DRM Systems and the Publishers Who Love Them

[Byrn Stuff]

While they've backed off of full online registration, EA is sort of working on a sneaky half-measure of the same idea. They give away free DLC on day one, but of course you have to register the game to get it. What happens next is a bit uncertain. I've gotten multiple reports from people saying that if you don't sign in to EA when you launch the game, your DLC content is missing. Others have reported that you can't load a save that contains DLC items if you don't log in to EA. I just tried it with my copy of Mass Effect 2 (a digital purchase through Impulse) and didn't have any problems using my DLC content. This system is obviously still in flux, and it probably depends on what game, and where you got it.

This irritated the hell out of me. My 360 is upstairs from the router, and I really hated having to jury rig a connection through my laptop in order to play a game that had no online component. If I couldn't sign into XBL, it declared my DLC corrupted and refused to let me access that save file.

 

[tsb247]

I am NOT a fan of DRMs, and I am certainly NOT a fan of Steam either since I bought Half-Life 2 at a time when I did not have internet and had to wait a few weeks before being able to play it. What can I say? The experience left a bad taste in my mouth.

I have only found one DRM that doesn't bother me and that is FADE. It follows what I consider to be the tenants of a, "*Good," DRM.

*I use the term 'Good' loosely.

--> Unintrusive - It does not make its presence known.

--> Non-threatening - It does not compromise the security of my computer or alter files in such a way so as to be detrimental to the performance of my PC.

--> Clever - Some creative thinking went into the system, and it seems to be a step in the right direction towards protecting the rights of the consumer (gamer).

Spoiler: FADE example(s)

When I see this, I don't think, "I paid for this! WTF?!" Instead, I think, "Lol... They got caught."

With a legit copy, this doesn't happen.

 

[Odjin]

I set it to auto login on boot, it handles all my patching for me and i down have to fumble around with boxes and cd keys when installing something.

Patches are broken and games don't run anymore because of the broken patches. Some games even can not be run. I had a couple which I had to manually extract out of steam and apply cracks of strange kinds so they did not relay on steam anymore to run to get them working.

From the store it takes about 5 clicks to buy something and just as many to install it, which is significantly less then any other service.

It takes me 3 clicks to buy a game from my game retailer (put in basket, checkout, confirm). I get it shipped to me and I install it, and it works. With steam I get troubles with payment since I'm non-american, installation takes ages since their content-servers are overloaded, installing the game often fails and leaves the game unplayable. Not really a service at all.

Then there's the offline mode, which takes two clicks to activate and stays indefinitely as long as you didn't activate it while patching.

Which doesn't work. In offline mode none of my games can be played. They always scream for online connection. LAN play is also impossible this way.

Then I challenge you to find any non-steam game that still works after ragequitting a patch in progress. Steam games however will continue where they left off once they have an internet connection again, or failing that, using steam's 3 click autorepair button as opposed to having to reinstall the entire game again.

See my points above. If the game is broken you can only delete the cache file and wait hours for the game to download again through the slow content-servers. And then you have to be lucky that the download is not corrupted or steam decides it can not play the game. I also had it that I uninstalled the game because it had been broken and steam refused to install it again since it stubbornly insisted on the game being installed although it had been totally wiped. And don't get me starting with patches. The damn mess we had in Beta Testing with the patching system is beyond evil. Without steam I can choose which patch I use for my game and even use multiple patched versions if this really becomes a necessity (did happen to me actually). Steam on the other hand forces patches on you even if they are broken or not working with your system/hardware/os whatever.[/quote]

Steam has malfunctioned exactly TWICE in it's entire 6 years life so far: on 16 november 2004 when the the huge popularity of half life 2 and everybody trying to use the "enter key and download from here" crashed the servers and the second time a few years later due to a weather related power outage at valve's server hosting company, both of which lasted a few hours. 99% of the other problems are caused by retards not figuring out that setting their firewall to block it is obviously going to prevent it from working

In 5 years of using it i never experienced any problems and i own about 15 games on it.

I'm working with steam both as a client and a developer and I've seen nothing but troubles including the ones mentioned above. It's a huge pile of crapiness in a sauce of incompetence followed by the smell of money-making waving the flag of "fuck you clients and devers we only want your money so eat shit". I'm not throwing this around without knowing what I do. I know steam since the very beginning so I know very well what it is or rather is "not".

 

[Salonista]

So has Shamus been crowned the champion of those against DRM idiocy? It would seem so. I really don't mind rage fests but you should be doing more than ripping into one company or another about DRM's every other article.

You're so much better than that.

Shame on Shamus making people aware of how they're paying to be abused. Suppose he'd stop writing about it if only they'd stop giving him ammunition, eh?

