I happen to agree with Mitheledh on this, I dont want a 3rd party looking over my shoulder or trying to sell me something. Also I dont like the fact that every time I reload the game on my drive I'd need to go back through Steam, yes I knew it would eventually come to this, but this is where I draw the line. I hope we get an answer soon so I can cancel my preorder.

Yeah, DRM is one of the primary (two) reasons I kind of lost a lot of interest in PC gaming. What ever happened to the days of owning what you bought, instead of just licensing it?

I understand the necessity of it in the context of our world, but it never seems to do anything but hurt the people it shouldn't.

You can start the game without ever going into the Steam marketplace, though. So they aren't constantly trying to sell you something.

Unfortunately, after reading up a bit more on DRM, console gaming is looking better and better.

It's a lot like gun control laws. It only affects the law abiding citizens.

I probably would go console if I could use a gamepad

Nearly 4 years old. The whole DRM bandwagon has really got going since then. Epic Games who made UT3 went with DRM for Gears of War... with some unfortunate 'hiccups', and I'm sure is using DRM with all current and future games.

The sad fact is that almost no high profile, big budget game from here on out isn't going to use DRM requiring online verification in some form or another. There'll just be the occasional exception here and there, but all the others will need at least one registration connection, and most will require an online account.

A console is DRM... brain exploding. Logic file not found.

The consoles also try and sell you things on the market place. Logic file not found. *self destruct activated* bliviongate:

I generally don't mind Steam, but it really svcks for Midnight releases. I remember getting New Vegas at Game Stop at midnight, but it wouldn't allow you to install it until 3am when it's Midnight in California. Sat around for 3 hours before I could get it installed. By that time I just installed it and went to bed.

sensationalist whooey. if that were ever the case you'd instantaneously find a number of..... "fixes" for it.

I would prefer no DRM.
Steam would be OK.
As long as it's not GFWL, shuch a [censored] DRM. Then I'll buy the game and then get a pirated version to bypass GFWL.

I meant avoiding the annoyance.

Oh the internet connection thing, well if you do have a weak connection that acts up I would recommend it to be on the safe side. You know your internet better than us.

There ARE "fixes" for it and I know exactly where to find them. However, they're also illegal because the require altering the game in ways that break copyright laws. Hence my comment about DRMs only affecting law abiding citizens.

I connect fine, but my signal can be weak and I may get randomly disconnected.


Question: if playing a game where internet is required for DRM reason (like AC2), what would happen upon disconnect?

Pretty much.



While not untrue, there is a huge difference between PC DRM and Console DRM. The console itself acts as the regulation, PC's used to work like that (Disc check). Though there is a lot more DRM involved with consoles than a lot of people think. Still, it's not nearly the headache of PC gaming for the most part.

You do have occasional developers/publishers like Ironclad and Stardock (now owned by Gamestop, so kiss that goodbye) that still do things "The old fashioned way", and actually report better returns.

I haven't the faintest idea, I would guess it just exits the game. As for Steam I know I've been disconnected from their networks from time to time and if I'm in a game I can still keep playing. I just can't get achievements.

I'm new to PC gaming and it sounds like [censored] to me!

Thanks. I don't really care about achievements, I just want to be able to play.

It has its pluses and minuses . Mods are a big plus, higher resolution graphics (if you have paid for a god enough machine) another. Lots more fiddling and maintenance generally is a big minus - unless you happen to like that sort of thing .

I'm starting to agree with you. I was considering getting Skyrim for my PC but may now just use the trusty xbox, maybe less powerful but considering DRM I think I prefer it :brokencomputer:

Well your welcome for the help. I best be going now, I don't think I have anything else to add. Just remember there's always two sides to every story.

Whatever it is, I hope it isn't Steam.
Hell, when will gaming companies stop and realize DRM doesn't work anyway? Just go back to disc checks, seriously it makes no difference. <_<

I would love a simple disc check.

I can buy a disc for my PS3, stick it in, and it'll work. Even if I'm in the middle of the Mojave, running my TV off a portable generator. No online needed.

Requiring Online access for a single player, non-online, bought on a physical disc in a physical shop game is conceptually offensive.

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Disc check is less intrusive. Or code wheels. Or "find word X, in sentence Y, on page Z of the manual" checks. All of which I'd prefer to requiring Steam. (I'm always amazed at the people who say "It's great, I don't have to insert my disc anymore!" like inserting the disc was some kind of burden or problem. Disc checks are trivial compared to most of the modern crap they've come up with.)

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And, as a random aside, the real purpose of tying games to Steam isn't the DRM - the real purpose is to remove all possibility of a used game market. Once that serial # is tied to your Steam account, that game isn't going anywhere. I'm sure they're working on how to make this happen on consoles, too.




For the record, I've got Steam, and I've used it before. It's great for what it does well (digital distribution, especially of old & indie games). But I still think forcing it's use for stuff that doesn't have any purpose being on it is absurd. I certainly don't tie any of my other store-bought games to my Steam account - that'd be incredibly stupid.