Why Ubisoft's DRM worked

[JohnTC02]

Here's a different take on the controversial DRM system that Ubi is using in all their latest games.

It's defiantly worth a read but will it change anyone's mind?

I'll leave that for you to decide.

The thing about Ubi’s new DRM is that it doesn’t matter how much you hate it – it WORKED. Though an incomplete crack popped up a day after release, Assassin’s Creed 2 was not properly hacked for more than a month. In an industry where hi-profile releases are frequently pirated before they go on sale, that is an incredible success.

You see, there is a common misconception among gamers that the purpose of DRM is to stop piracy. This is absolutely not the case. The purpose of DRM is to reduce and delay piracy. It’s a subtle distinction, but vitally important. Let me explain in detail.....

http://games.on.net/article/9147/Devils_Advocate_Why_Ubisofts_DRM_worked

[MeanMF]

The only real test to me would be whether sales were significantly higher because of the DRM. That's really the goal. If delaying piracy or preventing it or whatever they're trying to do doesn't lead to more sales, then really what's the point? Does anybody know if that happened?

[Rocky]

Although it's a devil's advocate article it does make the point someone made here before that the DRM is primarily to stop the early door piracy, ie when most of the illegal downloading goes on.

For me if that really is the case then let's have a commitment from the publisher that the OSP DRM will be patched out at 12 months, or even sooner.

I can't play one of my 6 year old games anymore because the Starforce DRM won't validate it, and the publisher won't respond to the DRM support line. That is what really gets my goat.

[krise madsen]

The only real test to me would be whether sales were significantly higher because of the DRM.

This.

[NoQuarter]

DA is correct in all his assertions, but he failed to take into account Ubisofts downward spiral towards UbiWorld (OSP, UPlay, etc.) where modders or dedicated servers need not apply, which will negatively impact on even the mainstream consumer base.

[firefly2442]

As much as they hate to admit it, hardcore gamers are not as important to the industry as they used to be.

Hmm, that's a rather sad assessment. I would like to think that we still have some say in how developers create and distribute the games we enjoy. Don't we?

[ApexMods]

The only real test to me would be whether sales were significantly higher because of the DRM. That's really the goal. If delaying piracy or preventing it or whatever they're trying to do doesn't lead to more sales, then really what's the point?

Exactly. It should also be taken into account whether the (possibly) positive impact on sales of Bizarro-DRM games outweighs the negative impact on customer satisfaction - which may very well hinder sales of other/future Ubisoft titles.

[...]the DRM is primarily to stop the early door piracy[...]For me if that really is the case then let's have a commitment from the publisher that the OSP DRM will be patched out at 12 months, or even sooner.[...]

Why not officially patch the DRM out as soon as an unofficial crack becomes available? That way, customers wouldn't have to suffer more than pirates anymore. Plus, it would turn into an even greater sport between pirates and publishers.

[...]I can't play one of my 6 year old games anymore because the Starforce DRM won't validate it, and the publisher won't respond to the DRM support line. That is what really gets my goat.

See my point above. Once customers realize they basically just rent a game at full retail price until Ubisoft decides to shut down support for it, they may very well think twice before falling into the Ubisoft DRM trap again.

[calius]

Why not officially patch the DRM out as soon as an unofficial crack becomes available? That way, customers wouldn't have to suffer more than pirates anymore. Plus, it would turn into an even greater sport between pirates and publishers

This makes perfect sense when its all just based on a delay time. Thats in then mr corporation you got your "delay money", now can we have our game to keep and play properly please?

I guess it "worked" for the business side, it actually hasn't "worked" for loyal customers .. and I think the whole DRM uproar is about those loyal customers, therefore it didn't "work" at all. it worked if you "work" for them as a employer I guess.