version—even if 100% online—provides so much value, playing a hacked copy is a poor second.

I've even posted suggestions for how they might do this within the current OSP that might make it so desirable that the occasional outage that is the fault of Ubi (like this last one was) becomes acceptable.

1. Adopt a system like Napoleon: Total War where players can "drop in" and take the place of what would be AI in other players' campaigns. You'd never know if the DE near that enemy convoy was one of the various AI skill levels or some player hell bent on sinking a u-boat. Priceless.

2. The limiting factor on the immersiveness of the AI avatars is almost certainly their repertoire of audio files. Have the online connection trickle a new one to every copy of the game for every X hours of play (they'd need to have a special folder that these are pulled from so it doesn't continuously break mods that use the same files).

3. Weather? Perhaps a system that populates the game world with "real" weather where the clouds match current satellite pictures updated every so often (maybe pulled from X days back).

4. Streaming audio content (radio traffic, music, etc).

There might be more, though #1 would be a huge selling point, and #2 cool, but less spectacular.

Brilliant ideas. This would actually add value to an "always on" requirement instead of just making it a burden.

RSColonel_131st · 03-10-10, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tater

Ubi apologizing for "high demand" breaking there servers is rubbish, plain and simple. That's what you hear every single time you get most tech support call centers on the phone "due to high demand, waiting times are long, but calls will be answered in the order they are received. Many questions can be answered at poopyco.com." Note that if you aim for the sales floor, you are very rarely delayed.

It's NEVER high demand, it's demand in excess of what they chose to supply. They always lowball the capability to save money because in this case the servers or phone systems are not really mission critical. In the case of Ubi, the servers are not critical because they already took your money.

As someone with about 10 years in the tech support industry I can say you are absolutly correct and on the spot with these observations.

NefariousKoel · 03-10-10, 04:15 AM

The OP has a lot of nerve, coming on here to defend such slimy business practices, while all these customers are rightly angry.

I'm appalled that anyone would attempt to defend such nonsense, even if they were drinking their daily alotted kool-aid straight from The Company as indicated by his reference to pirates having destroyed the industry.

I can only suspect that working for insurance companies has given him some strange empathy with others using questionable business practices. That or he's an incredibly sadistic troll.

ichso · 03-10-10, 05:20 AM

Quote:

3. Make piracy a pain in the ass. This is the dreaded DRM, if they can delay the first pirate a week before a copy hits bittorrent, thats money in the payroll account. You'd be stupid not to try. In the olden days of 2005 they used invasive and ridiculous software to do this (Starforce), today they use something no more invasive than a steam account. I support the online option 100% and have had no problems with it after more than a week of gameplay. Not a single disconnect or CTD. Releasing a "buggy" game from the box and already having a patch ready to go is also a great method. Offline pirates cant fix their game until they spend yet another week figuring out how the hell to get the patch working. Ubi has done this

This assumes that cracking/hacking games is in fact a pain in the ass. But I would think that it is more of a hobby for some people, a challenge. Maybe even a sport.

03-10-10, 05:31 AM

Why still bother about things that are inevitable ? For every lock there will always be a SPECIAL key, get used to it or die trying

The Enigma · 03-10-10, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattDizzle

I know i really come off as someone with an axe to grind or some kind of employee of ubi, but im not.

My names matt, i work at a florida insurance company (not ubi), and i simply love military simulation PC games, and hope to see them made in the future.

Well, I hope they don't, at least not with this online osp/drm.
Despite your " UBI is right (no matter what they do)" post.

If this is the future they have in mind, for me, they might as well stop developing the SH series. I'm not buying them with such OSP/DRM.

In that case I do hope a new company with it's heart at the right place will come up with a new sub simulator.

KL-alfman · 03-10-10, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Enigma

Well, I hope they don't, at least not with this online osp/drm.
Despite your " UBI is right (no matter what they do)" post.

If this is the future they have in mind, for me, they might as well stop developing the SH series. I'm not buying them with such OSP/DRM.

In that case I do hope a new company with it's heart at the right place will come up with a new sub simulator.

I' love to see that coming!

and I agree to the rest of your post as well.
(couldn't care less for the fate of UBI as long as they stick to their U-pay-politics)!

Nordmann · 03-10-10, 07:57 AM

I bought Battlefield Bad Company 2 the other day, and I have to say, their DRM is certainly much better than Ubi's. Upon installation, you are given the option of using either disc or online authentication. The former is the standard put the disc in to play the game format, while the latter simply checks that you are running a legal version (only once I believe). After which the game can be started without the disc.

The online option has an install limit of 10 machines, but crucially, is refunded each time the game is uninstalled. This means that there are in fact no restrictions on how, where and when you can play your game. If your net goes down, you simply install using the offline option (disc required), and run the game as you would any other.

