Latest Ubisoft DRM measure - all SP saves stored on a cloud server

lost_soul on 27/1/2010 at 00:31

"Traditionally, content creators haven't complained about second-hand sales of their IP."

That's because there's no satisfaction for greed. These people want to control *everything* relating to the product, including where you use it, for how long, and when you buy the next one. Let's say I am a TV manufacturer. How utterly ****ing ridiculous would it be for me to demand a bit of the cash when you sell that TV that you purchased from me to your friend? There's no point trying to fight the greed machine. These publishers know how to work the system and society. They'll get what they want, no matter what a few people on a message board think.

I've seen a few game developers bitching about second hand sales and frankly, it disgusts me. I make it a point to avoid their products (or buy them used!). It really is all you can do. Just don't give them any money to help them further the cause.

Pyrian on 27/1/2010 at 00:54

Quote Posted by Tonamel

The trouble comes when you ask people to pay full price for something, and then try to convince them they don't actually own it.

Yes, that is the problem, isn't it? You pay $50 million to make a game and some punk on the street thinks he owns it because he spent $1 on a used copy. :sly:

june gloom on 27/1/2010 at 03:15

Quote Posted by lost_soul

****ing

bitching

This is just OT pedantery but if you're going to swear, what's the point in censoring it? Especially when you use another swear word in the same post. We're ~~all~~ mostly ~~mature~~ adults here and you're not in Thiefgen. Either don't censor your potty mouth, or don't use potty words at all.

Nameless Voice on 27/1/2010 at 03:34

Quote Posted by Malf

And complaining about having to be online in this day and age is a little pointless.

I hate this attitude. Yes, I have a fast internet connection with a decent bandwidth cap, so what? Many people don't.
Sometimes I've been known to play games on my laptop, when I'm somewhere that I don't have access to the Internet. Oh, oops, I wouldn't be able to play the game there!

I also have access to sunlight for at least a few hours ever day, but no one would think it was acceptable for a game to refuse to function if it did not detect sunlight for over 24 hours. Just because most people don't live in underground bunkers doesn't mean that you should make a game maliciously not work for bunker residents.

Jashin on 27/1/2010 at 03:49

Why do people use plural when referring to ONE fucking company??? Ubisoft is a single brand. Singular. Using plural is obvious bad grammar, not to mention it's awkward sounding.

lost_soul on 27/1/2010 at 04:04

Quote Posted by Jashin

Why do people use plural when referring to ONE fucking company??? Ubisoft is a single brand. Singular. Using plural is obvious bad grammar, not to mention it's awkward sounding.

Well, Ubi isn't the only one to face criticism for using invasive DRM. I myself was referring to publishers in general.

lost_soul on 27/1/2010 at 04:07

Quote Posted by Nameless Voice

I'll bet people wouldn't have to put up with this "E.T. phone home" crap if dial-up were still the standard at homes.

Jashin on 27/1/2010 at 04:18

I'm talking about when people go "ubisoft are using drm" or "ubisoft are shagging yo momma."

That's is, Ubisoft is using DRM in their new titles, Ubisoft is yo motherlova.

And BTW it'll be cracked, and the scene will have fun doing it. Ubisoft is answering a slap with another slap, and that just escalates the whole thing.

Muzman on 27/1/2010 at 07:51

Quote Posted by Malf

Traditionally, content creators haven't complained about second-hand sales of their IP. Second hand books, records and CDs have done a roaring trade over the years. But now for the first time in history, these content creators are realising they can restrict second-hand sales of their IP.

It's a bit by the by, but that's not quite right. From memory, book publishers once tried to make it law that all books had to be thrown away once they were read, using a EULA-like agreement which purchase "signed" for you.
Granted it's been a while between these things.

Renzatic on 27/1/2010 at 08:06

Yup, back in the early 20th century, I believe. That resulted in First Sale Doctrine in the US, which states that no company can ever restrict you from reselling your bought and paid for goods. It applies to any physical medium, up to and including disc based software.

In fact Autodesk got slapped down with that particular law after attempting some shenanigans last year. Since then, I believe they and just about every other publisher out there have started moving towards an internet DRM based sales structure, where First Sale doesn't apply.