Witcher 2 Patch Fixes Bugs, Removes DRM

[rsvp42]

Interesting seeing the response to this. It's a solid plan and I agree with it, but I have to wonder if it's one of those things that's only successful because everyone else has gone crazy with DRM. I'm imagining a trend where game companies slowly convert back to DRM-free models and then suffer again because they ended up making pirating easier in the process. Then again, my understanding of the issues could be flawed.

CDP had that ideology since they started however, back in the mid 90ties. It's not something they came up with in response to Ubisoft or recent Capcom ideas. Back in the times when in Poland you couldn't buy original game unless you knew one of few, obscure, hidden shops that imported from US adding hefty self-profit to the game cost they started releasing 1 year old games for half the average price with translated manuals.

True, but I'm responding to the idea that this policy should be universally adopted by the industry. It's great for customer goodwill and loyalty in an industry inundated with DRM, but I'm trying to think about what an industry with no DRM would be like. People here saying they'll buy it just to support the no-DRM policy wouldn't be saying the same thing if everyone operated that way. I'm just not sure how sales in this hypothetical DRM-free industry would compare to current sales. Would the convenience drive up sales enough to offset the fact that piracy would be easier? Would piracy be easier?

I'm just not well informed enough on the money side of the issue to know for sure. So I give major props to CD Projekt for making this decision, but I can't rightly expect anyone else to follow suit without having a better idea of all the implications, not just the issue of customer convenience.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

CDP had that ideology since they started however, back in the mid 90ties. It's not something they came up with in response to Ubisoft or recent Capcom ideas. Back in the times when in Poland you couldn't buy original game unless you knew one of few, obscure, hidden shops that imported from US adding hefty self-profit to the game cost they started releasing 1 year old games for half the average price with translated manuals.

And now they're the largest games distributor in Poland (largest in Eastrn Europe if I read correctly) and a growing force in digital distribution. All without falling victim to rampant corporate arseholism.

 

[Demonio Penguino]

How ironic, I was just watching Yahtzee's review of The Witcher.

 

[Keava]

True, but I'm responding to the idea that this policy should be universally adopted by the industry. It's great for customer goodwill and loyalty in an industry inundated with DRM, but I'm trying to think about what an industry with no DRM would be like. People here saying they'll buy it just to support the no-DRM policy wouldn't be saying the same thing if everyone operated that way. I'm just not sure how sales in this hypothetical DRM-free industry would compare to current sales. Would the convenience drive up sales enough to offset the fact that piracy would be easier? Would piracy be easier?

I'm just not well informed enough on the money side of the issue to know for sure. So I give major props to CD Projekt for making this decision, but I can't rightly expect anyone else to follow suit without having a better idea of all the implications, not just the issue of customer convenience.

Piracy is easy regardless of DRM because the pirate himself, as in the guy who downloads the game, doesn't need to know anything about cracking, hacking or even basic coding. He just copies files or doubleclicks the .exe that does the job for him. It really doesn't get much easier than that.
The guys who do all the 'dirty' work however do it for fun, for fame, for the 'scene'. They don't care what game it is, what company it is nor what you do with it. They had their fun with 'proving their coding skills' and are off to next title.

Sure, if every company would decide to go DRM free people wouldn't buy a game just to support given company, but from consumer point of view it would be best thing to happen, and then those companies would most likely try to find new ways of showing their 'superiority', trying to improve in other aspects, like consumer support, additional content, bonuses, etc. End user always benefits from competition.

 

[jpoon]

Well done CD Projekt, I now respect this dev more than almost ANY other dev I can think of. They are doing things the right way, all the other greedy corps can officially blow me because I will be avoiding anything and everything that includes any form of DRM from here on out.

 

[Nimzar]

*slow clap*

CD Projekt wins my respect for this move.

I think I may buy Witcher 2 now.

 

[LiquidGrape]

I do respect CDP's approach to costumer relations and rights of use. They've set a standard in that area, and publishers could take a leaf or two out of their book.

...I just wish their games weren't so cringe-worthy so that I might actually feel inclined buy any of their products.

 

[Snowalker]

Idk, maybe its just me, but my graphics didn't get any performance boost... I mean, the games always been payable, but when I go into any large and active indoor area(Inn, Bar, etc.)... I feel like I'm in a slideshow.

 

[ninja51]

God these guys are awesome. Ive been rediculously excited for the Witcher 2 for awhile and hope to Zeus they put out a console version that doesnt get cencored by Microsoft. They get it, its literally easier to pirate things than to deal with stupid "protection" software. The public knows it, and these guys have the sense to listen to us. I hope these developers have a long and very successful run in the gaming industry

 

[Irridium]

And this is in direct contrast to Capcom's policy of screwing over their customers.

I <3 CD Projekt Red.

I do respect CDP's approach to costumer relations and rights of use. They've set a standard in that area, and publishers could take a leaf or two out of their book.

...I just wish their games weren't so cringe-worthy so that I might actually feel inclined buy any of their products.

Well, GoG.com is a sister site of theirs. They sell older games for $6-$10 USD, re-tool them to work on modern operating systems, and pack in a nice bunch of extras with each game.

Shirly something there could wet your whistle

 

[viranimus]

Once the vile DRM was purged from this plane of existence, all was once again right with the world, and the children sang joyful and glorious songs in great gratititude to no longer be hampered by something that was always ineffective, and never once accomplish the goals for which it set out.

