id Software Praises "Always On" in Diablo 3

[Elamdri]

Whether it is ownership rights or licensing still people should stand-up to what they don't like. Otherwise these companies can write whatever licensing terms they want. Like you have to give us your first born every-time you want to play.

No, companies cannot write "whatever licensing terms they want." It's a contract like any other and it has to pass certain contractual requirements, (It' can't be illegal, unconscionable, ect.)

I don't mind that on-line is being used to give people extra features. But this is not the case here this is purely for DRM purposes. All the goodies he mentions has all been done before without needing to have DRM. So the only reason this is need is for DRM and that's it. Everything else he mentioned can be done without DRM. There is no reason for single player games to require internet connections.

I don't think it's for DRM purposes to be honest. It's certainly a nice side benefit for Blizzard, but I think the real reason here is that they want to encourage more people to be online so more people use the cash AH, which Blizzard is going to make money off of.

The reason I hate this is it will not end with games. I expect that all consumer electronics products I buy in the future to require always on internet connections so they can make sure you are using the product how the manufactures want you to.

I fully expect a system like that to be used to prevent you from selling the gadget as when you get it you will have to register it to your name before you can use it and if you sell it the new owner will have to pay a registration fee before they can use it.

Probably. But, and I've said this a lot, that future is inevitable. Personally, I would much prefer to ride the wave of destruction that to stand against it and be demolished.

 

[Rawne1980]

So I want the customers to be punched in the gut when playing Diablo 3. ANd it's really a good idea because that means pirates are less likely to pirate the game.

How?

A pirate copy will just be offline only.

You can still play just never online, it just comes with a crack exe that bypass drm.

 

[Whateveralot]

Finally, some people that actually think about things share their opinions on the matter.

Like Blizzard, I didn't expect "always online" to be a problem any more. We're always connected to the internet anyway. The only real reason to not want this is because you're afraid hackers won't come up with a solution so they might actually have to buy the game instead of pirating it.

 

[Keava]

I'll start embracing always online the moment the companies behind games using such system will provide me a constant, un-interrupted internet connection wherever i am, thank you.

We already don't really buy those games but only a license to play them, so the game better work for me once i actually install it no matter if i can or cannot connect or internet at given moment. Take that away from me and you won't see my money any time soon. Simple as that.

If i want to play an always-online game i re-sub to one of many MMOs which at least have reason behind being always-online.

 

[lacktheknack]

Didn't Blizzard say there would be an offline mode that they simply expected no one would use?

 

[Elamdri]

I dont see the problem, Ill just pirate it, no need to be online to play it then.

You are everything that is wrong with everything, everywhere, forever.

 

[Elamdri]

Didn't Blizzard say there would be an offline mode that they simply expected no one would use?

That was like a year ago, things have changed.

 

[fenrizz]

Finally, some people that actually think about things share their opinions on the matter.

Like Blizzard, I didn't expect "always online" to be a problem any more. We're always connected to the internet anyway. The only real reason to not want this is because you're afraid hackers won't come up with a solution so they might actually have to buy the game instead of pirating it.

Or it may be a matter of principle.

I, as a legitimate paying customer, should not have to be treated like a criminal.
It has nothing at all to do with me wanting to pirate Diablo 3, or any other game, as you for some reason seem to believe.

 

[IzisviAziria]

I dunno, my stance on things is that it's not a good idea nor is it practical to go down to the shore and yell out to the tide that it should not come in.

Ya, but the tide isn't dependent on thousands of people throwing $60 into it. it's a pretty simple problem though. Don't like it, don't buy it. I don't like it, and I won't buy it. All I can do is hope enough people feel the same way for it to significantly impact sales.

 

[w00tage]

Aaaand Tom Willits pulls both Id's and Blizzard's pants down for the next major game server hacks. Not that Blizzard didn't already have their belt unfastened and were working on the buttons when he said this.

 

[fenrizz]

I dunno, my stance on things is that it's not a good idea nor is it practical to go down to the shore and yell out to the tide that it should not come in.

