AfterDawn: News

'Assassin's Creed 2' DRM will require constant Internet connection

CVG has received a review copy of Ubisoft's new Assassin's Creed 2 for PC and it appears that the DRM being used by the publisher requires a constant Internet connection for the game to work. If your Internet drops for any reason, you are kicked from the game, losing all progress you have made since the last save.

The article says you can't even start the game without Internet, as you will be greeted by an error message. Making matters even worse, you are still kicked back to the main menu if the game loses connection to the "Ubisoft Master servers," which may not even be your fault.



There is really nothing else to say about this except the fact that clearly, publishers have not gotten the hint yet that ALL games are cracked, and released online without DRM and this latest DRM is just hurting PAYING customers.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Feb 2010 14:16

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• 34 comments

• tucker001

  Some one will crack this in like 5 mins.

  18.2.2010 14:55 #1

• snardos

  I wonder if there will be a note about this on the box. A lot of people don't have access to broadband yet. Imagine the surprise when you buy a new game for your pc, install it, then try to play it but you can't because you don't have a high speed internet connection. And now you can't return it because the package has been opened.

  18.2.2010 15:12 #2

• KSib

  Wow. My internet connection drops quite often (5-6 times daily). There's no way I'm buying that. I'll have my eye out for a crack when I do decide to buy it when it gets discounted.

  18.2.2010 15:39 #3

• scum101

  What's the point of "buying" it in the first place then?.. just get a free cracked version right off and give these DRM merchants the finger by REFUSING to pay.
  

  "Ubuntu" - an African word meaning "Slackware is too hard for me"

  18.2.2010 15:41 #4

• KSib

  Yeah, now that you mention it, I shouldn't buy it at all. I heard it was a good game, but I'll have other stuff to keep me occupied. Better than giving DRM whores my money. It would be one thing if it was effective, but this stuff gets cracked like nobodies business and is a headache for the paying consumer.... blah blah blah, what I just said has been stated like 500 times on this site :P

  18.2.2010 15:45 #5

• R01010100

  not buying. will get the cracked version, as i always do in these cases. really makes you wonder what these paople are thinking.

  18.2.2010 16:50 #6

• geestar20

  IMO this only entice people to obtain illegal copies of these types of schemed games.
  
  I mean c'mon...if anything happens to my internet connection,power failure or even a freeze I will loose all progress and game saves...thats gonna PISS ME OFF!
  
  I spent my hard earned money for these headachs? Nope, I can just obtain a pirated copy, play and enjoy.
  
  Where is the benefit of buying?

  18.2.2010 17:22 #7

• Jake_C

  Just cancled my pre-order, I don't mind DRM thats not too intresive or only requires to connect to the internet when installing etc but this is just ridiculous
  
  Edit: Just found this from the Ubisoft Q+A from the comment bellow
  
  What if Ubisoft decides not run these online services in the future? Will my game stop working?
  If any service is stopped, we will create a patch for the game so that the core game play will not be affected.
  
  Now that means to me that a crack to get this game without internet will be up almost instantally or hopefully ubisoft will relise what a stupid DRM this is and just scrap it and release a patch for it on day one

  18.2.2010 17:28 #8

• Pop_Smith

  Without getting into detail (and trouble!) the game has to be coded to understand the "You're connected" message it gets from the "server".
  
  EDIT: Also, I found a few interesting tidbits on Ubisoft's Online Services Platform Q&A, located here.
  Quote:Is there an "off-line" option?
  No. The added services to the game (unlimited installs, online storage of saved games and the fact that you don’t need the game disc to play) require you to have an online connection while playing the game.
  Quote:How many computers can I install the game on?
  There is no limit to the number of computers on which you can install the game. However you can only play with your individual Ubisoft account on one computer at a time.

  18.2.2010 18:24 #9

• scum101

  Then it's a fail all round.. these companies need taking down a peg.. leaving this pile of crap on the shelves might just make that point.. WE WILL NOT PAY FOR DRM!!
  
  tell your friends.. tell people in line in game shops.. tell everybody.. blog it.. I already stuck like 20 blogs about this on digg.. lets use our combined online presence and make a stink.
  

  "Ubuntu" - an African word meaning "Slackware is too hard for me"

  18.2.2010 18:46 #10

• KSib

  Don't hold your breath for a quick patch.

  18.2.2010 18:48 #11

• Hard

  This is extremely laughable. All they are doing is hurting the honest paying customer. It's only a matter of time until someone figures out how to make the game playable. People who want to pirate it will get it for free, without restrictions. While the honest paying guy is forced to his inconvenient copy.

  18.2.2010 20:23 #12

• windsong

  I would be Reloaded or DarkCoder already have the protection cracked and are just waiting for the right time to release it.

  18.2.2010 23:59 #13

• BadCatt

  I just play games on facebook, That takes care of me.

  19.2.2010 00:01 #14

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by Hard: This is extremely laughable. All they are doing is hurting the honest paying customer. It's only a matter of time until someone figures out how to make the game playable. People who want to pirate it will get it for free, without restrictions. While the honest paying guy is forced to his inconvenient copy.That's the fundamental problem of all DRM...pirates don't have to deal with it anyway...the only people who have DRM are people who paid for the products. On top of that, DRM creates pirates by forcing normal users to go download cracks...once they realize how easy it is, they never buy software again.

  19.2.2010 00:17 #15

• Amak

  Sometimes I wonder if companies are purposely helping pirates...

  19.2.2010 01:08 #16

• eiamhere

  This will affect sales. It will make it to the news that piracy is the cause. There will be no mention of Ubisofts infringment.
  
