The gawd-almighty merged DRM in Silent Hunter V thread

[martes86]

Originally Posted by MRV

Here is my confession: MY legally bought copy of SH5 will be NO CD CRACKED! I also would suggest that in case SH5 really comes with such a system the community should openly distribute such cracks as an act of protest.

Right reasons, wrong approach. It's been said like a thousand times (or more) that here in Subsim, you can do whatever you please with cracks at home, but that you should not discuss it here or encourage others to also crack it. That just grants you problems with the moderators.

Cheers.

I wouldn't say no to protest remotely:

[karamazovnew]

Originally Posted by MRV

Here is my confession: MY legally bought copy of SH5 will be NO CD CRACKED! I also would suggest that in case SH5 really comes with such a system the community should openly distribute such cracks as an act of protest.

Be careful with such statements. However it would be funny if the game is cracked and some people that say they won't buy the game (including me) will eventually buy it thanks to the cracked version . That would close up the weirdest piracy/drm cycle ever.

[JSLTIGER]

Originally Posted by karamazovnew

Be careful with such statements. However it would be funny if the game is cracked and some people that say they won't buy the game (including me) will eventually buy it thanks to the cracked version . That would close up the weirdest piracy/drm cycle ever.

It wouldn't be the first time something like that has happened, and it likely wouldn't be the last.

[connan]

Well it would be ok for me if players that are online then they could coperate to finish some special missions during campaign, something like you have to do a special mission but that would be impossible to do it alone. If ubisoft could make something like that then noone will complain about the online gaming.

[floundericiousWA]

Originally Posted by MRV

I also would suggest that in case SH5 really comes with such a system the community should openly distribute such cracks as an act of protest.

sorry, mate, you're on your own

I'm going to wait until a month or two after release and read about other people's experiences, then decide. If I don't like the DRM execution, I won't buy, but I will NOT participate in this type of criminal activity out of simple frustration or angst. UBIsoft owes me <I>nothing</I>.

UBI has the legal right to offer this game (their IP) and include whatever data protections they deem fit. If I disagree with their implementation, I have no problem posting that to their forum (or here) and refusing to purchase the product. That's how the marketplace works.

There's always my GWX 3.0 Silent Hunter III and my GFO RE Silent Hunter IV (I should try trigger maru!) which give great service.

raise the radar antenna! Let's keep an eye on it...

[floundericiousWA]

Originally Posted by karamazovnew

Be careful with such statements. However it would be funny if the game is cracked and some people that say they won't buy the game (including me) will eventually buy it thanks to the cracked version . That would close up the weirdest piracy/drm cycle ever.

I liked the post earlier in the thread about client-server based gameplay where you don't buy SHV, then wait three years for SHVI...rather you buy Silent Hunter and the client applies updates and patches every time you log in (see MMORPGs like WOW and LOTRO). Within reason, that could be a great model (if we're talking about the client checking at the start of game play instead of this persistent online nonsense).

I'm not saying that's preferable, but if gaming companies want to explore that avenue, it's a rapidly maturing business and architecture model and presents some interesting possibilities.

[KL-alfman]

Originally Posted by Hitman

It's funny that some people I have seen in this thread being not bothered with this kind of DRM are americans. The sons of the land of freedom are now ready to provide real time info to a foreign commercial company about their gameplay habits, their saves, the names they choose, wether they machine gun survivors from sunken ships, etc.

I think most of you still do not realize that this is not just about your confort while playing the game, about chances of getting an internet failiure and losing progress, about the chances that UBI goes bankrupt and you lose your game, about UBI requesting money for patches and the server not allwoing you to play an unpatched version, or anything like that.

It's about OUR PRIVACY

And that is something that I value more than any game present or future.

How sad I feel about this all

everything you state in your post is fully understood and supported by me!
though having a fast and stable connection I'd never allow anyone to screen my PC-statistics secretly.
I haven't pre-ordered yet but obviously never will if and only if this kind of "protection" is deleted. I just ordered a second copy of SH3 and my first of SH4. they will be modded and played off-line.
here are maybe some more infos on UBI's policy in the future:
http://support.uk.ubi.com/online-services-platform/

Online Services Platform Q&A

Frequent Asked Questions about Ubisoft's Online Services Platform for PC

What is the added value of this platform for PC gamers?
A CD/DVD is not required to play the game. The protected game can be installed as many times and on as many computers as you like! Saved games are also synchronized online so the user can continue playing from where he/she left off from any computer; at work, at a friend's place etc.

