When we heard of Ubisoft's plan to require an internet connection for all their future PC games, we hoped they'd abort it or scale it back in the face of the outrage and astonishment it caused. They haven't, and it's here. Details are below.
We've just received Assassin's Creed 2 and Settlers VII for review, and verified with Ubisoft that the DRM is the same as the boxed product. If you get disconnected while playing, you're booted out of the game. All your progress since the last checkpoint or savegame is lost, and your only options are to quit to Windows or wait until you're reconnected.
The game first starts the Ubisoft Game Launcher, which checks for updates. If you try to launch the game when you're not online, you hit an error message right away. So I tried a different test: start the game while online, play a little, then unplug my net cable. This is the same as what happens if your net connection drops momentarily, your router is rebooted, or the game loses its connection to Ubisoft's 'Master servers'. The game stopped, and I was dumped back to a menu screen - all my progress since it last autosaved was lost.
Ubisoft asked us not to post shots yet, so here's my artistic impression of the screen you're dumped to.
Ubi have asked that we not show screenshots of Assassin's Creed 2 on PC, so here's my best MS Paint illustration of what you'll see.
Even if everyone in the world had perfect internet connections that never dropped out, this would still mean that any time Ubisoft's 'Master servers' are down for any reason, everyone playing a current Ubisoft game is kicked out of it and loses their progress. Even massively multiplayer games aren't so draconian about the internet: you can't play when the server's down, but at least you don't lose anything for getting disconnected.
The only benefit we're being offered is the ability to store our savegames online. Personally, I'm in the rare position of getting to play PC games at work, and even for me this is a fringe benefit. How many normal gamers have two separate gaming machines on which they play the same single-player games? And how many of those don't know about DropBox, Live Mesh or any of the dozens of free services that can already sync your savegames perfectly well?
We've all seen again and again that you can't stop the piracy scene from cracking your game and distributing it, free of DRM. But you can stop the people who love your games from downloading it, and you do that by making the retail experience better - not worse.
Addendum: Some people are inferring that your savegames are only stored online - that's not the case. You can set the Ubisoft Game Launcher not to upload your saves, and even if you permit it, it seems the saves are made locally first and then uploaded when you exit the game. Whichever setting you choose, you still need to be online to launch or play the game.
Addendum #2 We've spoke to Ubisoft directly about the points raised. You can read their responses here.
I was hoping they'd release Splinter Cell before this crap was put into effect.
What do they think they can change? The bloody pirates will crack it easily, just like they do for GFWL and everything else.
What if their servers go down mid-game?
I'd much rather run with the idea that a false copy of the game is released for people to torrent, that contains major bugs to render the game unplayable.
Why am I being punished because some other guy is too pathetic/impatient to buy the game? If you don't have the money, wait.
Great more bad news from Ubisoft. This is a great shame and one which will make me unsure about buying Assassins Creed 2 and any other Ubisoft game in the future. It seem now more than ever that developers are seeking to destroy the pc as a platform. The thing I do not understand however is why we get targeted when piracy on consoles is if anything just as bad?
End of the day something needs to be done about this and it would be great for PC Gamer to take it back to Ubisoft and fight our cases.
Great more bad news from Ubisoft. This is a great shame and one which will make me unsure about buying Assassins Creed 2 and any other Ubisoft game in the future. It seem now more than ever that developers are seeking to destroy the pc as a platform. The thing I do not understand however is why we get targeted when piracy on consoles is if anything just as bad?
End of the day something needs to be done about this and it would be great for PC Gamer to take it back to Ubisoft and fight our cases.
Someone said in the podcast (can't remember who now) that they'd said to MS about GFWL being crap, and they didn't listen.
We can't boycott games because, a) Most people won't and b) Even if we did, publishers would just say that there's zero profit and stop releasing PC titles at all.
Of course, it would help if people didn't pirate in the first place - then we wouldn't have to put up with this.
Unfortunately, whilst still there, piracy on the consoles is a lot less (as far as I'm aware).
That's a fantastic rendition you've done in paint, well done. Also this will only lead to people pirating the game or unknowingly buying it then being really angry. Silly Ubisoft.
I was already really annoyed between the *massive* delay between console and PC release, a month or so is acceptable, but I've had to go out of my way to avoid any spoilers. Now with we're being punished for being PC gamers even more with ridiculous "anti-piracy" measures.
I had money put aside for this game, now I'll likely be an example of how this kind of DRM makes many people turn to piracy. I'm not willing to pay for something when I get a better experience for free and with less hassle.