 

[Worgen]

this is why I was willing to get a physical copy of it even tho it had drm shit in it, because I knew they would take it out and be awesome about it, not enough companies do this

 

[arealperson]

Interesting seeing the response to this. It's a solid plan and I agree with it, but I have to wonder if it's one of those things that's only successful because everyone else has gone crazy with DRM. I'm imagining a trend where game companies slowly convert back to DRM-free models and then suffer again because they ended up making pirating easier in the process. Then again, my understanding of the issues could be flawed.

CDP had that ideology since they started however, back in the mid 90ties. It's not something they came up with in response to Ubisoft or recent Capcom ideas. Back in the times when in Poland you couldn't buy original game unless you knew one of few, obscure, hidden shops that imported from US adding hefty self-profit to the game cost they started releasing 1 year old games for half the average price with translated manuals.

True, but I'm responding to the idea that this policy should be universally adopted by the industry. It's great for customer goodwill and loyalty in an industry inundated with DRM, but I'm trying to think about what an industry with no DRM would be like. People here saying they'll buy it just to support the no-DRM policy wouldn't be saying the same thing if everyone operated that way. I'm just not sure how sales in this hypothetical DRM-free industry would compare to current sales. Would the convenience drive up sales enough to offset the fact that piracy would be easier? Would piracy be easier?

I'm just not well informed enough on the money side of the issue to know for sure. So I give major props to CD Projekt for making this decision, but I can't rightly expect anyone else to follow suit without having a better idea of all the implications, not just the issue of customer convenience.

You're absolutely right about this issue. To put it in terms where everyone can see the issue with all games being drm-free:

Imagine you could copy (and play) your games from DVD to your consoles hard-drive (or better yet your computer's) AND still be able to resell your discs. The current laws would still exist (in which you must destroy any copies you've made to make the transfer; basically, an honor system), but illegal distribution would surely skyrocket, to the point where the industry would be lucky to be much farther than the garage. The issue existed for the Amiga (I believe) and original Famicon (Japanese NES) for those who would like to look it up. Sure, there may still be the capacity for a few large studios, but the system would look far different from the advancement it's reached today (technology, game-wise, you name it).

P.S. That said, I preordered (and have now bought) The Witcher 2 on pretty much the grounds of it's premise as a DRM-free version a high-profile, new-release game alone. This is the first game I have ever pre-ordered at that. What can I say, I'm an idealist. Hopefully I'll get around to playing it some day...

Edit: OT: In regards to, "stripping the DRM from every edition of the game". This isn't true for the Steam version of the game, I assume? Unless there's some sort of proof of purchase 2nd copy of the game or something. I mean, Steam is implied DRM after all.

 

[dududf]

How ironic, I was just watching Yahtzee's review of The Witcher.

How is that ironic in the slightest...?

I assume you mean coincidental of sorts?

 

[Murray Whitwell]

best approach to take. Good to see someone had pulled their head out of their arse and realized the inevitability of piracy and taken real steps to discourage it. Lets hope it catches on.

 

[AngryFrenchCanadian]

Piracy is easy regardless of DRM because the pirate himself, as in the guy who downloads the game, doesn't need to know anything about cracking, hacking or even basic coding. He just copies files or doubleclicks the .exe that does the job for him. It really doesn't get much easier than that.
The guys who do all the 'dirty' work however do it for fun, for fame, for the 'scene'. They don't care what game it is, what company it is nor what you do with it. They had their fun with 'proving their coding skills' and are off to next title.

Sure, if every company would decide to go DRM free people wouldn't buy a game just to support given company, but from consumer point of view it would be best thing to happen, and then those companies would most likely try to find new ways of showing their 'superiority', trying to improve in other aspects, like consumer support, additional content, bonuses, etc. End user always benefits from competition.

Not to mention that if it becomes an industry standard to use as little DRM as possible, the companies that still end up using it would have a hard time justifying it. As of right now, their logic is: "We have to use as much DRM as possible or we'll lose a lot of money! I mean, why would everybody else do it if it wasn't for the loss of money?"

 

[iniudan]

Yeah, my awesome game will now be DRM free ^^

Anyhow it's amazing that you can actually finish the game in 15 separate ways XD

16 ways, and if you can prove to CDP that you got the 16 ending, you get a T-shirt that mention your achievement has your trophy. So keep your save if you plan to get them all. =)

 

[infohippie]

CD Projekt RED are simply awesome, there is no other way to put it. Ubisoft, are you watching? This is how you build customer loyalty and ensure you don't get ripped off. I am now planning to buy pretty much anything these guys publish. And yet I still refuse to buy anything by Ubisoft no matter how good a game it is.

 

[z3rostr1fe]

So basically the Steam version is now the only version with DRM now, right?

Since in the Steam update history of W2, there's nothing about removing the pesky Steam (or other) DRM.

Spoiler: http://store.steampowered.com/news/?feed=steam_updates&appids=20920

# Added Troll Trouble DLC
# Fixed DLC download issues
# Fixed Module updates
# Fixed various game crashes
# Expanded Movement Key Mapping includes arrow keys & Number pad
# Fixed NVidia 3D Vision Surround issues
# Improved auto-detect to improve game efficiency
# Fixed bug preventing the completely of the quest "Blood Curse"

Yay for Steam again!

... I think Steam IS the DRM for W2...

 

[antipunt]

And just when I thought Witcher 2 couldn't get any better....