How many players can play at the same time (concurrently)?
There is no limit to how many players can play at the same time. For each title, we carefully study the demand and allocate servers accordingly. We will also of course allocate back-up servers in order to be able to respond to fluctuations in demand.

How many computers can I install the game on?
There is no limit to the number of computers on which you can install the game! However you can only play with your individual Ubisoft account on one computer at a time.

Is there an "off-line" option?
No. The added services to the game (unlimited installs, online storage of saved games and the fact that you don’t need the game disc to play) require you to have an online connection while playing the game.

Can I play my game from another computer?
Yes. As long as the game is installed on the PC, you can play from any computer and your Ubisoft account will recognise your last saved position as well as automatically save any updates.

Can I play from an airport or when I'm travelling ?
Anywhere you have an internet access, you can play.

Can I use the Ubisoft account for both single player and multiplayer online?
Yes, using your Ubisoft account , once you are signed in, all aspect of the gameplay are available to you.

I am in a strict environment with lots of firewall rules etc. Can I still play the game?
If you can access the Internet from the computer, you can play the game.

What if I lose my account or my computer crashes?
Customer service is available to help you re-access your account. If you experience a computer crashes, the game will kwill still recognise your license and all synchronizations made before the crash will be stored online.

What if Ubisoft decides not run these online services in the future? Will my game stop working?
Ubisoft is committed to being a forerunner in providing new exciting online service. If any service is stopped, we will create a patch for the game so that the core game play will not be affected.

What will happen if I lose my Internet connection when I play the game?
If you lose your Internet connection the game will pause while it tries to reconnect. If the Internet Connection is unable to resume you can continue the game from where you left off or from the last saved game.

Why do I need to register with a Ubisoft account?
The synchronized saved games are personal, so to access them you need to log in. Even if your computer crashes you will be able to access your saved games with your Ubisoft account and continue your game from another computer. The services tied to your account will work regardless if you purchase the game as a physical or digital copy from any distributor.

Will all my saved games be stored online?
Yes! They will be stored both online and on your PC.

Will customers need to upgrade their Internet connection to broadband speed?
No. We've made sure that the game is playable even with the lowest (A)DSL connections.

Will I need to be online the whole time when I play the game? Including for single player?
Yes. You will need to have an active Internet connection to play the game, for all game modes.

Will this platform use Uniquekeys?
Yes. Uniquekeys are verified throughout this system.

Do any services run when I am not playing?
No. The only service that might be running after you exit the game is the online synchronization of saved games which runs until it is completed. It is not a hidden window, so you can cancel it at any time, and it will finish the synchronization the next time you start the game.

Do you add any monitoring tools to my computer?
No! We respect your privacy and will only access information needed for the new services and game to function. There are no hidden programs or monitoring tools installed.

Do you send information to third parties?
No. We offer the option opt-in to receive news and updates from Ubisoft, but we do not send any nformation to any third parties

Will this affect the performance of my PC?
No. The services that we offer run only when you start the game and there are no background services.

Can I resell my game?
Not at this time.

Can I resell my game along with my Ubisoft account?
Your Ubisoft account features your personal data and cannot be given or sold to anyone.

Do you have to be a member of Uplay to use this service platform?
This system requires you to have a Ubi.com account. A Uplay and a Ubi.com account are the same. You don't need to use Uplay to use this service platform, but if you wish to do so, it's very simple.

Do you plan to implement this system on home consoles?
This system is for PCs only.

What happens if I pre-ordered my game without being aware of the permanent online connection requirement ? Can I get a refund?
Please check with your retailer to find out their return policies.

Will this system be available for every Ubisoft game?
Most upcoming Ubisoft PC games will make use of this system.

How does Ubisoft use my personal information? How can I control which data is actually provided to Ubisoft?
Ubisoft uses information provided by its customers only to ensure our services run properly for an optimal gameplay experience - including the customer service. Ubisoft does not use personal information for any other purposes, unless you have explicitly accepted for us to do so.

What happens if the server crashes on weekends or at night? Will there be 24/7 support?
Yes, Ubisoft provides 24/7 support on servers.