I can't believe how much the PC Gaming Community is being s**t on. The worst part is that if we complain by not buying games, publishers and developers assume that we aren't interested in their games which makes them stop making them for PC. There is no way for us to win.
I'll be snail mailing a complaint letter to Ubisoft. The chances it will get anywhere are nill, but in my experience they tend to take stuff that is mailed in more seriously than e-mails internet petitions.
this can potentially be crap. Whilst i do switch on my router and connected to the interwebs anyway, its not much of a problem.
It only becomes a problem when it impacts performance. What if there are glitches that disconnect me? What if demand or too many players are already online and the servers couldn't cope (similar situation to say MW2 on the pc or Bioshock initially)? What about if my router disconnects every so often which it does randomly on occassion?
I'm all for protecting developers IP and stop certain types of piracy, but this doesn't seem to work properly.
I had issues with the PS3 version of AC2 not recognising that I had completed certain sections - that is, the game progressed, but I was not awarded the trophies for finishing the section. I'm not into games for achievements, so it didn't bother me, but obviously it was a connectivity issue which could have further stretching consequences.
Surely a better system is a "Sync" based one, where on exiting the game you are given the option to update your progress onto the Ubisoft server. If your connection is down then, it's irritating but you can still continue playing.
excellent write up and I completely agree. I don't pirate games and all schemes like this do is prevent me from having any interest in purchasing said product. I am sure some people will put up with it by bending over for ubisoft but I sir will not.
Another situations where Pirates get a more complete single player experience rather than having the constant feeling of being enslaved to ubi's proprietary platform such that a few lost packets could result in you loosing game time. Or the fact that you could loose your data if ubi's servers were ever taken down. Better yet, what happens when they stop supporting the game and they don't have the funds to support the game. What happens to those who bought it that have no idea how to download a crack. They are more than likely sol.
I've been prepared to put up with a lot of DRM crap and still enjoy the games with just a mild bit of complaining. This is now a line crossed. I don't know what world Ubisoft live in with their magical permanent never-failing internet connections for everyone, but it's certainly not this one.
I was really looking forward to Assassin's Creed II and Splinter Cell Conviction. Not anymore, because I can't justify buying them with this ridiculous system on it. I don't mind being online at the start and then being able to play offline, but this is too far.
That's two of my most wanted games gone. I will not buy them until this DRM is scaled back.
I've played AC2 on 360. If it makes PC gamers (of which I am one too, multiformat ftw) feel better, Ubisoft sh*t on their console customers too by releasing the game unfinished. There's a gap in the missions (called "memory sequences" which jumps from 11 to 14, and the story jumps ahead about 2 years. Then they're releasing missions 12 and 13 as paid for DLC. Way to screw your customers for extra money. Now this crap on PC. I *was* planning on getting Splinter Cell for PC as I prefer mouse/KB for shooters, but like many of the responses above, I've now got most Ubisoft games set to ignore. Unless they have an absolutely elite must have title coming out. For example I suppose I'll get (or maybe rent?) AC3 to find out how the story finishes.
It's not really about boycotting their product out of sheer spite (although I'd be lying if I said it was completely spite-free). I'm just not going to buy it because I'm not rich and would rather spend my money on a game which - shock horror - actually lets me play it. I realize me not buying it will probably not even graze their sales chart but it'd be far worse to a buy a game that treats you as a criminal. I get their position, I really do. It's a desperate fight against piracy and I'll be damned if I can think of ways to stop it - I'm not even sure it's possible - but I'm positive they can make the process lighter on paying customers.
This was largely a mature post, so I just have to add:
i sincerley hope PCG will be marking this, and all ubisoft games (that require it) down because of it.
The installation, running and operation of a game is just as important in the score (imo) as the key features. Perhaps a 25% penalty for intrusive DRM will start making developers think more.
either that or under the tag line, in big red letters -don't buy unless you love intrusive, useless and potentially game-breaking DRM'.
My net connection, unfortunatley, does occassionally drop out. Being a fan of the first game, I was all set to buy this, but this news infuriates me to the point that I might as well pirate it. Well, at the very least use a pirate crack on the purchased game. Ubisoft are idiots if they think this is going to stop piracy... it just pushes people towards it! Fools.
Consider this a wake up call for every one of you who bought CoD: MW2, every one of you who sigh and bend over every time some ratty publisher pushes the PC version into next year, every one of you who bitches and moans about shoddy PC ports, and then go buy the sequel.
