Most DRM is 'just dumb’ says Valve head

Posted at: 4:32pm 3rd December 2008 by Ben Hardwidge

Gabe Newell reveals his dislike of ‘broken’ DRM systems that he says decrease the value of a product

In many ways, it was Valve who started the whole online copy-protection fad when it introduced Steam a few years ago. The difference is that Steam added new social networking features, as well as the ability to play your games from anywhere, rather than simply limiting the number of installations and installing irremovable services. As such, Valve’s co-founder and managing director, Gabe Newell, has revealed that he isn’t afraid to hit out at the more restrictive DRM systems.

Newell wrote an interesting email to a fan, who had felt a bit miffed after seeing EA’s logo on the Left 4 Dead box, and wanted to make sure that EA wasn’t getting any revenue from copies sold on Steam, particularly after EA's use of restrictive DRM systems. The fan, Paul, who uses the handle ih8evilstuff, put his full email on his LiveJournal, as well as Newell’s response.

Newell clarified that ‘Steam revenue for our games is not shared with third parties,’ but interestingly also shared his opinions on other DRM systems. ‘Most DRM strategies are just dumb,’ said Newell, adding that ‘the goal should be to create greater value for customers through service value (make it easy for me to play my games whenever and wherever I want to), not by decreasing the value of a product (maybe I'll be able to play my game and maybe I won't).’

Newell also says that Valve ‘really discourage other developers and publishes [sic] from using the broken DRM offerings.’ Although he makes no mention of SecuROM, it’s clear that Newell is criticising that kind of DRM system. Has Valve got its copy-protection system right with Steam, or is it hypocritical of Gabe Newell to lay into other DRM systems? Let us know your thoughts.

Via Kotaku