UbiSoft's New DRM System in Action

[Evil Avatar]

dkTZTzsYoZs

Proving that the pirates were right all along... priceless.

[Anenome]

jzGNd98Hjo8

[m.c.]

'effing hilarious! I definitely won't be buying their DRM crap.

[Anenome]

http://www.digitalbattle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/anti-drm5.jpg

http://www.gearfuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/anti-drm34.jpg

[lockwoodx]

http://i40.tinypic.com/2irn3ok.jpg

[alienchild]

http://www.alienchild.com/lolubi.jpg

[lockwoodx]

http://www.alienchild.com/lolubi.jpg

Nice self portrait

[Meusli]

That's a very bizarre portrait, not really getting it though. :confused:

[DarkDaY]

It sucks cause I planned on picking up a2 and conviction, but I refuse now. I wonder how the devs feel that a huge portion of their real fans won't being playing their games, all the hard work down the drain.

That or they just don't give a rats about pc gamers.

Ea starts to get their shit together, activation sinks lower then low, and ubisoft is like tom cruise in the closet.. I pull out my gun!

[bjornbarspingvinen]

The intergrity of NEWS reporting on this site is getting pathetic.

[ElfShotTheFood]

I'm not a fan of this copy protection, but that video was childish.

Kind of like most of the posts in this thread.

[firecut]

I'm not a fan of this copy protection, but that video was childish.

Kind of like most of the posts in this thread.

Oh....grow down will ya!

[tekuru]

The intergrity of NEWS reporting on this site is getting pathetic.

People who are so uppity that they can't take a joke are pathetic.

[Chimpbot]

Oh....grow down will ya!

Before watching it, I assumed it was going to be actual footage of it in action. I figured it out quickly, but how many will only watch a portion of it and take it as Gospel?

I was quite vocal about my personal boycott when this DRM was first announced, but folks are starting to reach into the toilet to make their statement.
I agree with the overall message, but the message's implementation leaves much to be desired.

Perhaps a [Satire] tag should be added to the thread title. Better still, pull this off the front page since it isn't news...or even real.

[Evil_SPanKY]

Classic. Love it. Down with Ubi and their crappy DRM infested games.

[tekuru]

Perhaps a [Satire] tag should be added to the thread title. Better still, pull this off the front page since it isn't news...or even real.

I wholeheartedly disagree. If people are too stupid to actually read the text in the popup messages, then they deserve to go through life believing everything they see.

[Evil Avatar]

Joke 'em if they can't take a fuck.

[BleedTheFreak]

I was sort of hoping for actual footage of how the DRM actually affects gameplay, and was a little disapointed this post was a spoof being passed off as actual news.

[BleedTheFreak]

In an effort to be helpful, rather than critical, I offer a possible solution - maybe putting a [SATIRE] tag would be warranted, or something similar? Like a [RUMOR] tag?

[abso]

Before watching it, I assumed it was going to be actual footage of it in action. I figured it out quickly, but how many will only watch a portion of it and take it as Gospel?

I was quite vocal about my personal boycott when this DRM was first announced, but folks are starting to reach into the toilet to make their statement.
I agree with the overall message, but the message's implementation leaves much to be desired.

Perhaps a [Satire] tag should be added to the thread title. Better still, pull this off the front page since it isn't news...or even real.

Check who is making the post. If EvAv is the poster, there is a high chance it is satire or meant to rile someone up. He tends to post the most stuff that is highly editorial in nature, so that is your satire tag.

[Chimpbot]

I wholeheartedly disagree. If people are too stupid to actually read the text in the popup messages, then they deserve to go through life believing everything they see.

I assume this site wishes to be treated as a reputable news outlet, yes? Stunts like this do the exact opposite.
There are more eloquent and, dare I say, mature ways of voicing displeasure. This thread, however, is about as intelligent as a crap-slinging ape.

There's a reason why decent and reputable developers, such as Gearbox, don't bother with this site. Look no further than this thread for an example.

[BleedTheFreak]

I just love this reply:

Joke 'em if they can't take a fuck.