Multiplayer requires an EA account, simply because this aspect of the game involves stats, ranks, and unlocks. But it is simple, easy to use, and again, isn't a requirement for single-player.

So you see, while software protection may be necessary, there are less intrusive options available. Ubi on the other hand, chose something which was always doomed to failure, and which only achieves the alienation of their paying customers.

The Enigma · 03-10-10, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordmann

Upon installation, you are given the option of using either disc or online authentication.

That's a solution I could accept.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordmann

So you see, while software protection may be necessary, there are less intrusive options available. Ubi on the other hand, chose something which was always doomed to failure, and which only achieves the alienation of their paying customers.

Wise words.

Commie · 03-10-10, 09:09 AM

For the OP:

"The PC Gaming Alliance (PCGA) unveiled its 2009 Horizons Report, an exclusive research study encompassing all aspects of the PC gaming industry worldwide. Among the key findings is that PC gaming software revenue was a $13.1 billion industry in 2009, up 3% from 2008." Source: worthplaying.com

So much for piracy devastating the PC gaming scene!

Méo · 03-10-10, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piggy

I noticed you omitted SH3...

I was quoting YOU !?

Take a look at your previous post (#62) you're talking about SH4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piggy

This franchise's previous release, Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific, made a lasting solid impact on the franchise's growing fan base after it was released to worldwide critical acclaim, including being named 2007's "Simulation Game of the Year” by PC Gamer.

Niche game.... LOL

Solid impact ??

It sold 50 000 copies in the U.S. and approximately 110 000 copies worldwide.

This is solid impact for you, OK, as you wish...

Apache312 · 03-10-10, 12:31 PM

While I support non-intrusive DRM, as the game has many dollars involved with its creation, this was not the way to go. I have been an avid gamer for the last 20 years, and this is the worst implementation of DRM that I have seen. I too have watched genres go by the wayside due to inept management...ie Rainbow series (Ubisoft). Rainbow hasnt died fully, but the latest PC versions are a mere port of the X-Box..and followers did notice.

There are many other ways of getting your investment protected for the sales release; Steam, Codemasters method, DCS's method, Bohimia's method...and so on. I know Starforce is not popular, but has been completely dealt a wrongful smear campaign. After much reasearch, it appears fewer people have had true issues than the majority.

What is Ubisoft gaining with this method? I am voting with my wallet...as are many others. I want to play a new subsim, but not under their terms...I play games under my terms, and will hold out until they come up with a better DRM solution. Hopefully I wont have to wait for a bargain bin purchase before Ubi decides to revamp this mistake. As of late, all games are released half-baked, so I cannot gripe too loudly, as Ubi would just point the finger at others. This DRM doesn't have to be this bad...come on Ubi, I want to purchase your game, now just make it something that is worthy of purchase.

/S

Apache312

voidster · 03-10-10, 12:54 PM

actually the DRM is working. If you take the time and go visit pirate boards you will see people jumping for joy over sh5's crack only to see them complain about not being able to even complete the first part of the career. It must update the servers or vice versa once you complete an objective, then UBI's servers sends the proper data to unlock other missions or whatever. At least thats the theory..

I can say though im done with the SH series. Im sick to death of the current problems of sh5, floating rocks, pathetic depth keeping, apparently im stupid cause even using the auto TDC i cant hit the broad side of a barn. Real tutorials would have been great!..too bad they forgot about it. Oh then dont forget about running into a massive convoy, just asking for torpedos only to see a net disconnect and a autosave failure.

Id go to sh4 again but im sick of the campain save corruption issues...wth couldnt they have FIXED that before creating a new one?...nope.

For now its on the shelf and uninstalled, maybe in 2 years someone will fix the problems. All I know is UBI will NEVER get my income again.

sorry for the negative attitude but i hate spending 50 bucks only to find its a dust collector.

03-10-10, 02:48 AM	#76
urfisch Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Deep down in Germany Posts: 1,969 Downloads: 42 Uploads: 0	useless thread...in my opinion. anyway..as some said: drm is a must these days, but the way of usage and the used system is, what counts! this drm we have here is a fraud...crap. cheeky...and not well developed. a pain in the ass...some might say, and would be right. so, let ubi get their lessons and lets hope, there will be other studios, making it better. so far... __________________

03-10-10, 04:15 AM	#80
NefariousKoel Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No-good Missouri scum Posts: 1,223 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	The OP has a lot of nerve, coming on here to defend such slimy business practices, while all these customers are rightly angry. I'm appalled that anyone would attempt to defend such nonsense, even if they were drinking their daily alotted kool-aid straight from The Company as indicated by his reference to pirates having destroyed the industry. I can only suspect that working for insurance companies has given him some strange empathy with others using questionable business practices. That or he's an incredibly sadistic troll. __________________ "When Gary told me he had found Jesus, I thought, Yahoo! We're rich! But it turned out to be something different." - Jack Handey

