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Sega Plans To Dump Alpha Protocol DRM After Two Years

by Phil Kollar on May 03, 2010 at 01:30 PM

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?