Sort of indicating his news is a joke.

[Evil Avatar]

There's a reason why decent and reputable developers, such as Gearbox, don't bother with this site. Look no further than this thread for an example.

No, Gearbox doesn't visit this site because they are staffed by a bunch of pussies who couldn't handle it when rumors were swirling around that Colonial Marines got the rug pulled out from under it and that Borderlands wasn't worth the time or effort.

Instead of manning up and laughing it off they played "I'm going to take my ball and go home." which is a total laugh riot when you consider the idea that most people loved Borderlands and if they had grown some balls and stuck around they could have totally had the last laugh on me and anyone else who didn't think Borderlands was going to be any good.

[tekuru]

I assume this site wishes to be treated as a reputable news outlet, yes? Stunts like this do the exact opposite.
There are more eloquent and, dare I say, mature ways of voicing displeasure. This thread, however, is about as intelligent as a crap-slinging ape.

There's a reason why decent and reputable developers, such as Gearbox, don't bother with this site. Look no further than this thread for an example.

I don't really get why this is considered a stunt. Nothing about his post states that it is gospel.

Also are you authorized to speak for Gearbox, or did you just put on your own ape suit?

[Chimpbot]

I don't really get why this is considered a stunt. Nothing about his post states that it is gospel.

Also are you authorized to speak for Gearbox, or did you just put on your own ape suit?

Am I authorized to speak for Gearbox? No.
Did I witness Evil Avatar sling shit at Gearbox and Randy Pitchford himself in the last of many inflammatory Borderlands threads? Yes.
I watched it as it all "went down", and not a single person from Gearbox has been back since. I can only assume they want nothing more to do with a site like this due to the behavior of the man in charge.

Threads like this are childish, immature and embarrassing. Clearly, I'm the only member of the minority...so, fair enough. You win. Have at it.

[Rommel]

I found it amusing at first, when it was in its build phase. It lost its subtly and humor quickly though.

Evil Avatar > Daily Gaming News > News Items
UbiSoft's New DRM System in Action

Yeah, that part I do not agree with. But at least you didn't dare insult the quality of the reviews around here. You're only allowed to claim reviews are poorly written, without offering to do them for free using your own games, if they are on another site such as IGN or Gamespot.

Does IGN or Gamespot still exist?

Ever wonder who someone is talking to when they end their posts in questions?

I'm with Jigglypuff.

[modeps]

I found it amusing at first, when it was in its build phase. It lost its subtly and humor quickly though.



Yeah, that part I do not agree with. But at least you didn't dare insult the quality of the reviews around here. You're only allowed to claim reviews are poorly written, without offering to do them for free using your own games, if they are on another site such as IGN or Gamespot.

Does IGN or Gamespot still exist?

Ever wonder who someone is talking to when they end their posts in questions?

I'm with Jigglypuff.

Are you drunk already (still) Rommel?

[Evil Avatar]

I watched it as it all "went down", and not a single person from Gearbox has been back since. I can only assume they want nothing more to do with a site like this due to the behavior of the man in charge.

Yet they were totally comfortable participating here when it was other developers who were under the microscope. What a bunch of hypocrites.

[Chimpbot]

Yet they were totally comfortable participating here when it was other developers who were under the microscope. What a bunch of hypocrites.

I'll give you that; they're not innocent. Like most folks, they don't care until it's their own feathers being ruffled.

It still doesn't justify the behavior on our end, though. While they didn't speak up for others, they still left for a reason.

[Jadedgamer]

I cannot imagine anyone actually BUYING ANY GAME with this crap in it. Seriously. SAVE YOUR MONEY.

[captainspankypants]

This is the only gaming "news" site I visit. You know why? Because it isn't really a news site. It's basically a message board that happens to have a news topic as the front page. The posts are by actual people, saying what they think. If you go to IGN or Gamespot or one of those shitty sites, you have no idea what you're getting. The stories feel like every word was decided on in committee and approved through corporate executives. The news and reviews are literally indistinguishable from company press releases and marketing materials.