 

[Odjin]

How can any sane man on this earth love steam? Seriously... you must be sick... or understand nothing of computers at all... <.=.<

Maybe because it has done nothing for me but work perfectly. And as mentioned, it has provided me numerous bonuses in trade for my compliance with their schemes. The mere fact that I was able to back-up my Steam files from my XP machine, build a brand-new computer with Win7 on it, and restore the Steam files, then have access back for all my Steam games after some incredibly mild-updating. In the next 10 days, I will have to replace my Win7 beta install with the retail version that I've been putting off (I bought Win7 through the Best Buy pre-order, but the beta is so stable I haven't really felt like going through a re-install). It will take me longer to install and configure one game off of CD/DVD media than it will to install and configure every single game I have ever purchased through Steam (20 of which I currently have installed for playing).

Maybe I'm just a lucky minority, but anecdotal evidence would suggest instead that you're allowing your idealism to get in the way of a not-so-bad reality. Even if you don't want to use the service on principled grounds, fine, but it really shouldn't be so hard to see why the rest of us aren't that bothered by it.

You are lucky then. Because I know more people than not which have huge troubles with steam and the customer service gives a shit about it. I just use it with grinding teeth since I have to. Whenever I can I choose games from the shelf instead of steam as it saves me tons of troubles and the game is installed much faster.

And moving steam games around? Not without hacking around in the registry. Did it myself when we switched developer machine from an nVidia one to an ATI one. Both XP back then and the dever files on an external HD. That had been a damn drama until steam worked on the other machine. The other games outside steam just ran out of the box while the steam games caused tons of troubles as they failed to find various path. We even had to use the exact same path for steam which sucked since the file structure had been different on the two machines. An experience I never want to see again.

 

[hellsop]

but has anyone ever honestly had to install a game more than 5 times on 5 different computers?

Sure. I've owned D2:Lord of Destruction since the Beta. I've owned seven computers since 2001. I'd imagine a lot of people that can actually call themselves gamers have as well, just through normal upgrade cycles, without even considering catastrophic system failure. The game started life on a G3 Mac, went through Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and now runs just fine on Windows 7, and several of the save files are well over five years old.

 

[The Imp]

The biggest problem is that, thanks to the next gen consoles, not one(!) developer or publisher cares, let alone develops specifically, anymore about/for the PC market. Even more so because the "normal" console-gamer only cares about plug'n'play style like Gears of War or other cover-based frakk.
So they think: "Hey, we have almost a bazillion potential customers, alone in the US. Why should we even bother with a, allegdly, dead pc market when we can just dish out more console games? All pc gamers are elitist pirates anyway, so let's kill their favourite plattform with the meanest DRM we can come up with! They have to give up and join the console bandwagon eventually."

That's what we, pc-gamers, are looking at for at least the next 3 years. Hopefully the graphics and gameplay-styles have developed far enough so the consoles can't keep up with and the developers have to come back to the pc for power until a new next-gen console is coming out. Yeah i know, most unlikely to happen. But a man can dream, can he?!

 

[shadow skill]

How can any sane man on this earth love steam? Seriously... you must be sick... or understand nothing of computers at all... <.=.<

Maybe because it has done nothing for me but work perfectly. And as mentioned, it has provided me numerous bonuses in trade for my compliance with their schemes. The mere fact that I was able to back-up my Steam files from my XP machine, build a brand-new computer with Win7 on it, and restore the Steam files, then have access back for all my Steam games after some incredibly mild-updating. In the next 10 days, I will have to replace my Win7 beta install with the retail version that I've been putting off (I bought Win7 through the Best Buy pre-order, but the beta is so stable I haven't really felt like going through a re-install). It will take me longer to install and configure one game off of CD/DVD media than it will to install and configure every single game I have ever purchased through Steam (20 of which I currently have installed for playing).

Maybe I'm just a lucky minority, but anecdotal evidence would suggest instead that you're allowing your idealism to get in the way of a not-so-bad reality. Even if you don't want to use the service on principled grounds, fine, but it really shouldn't be so hard to see why the rest of us aren't that bothered by it.

You are lucky then. Because I know more people than not which have huge troubles with steam and the customer service gives a shit about it. I just use it with grinding teeth since I have to. Whenever I can I choose games from the shelf instead of steam as it saves me tons of troubles and the game is installed much faster.

And moving steam games around? Not without hacking around in the registry. Did it myself when we switched developer machine from an nVidia one to an ATI one. Both XP back then and the dever files on an external HD. That had been a damn drama until steam worked on the other machine. The other games outside steam just ran out of the box while the steam games caused tons of troubles as they failed to find various path. We even had to use the exact same path for steam which sucked since the file structure had been different on the two machines. An experience I never want to see again.