Next time you go into Game/Gamestation/wherever, and see the sad little shelf thats all thats left of the "PC Gaming" section, dont sigh and walk out. Punch the manager in the face and yell "WE DONT ALL DOWNLOAD!".
The next time you see some CliffyB type dev wank chunter on about how piracy is making PC Gaming a lost cause, dont sigh and shake your head. Blow up his inbox with abuse and scorn, boycott his software on every format and question his penis size.
This has to end, or PC Gaming as we know (and love) it WILL cease to exist. Maybe this is what the fatcats want, I dont know. But I will not go quietly into the night! I will fight for what has become my preffered way of wasting an evening.
If you buy AC2, for any reason, on any format, you are guilty of treason. Unless you already have, in which case I guess a slap on the wrist will suffice for not being clairvoyant...
Bring it Ubisoft. Heres 5 quid you WONT be getting *burns a 5 pound note* You are going down.
Disclaimer: All the above is my opinion, and as I have not had my daily requirement of caffine Im slightly wobbly. However, if any of it elicted a smile or a feeling of patriotisim, Ill consider it a success. FOR THE REVOLUTION!!!!!
As with all DRM this won't do anything except annoy legitimate users. The hardcore who are intent on pirating anything/everything will create a workaround, and nothing will change for them.
To be honest, I can't see any form of DRM ever being successful in deterring piracy. I think EA have the right idea in incentivizing people to buy the game through free DLC, etc.
For example, I've found the Cerberus Network for Mass Effect 2 to be no problem whatsoever. In fact, aside from the 5-10 seconds it takes to connect when I launch the game (not long in the grand scheme) I wouldn't say there are any downsides to it whatsoever, at least for me. I quite like reading the daily news update they have on the Cerberus Network console thing on the menu screen, and free DLC is always welcome.
In the end Ubisoft are just going to alienate people, and may even push some people towards pirating the game in some kind of 'treat us like criminals and we'll act like criminals' act of principle, rather than buying it as they had originally planned.
This is crazy!! I don't support piracy at all, I buy all legitimate stuff, and all this move is doing is penalising the loyal customer. Saved games stored online, BAH!!! Not interested at all. I only play games at home on my PC, not on the go. Ubisoft, there has to be a better way!!
When I first heard about Ubisoft new DRM, I thought .. Hm, I guess it will check every hour or two and lets you skip one time aswell as you will need to active it. But oh doh, constant internet connection - that is purely impossible that will one not encounter "drop to menu" at least few times.
Its just the worst thing that could Ubi possibly do to put this on their top game. It actualy seems more like defense mechanism to actualy not release more games on PC, because amount of sold Pc versions of AC2 will be way lower than if they would put it without DRM or just with SecuROM.
This will just push people to piracy.. Instead of making less pirates, they make more by steps like this. They even saw that if they don't put any DRM on games like H.A.W.X. or Prince of Persia that they can still sell a lot.
Those people who pirate will allways pirate, some will buy just those "must have" titles like this one. But by implementing this DRM into any game, they will just promote piracy and get less cash.
Bravo Ubi, you found a way to justify not releasing games on PC...
it may seem like an impossibility at this day-in-age, but what if person buys a Ubisoft game to play the single player campaign on their computer, but does not have access to the internet at all... i personally can think of a few friends who would be in this predicament
This is silly. I don't really care that much, it just means I wont buy any of their games. I didn't buy farcry 2 during the steam sale when it was £7 solely because of install limits. Theres plenty of great games out there. I will miss out on some great games and I find it very unfortunate Ubisoft think this is okay but screw'em
Okay having read the updated post im going to add something. I want to ask this to the guys at PC gamer. Im a subscriber, I love the magazine but you guys must really be fearing for the PC. Ive noticed you covering more indie games lately and I assume its due to the changing nature of pc games. We are no longer leading the way in games, not even in THEE defacto genre of FPS. The best PC gamers can expect now is a good port of a game thats been designed around the limitations of a console. Now I have a PS3 and I love it. I bought it for "Console" type games and because Blue-ray rocks my tiny world but most Multiplatform games, AvP the latest example, I get on PC. Was planing the same on Assassins creed 2, FarCry 2, Bioshock 2 but because of shoddy ports or Restrictive DRM ive just given/will give these games a miss. I dont want to go for the headline "PC gaming is DEAD AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" as has been reported for the last decade but BUT its certainly isn't what it used to be, Indie excluded. I will still shine the tourch for PC gaming but im thinking that at best 12 months from now we will see 2 proper PC games a year. If we are very very lucky
Seriously, Tycho, seriously? You linked your news article to here?