I would rather read what real people have to say and occasionally get pissed off or wonder why they have to be so stupid than choke on the same marketing bullshit you get everywhere else. If you don't like it, you can fuck right off and come back when you learn how to communicate like a human being. You won't be missed.

[Agnostic Pope]

This is the only gaming "news" site I visit. You know why? Because it isn't really a news site. It's basically a message board that happens to have a news topic as the front page. The posts are by actual people, saying what they think. If you go to IGN or Gamespot or one of those shitty sites, you have no idea what you're getting. The stories feel like every word was decided on in committee and approved through corporate executives. The news and reviews are literally indistinguishable from company press releases and marketing materials.

I would rather read what real people have to say and occasionally get pissed off or wonder why they have to be so stupid than choke on the same marketing bullshit you get everywhere else. If you don't like it, you can fuck right off and come back when you learn how to communicate like a human being. You won't be missed.
You win sir!

[ElektroDragon]

The intergrity of NEWS reporting on this site is getting pathetic.

You mean you actually take this site seriously? There's a splinter site for those who want nothing but serious, professional game news. I appreciate the Evil... this site should become The Onion of game journalism. The top two posted videos are HILARIOUS!

[spdiscus]

There's a splinter site for those who want nothing but serious, professional game news.
And that is?

[modeps]

I appreciate the Evil... this site should become The Onion of game journalism.

Considering that just about everything we post is legitimate news (with a few exceptions here and there) and not just "for the lulz", calling us the Onion is certainly a misnomer.

[VorianScript]

okay so now ubisoft is evil, which game company am I supposed to be able to trust?

[modeps]

okay so now ubisoft is evil, which game company am I supposed to be able to trust?

Trust no one over thirty...

wait, /me looks at age

Trust no one over forty.

[Evil Avatar]

There's a sphincter site for those who want nothing but serious, professional game news.

Heh, heh. He said sphincter.

[Dag-Sabot]

This place used to be "serious" almost respectable ...with attitude. I expect it to become even more popular haven for those unhappy with conventional "gamer" sites; essentially paid proxy and markering sites for the publishers. Its pretty clear UBI is trying to kill PC gaming. No one should buy this.

[Pluvious]

This is the only gaming "news" site I visit. You know why? Because it isn't really a news site. It's basically a message board that happens to have a news topic as the front page. The posts are by actual people, saying what they think. If you go to IGN or Gamespot or one of those shitty sites, you have no idea what you're getting. The stories feel like every word was decided on in committee and approved through corporate executives. The news and reviews are literally indistinguishable from company press releases and marketing materials.

I would rather read what real people have to say and occasionally get pissed off or wonder why they have to be so stupid than choke on the same marketing bullshit you get everywhere else. If you don't like it, you can fuck right off and come back when you learn how to communicate like a human being. You won't be missed.

Well said, and that's why this site is my home page. :D

[yutt]

This place used to be "serious" almost respectable ...with attitude. I expect it to become even more popular haven for those unhappy with conventional "gamer" sites; essentially paid proxy and markering sites for the publishers. Its pretty clear UBI is trying to kill PC gaming. No one should buy this.
I can't tell if you are praising this site or criticizing it, but at the very least I agree with everything after your first sentence.

I've continually visited this site for years, despite Evil himself being obnoxiously disagreeable, because those in charge continually give honest opinions. Maybe Evil could have sucked the Borderlands devs off like Chimpbot suggests. Maybe if he'd done that consistently over the last several years he could have sold the site to the IGN network and retired.

I, for one, am glad he didn't do any of that.

[abso]

This is the only gaming "news" site I visit. You know why? Because it isn't really a news site. It's basically a message board that happens to have a news topic as the front page. The posts are by actual people, saying what they think. If you go to IGN or Gamespot or one of those shitty sites, you have no idea what you're getting. The stories feel like every word was decided on in committee and approved through corporate executives. The news and reviews are literally indistinguishable from company press releases and marketing materials.

I would rather read what real people have to say and occasionally get pissed off or wonder why they have to be so stupid than choke on the same marketing bullshit you get everywhere else. If you don't like it, you can fuck right off and come back when you learn how to communicate like a human being. You won't be missed.

