What is exactly is...DRM?

[Dendio]

I've been looking around trying to get information on what DRM really is. However there's alot of misinformation and rumors on the internet. I've read things saying that DRM lets companies monitor your actions while the game is being run. ( So if you play the game and multitask things online, your activities are being watched/recorded to some extent). They say this is to prevent games from being hacked/uploaded to online share sites. I dont know how true this is, but it doesnt seem legal.

Ive heard that DRM means you cannot play the game if you do not have a working internet connection. I dont know how true this is.I currently own GTA 4, which has an online mode. I can play GTA 4 in an offline mode when I dont have internet working. My understanding is that the online is mostly for updating achievements and such to the online data base.

So what is DRM? Is it a privacy violation of sorts? Is it something that simply requires you to register the product online or does it take it further and not allow you to play at all w/o a connection? Does DRM affect console games?

 

[Aidinthel]

It's a general term. Different companies have different forms of DRM, and the level of restriction varies wildly. You'd do better to research specific companies you're interested in and see what they do.

 

[Radelaide]

There are a lot of areas in DRM. Ubisoft just introduced the internet DRM you're talking about, but most just need a one off internet connection and they have an install limit.

Also, it is legal as companies are protecting their intellectual property.

I wouldn't ask about DRM around here, it ends up being a big ***** fest.

 

[Flishiz]

DRM (Digital Rights Management) can be a lot of things with many uses and functions, but in short, it's like a little piece of code attached to a game, movie, MP3, etc, that causes the function of what you have to behave differently in certain circumstances, with the purpose of making sure a company producing it has an advantage of those who would use the product in another way than designed (For example, Apple puts DRM on its songs so that people not on the iTunes accounts that bought the songs can't listen to them, so that way people won't buy one song then uploaded it onto the web and see it downloaded thousands of times over)

 

[Irridium]

There are many kinds of DRM.

Basically what it is is security on a game that is supposed to stop pirates. A quick google search shows that this isn't true.

DRM takes many forms, from having to keep the disk in the tray, to CD keys, to online activation, securom, install limits, and now a constant internet connection.

Even Steam is DRM. Granted it is one of the more lenient ones, its still DRM.

Publishers put this in their games to, like I said, try and protect piracy. And like I said, it doesn't work as well as advertised.

Lately all it seems to be doing is inconveniencing the consumer. Like when pretty much the entire country of Australia couldn't connect to Ubi's online authentication servers.

Online connections required DRM doesn't make much sense to me. Do they expect me to become a pirate while I'm playing?

All DRM is is a short term solution to a long term problem. And if publishers get their heads out of their asses and realize that piracy isn't just a technical problem, we could get on the road to lessening it. There is no way to eliminate it, it will always be there. And that is something they seem to not be able to get their heads around.

One small thing they could do is put the Developers back at the forefront of game developing. People are more likely to pirate from faceless suits than a group of people just like them who also love games.

Not sure if it affects consoles though.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

DRM is a system that most gaming companies are now using to try and combat Piracy. Most of the time it adds to the piracy problem rather then preventing because of the limits and restrictions that are used.

 

[mad825]

secuROM are the leading DRM creators for the gaming industry if im correct secuROM 7 is the infamous online check (single)

Sadly I must say any information on secuROM security is very limited and only the tale tale signs are visible

 

[Tony2077]

Digital rights management is the generic term

 

[Kagim]

Its probably best not to bring it up though. People get really uppity about it.

Like, scary uppity.

Like scream at you and write three pages worth of reasons as to why Piracy is good and doesn't do any harm what so ever to anyone if you so much as mention the possibility that pirates are just as wrong as DRM companies.

I need to shut up.