Hey CVG, did you guys bribe Penny Arcade to link to your site? That's the only reason I can think they'd link to this obscure British gaming site instead of a big dog like IGN. I mean, it's not like you guys have a scoop with this or anything. You haven't had a scoop since 1993. Right now in the scrolling "headlines" I read news of how a new Rock Band isn't getting made. That's not news. Nor is it news that Bobby Kotick regrets not buying Harmonix.
That's the only reason I can think they'd link to this obscure British gaming site instead of a big dog like IGN.
No chance that, say, this article might have included the information pertinent to Tycho's point?
I'm afraid I've long since abandoned PC gaming for the console - I just don't have the patience to faff around with ever more ingenious security schemes that make every game a chore to play.
Actually, I barely play any computer games at all any more, of any sort - I've moved to Tabletop Roleplay Games. Geekier, yes, but no bloody DRM of any sort on my books and dice.
Does it break any legal mishmash around the game to download a crack that removes the DRM on your purchased copy of the game so it can function locally without referring to the server? Presumably, so long as you don't distribute the cracked game, you're not actually pirating it and ergo aren't breaking the law. I won't be buying it anyway, mind, but it may be a way around the issue for those with dodgy internet connections (or with real internet connections, for that matter).
I have two HUGE problems with this drm setup. The first is the same problem that was expressed earlier. Alot of us are now adults who have jobs that take us around the world. Many of the hotels I stay at have spotty wifi, i've even had some block gaming ports for my steam games. My second problem is that my house gets only satellite for internet which is A. expensive, B. Slow (compared to your average dsl,) and C. limited in gigs per month (it SUCKS.) All in all if they use this drm there will be no reason for me to buy their games cause they won't work half the time. If they do this I will only pirate their games because its the only way to get them to work and if I have to go through the trouble of pirating their games I will not go buy them.
Many of us older games now have money. The gaming generation has grown up. I now normally purchase all my games because I can afford to now. I like to theorize that this will be the trend. The older gamers get, the more gaming becomes mainstream. The more the average person will play and be able to afford the game.
more crap where you have to ask permission to play games you've paid good money for? frack you ubisoft. you better have a good line in grovelling because when this crap blow up in your face, and it will, you'll have a lot to do to get back any goodwill.
Ya know, one thing about this REALLY is just too funny. I wouldn't be suprised to see pirates everywhere sending Ubi candy and roses. This will only make Pirate sites MORE POPULAR! Seriously, when you have a given company willing to screw over everybody just to get rid of pirates? The hell does that say? It's too fanatical to be logical. The worst part is, even if it does get rid of a few pirates for a time, it will inevitably be cracked. I mean, strictly hypethetically speaking, you have access to the servers they send out verifications with 100% of the time, if they're up. You could, of course just copy the software they use! Talk about screwed yourself over with that one. I mean, if you really care about the title, send the money to the people who are actually making the game. Maybe they'll make enough to actually get out from under Ubisoft. I mean, this really will have the complete opposite effect of what they are looking for. I can nearly guarantee you that this game will be downloaded JUST OUT OF SPITE! Look at what happened to spore. This will not end well for Ubi.
Am I the only person who's ever been disconnected during games? Am I the only person who's ever had a computer lock-up or BSOD during a game and had to go back to an autosave to re-do a few things. Dragon Age has been doing that to me a few times recently, but the autosaves have been positioned so perfectly and frequently that it hasn't meant re-doing TOO much stuff.
I get disconnected quite frequently during Steam sessions on L4D2 or MW2, servers go down, my net kicks out. It's frustrating at times, sure, but hell, I'm not vetoing ever buying a Valve game ever again, or giving up on BioWare because their game isn't 100% stable.
I'm surprised that Ubi have basically said that Settlers will be programmed to resume *exactly* where it left off in the event of a server crash or disconnect.. if this technology is available to them, why can it not be implemented into all games? I'd tolerate a disconnect if I could resume exactly where it left off, would certainly be less hassle than a BSOD.
My overall point is, connection loss happens. Online gamers have been putting up with it for years, singleplayer gamers will learn to put up with it too if that's what it costs to eradicate piracy and make PC gaming a profitable venture for devs again. We've just recently lost Dead Space 2 for reasons which are, let's be honest, probably piracy related. I'd rather a heavily DRMed version of a PC game I really want, than no game at all.
