I was originally concerned with Ubisoft's DRM, but realistically, after trying Uplay, it's really minimalistic and not annoying, especially in comparison to Origin. And honestly, one day every so many months I can't play due to a crash or maintenance won't kill me.

I still don't like DRMs, and I won't support them, but the only one losing out by not playing those games that have them is me. My one sale/not-sale isn't going to move their opinion on it.

Right now, those promises, you're right, they're just hollow promises. But they've stepped up and said they will do it, which is more than most companies have. So let's wait and see what happens before we gun them down for a situation we're not yet in.

However, the games that Ubisoft still has under always on DRM (Settlers VII for example), I have no hope of ever playing again after the servers are shut off and am glad I got them as cheap as I did because of that.

It's like gamersgate and how they advertise games as DRM-free but then have online authentication to install.

inB4 "But gamersgate is DRM-free!"

Edit: http://www.minerwars.com/Store/Index.aspx

Miner Wars 2081 - Cheats
Turn on features such as unlimited ammo, fuel, oxygen, immortality and a lot of other cool stuff. More cheat codes with be added in the future. Future additions are included in this package.

$5.

What?

It's not about you, it's about all of us together. One person can't make a stand, but when enough people each make their own stand they stand together. This same principle has led to changes in the world that are far more important than DRM.

When you buy a game with DRM you are implicitly showing your support for that DRM being included. Buying it and then going to the forums and saying you don't like it doesn't change the fact that you already rewarded them for their choice.

Ah, but when you're not going to change that choice regardless, you might as well indulge in the fun that the game provides. Reward them for making a good game, and not worry about the small things that aren't gameplay related.

From what I've heard, MW2081's DRM isn't intrusive, just always on. And let's be honest, if you bought it on Steam, chances are you're online anyways (the amount of people who actually use Steam's offline mode is probably small).

Like I said, I don't like DRMs, but I'm not going to miss out on a good game because of it. Batman: Arkham City had a triple-layer of DRM and it sold really, really well. Apparently other people agree with me to some extent.

Say what? Talk about nickel and diming...

this game is pretty fun.

FTFY

Damn typos.

Gamersgate doesn't add any DRM to the titles there, and they're usually pretty good about labeling it where there is a 3rd party activation.

They don't claim that a specific title is DRM free and then go on to explain the DRM that's used on the same title.

Apart from their downloader that encrypts the installer. Now we all know how easy that is to bypass, which is why I'm content to buy the "DRM-free" games they sell, but you've got to accept that it is DRM. It's just completely ineffective DRM.
Selling cheats as DLC is pretty damn awful... It's doable precisely because of their stupid DRM. If the single player mode was offline you could just use a trainer.

Pretty sure someone will find a way around it.


The game looks ok, i forgot i bought into the alpha like 2 years ago or whenever it started. Its not what i expected and i am not fond of the company anymore.

always online connection to single player games is stupid but as long as companies see blizzard getting away with it, do not be surprised if others follow

Forgot about that, never mind. I guess that puts it in the same basic category as "DRM-Free" Steam games.

I'm with you, and I have been following this game for a LONG time. It looks like Freelancer: The MMO that isn't an MMO. Too bad, always online always equals always avoidf for me.

Okay, just going to ask nicely once. Can we stop with the cynical talk about DRM and get back to talking about the game?

That's really not how these forums work.

Throw me in the camp that looked at the game but when I heard it requires always on, I won't pick it up. Bad experiences with games that require that in the past, and I'm against the process in general.

Requiring a persistent internet connection for a single-player game isn't a small thing. It's a pretty significant problem, no matter how you slice it. I'll break out the usual arguments here - what about people on portable computers, people who are travelling, or people who for whatever reason don't have stable, affordable, or broadband internet connections?

Then there's the potential privacy issues. What data is being sent back and forth between them and their servers? Level Up Labs, the creators of Defender's Quest got quite a bit of flack here for having data tracking and transmission in their game; and in their case, it was optional (albeit on an opt-out basis) and they were totally transparent about what was being collected and sent. Again, why does this game, and these devs, get a pass when Level Up and DQ don't?

And finally, it's about having standards as a responsible consumer. It's why a lot of us are even here in the first place. It's why we shouldn't just accept things like the lack of dedicated servers in Modern Warfare 2, or always-online in Diablo III, or the awful release of games like Sword of the Stars 2, or the anti-consumer policies of companies like EA. I'd go on, but I don't think we need to educate you on the ethical and technical problems with DRM, or the reasons why consumers need to stand up for themselves and demand better.

It doesn't matter how good a game is (or well it sells) if it comes with oppressive DRM. And, honestly, your opinions are ultimately irrelevant if you decide to buy this game in spite of what you state as your opinions. If you buy this game, just like if you bought any other game saddled with always-online requirements or restrictive DRM on launch, you are supporting and endorsing this as a consumer. Put another way, what's more important? Your short-term enjoyment of a game, or your rights as a consumer?

You can't complain about policies like this while at the same time giving the game a free pass for its always-online requirement.