Ubi: Settlers 7 DRM still not fixed
Ubisoft has admitted that Settlers 7 is still suffering from DRM problems two weeks after it was launched.
Ubisoft's new DRM system requires players must always be connected to the internet to play their games, even in singleplayer. It's something that PC gamers are none to happy about, despite Ubisoft's attempts to placate angry customers.
While a number of Ubisoft titles have suffered because of the DRM - see Silent Hunter 5, for example - Settlers 7 has been particularly plagued by problems and there have recently been problems with the matchmaking servers and profile storage.
"Settlers 7 players have encountered difficulties playing the game over the [Easter] holiday weekend due to issues with servers that do matchmaking in multiplayer mode and that keep track of profiles, campaign progression and stats in both solo and multi modes," Ubisoft told Eurogamer.
"Our technical teams have made progress but we are not yet able to say that the issue is completely resolved."
Ubisoft didn't give any indication of when the issues would, or if, the problems would be fully rectified and said that further comments would only be dispensed through the official forums - which are awash with complaints.
You can read our full Settlers 7 review for more information on the game, then let us know your thoughts in the forums.
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im really glad about this as it just shows what a complete waste of time this always-on DRM is. do feel sorry for the people buyiong the game though
Just as I was thinking... This only affects the people that are PAYING to play the game... UBI = U Fail Miserably
1.) It hurts cos i want it it. But not at the cost of having this pants DRM.
2.) Ubi arent getting as much money (not a problem to me if they persist with this DRM rubbish, but for them it is!)
3.) Them Eye-Patched, Peg-Legged, Parrot-Befriending, Stipey-Shirt-Wearing, Jolley-Roger-Hoisting Cabin-Boy-Rogering (Deep Breath) Pirates are having a GIRAFFE!!!!!!
Now wheres my brown paper bag?????
lost sales due to DRM + pr/tech support nigtmare due to DRM + cost of developing DRM > lost revenue due to piracy
I suspect it will be very close.
I'm not joking, I now will not go near a PC version of a Ubi game and prefer to get the 360 version so I don't have to put up with this rubbish.
Also point out that the 360 version costs more. so if they can push people onto the console versions they make more money.
Not been cracked yet as far as I can see. Won't be too far off though!
I urge you to boycott all their games, until they drop this DRM.
Sorry, you had some packet loss at some point in the past, due to that your product key does not cover brown paper bags.
that is almost as stupid as the DRM system it is complaining about...
wait..... you created an account to write that?
+1 LOL, that is going in my sig!
Technical TEAMS !? This DRM must be costing UBISHIT and arm and a leg.
Stick to a CD Code which calls home when you install to check its valid. If you were half smart you would ban cracked codes with patch updates, stopping anybody who pirated from being able to play online and most from single player.
Hell have it call home each time you start the game if you will but do you really need to have it check every 2 or 3 seconds? Was this game sponsored by Labour?
No need for it. Simple as.
Most of the people who buy games would buy them even if there was no drm.
The people who pirate games will continue to pirate whatever drm you put in.
DRM is not working.
If their aim is to eradicate piracy through DRM they will probably spend more in the process than they will ever lose through piracy. Out of all the people who pirate games how many do you think would buy the game even if it was impossible to pirate? I promise you that a fair chunk wouldn't get it at all. In the meantime paying customers suffer and DRM development costs spiral.
And don't give me the rubbish about developers starving, because I don't buy it. Good games have always made big profits, DRM or no DRM. DRM is less to do with protecting artists and more to do with greed. Artists and publishers made millions when they were telling us that "home taping is killing music", and they continue to make millions now, despite the fact that "filesharing is killing music".
Can Bit not interview someone at Ubi for their side?
Do they honestly see DRM as a good thing?
What good do they think it does them?
Is it just some amazing DRM salesman sucking them all in??
Read this:
gamasutra
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26803/Controversy_Erupts_Over_Rockstar_San_Diego_Employee_Allegations.php
ea_spouse
http://ea-spouse.livejournal.com/
I think it is very impertinent and presumptuous to assume that game devs are living the high life.
i was going to buy this game and love it buy hey i'm not always able to have an internet connection in UK let alone when travelling in South Africa so no sale UBISOFT
hmm now what are these torrents and cracks i've been hearing about :) will have to look into those and have a game that just works
A limited implementation of DRM is ok, the lastest forms from the likes of UBISOFT are just rediculous and as you say yes they are almost undoubtedly spending more on implementing it and fixing the various problems than they are making in sales, as they are 1. putting people off buying it and 2. not really stopping the DRM problem because hackers just become more determined and hack it anyway.
The DRM on Warcraft 3 in my opinion was on the money. Just a CD code, simples!
Or maybe you are referring to Stefan Eriksson of Gizmondo fame? The guy who wrecked a Ferrari in America? Because he was involved in some shady business and his income was definately not from the video game industry.
Back to the topic though, why was the game released when it's obviously... broken? Wouldn't a delay hurt their reputation less than admitting that their DRM is stuffed? Or was this something they only discovered after the game was released?
Only the honest people got screwed!
I hope all those people affected took their game back as non-functional and bought a competing product.
I just realised that you probably weren't the only one to do this and now Ubi will be thinking they have a massive piracy issue on their hands, while if they hadn't used such retarded DRM, the 'piracy' figures would be lower! :D
While I think you are within your rights to do that, I do wish that you had made a stand and not bought (or pirated) the game at all.
In my post I used the terms developers/publishers referring to the companies and not the individuals who are on the ground making the game. I have heard many reports of poor working conditions for the coders/artists etc. and I think it's disgusting. However, all too often, the companies themselves are raking in the cash, despite (and sometimes because of) the poor conditions their workers endure.
Also, I would imagine that decisions about DRM are made by the higher echelons of management, rather than by the people actually making the game.
I'm sorry I wasn't clear in my previous post.
Sadly I agree with you, I'll at least make a point of not buying AC2 which I would be keen on if not for the DRM