My router has the incredibly irritating problem of resetting itself most (but not all) nights, some time between about 11 and 1. This doesn't appear to be something I can change, but for single player games, doesn't pose much of a problem (except for perhaps having to rejoin my friends in Skype). As I'm sure is clear, if I were to buy AC2, this would seriously get on my t**s.
The future of gaming looks to be Drm, I hope the next Elder Scrolls is not this way but rumours are of more controls than Oblivion. If it goes the AC2 way i will probably not buy it. There is hope still, while Starcraft is not my style of game at least Blizzard realise that making a good game is their first priority. The latest Witcher patch not only improved and expanded the game, it included a no-disc crack as well, the developers at CD Projekt are showing the way, when Ubisoft realise that we are basically honest if given the chance and produce good games then they will make more money.
The future of gaming looks to be Drm, I hope the next Elder Scrolls is not this way but rumours are of more controls than Oblivion. If it goes the AC2 way i will probably not buy it. There is hope still, while Starcraft is not my style of game at least Blizzard realise that making a good game is their first priority. The latest Witcher patch not only improved and expanded the game, it included a no-disc crack as well, the developers at CD Projekt are showing the way, when Ubisoft realise that we are basically honest if given the chance and produce good games then they will make more money.
There is some hope. Fallout 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2 all came with DRM but it was confined to the disc (i.e. no secret virus-like files secretly installed to your PC's kernel). Sure, it may require the disc stay in the drive, but so what? If someone is truly bothered by that then perhaps they shouldn't even be around a PC to be frank. It takes all of 2 seconds to press the button, wait for the disc drive to eject, remove the disc and place it in an open and ready disc case once you are done with it. Oh nooooes! Besides, if someone is hell bent on avoiding discs they can go the digital route which is a far worse form of DRM since you become even more dependent on a third party.
So you guys are attacking efforts to counteract piracy - which is killing PC games and turning everything we receive into console ports - by pirating the games yourselves/not buying it?
As far as I can tell, the only people at fault in this whole fiasco are sites like TPB and people boycotting DRM games in favour of pirating.
Please tell me what this accomplishes besides making you feel tough because you've given the V's to the big man which ultimately hurts us more than the him?
I came to this thread via a twitter feed that plaintively asks "Surely there's a better anti-piracy solution than requiring users to maintain a constant net connection??"
Well there is now.
Online authentication is probably a necessary evil and up to now there has been no solution to the issue of loss of connection or the ability to play a game, on an airplane flight etc without a connection. The issue has always been that the authentication keys need to be held on the server as s****ing a disk-check or authentication key stored locally is within the grasp of most 10 year olds.
Piracy harms games development, not so much in the creativity but in terms of the games that get financed. A major XXX or sequel will get cash as the sheer numbers sold will offset even the massive piracy they know they will see. A new, innovative but more financially marginal game will never see the light of day, the risks are too great.
There is a way out of this mess, designed by gamers for gamers and for the publishers. Come find Metaforic at GDC.
I would like to stress my utmost displeasure of ubisoft recent decision to implement a DRM system that is nothing short of male bovine excrement. One can only conclude that the responsible people have very little in their cranial cavity and the little they do have must be made of Equus ferus caballus feces. As a result, incompetence and stupidity are prevalent and one can only conclude that these hominids are opportunistic scavengers and have absolutely no remorse when stealing from honest hard working people. Had they had any such remorse they could have, at the very least issued an acknowledgement and an apology for the issue at hand. But no such thing has been forth coming leaving us with the conclusion that their actions are deliberate. How should a reasonable person deal with such delinquent and unethical entities? For starters all fellow consumers should avoid these hominids and be made aware of the male bovine excrement they will be dealing with should they wish to hand over the extortion fee to acquire any “genuine” title published by the above mentioned hominids. Fortunately though generic alternatives are available and do not require any extortion fee and do not have the terrible odor of their male bovine excrement. Consumers choosing the generic alternative can rest assure that the extortion fees taken by the hominids will not have been taken in vain as the generic alternative will still provide adequate entertainment.
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which jumps from 11 to 14, and the story jumps ahead about 2 years. Then they're releasing missions 12 and 13 as paid for DLC. Way to screw your customers for extra money. Now this crap on PC. I *was* planning on getting Splinter Cell for PC as I prefer mouse/KB for shooters, but like many of the responses above, I've now got most Ubisoft games set to ignore. Unless they have an absolutely elite must have title coming out. For example I suppose I'll get (or maybe rent?) AC3 to find out how the story finishes.
Besides, if someone is hell bent on avoiding discs they can go the digital route which is a far worse form of DRM since you become even more dependent on a third party.