Ya, but the tide isn't dependent on thousands of people throwing $60 into it. it's a pretty simple problem though. Don't like it, don't buy it. I don't like it, and I won't buy it. All I can do is hope enough people feel the same way for it to significantly impact sales.

I hope so too.

But I have a feeling that those lost sales will be blamed on piracy anyway.
It makes me sad.

 

[-Dragmire-]

I just have a feeling that eventually we'll have to pay $60 again for a license extension in order to 'support the expenses of authentication servers' if we want to play our old games in the future. I still play games I got 15 years ago, in 15 years from now, I'm not sure if I'll be able to play the games I get today, even if I have everything needed to run it and that is a sad future.

 

[Elamdri]

I dunno, my stance on things is that it's not a good idea nor is it practical to go down to the shore and yell out to the tide that it should not come in.

Ya, but the tide isn't dependent on thousands of people throwing $60 into it. it's a pretty simple problem though. Don't like it, don't buy it. I don't like it, and I won't buy it. All I can do is hope enough people feel the same way for it to significantly impact sales.

Never will happen. Which is why I compare it to trying to stop the tide from coming in. Gamers love to do two things. Complain and purchase video games. Look at Call of Duty. Every time a Call of Duty game comes out, people complain. Then what happens? They all buy the next Call of Duty.

Every time a new WoW expansion comes out, what does everyone do? They complain. Then when the next expansion comes out, they all buy the new expansion.

It's the same thing over and over again. Consumers being able to effect the market is some 60's anti-capitalist BS that they teach to starry-eyed kids in High School, before life kicks you out into the world and they realize that if they throw a fit and say "Well you won't get my money" then companies just laugh as three more willing customers walk into the door while you walk out. Meanwhile, you get to sit at home with no Diablo 3 while your friends all are playing Diablo 3 online and having a blast because you decided to rest on principle.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Well Blizzard does have the kind of power that Ubisoft doesn't. I can see them imposing there tyrannical will and forcing people to step in line or die. Unfortunately, this is also going to galvanize things even more since this is basically saying "join or die" and lots of people aren't going to like that.

 

[AdumbroDeus]

I dont see the problem, Ill just pirate it, no need to be online to play it then.

You are everything that is wrong with everything, everywhere, forever.

Actually, more the reason why this drm scheme doesn't work.

 

[tehbeard]

I know I am always connected to the net, but Dammit I want to know that if shit hits the fan (say, my uni's ISP holds our bandwidth/connections hostage, again) I can still play what I payed for.

 

[Smooth Operator]

id Software Creative Director Tim Willits is a big fan of the "always on" DRM in Diablo 3 and believes Blizzard has the muscle to force gamers to love it.

Well this does make me wonder if he has a pimping career on the side.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

Since when we ID good at anything? The last few games they have made have sucked, always on DRM is not the cure for games sucking.

A shame they have fallen so, their key checker system was one of the best DRM systems I have seen used as it did not bash you over the head unless you had a blacklisted key.

 

[fenrizz]

Yeah, well ID can go choke on it, all they ever brought out was Doom, and that isn't good enough for me to accept that they accept this bullshit. I wasn't gonna get Diablo 3 either way (shit computer) but after hearing about the DRM I'm going to actively steer folks away from it. I don't have much in the way of persuasion, or many people that listen to me, but I will scream it from the hilltops, ALWAYS ON IS FUCKING STUPID, AND STUPID PEOPLE LIKE STUPID IDEAS.

Not a bad idea at all.

I know at least 3 other people that are waiting for Diablo 3, and I am going to try very, very hard to make them not buy it anyway.

Perhaps we should make it into some sort of organized movement?

 

[Silenttalker22]

If people can't play PC games with their internet down then they're basicaly 'renting' the game and it should be about 20 bucks.

Amen brotha. This is a great observation. If we have to get their permission every time we play, we shouldn't be paying for a full game as if it's ours.

After D2 sucking up 2.5 years of my time, I was tepid about D3. Now I'm just not buying it.