DRM what's it all about

[ElliotKane]

My understanding is that Number 3, above, is not true. Once "authorized" ("activated", "registered", choose your term) you do not have to connect again, EVER, to play.

 

IF you want to obtain DLC, install again, (on same or different computer) or otherwise obtain/allow a connection to the EA servers after an, (as ElliotKane said "as yet unspecified") period of not communicating with them, the DRM will again attempt to "verify your authorization".

 

And as BKE said earlier, there is an expectation of a "sunset" provision to remove even these modest requirements at some point.

 

As far as the vast majority of players with a) a legitimate copy of the the game, and b) a broadband connection to the interwebz, are concerned, this is a total non-issue.

 

Buy it. Install it. Play it! :thumbsup:

 

Perhaps you should tell Bioware that #3 is not true. They certainly appear to think that it is.

 

- You can play offline but the game will require a login check after a select period of days.

 

As directly stated by them in their explanatory thread.

 

This is not even slightly a non-issue. It's similar to the DRM on ME1 that so annoyed many gamers.

 

It's certainly a sufficient issue that I (And many others) will not touch this game.

 

***

 

Ell46,

 

You're welcome :)

 

And yeah - far too many hoops to jump through for my liking.

Edited February 2, 2011 by ElliotKane

[brokenergy]

But A) You don't know what the number of days are and B) it's a verification, not Ubisoft's constant online DRM. It happens in Origins and ME2 as well, it's nothing new. Edited February 2, 2011 by brokenergy

[ElliotKane]

Brokenergy,

 

There is no requirement whatsoever to log into a Bioware account - or even to HAVE a Bioware account - to play Origins (Or Awakening for that matter). Nothing whatsoever in the basic game forces you to go online for any reason. I'm not sure why you seem to think otherwise.

[brokenergy]

You do need a BioWare account for DLC authentication, and to upload achievements for BioWare points. It's been like that since 2009. It's no different than to Steam.

[ElliotKane]

Brokenergy,

 

Indeed. But those things are completely voluntary. You don't have to buy DLC, you don't have to upload your achievements, you don't have to have a Bioware account. They are all totally your choice, as they should be.

 

This new thing is completely compulsory. No account, your game will not work. No regular check ins, your game will not work. You see the difference?

[Thandal]

Well, I prefer to get my info about technical aspects of the game from Fernando Melo, rather than (Evil) Chris. :tongue:

Fernando made the next "BioWare staff" post after Chris in the "official" thread, and said this:

 

Fernando Melo wrote...

 

Do I have to be online all the time?

No. The only time this will be needed is when you first install, and if the game asks to connect again at some point in the future - we'll confirm closer to launch what that time gap is.

 

And it's certainly not new or unique to BioWare/EA to require registration in order to play a game, (or to use other kinds of software, for that matter! :laugh: )

[brokenergy]

Yes but how many people don't upload their DLC's? Very small. BioWare knows the risks, a very small but vocal minority doesn't buy DA2, it wouldn't hurt their long term sales.

 

Edit: Thandal, thank you. Like I said before it most likely be between 30-90 days. It's no different to disk-check.

Edited February 2, 2011 by brokenergy

[ElliotKane]

Thandal,

 

That absolutely confirms what I said is the case, though. I'm not sure what point you are trying to make, here...?

 

***

 

Brokenergy,

 

If Bioware want to lose customers, however small a number, that is absolutely their call, yes.

Edited February 2, 2011 by ElliotKane

[brokenergy]

This is no different to the usual disk-check.. You are not forced to give your details, you are not forced to give them your credit card details or bank statements, you are not forced to buy the game. BioWare will not care if 1% doesn't buy DA2, the vocal minority is a very small number compared to the potential sells of DA2. And before anyone comes to state that The Witcher 2 has no DRM, it only applies to GOG only, rest get the usual DRM that Atari uses. Those who illegally get the game get an angry letter and a $5000+ fine.

[ElliotKane]

Brokenergy,

 

It's totally different to the usual disk check. No disk check ever made requires you to be online, or to register with a company.

 

Witcher 2 DRM for non-GOG has yet to be announced, AFAIK, so I see no need to worry about it before any details are available. Anyway, as you say it's a completely different game and a completely different company, so comparison would be pointless.

 

***

 

Fact is, we all have our own ideas of what counts as reasonable DRM for a single player offline game. If that very subjective line is crossed, we do not buy the game in question. Simple decision, and I dare say we all have our limits, somewhere.

 

For those who are fine with this kind of DRM, well, I hope you enjoy the game.

 

I'm not fine with it, which means I will never play the game unless the company relents. Just the way it is.

Edited February 2, 2011 by ElliotKane