You win the thread.

I, too, am more interested in reading what other people have to say about the topic than the topic itself. Although, there is something to be said about the cherry picking of out of context lines in the linked-to material. That's journalism period. Has nothing to do with being a gaming journalism site.

For example, the Heavy Rain pre-order DLC thing, where the commentary was wrong to anyone that read the actual article (and it wasn't in the italicized editorial comment part, which can have rampant speculation for all I care). Far too much discussion happens just off of the quoted text and initial comment. Then again, if you deserve to be taken for a sham if you aren't going to read the article before you comment on it. But I do think anyone claiming to be a journalist of any form should hold themselves to some ethical standards of not relying on sensationalism.

But as said, this isn't a gaming news site. It's really more of a message board for people to comment on a few sentences worth of a blog.

[abso]

I've continually visited this site for years, despite Evil himself being obnoxiously disagreeable, because those in charge continually give honest opinions. Maybe Evil could have sucked the Borderlands devs off like Chimpbot suggests. Maybe if he'd done that consistently over the last several years he could have sold the site to the IGN network and retired.

I, for one, am glad he didn't do any of that.

Me too. I can't stand half of what Evil posts, but I love what the site represents. It's why it is the only website I frequent that I actually give a crap enough about to donate money towards.

[ElektroDragon]

And that is?

Are you kidding me? Mentioning the sphincter site is grounds for instant post deletion at best or instant permaban at worst.

Forget I said anything... :eek:

[ElektroDragon]

It's why it is the only website I frequent that I actually give a crap enough about to donate money towards.

You're making someone very happy doing that.... keep it up!

[Evil Avatar]

You're making someone very happy doing that.... keep it up!

He is helping to make 500,000 visitors a month very happy since Donation money is used to help pay for hosting costs -- as it has always been despite the lies you may have read elsewhere.

Please feel free to keep up with the snide posts and the little insuinations so that I won't feel bad when I ban your happy ass.

[Johan]

Boring drama. Move on already.

[Dag-Sabot]

Boring drama. Move on already.Really? Must take alot to excite you, personally it made my hair stand on end.

[Dag-Sabot]

...about the ubi DRM not the other thing, heh.

[Johan]

Really? Must take alot to excite you, personally it made my hair stand on end.

I'm on the edge of my seat, all tingly inside. ;)

: zzzz :

[ElektroDragon]

You took bait that really was not there to begin with. They are making you happy because you use the funds to keep the site going, obviously. So what if it can be interpreted differently? Is that my fault? Am I not allowed to post well disguised double entendre in-jokes now? I personally don't give a rat's ass what you may or may not use the funds for. That was never the reason I decided to boycott this site for a while. As far as I'm concerned donations can be used for anything, as long as the site keeps going. Even if the funds went to buy Twinkies, that keeps you fed, which keeps the site going. I have even donated in the past! I have never donated to ANY other site on the Internet! I regret donating to Obama's campaign WAY more than to your site, man. Ironically, it was the same amount of money.

In case you haven't noticed, my original post in this thread was a COMPLIMENT, or at least intended as such, and I took your sphincter comment in good humor. Chill out. Don't be the drama queen you once accused me of being. :)

I mean, seriously, it was all in jest. I came back to this site precisely for new articles like THIS one. Am I not allowed to have any fun on the site? If you can tempt even people who left in a huff for months to come back to your site because of the quality of the content, that should make you proud. You shouldn't go around getting angry or dramatic at people who like to jest or use double entendres. But OK, I'll tone it done, didn't think you'd be so touchy.

[ElektroDragon]

ANYWAY.... back to UBI DRM blunders.... I'd love to see more videos posted. :)

[xXJayeDuBXx]

Hey wait a minute, that's not the new Splinter Cell....

[Chimpbot]

I can't tell if you are praising this site or criticizing it, but at the very least I agree with everything after your first sentence.

