Ubisoft introduces new online DRM system

Written by Joe Martin

January 27, 2010 | 11:16

Tags: #drm #piracy #pirate #securom #settlers #starforce

Companies: #ubisoft

Ubisoft has announced a new DRM system which it will be applying to all PC titles it releases in the near future and which will require a constant internet connection.

The good news is that Ubisoft promises the new system doesn't use either StarForce or SecuROM and doesn't require a disc check or apply an install limit on customers.

The bad news is that a constant internet connection is required, users will need to connect to a Ubi.com account before playing and apparently all save games will be uploaded to a Ubisoft cloud.

The new system, which is apparently the same one that Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot was boasting about a while back, will be introduced with the release of the Settlers 7 beta, according to GameSpy.

ShackNews is hosting an FAQ that clarifies most of the critical information, but the highlights are that Ubisoft says that firewalls and protection systems shouldn't prevent users from accessing the game, that patches will be rolled out if Ubisoft is forced to abandon the servers and that servers will be monitored 24/7.

"We think most people are going to be fine with it. Most people are always connected to an Internet connection," Ubi's Brent Wilkinson told GameSpy and going on to explain why DRM was so critical.

"At the moment, if you release the PC version, essentially what you're doing is letting people have a free version that they rip off instead of a purchased version. Piracy's basically killing PC," he said.

"You know, the level of piracy that you get with the PC just cannibalises the others, because people just steal that version."

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