Why is Ubisoft forcing their loyal customers to sign up for a Ubisoft account when they don't want to give their private data and only play single player games?
We hope that customers will feel as we do, that signing up for an account will offer them exceptional gameplay and services that are not available otherwise.

edit: just recognized that there's already a thread about this quote I posted. it may be deleted if moderators feel like ....
sry for the unconvenience

[melin71]

Have i understand it right, you need first to log on to ubisoft, then on steam to play? What fu..moron come up with that. Its ok to login to steam, I use steam every day and like steam. but to forced to log in everywhere to play is just stupid. And why keep the save files online? that I don't get at all.

And need to stay online all the time, it not a dam mmo game I wants to buy.

[jclasper]

Reading that quote makes me wonder why we pc gamers are being singled out It is a fact that ps3 and xbox have ways to play copied games (To which i think is wrong playing copies) they also have net connections so why is it not across the board with Ubisoft that no matter what title you purchase for whatever system then you need to be online to play
Just a thought
Also could it be that games companies would rather we all did our gaming on a console due to the fact that the unit cost of a console game is 10-20% higher than the pc therin making them alot more money cynical i know but just a thought

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

Don't have a reliable online connection? Get one. You'll be sunk without one. You need it anyway. Grow up and join the 21st century. It's already ten years old.

My financial situation is so poor that I haven't been able to afford one for the last two years. I'm at this moment posting from the local library. And did you read the post by the guy who spends half his time on a mountain retreat without even a phone?

Thanks for preaching.

[Rosencrantz]

Danji wrote:

i'm not sure if this joke exist in english too. but i'll try to translate a romanian joke. There once was a fox. The fox suddenly felt like eating pancakes, but it (in romanian it's "she" ) had no frying pan. So she went to the bear to ask him for a frying pan. On her way to him ( the bear is considered male so i'll reffer to it as "him" ) she thought : "what if the bear will ask me for some pancakes as thanx for borrowing me the pan ?" . Half way there she though " what if he will take advantage of his size and place in the forest and demand half my pancakes? " . Almost reaching the bear's house she thought "what if he'll take half my pancakes and charge me for the pan too?". Finally reaching the bear's house, she rang the bell, the bear answered, and as soon as the bear opened the door she madly told the bear : " F you and your stupid pan, i don't even want it anymore! ".

Exactly!

Listen, folks, if SH I - IV didn't sell good enough, there never was SHV, right? So, the very basic problem is not that the product doesn't sell, but that UBI just want to make MORE money from it by preventing probably BOTH piracy AND second hand marketing. That's fine, company has it's rights, but with DRM the ordinary, legitimate user is the Sucker of the Game, IMHO.

Greetings,
-RC-

[himlaviz]

If this means that their games will be impossible to pirate I guess they have a win-win situation, sure some who might not have the means to play the games due to no internet connection is a lost sale but on the other hand those who rather want to steal something is forced to buy.

But if/when we find a pirated version with no need for internet connection to play I would say that the publishers has once again slapped true costumers in the face while the pirates can enjoy a "better" version yet again.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Hitman

It's funny that some people I have seen in this thread being not bothered with this kind of DRM are americans. The sons of the land of freedom are now ready to provide real time info to a foreign commercial company about their gameplay habits, their saves, the names they choose, wether they machine gun survivors from sunken ships, etc.

I think most of you still do not realize that this is not just about your confort while playing the game, about chances of getting an internet failiure and losing progress, about the chances that UBI goes bankrupt and you lose your game, about UBI requesting money for patches and the server not allwoing you to play an unpatched version, or anything like that.

It's about OUR PRIVACY

And that is something that I value more than any game present or future.

How sad I feel about this all

And this finally made up my mind for me.

Thanks, Alberto, for explaining this in terms I can understand. I owe you.

[vigilante]

Originally Posted by karamazovnew

Be careful with such statements. However it would be funny if the game is cracked and some people that say they won't buy the game (including me) will eventually buy it thanks to the cracked version . That would close up the weirdest piracy/drm cycle ever.

Please consider in your country (and mine), just a few gamers buy the games. Piracy it's up & shinning due to people's low incomings and Internet education deficit.
I have the guts to admit: I first installed a cracked copy of SH3, simply because I was not aware of this game and I just wanted to check it out. Next week I've bought a legal copy.
I was at the point of making a pre-apply for SH5, when I saw this topic. Now I'll told you, with the risk of getting my ass banned: I WILL NEVER BUY SILENT HUNTER AGAIN. Not so much due to DRM, but because they HIDE this aspect and let us pay for the product.
By the way, DRM is a trojan, but it's made by a major company, so will never be admitted as spy.