AfterDawn: News

EA to drop DRM from The Sims 3

Electronic Arts has decided to drop DRM for its upcoming The Sims 3 game, a stark about-face from previous titles which have had DRM that has been, at worst, called "draconian."

In September, the Will Wright blockbuster Spore was criticized unmercifully for its use of SecuROM DRM that only allowed the game to be installed three times total. SecuROM also stays installed in your system whether you want it there or not.



EA CEO John Riccitiello, said, at the time: "We're going to see an evolution of these things. I wish we didn't live in a world where we had to do these types of things. I want it to be seamless and easy - but I also don't want to have a bonfire of money."

Rod Humble, Sims 3 executive producer, has explained that DRM should be a thing of the past, at least for high profile releases like The Sims.

"To play the game there will not be any online authentication needed," he notes. "We feel like this is a good, time-proven solution that makes it easy for you to play the game without DRM methods that feel overly invasive or leave you concerned about authorization server access in the distant future."

The Sims 3 has an early June release date.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Mar 2009 18:04

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• 12 comments

• windsong

  Guess the devs at SecuROM (or whatever the fck they call themselves now) are none too pleased.

  27.3.2009 18:12 #1

• Pop_Smith

  Cool, I was planning on buying The Sims 3 as long as it didn't have SPORE-like DRM.
  
  If it did I would have probably downloaded it so I wouldn't have to deal with infection of DRM.
  
  I will definitely be buying The Sims 3 if its free of DRM just to show my support due to them dropping DRM from it.

  27.3.2009 18:24 #2

• sgriesch

  They should re-release the titles with the recent DRM as well. I would purchase the latest Red Alert if it were sans DRM. I have all of the other C&C titles, but have been protesting this DRM BS. Food for thought EA.

  27.3.2009 19:11 #3

• spiesfan

  Originally posted by sgriesch: They should re-release the titles with the recent DRM as well. I would purchase the latest Red Alert if it were sans DRM. I have all of the other C&C titles, but have been protesting this DRM BS. Food for thought EA.real good point very unlikely thought :(

  27.3.2009 20:57 #4

• ZippyDSM

  And the next thing they will do is offer DLC packages for PC/console on it for 5$ a pop :P

  27.3.2009 21:39 #5

• EricCarr

  I bought Spore and still downloaded a copy because of the DRM.

  27.3.2009 21:49 #6

• Pop_Smith

  Originally posted by ZippyDSM: And the next thing they will do is offer DLC packages for PC/console on it for 5$ a pop :PYou can already buy additional stuff for The Sims (new clothes, cars, furniture etc.) from EA, so they kind of do this already. :)
  
  However, now instead of $20 a pop for expansion packs they should have them digitally delivered DRM-free for $5 ("Stuff" expansions) to $10 ("Regular" expansions), with an optional CD shipped to you for $10 more.

  27.3.2009 22:14 #7

• SSSJDanny

  I was gonna buy The Sims 3 back when it came out in the beginning of the year, now its just waiting.. still planning on buying it.

  28.3.2009 02:51 #8

• pphoenix

  Originally posted by windsong: Guess the devs at SecuROM (or whatever the fck they call themselves now) are none too pleased.SecuROM, now that would be Sony, just as most intrusive DRM and propertarian lock in formats are, but when you think that sony are the key member of the infamous trade bodies, the RIAA and MPAA .......!
  
  XCP rootkit, secuROM, ARccOS, & on & on & on.! or Sony Connect which when sony closed down their DRM servers destroying ppl's entire music collections and as in typicial MPAA/RIAA/SONY responses you get to purchase that media from us all over again so they can double dip all the way to global domination!
  
  Sony kills DRM stores -- your DRM music will only last until your next upgrade
  
  
  Congrats to EA for finally dumping Sony DRM lets hope they don't backtrack and decide to damage more computers with Sonys DRM.
  
  
  Originally posted by sgriesch: They should re-release the titles with the recent DRM as well. I would purchase the latest Red Alert if it were sans DRM. I have all of the other C&C titles, but have been protesting this DRM BS. Food for thought EA.is there aqy contractual agreement regarding DRM and such titles, or do EA as the distributors have the last say?

  28.3.2009 06:24 #9

• Frogfart

  I could be wrong but did I read that EA had poor sales last year and poor projections for next Year? It looks like DRM has come back to bite them in the arse.I never bought EA games last year because they treat their customers like criminals.

  28.3.2009 10:54 #10

• jookycola

  Ditto, i avoided all EA games last year in protest (PC, 360, & PS3). Instead i'd buy them used on craigslist. That way they didn't see a dime from me, but i got to enjoy the game. Except the ones with DRM like Spore...i d'loaded it.

  28.3.2009 12:37 #11

• ZippyDSM

  Its still going to have disc based sicrom and going to install more DRM with updates....

  29.3.2009 13:29 #12