DRM, Anti-Piracy & COD

[zauii]

Originally Posted by zipper

My guess is that it will be handled on Steam the same way they handle 1946.

And how's that you ask? I believe (I'm not a Steamer) they provide all the usual Steam services (because you have to have an account to buy from them) BUT that they don't handle the DRM. And yet they still require a Steam account ...


http://il-2-sturmovik.ubi.com/cliffs...log/uk/?p=1162

Steam in itself is a form of DRM, even if it uses Solidshield in combination.

[Les]

The latest official UBI information says the boxed versions will have more limited Steam integration and functionality than the downloadable version(s?).

The Steam downloadable version is probably as fully integrated into Steam as it can be.

So far, the only official word on the boxed version is that it uses Steamworks for multiplayer match-making. Whether that's really true, and what it really means for the end-user still isn't entirely clear.

[Voyager]

Long term viability and remote activation keys are an issue with all DRM forms. Steam is better positioned than most as it is now a distribution outlet, so unline Jane's, Dynamix, and many of the game development houses, it's revenue stream is separate from the games they develop.

In short, they are more comparable to BestBuy or Amazon.com. Granted, major retails do go broke and close shop, but it is less often than game development studios.

[Blackdog_kt]

Originally Posted by Les

The latest official UBI information says the boxed versions will have more limited Steam integration and functionality than the downloadable version(s?).

The Steam downloadable version is probably as fully integrated into Steam as it can be.

So far, the only official word on the boxed version is that it uses Steamworks for multiplayer match-making. Whether that's really true, and what it really means for the end-user still isn't entirely clear.

That's pretty much the current situation it seems. It might mean

"boxed editions don't require Steam for offline play but do require it for online play" OR

"steam is optional for boxed editions: not needed for offline play, but you can use either steam or a 3rd party server browser for multiplayer"

or whatever other combination of requirements.

I guess it's wait and see at this point

[Flying Colander]

Originally Posted by Blackdog_kt

That's pretty much the current situation it seems. It might mean

"boxed editions don't require Steam for offline play but do require it for online play" OR

"steam is optional for boxed editions: not needed for offline play, but you can use either steam or a 3rd party server browser for multiplayer"

or whatever other combination of requirements.

Very well put, Black Dog. I think an official clarification right away might quell the unproductive yea-nay back and forth.

Les' comment seems the logical way to go for Ubi-1C:

.. the boxed versions will have more limited Steam integration and functionality than the downloadable version(s?).

The Steam downloadable version is probably as fully integrated into Steam as it can be.

Thanks all for your even comments.

Cheers,

Flying Colander