Ubisoft DRM FAQ's

[navyvet]

This should answer some questions about the DRM. Found it at Assassins Creed 2 website. I am sure it applies to SH 5 too.

Online Services Platform

Q&A

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

What are the key elements of this platform for PC gamers?
Although a permanent online connection is required, this means that a CD/DVD is not required to play the game after installation. 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 any location with the game installed.

How many players can the server system support?
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. Ubisoft provides 24/7 monitoring of its servers.

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?
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, the server will have stored your last saved game and you will be able to continue from where you left off once your internet connection is restored.

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.

[longam]

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

Q: Do you need the internet?
A: Yes.

[Sgtmonkeynads]

#1 Frequently Asked Question

Q: WHY?
A: Because we say so.

[NefariousKoel]

Originally Posted by Sgtmonkeynads

#1 Frequently Asked Question

Q: WHY?
A: Because we say so.

[Akula4745]

Sorry... for the life of me this type of DRM will never make sense to me - no matter how many times it has been explained or rationalized. But at the same time... do I wanna play or not?

[Athlonic]

Q: Why many peoples are complaining about this DRM ?

A: Because in complainers :

85% are nasty Pirates,
10% are workshy and wanted to be able to play games when at work,
03% have nothing else to do and doesn't like us,
and at least
02% are legitimate customers whose doesn't have a good internet connection, and we are sorry they pay the price to fight against piracy.



PS: personnaly I am in the 10% ^^

[IanC]

Originally Posted by Athlonic

Q: Why many peoples are complaining about this DRM ?

A: Because in complainers :

85% are nasty Pirates,
10% are workshy and wanted to be able to play games when at work,
03% have nothing else to do and doesn't like us,
and at least
02% are legitimate customers whose doesn't have a good internet connection, and we are sorry they pay the price to fight against piracy.



PS: personnaly I am in the 10% ^^

You think it's the pirates that complain about the DRM?

[Athlonic]

Originally Posted by IanC

You think it's the pirates that complain about the DRM?

Well ... yes.

Why complain about it if you have bought the game ?
At first I was screaming like others : "OSP ??? WTF ?!? Damn you Ubi !"

But I must admit that I never had a problem with this DRM, NO install limits, multipost possibility, NO DVD swapping, NO DVD read error and it makes years that my computer is online even before startup and permanently.

So ... why should I complain ?

[kylania]

Originally Posted by Athlonic

But I must admit that I never had a problem with this DRM, NO install limits, multipost possibility, NO DVD swapping, NO DVD read error and it makes years that my computer is online even before startup and permanently.

So ... why should I complain ?

Days long server outages at Ubi preventing you from playing a single player game, inability to play it on your laptop while visiting the relatives, lost save game files due to horrific remote wipe "synch" scheme, install key issues (for some users), having to wait for the launcher to finish start and finish every time you start the program, the joy of hearing yourself complain, and the reason most people seem to do it: they feel superior for having not bought the game because the DRM is so dastardly. Good day to you sir, i say good day!

Paying $60 for a game you can only play when you're allowed to that came with a less than worthless manual and absolutely no communication or post release support from the publisher and all the bugs are other reasons, but not specifically DRM related.

[IanC]

Originally Posted by Athlonic

Well ... yes.

Why complain about it if you have bought the game ?
At first I was screaming like others : "OSP ??? WTF ?!? Damn you Ubi !"

But I must admit that I never had a problem with this DRM, NO install limits, multipost possibility, NO DVD swapping, NO DVD read error and it makes years that my computer is online even before startup and permanently.

So ... why should I complain ?

My friend, pirates don't complain about DRM, they laugh at it and they get to play it without needing to go online very soon after the game is out.
It's the legit user who's upset about it. Either because they have a bad connection or on matter of principle.

[msxyz]

What about people who used to buy and sell several games a month?

DRM destroyes the used game market. While any second hand sale is a "lost" sale, from the publisher point of view, it encourages gamers to try more diverse games as well as going to the store more often. Remove it and you'll have only fully priced games that may scare buyers away or encourage them to wait (or, err... to download) before commiting to a purchase they won't know if they will like it.

In other words, the market becomes more stagnant.

[robbo180265]

What's the point of this thread?

Just wondering...

[Zedi]

Here we go again, another DRM topic. Some people are just obsessed by this DRM and they can't get over it no matter what. I'm with Athlonic on this and even if I don't like this drm crap, there is nothing in it that bothers me. Never had any issues like lost saves, lost connection or anything else that hold me back to play the game in good conditions. I have many issues with SH5 and Ubi, but DRM is not on that list.

And yes, the pirates are not complaining about the DRM as they had great fun in breaking it, the complains are from those who want to play that version and are not able to set it up properly! Playing the pirated version is not that simple as many of you think. Just read what you need to do to play without drm, I'm sure not many are able to handle those requirements.

[Athlonic]

Originally Posted by kylania

Days long server outages at Ubi preventing you from playing a single player game, inability to play it on your laptop while visiting the relatives, lost save game files due to horrific remote wipe "synch" scheme, install key issues (for some users), having to wait for the launcher to finish start and finish every time you start the program, the joy of hearing yourself complain, and the reason most people seem to do it: they feel superior for having not bought the game because the DRM is so dastardly. Good day to you sir, i say good day!

Paying $60 for a game you can only play when you're allowed to that came with a less than worthless manual and absolutely no communication or post release support from the publisher and all the bugs are other reasons, but not specifically DRM related.

As always, I must agree with what you said
Maybe I am so worrying about the 1.2 patch release I forgot about those points.

Originally Posted by IanC

My friend, pirates don't complain about DRM, they laugh at it and they get to play it without needing to go online very soon after the game is out.
It's the legit user who's upset about it. Either because they have a bad connection or on matter of principle.

Right too, I would call me a "light" DRM complainer as I understand that this DRM cames out because of piracy in the first time.

Anyway publishers should face it, they will NEVER won this Publisher/Pirates war. So they better find another solution than implementing some too restrictive DRM for legit users.

Or next time you will see on the box :

"A webcam is required to play this game at anytime."

and this to perform an eye scan to authentificate the user when playing, if you doesn't look at the screen for more than 1 minutes the game will pause and ... blah blah blah.

[jason210]

Indeed, it is legit users who complain about this insane DRM system. As for pirates, it's just another system to be cracked.