Ubisoft, one of the largest video game publishers out there, has always been known to be on the cusp of new gaming technology. This year, they introduced downloadable games that require authentication from the Ubisoft server to be played, as proof of purchase. In order to make it even more difficult to pirate the downloadable games, Ubisoft set it up so that the player must be logged in online at all times during game play. While the downloadable game format is truly innovative, the intense DRM scheme tied into the games has been a problem with gamers since day one.
This format has brought up two very distinct technological and ethical problems:
The first problem this DRM scheme has inflicted on gamers is a technological one. The games cannot be played if the gaming system is not constantly online. This may not seem like a hassle to non-gamers but it is indeed quite obnoxious. A fair comparison would be if iTunes DRM songs could not be played off your computer or iPod if you weren’t logged into the iTunes store at all times. Not to mention that if you lose web connection momentarily, your game either pauses, restarts or crashes. Not quite ideal.
The second problem is the lack of physical possession and control of the game. It is always scary and unappealing to pay for something, and not be physically in control of it. Ubisoft takes this problem and brings it to the next level when they make it that they have to approve your use of “your” game at all times. This leads the customer/player to wonder how much of the game is actually their’s if they can’t use it freely once purchasing it. This has already been a problem. Last month, Ubisoft’s server crashed and rendered certain games unplayable to gamers around the world, for an extended period of time. As someone who legally purchased the game, this clearly isn’t something you should have to worry about at all times. While this DRM scheme isn’t necessarily a bad idea, it is clear that gaming technology is not ready for such strict digital rules.
Some Rights Reserved