03-10-10, 07:57 AM	#85
Nordmann Commodore Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: England Posts: 628 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	I bought Battlefield Bad Company 2 the other day, and I have to say, their DRM is certainly much better than Ubi's. Upon installation, you are given the option of using either disc or online authentication. The former is the standard put the disc in to play the game format, while the latter simply checks that you are running a legal version (only once I believe). After which the game can be started without the disc. The online option has an install limit of 10 machines, but crucially, is refunded each time the game is uninstalled. This means that there are in fact no restrictions on how, where and when you can play your game. If your net goes down, you simply install using the offline option (disc required), and run the game as you would any other. Multiplayer requires an EA account, simply because this aspect of the game involves stats, ranks, and unlocks. But it is simple, easy to use, and again, isn't a requirement for single-player. So you see, while software protection may be necessary, there are less intrusive options available. Ubi on the other hand, chose something which was always doomed to failure, and which only achieves the alienation of their paying customers. __________________ "I must confess that my imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocating its crew and floundering at sea." - H. G. Wells

03-10-10, 02:53 AM	#77
bobafett_12 Bilge Rat Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What's with all the love over the fact that Ubi is a moneymaking entity? Somehow the fact that they are a company who seeks to make a profit means they are justified in doing whatever they please to do so? This sounds like something you'd hear from a business major who hasn't had business ethics. As for the the whole "The box lists an internet connection as required hardware" argument, the point is that the internet connection isn't required by the software to function properly, unlike the video card you mentioned in your horrible strawman argument. The rest of your post has been torn apart in the rest of the thread, but the only sentiment that really matters is this: The DRM that Ubisoft has implemented has absolutely zero value to the end user. It's sole purpose is (supposedly) to help prevent piracy. It failed in this regard almost immediately upon release and furthermore it is actually preventing paid customers from using the product they purchased. End of story. It's terrible business practice and shows a complete lack of respect for the customers that support the company.

03-10-10, 05:31 AM	#82
Indietro Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Why still bother about things that are inevitable ? For every lock there will always be a SPECIAL key, get used to it or die trying

03-10-10, 09:09 AM	#87
Commie Machinist's Mate Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 122 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	For the OP: "The PC Gaming Alliance (PCGA) unveiled its 2009 Horizons Report, an exclusive research study encompassing all aspects of the PC gaming industry worldwide. Among the key findings is that PC gaming software revenue was a $13.1 billion industry in 2009, up 3% from 2008." Source: worthplaying.com So much for piracy devastating the PC gaming scene!

03-10-10, 12:31 PM	#89
Apache312 A-ganger Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 78 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	While I support non-intrusive DRM, as the game has many dollars involved with its creation, this was not the way to go. I have been an avid gamer for the last 20 years, and this is the worst implementation of DRM that I have seen. I too have watched genres go by the wayside due to inept management...ie Rainbow series (Ubisoft). Rainbow hasnt died fully, but the latest PC versions are a mere port of the X-Box..and followers did notice. There are many other ways of getting your investment protected for the sales release; Steam, Codemasters method, DCS's method, Bohimia's method...and so on. I know Starforce is not popular, but has been completely dealt a wrongful smear campaign. After much reasearch, it appears fewer people have had true issues than the majority. What is Ubisoft gaining with this method? I am voting with my wallet...as are many others. I want to play a new subsim, but not under their terms...I play games under my terms, and will hold out until they come up with a better DRM solution. Hopefully I wont have to wait for a bargain bin purchase before Ubi decides to revamp this mistake. As of late, all games are released half-baked, so I cannot gripe too loudly, as Ubi would just point the finger at others. This DRM doesn't have to be this bad...come on Ubi, I want to purchase your game, now just make it something that is worthy of purchase. /S Apache312

03-10-10, 12:54 PM	#90
voidster Watch Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 25 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	actually the DRM is working. If you take the time and go visit pirate boards you will see people jumping for joy over sh5's crack only to see them complain about not being able to even complete the first part of the career. It must update the servers or vice versa once you complete an objective, then UBI's servers sends the proper data to unlock other missions or whatever. At least thats the theory.. I can say though im done with the SH series. Im sick to death of the current problems of sh5, floating rocks, pathetic depth keeping, apparently im stupid cause even using the auto TDC i cant hit the broad side of a barn. Real tutorials would have been great!..too bad they forgot about it. Oh then dont forget about running into a massive convoy, just asking for torpedos only to see a net disconnect and a autosave failure. Id go to sh4 again but im sick of the campain save corruption issues...wth couldnt they have FIXED that before creating a new one?...nope. For now its on the shelf and uninstalled, maybe in 2 years someone will fix the problems. All I know is UBI will NEVER get my income again. sorry for the negative attitude but i hate spending 50 bucks only to find its a dust collector.