I've continually visited this site for years, despite Evil himself being obnoxiously disagreeable, because those in charge continually give honest opinions. Maybe Evil could have sucked the Borderlands devs off like Chimpbot suggests. Maybe if he'd done that consistently over the last several years he could have sold the site to the IGN network and retired.

I, for one, am glad he didn't do any of that.

Not to derail further, but when exactly did I suggest that he should "suck off" any publisher or developer?

My main complaint has always been about the sheer lack of tact, not the message. Toucan criticize without resorting to the equivalent of dropping trow and waving your ass at the offending party. It's one thing to voice a negative opinion; it's an entirely different matter to do it in the most crass way possible.

[yutt]

It's one thing to voice a negative opinion; it's an entirely different matter to do it in the most crass way possible.
You're being hyperbolic. I'd donate more to a site that criticized developers in "the most crass way possible."

[lockwoodx]

This site has been my homepage since I signed up.

[ElPresidente]

Out of curiosity how many have actually used the DRM?

I'm certainly not going to support it by buying games with this in place but I am currently reviewing Silent Hunter V which has this DRM in place.

It really isn't all that intrusive and I've experienced no disconnect issues to date. HOWEVER I consider it a stupid move that inconveniences customers but I have to be realistic - the implementation is not as horrid as the principle of it all.

Sorry to go off-topic. ;)

[Anenome]

This is the only gaming "news" site I visit. You know why? Because it isn't really a news site. It's basically a message board that happens to have a news topic as the front page. The posts are by actual people, saying what they think...
I agree with this sentiment as well. On other sites, the balance of power between news and comments is heavily shifted in favor of news. Commentary by readers is at best an afterthought not well integrated into the page design.

Here, commentary is at least equal to the news, and anyone can have their say, and I think EvilAvatar because of that is more modern than the IGNs of the world.

[Anenome]

Not to derail further, but when exactly did I suggest that he should "suck off" any publisher or developer?...

You know, for all that Evil may have said about Borderlands, etc., and their silly little tiff--there was also a group here that were gigantic BL advocates and did a whole lot to try to popularize the game, explain what it was all about, share media, and generally be true fans of the game and post the word-of-mouth goodwill that our exposure to the pre-release media generated. I, being one of those ppl myself, certainly did a lot more to promote the game than anything Evil said decrying it.

And it was BrandonJClark who first introduced me to the game on these same boards. And it's become exactly the game we wanted. In fact, I just bought the latest DLC yesterday (have Zombie Island too)--first game I've ever bought DLC for.

[Anenome]

http://www.alienchild.com/lolubi.jpg
http://static.reelmovienews.com/images/gallery/keira-knightley-image.jpg

Why did I think that was Keira Knightley for a second >_>

[Evil Avatar]

You're being hyperbolic. I'd donate more to a site that criticized developers in "the most crass way possible."

I have to say that to me that also sounds like a selling point and not a negative.

[AversionFX]

I have to say that to me that also sounds like a selling point and not a negative.

If you weren't such a colossal, ignorant prick, your site would be tolerable. As it is, you are just another idiot on the internet who wants people to acknowledge that you even exist. Maybe if the stupid shit you post was just your opinion, it wouldn't be a big deal. But you continually go out of your way to misrepresent another person's words to fit your views, and you helm such stupid ideas as "the PC is dying because [baseless X,Y,Z anecdotal evidences]!, despite the fact that there are plenty examples to counter your stupid viewpoints.

The news, is fine. The attitude, is fine, too. The "PC gaming is dead because there are more people playing [game] on X and Y combined than Z (despite the fact that it's X vs Y vs Z)" level of stupidity needs to fucking go.

Bash developers for bad games, bash bad decisions like DRM that requires a constant online connection for SP games! By all means! Call them out. Just stop acting like a fucking child; you're supposedly a grown man.

[Chimpbot]

You're being hyperbolic. I'd donate more to a site that criticized developers in "the most crass way possible."

Then I hope you enjoy reading a site that can only regugitate news from other sites or post blatant fabrications; turns out, folks don't like dealing with "news sites" who get their kicks by being jack-offs.

Like I've said numerous times; it's one thing to call a publisher or developer out. This is something I wholeheartedly support. It's an entirely different matter to call them out by waving your ass in the air.

