The lights are on
PC gamers have targeted Ubisoft with a lot of well-deserved anger over their recent DRM for purchased games. Luckily other publishers seem to be taking note, as Sega has clarified exactly how they'll be avoiding DRM problems with their upcoming action-RPG Alpha Protocol.
According to an extensive FAQ on the Alpha Protocol forums (via Big Download), the game will require online activation when you install, but after that you'll be able to play the game freely on up to five PCs. This is as opposed to Ubi's DRM, which allows you to play your games on any PC but forces you to be connected to the Internet at all times while playing.
While Sega's form of DRM still has some restrictions, you can deactivate from any computer you're currently activated on at any time. More importantly, they're planning to release a patch for the game "around 18-24 months after release" that will turn off DRM altogether. Seeing as Sega's not likely to be selling many new copies of Alpha Protocol two years after its release, this is an incredibly reasonable idea.
Is this a good example of DRM done right, or do you still wish there were no restrictions whatsoever?
Email the author Phil Kollar, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
Pretty reasonable. Ubisoft, better take note of this.
This seems like a workable compromise.
More importantly, it allows PC players who have beat the game already to pass it on to a friend who then might become a future customer of sequels and updates, completely free of that typical "I'm not sure because I haven't played the first game yet" anxiety.
Iduno, this DRM crap sounds like a good way to lose customers. PC gamers will probably turn to consoles if DRM servers start crashing on a regular basis.
Luckily I stick with console games ... much simpler
I think this is a good idea. But it would be better if there were no DRMs at all.
Funny. You could replace Sega with iTunes in this article and have it be historically accurate. Except I'm sure Sega songs will play on my Xbox.
DRM is necessary due to the times however it is best done in moderation as Sega has shown. Ubi's system is flawed and could cause lots of problems.
It's good. Also, EA did that with Red Alert 3. Ironic thing is, you didn't need the disc to play Ra3. I can see this happening more often.
This is a step in the right direction, but we are not there yet. I like Sega, and I am looking forward to Alpha Protcol so I appreciate that they are trying to move away from the disgusting monsters known as Ubisoft.
A day where Ubisoft doesn't hurt innocent gamers for something those gamers didn't do (aka innocent gamers are buying the game legally, yet Ubisoft punishes them for this with disgusting DRM) is like a day without sunshine.
When did Ubisoft get their servers back up? I thought some guys hacked it and tried to make sure it would stay shut down?
interesting...
It's better than most. I could live w/ it, if I were on the PC side.
really wish companies would just do away with this.
I think it's pretty reasonable. I don't think companies should allow people to illegally copy their products.
@ Frogman1975
If DRM hits consoles. Either NZ will get an internet upgrade, or games will efectivley not exist in NZ. Our internet connection to the rest of the world is so bad, they would need to put a DRM server in NZ so we could play over here.
Two years later when the game ia affordable, I will be purchasing it!
Yeah. That seems completely reasonable. Ubisoft taught us how not to do it. And Sega is doing it right. I suppose. If there was a way to do it Sega is at least taking a step in the right direction.
This would be a reasonable compromise. Unfortunately nobody wants DRM. Any sort of DRM restiction is immediately abhorrent to most gamers. We simply don't want it.
For better or worse DRM is here to stay, and this sounds like a pretty reasonable way to go about it.