DRM problem questions

[Korten12]

What is DRM exactly? Is it something that dosent allow you to download a game on more then one computer or so? If it why do people have a problem with it. I mean who is going to download a game on more then one computer.

 

[Irridium]

I don't entirely understand it myself either, I might give that article a read. It's all designed to curb piracy, that much I know.

And it doesn't seem to do that job very well from what I've seen.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

DRM is just an attempt to thwart pirates. But with the pirates getting craftier nowadays they have to keep changing the rules which makes people like me (the ones who legally buy the merchandise) have to deal with the fallout

 

[Good morning blues]

DRM stands for "Digital Rights Management;" it is a euphemistic phrase for anti-piracy features. It can be anything from when the first Metal Gear Solid requires you to look on the game's jewel case to find Deep Throat's frequency to when Sony included rootkits on their music CDs.

There are plenty of reasons why I would want to have a game on two computers. Maybe I own two computers in two separate locations and just want to be able to play the game I pad for regardless of which one I'm using. Maybe I replaced my old computer and now DRM is preventing me from installing my game on my new one.

 

[Hiphophippo]

What is DRM exactly?

A black flag. I make an effort both to not buy games with it and to pirate it.

 

[wordsmith]

What is DRM exactly? Is it something that dosent allow you to download a game on more then one computer or so? If it why do people have a problem with it. I mean who is going to download a game on more then one computer.

OK, put it this way. You get a shiny new computer, right? So you pop open your new Spore disk, pop it in the drive and start bashing away, dee dee dee... Oh noes! A thunderstorm!

*BZZT*

What was that? :O *Computer BSODS*... This is wierd... *restarts*

General Failure reading hard disk? What the hell? Better get it off to the tech shop...

Mr Tech Shop: Hi there! What's the problem?
you: It's broke. Can't read the Hard Disk
MTS: Ah, OK, let me look...
...
...
...
MTS: Sorry mate, the hard drive is totally dead. Don't worry though, your PC is still under warranty, we'll replace it free of charge.
You: YAY!

Back home, boot it back up again, pop Spore back in...

What do you mean I can't install it again?!?! BUT I OWN THE BLOODY GAME, I PAID FOR IT, WHY CAN'T I BLOODY PLAY IT!??!

Now, it's not just freak HD failures. Every time you upgrade an element in your machine, your machine reads slightly differently, so the game will think it's a different machine and lock down. If you're a PC gamer, that means most games have a lifespan of 3 component upgrades.

You know the best bit?

Mr Pirate Man: What's the problem?
You: I can't play Spore because of DRM
Mr Pirate Man: DRM? That's wierd, my version doesn't have any of that, I can use it on as many different machines as I want to. Oh well, back to playing Spore I guess.

And that's why DRM sucks more di-[this part of the message has been blanked for common decency]-ooker.

 

[Hiphophippo]

What is DRM exactly?

A black flag. I make an effort both to not buy games with it and to pirate it.

so you haven't paid for a game in what? a decade?

Seems like it. I guess mild DRM I'm ok with. Disk checks and such. Otherwise I either buy via steam and make sure there's no DRM or buy it for my 360.

Also, to be fair, I didn't play much other than wow for about 4 years. Sooo...you're almost right!

 

[Korten12]

well from what it seems like its bad but it also kinda seems like even if they removed it people would still pirate it.

 

[Hiphophippo]

What is DRM exactly?

A black flag. I make an effort both to not buy games with it and to pirate it.

so you haven't paid for a game in what? a decade?

Seems like it. I guess mild DRM I'm ok with. Disk checks and such. Otherwise I either buy via steam and make sure there's no DRM or buy it for my 360.

Also, to be fair, I didn't play much other than wow for about 4 years. Sooo...you're almost right!

umm steam is DRM, and console games have DRM, just saying.

To be fair, I'm fairly certain you know what kind of DRM I'm referring to.

 

[Hiphophippo]

DRM is DRM, and Steam is especially intrusive DRM with a sugar coating.

I'll not argue a point you are set against. Steam has never, and will never, stop me from playing any game I buy via their service.

Unlike some problems I've had buying games at retail.