Explain something about the online DRM buisness model.

[janh]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

I'm not very clear as to how it would work if the same servers were authenticating multiple games. That might be what screws up my prediction - if the marginal server load for authenticating SH5 is a pittance because you're already running it on the authentication server for the latest and greatest Assassin's Creed game, then I guess you could theoretically keep it going for as long as you like without eating into the profits of the SH product line.

I recall I read that they are using the same servers for multiple games already, i.e. that's why there were outages and playing problems for Silent Hunter V gamers when Assassins Creed II was releases, and less so, but too when Settlers 7 came out. I think they have much underestimated the data transfer on release days, as well as weekend in their initial planning of their server infrastructure. This is likely also the reason why there were serious problems on the first two weekends (peak playing times) with Silent Hunter V, since the whole DDoS stuff was never confirmed by any 3rd party other than Ubisoft.

I assume the DRM servers cost them dearly, not only in the upkeep, upgrading and maintainance, but also in customers. As we will hopefully see confirmed with their sales reports of the next 2 or 3 quarters. I really dislike this kind of business model where legal customers are worse off than pirates, and logically the latter would be the best thing to do if you don't want to screw yourself.

What I can't understand is why the Software industry still follows the opposite policy that music and movie industries have by now adopted about DRM: It served to increase losses by driving off legal customers, and now most companies refrain from intrusive DRM that limits the use of your MP3s etc. Instead, they have started to refocus on deliviring quality again and the flood of nasty poor quality boy bands and braindead Hollywood movies that only cost fortunes for worthless 3D effects has been reduced.
Why, dear Ubisoft, are you planning the exact oppisite: DRM & shorter development cycles, meaning even less will be delivered for the same price? This only can go wrong, and it will be all but pirates: bad marketing and strategy decisions.