I've said numerous times that Steam's requirement that the games be located under the Steam root folder is stupid as hell. Your experience is yet another example of why this is so.

 

[TitsMcGee1804]

but has anyone ever honestly had to install a game more than 5 times on 5 different computers?

Sure. I've owned D2:Lord of Destruction since the Beta. I've owned seven computers since 2001. I'd imagine a lot of people that can actually call themselves gamers have as well, just through normal upgrade cycles, without even considering catastrophic system failure. The game started life on a G3 Mac, went through Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and now runs just fine on Windows 7, and several of the save files are well over five years old.

i suppose you're right, but its a bad example, I think that when blizz released diablo they knew people would be playing it for 20 years to come so they aint gonna whack a 2 max activation on it, wheras something like spore, its just a throwaway game thats going to get forgotten when people realise how shit it actually is as a game

bioshock is good, but probably only worth 2 maybe 3 playthroughs

Like I said, I am against the idea of limited activations, wholly, I think when you buy a game its yours to do as you please, but im just saying ME personally has never had it as a problem, im tranna look at it from all angles

 

[TitsMcGee1804]

So has Shamus been crowned the champion of those against DRM idiocy? It would seem so. I really don't mind rage fests but you should be doing more than ripping into one company or another about DRM's every other article.

You're so much better than that.

Shame on Shamus making people aware of how they're paying to be abused. Suppose he'd stop writing about it if only they'd stop giving him ammunition, eh?

its not abuse...if you dont like it....dont buy the product, ball is in your court mate!

if you buy it, realise its got BAD drm that you cannot live with, take it back, explain that it says nothing on the box about DRM, if they refuse, just dont leave the store till you got a refund

I have done it many times, just keep calm and polite and nobody can deny you a refund

If everybody went out, bought a game, and then took it back to the retailer saying its got unnaceptable DRM, then maybe the retailers would push publishers to change

 

[Weaver]

but has anyone ever honestly had to install a game more than 5 times on 5 different computers?

Sure. I've owned D2:Lord of Destruction since the Beta. I've owned seven computers since 2001. I'd imagine a lot of people that can actually call themselves gamers have as well, just through normal upgrade cycles, without even considering catastrophic system failure. The game started life on a G3 Mac, went through Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and now runs just fine on Windows 7, and several of the save files are well over five years old.

Lets not forget the definition of "different computers" is so incredibly strict for these DRM schemes. Put in some more ram? That counts as a new computer! Update the graphics card? new computer!

So imagine i want to upgrade my PC. I plan on doing it in stages because PC hardware is expensive. So my first paycheck I buy a new CPU and put it in. Then I upgrade my ram next paycheck. Then I switch out the video card. Then I buy a soundcard to replace my on board. Finally after all my hardware's been put in I go buy a new OS on my last paycheck.

This counts as "5 separate systems" and I really, REALLY don't feel this is an insane, obscure or impossible scenario. And even though I personally do all my upgrading in one big pile, I know a lot of people who upgrade it piecewise like that.

 

[EBass]

Shamus, as someone who greatly admires the way you write I'm surprised you haven't seen the truth behind this DRM stuff.

Its not so much about killing the 2nd hand PC market (though that is a small factor), nor is it about piracy.

What its about is about reshaping the PC model of business to the console model of business with all the cost of quality and versatility that that entails. When they take the game off their servers we can't play it anymore, forcing us to buy the next one. When they stop PC users being able to make custom content and use it then they can sell us DLC that the PC community could make themselves.

They are trying to kill the PC dead as an alternative business model before console users start realising what they are missing and demanding the features that PC games enjoy as standard. We saw the same thing with MW2s dedis.

 

[Jason Danger Keyes]

I bought the Orange Box, retail, when it first came out. I was 17 at the time and still living with my parents, out in the country where we had no internet AT ALL. Imagine my heartbreak getting home after spending all my hard-earned money only to have the game tell me that it wouldn't install unless i was connected to the internet. I had the disc in the tray, and the game stuck its nose up at me and said no.

It wasn't until two years later when I moved out to go to college and live in a city that I could actually install it.

 

[viciouspen]

Another giant boon to the Pirating community....I mean, in the great history of irony that's all they're doing here...cause I got news for you, I sure as hell won't waste money to be hastled like that.

If I buy a game like that, part of what I'm looking for is something that I can play WITHOUT net connection.

DRM...think it's a sales term for Decreased Revenue and Mass appeal

 

[sunpop]

Well Shamus you managed to make me like steam, when it's put in an article with all these jackass drm tactics suddenly it's the golden goose of drm. I still would prefer not needing anything at all but I suppose when it's a choice between running steam or having a system that's so invasive it might as well be a virtual prostate exam I will have to go with steam.

