AfterDawn: Tech news

Ubisoft removes 'always-connected' DRM from games

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 02 Jan 2011 1:19 User comments (14)

Ubisoft removes 'always-connected' DRM from games In early 2010, Ubisoft began releasing PC games with the controversial "always-connected" DRM, which meant gamers could not play their single-player games without being always connected to the Internet.
If your connection hiccuped at any point, the game would return you to the main menu, losing any forward progress you had made since last saving.

It appears, after months of complaints and outrage, that the publisher has finally updated a few of its games to remove the DRM, including popular titles like Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction.

After the latest patch, players can enjoy their games without needing to be always connected to the Web, but an active Internet connection will still be needed to first start the game and validate the install.



In general, Ubisoft has shied away from the DRM, even choosing to not use it in its latest RTS game, "RUSE."

Previous Next  

14 user comments

12.1.2011 01:41

Consumers: 1
Corporates: 0

22.1.2011 02:42

Good they finally did it, but it took them THAT long? What a bunch of stubborn idiots...

32.1.2011 02:57

EFIC FAIL

AM I RIGHT ?

42.1.2011 08:43

They finally got it through their heads that it only hurts legitimate purchasers instead of the people who just leeched it off of bittorrent drm free.

52.1.2011 09:19

Should just scrap DRM, Like that would ever happen.

62.1.2011 10:38

Seems they finally got the message! Score!

72.1.2011 13:52

I wonder how badly sales dropped from loyal consumers for them to have made this decision...

82.1.2011 14:05

We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.

92.1.2011 18:05

I hate them and want them to go under in the coming Depression. SHIT= DRM.

102.1.2011 23:00

Originally posted by ROMaster2:
Consumers: 1
Corporates: 0
More like
Consumers: 5
corporations: 485,286,285,296,103,185
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 02 Jan 2011 @ 11:01

113.1.2011 17:03

Originally posted by jeff_2:
We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.

So then install it before or after your internet goes off..

123.1.2011 17:55

Originally posted by andmill11:
Originally posted by jeff_2:
We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.

So then install it before or after your internet goes off..
It has to validate EVERYTIME you try to play..hence the problem.

134.1.2011 02:58

Originally posted by DVDBack23:
Originally posted by andmill11:
Originally posted by jeff_2:
We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.

So then install it before or after your internet goes off..
It has to validate EVERYTIME you try to play..hence the problem.
Oh snap I read it as it needs to be connected the first time you install and then validate it. Not every time you start the game it needs to be validated. I retract my previous statement.

147.1.2011 13:02

I wonder just how much corporate profit went down the tubes just because these a-holes never listen to the end user. Think of all the lawyers, servers, air-conditioning, support, maintenance, and DRM programming that money was wasted on that could have been spent on game development and better public relations. D.A.s
I hope they feel the money they used to bribe ... uh, "lobby" congress to pass DRM was better spent.

Comments have been disabled for this article.

Latest news

VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads (16 Mar 2024 4:31)
VLC Media Player, the versatile video-software powerhouse, has achieved a remarkable feat: it has been downloaded over 5 billion times.
2 user comments
Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit (19 Dec 2023 11:09)
Google settled its lawsuit in September 2023, and one of the settlement terms was that the way applications are installed on Android from outside the Google Play Store must become simpler. In the future, installing APK files will be easier.
8 user comments
Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets (06 Jun 2023 9:19)
Roomba Combo j7+ is the very first Roomba model to combine robot vacuum with mopping features. And Roomba Combo j7+ does all that with a very clever trick, which tackles the problem with mopping and carpets. But is it any good? We found out.
Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations (02 May 2023 3:38)
Neato Robotics has ceased its operations. American robot vacuum pioneer founded in 2005 has finally called it quits and company will cease its operations and sales. Only a skeleton crew will remain who will keep the servers running until 2028.
5 user comments
How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp (20 Mar 2023 1:25)
The world's most popular messaging platform, Meta-owned WhatsApp has enabled sending messages to yourself. While at first, this might seem like an odd feature, it can be very useful in a lot of situations. ....
18 user comments

News archive