[Evil Avatar]

Bash developers for bad games, bash bad decisions like DRM that requires a constant online connection for SP games! By all means! Call them out. Just stop acting like a fucking child; you're supposedly a grown man.

Thank you for your kind thoughts and well thought out reply. We will give it the time and attention that it deserves at our next monthly board meeting.

[Johan]

If you weren't such a colossal, ignorant prick, your site would be tolerable. As it is, you are just another idiot on the internet...stop acting like a fucking child; you're supposedly a grown man.

Delicious bread. However, the filler in between these slices left much to be desired. You may need to rework the recipe.

I so enjoy a cup of hostility in the morning, with just a dash of irony thrown in for good measure. It's invigorating, despite the bitter flavor! :D

[Dag-Sabot]

Oh Johan, you are ever so clever a ...wordsmith!

[Johan]

Oh Johan, you are ever so clever a ...wordsmith!

Your use of ellipses makes me all...tingly...inside! :D

Wait, that's diarrhea from the stomach flu. Forget that.

[zhaxra]

Out of curiosity how many have actually used the DRM?

I'm certainly not going to support it by buying games with this in place but I am currently reviewing Silent Hunter V which has this DRM in place.

It really isn't all that intrusive and I've experienced no disconnect issues to date. HOWEVER I consider it a stupid move that inconveniences customers but I have to be realistic - the implementation is not as horrid as the principle of it all.

Sorry to go off-topic. ;)

@elPresidente

Apparently, the reviewer at Gamespot had issues with the DRM scheme so the final score was knocked down to 8/10 instead of 9/10 like they had given to the console versions.

"Twice we had the game shut down while it was saving, and we ran into short but noticeable delays multiple times while the game attempted to load our profile and download our progress. Other times, our attempted login timed out, or the launcher incorrectly informed us that we had used the wrong username or password. These issues hindered our playtime for hours, and sporadically affected European players for days. " per Gamespot (Twice we had the game shut down while it was saving, and we ran into short but noticeable delays multiple times while the game attempted to load our profile and download our progress. Other times, our attempted login timed out, or the launcher incorrectly informed us that we had used the wrong username or password. These issues hindered our playtime for hours, and sporadically affected European players for days.).

The Denial of Service (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107921) attack against Ubisoft's servers last weekend should show why this form of DRM does not work. 1UP's Mike Nelson posted in his blog (http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9022891) that this was the reason Silent Hunter 5 will not be up for review on 1up.com.

I can understand to a point why they are trying this type of DRM, but I do feel that they are using it most harmful way for paying customers.

I read this article yesterday at work and it inspired this quick editorial style sketch (http://bicworks.com/graphics/sketchs/vm-uasketch245s.jpg) I did about the Ubi's DRM for my sketch a day for March jam.

[Agnostic Pope]

God I hope they release Conviction already (only a fool would get the PC version now :P) after that they can burn eternally in The River Styx for all I care.

[Chimpbot]

God I hope they release Conviction already (only a fool would get the PC version now :P) after that they can burn eternally in The River Styx for all I care.

You could always have a little conviction and simply not buy any of their products until they abandon this DRM scheme. It sucks if there's a title you really want...but voting with your wallet is the only option you've got.
If you absolutely, positively must have a title, go through a reseller or pick up a used copy. Otherwise, just go without and hold onto the knowledge that you're actually standing up for your beliefs in a small, but important, way.

[ElektroDragon]

Meh, I don't know if I can boycott completely. I will, of course, boycott all their PC games, which might be what they've always wanted. I think they're trying to move PC gamers to consoles by doing this, so they can abandon the PC market. Suits me fine, as I'll be able to sink far less money into constant PC upgrades. After tweaking, upgrading, and spending well over 10K on PCs over the past 20 years, I'm not sure I'll miss it. I've learned just about all there is to know already, aside from future tech. The magic of spending hundreds to eke out an extra 20 FPS just isn't there anymore.

[Anenome]

Zhaxra, nice sketch! >_>