 

[mooseodeath]

Maybe the developers should make a game WORTH buying. I know a pirate and he buys originals every so often. Guess what games he buys? Good ones.

Mass Effect 1+2 because of how he doesn't mind activating it online with the added value concept of carry over save games.

The Orange Box, it's the best value in a package EVER and with Team Fortress 2 updates for free adding MORE to the game it's worth the purchase.

Any game with amazing online multi-player, Bad Company 2, Left4Dead2, Unreal Tournament 3. No, NOT MW2 because of lack of dedicated servers.

The Movies because of the great community that used to exist.

The point I'm trying to make is take it from a pirate...if a game is worth it, they will buy it. Stop being greedy and make us a game worth buying.

what your talking about is the handful of games that make it. it's a 2-3 year gamble to produce most of those games and the end product could be a gold nugget like mass effect or a brown nugget like prey. they still cost millions of dollars to make if they have something to offer you...pay for them. if you wouldn't have liked them don't download them.

you are not entitled to anygame released and only required to pay for those that meet your lofty standards.

 

[Salonista]

So has Shamus been crowned the champion of those against DRM idiocy? It would seem so. I really don't mind rage fests but you should be doing more than ripping into one company or another about DRM's every other article.

You're so much better than that.

Shame on Shamus making people aware of how they're paying to be abused. Suppose he'd stop writing about it if only they'd stop giving him ammunition, eh?

its not abuse...if you dont like it....dont buy the product, ball is in your court mate!

if you buy it, realise its got BAD drm that you cannot live with, take it back, explain that it says nothing on the box about DRM, if they refuse, just dont leave the store till you got a refund

I have done it many times, just keep calm and polite and nobody can deny you a refund

If everybody went out, bought a game, and then took it back to the retailer saying its got unnaceptable DRM, then maybe the retailers would push publishers to change

When only paying customers are being sold the pointy end, yeah, that's abusive in my book. And after being burned by DRM I certainly don't buy first/cry later anymore, since I've gotta read up first or wait to find out the true deal with some of these DRMs. No more impulse purchases anymore, I miss that.

Are you in the States? Retailers here will not take back opened software for DRM complaints, no matter what your beef, no matter how sweet you may be (they will exchange for a new copy, but won't refund). Demanding a refund directly from the publisher, however, might actually work and has the added benefit of telling them to their faces why you're not happy w/the product.

But that's beyond what I was saying in my post. It's folks like Shamus, railing against or at least warning about DRM systems, that do a service for others. Awareness can lead to change for the better, one hopes. I imagine that's always the plan, anyway.

 

[Arkzism]

the drm stuff is a challenge to pirates they see it and go dammit i can beat that. and what annoys the most about drm is what if your like me and you constantly uninstall and reinstall games for various reasons

 

[Geoffrey42]

You are lucky then. Because I know more people than not which have huge troubles with steam and the customer service gives a shit about it. I just use it with grinding teeth since I have to. Whenever I can I choose games from the shelf instead of steam as it saves me tons of troubles and the game is installed much faster.

And moving steam games around? Not without hacking around in the registry. Did it myself when we switched developer machine from an nVidia one to an ATI one. Both XP back then and the dever files on an external HD. That had been a damn drama until steam worked on the other machine. The other games outside steam just ran out of the box while the steam games caused tons of troubles as they failed to find various path. We even had to use the exact same path for steam which sucked since the file structure had been different on the two machines. An experience I never want to see again.

Simply to point out how equally anecdotal our two points of view are, I personally don't know a single person who has had an issue with Steam.

As far as mucking about with the registry, in between XP builds (the XP machine went through 3 hardware iterations before I started from scratch for my Win7 build), and from XP to Win7, I never had to do any registry tweaking at all. Move the files, tell Steam to "install" the game, Steam would see that it already had the core data files, and it would register the appropriate pieces of information, then be good to go in less than 5 minutes.

If, as shadow skill pointed out, you had issues due to not using the default/required Steam folder structure, then I'm sorry. I agree with shadow skill that not making more flexible file paths is nothing but lazy programming, but it has caused me no issues.

 

[keitarobg]

great article on this bullshit, that is DRM! I dont think the companies have a hard time realizing, that the only thing they do with DRM is actually making people pirate the game. Let's say I'm just an average person, who doesn't have much computer skills and wants to install a game. For me it would be much easier just to download a pirate copy and install it, because the steps are much simpler: I press NEXT a couple of times, replace the original game file with a crack and voala! No online activations, I don't have the company breathing down my neck to make sure I'm using an original copy. It's much easier pirating a game, than buying one.

And, as my professor on information law says: "There's no such thing as a perfect defense". And I have the crappy feeling, we're living in a world where playing an original game is much harder, than playing a pirated version.