  I had this on the PS3, won't buy it on the pc now, I will pirate it though. I no longer buy Ubisoft games.
  
  Socom 3 on the PSP now requires you to pay $20 for the online content (pre-owned or pirated), citing piracy as the cause. Pirate capable (CFW) systems are 'blocked' from the PSN, so how does that work.
  
  The assault on pc gaming and the pre-owned market is getting stronger every week.

  19.2.2010 03:50 #17

• editmon

  I wonder if the D.A.s "you know what I mean" at these companies ever leave their office to go into the real world? I live in a rural area where you’re lucky to get 256kb on dial up. Forget satellite! Why do I want to pay an additional $600 to $125 a year to play a damn game, and in this economy? Screw them and the likes of EA. I am waiting for my favorite studio Bethesda to get on the $hit box train with them. What a bunch of idiots. I was waiting for Crysis Warhead to come out only to get to the store to find out you had to have internet connection to "activate" the game. God I love that word, "activate". Doesn't it sound so ... so ... soviet. I left with my $60 dollars in hand and had a great dinner instead. I wonder why they don't name their company the "National Nazi Game Studio"?
  Oh boy, here we go with the politically correct $hit.

  19.2.2010 10:27 #18

• editmon

  If you need to write some one with a complaint, here is the Ubisoft address.
  
  Ubisoft Red Storm Entertainment
  2000 Centre Greenway
  Suite 300
  Cary, NC 27513
  
  Drop them a line and also refuse to buy their game. While you are at it don't pirate it either. Nothing hurts like negative feedback, loss of revenue, low expectations, and exposure.
  
  We have to change our mentality about corporations. Boycott. It hurts not to play a game but it hurts more to be subjugated by these entities.

  19.2.2010 11:25 #19

• av_verbal

  not a game i will purchase then.

  19.2.2010 12:12 #20

• emugamer

  Not a company I will ever purchase from again. So long Prince of Persia.

  19.2.2010 13:07 #21

• senator29

  why don't companies realize the vast majority of those who pirate software is simply because they could not otherwise afford it?
  
  rich people don't steel, or most dont.
  
  i still to this day buy stuff i like and want. most things i pirate is either i cant afford it or got horrible or no reviews (refuse to release demo). i have downloaded stuff then liked it so much bought the real deal.
  
  software and games as well as movies and music are sold by marketing teams, not by the content in the sale. they try so hard to fool you in blowing your money. WAKE UP!

  19.2.2010 18:56 #22

• llongtheD

  Originally posted by senator29: why don't companies realize the vast majority of those who pirate software is simply because they could not otherwise afford it?
  
  rich people don't steel, or most dont.
  
  i still to this day buy stuff i like and want. most things i pirate is either i cant afford it or got horrible or no reviews (refuse to release demo). i have downloaded stuff then liked it so much bought the real deal.
  
  software and games as well as movies and music are sold by marketing teams, not by the content in the sale. they try so hard to fool you in blowing your money. WAKE UP!I have to disagree with you on one point. Rich people are some of the biggest thieves in the world. Rich people use political connections and legal loop holes to make the law "work" for them. The rich, and the uber rich steal untold billions every year, and it goes un-noticed because they do it "legally."

  20.2.2010 02:21 #23

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by llongtheD: Originally posted by senator29: why don't companies realize the vast majority of those who pirate software is simply because they could not otherwise afford it?
  
  rich people don't steel, or most dont.
  
  i still to this day buy stuff i like and want. most things i pirate is either i cant afford it or got horrible or no reviews (refuse to release demo). i have downloaded stuff then liked it so much bought the real deal.
  
  software and games as well as movies and music are sold by marketing teams, not by the content in the sale. they try so hard to fool you in blowing your money. WAKE UP!I have to disagree with you on one point. Rich people are some of the biggest thieves in the world. Rich people use political connections and legal loop holes to make the law "work" for them. The rich, and the uber rich steal untold billions every year, and it goes un-noticed because they do it "legally."The rich are only rich because they steal.
  

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  20.2.2010 06:06 #24

• blaster4

  I'm not a gamer but this seems to suck. You pay for a game and then have to have further permission to play it? Have I got this right? If I have, I'd never fall for a deal like this. I would do without it first.

  20.2.2010 06:51 #25

• Pop_Smith

  Originally posted by blaster4: I'm not a gamer but this seems to suck. You pay for a game and then have to have further permission to play it? Have I got this right? If I have, I'd never fall for a deal like this. I would do without it first.That's pretty much it. Basically, to play Assassin's Creed 2 on the PC you have to be connected to the Internet. If you're not then the game won't let you play.
  
  If your connection goes down then you get booted from the game and if you can't reconnect within a few seconds you'll lose all progress from your last save.

  20.2.2010 12:58 #26

• senator29

  i know rich steal.
  
  but the rich are the ones that spend a lot on entertainment. you know their kids have a library of 1000 games to play.
  
  regardless, my point was they are much more likely to drop 50 bucks on a game vs average joe living paycheck to paycheck. but that doesn't hold true 100% of the time.

  21.2.2010 16:54 #27

• worldofPC

  That Ubi"suck" would be so stupid to do this is.. Wauw..
  I mean, i don't have 24-7 internet connection but loves the game..
  
  They are making the DRM so they don't lose money to piracy, but they are gonna lose sooooooooooo much more money with this crap because people won't buy in to that sh¤!... They should really fire that man who suggested this, cause all over the internet when i search for articles about this, people and i mean a LOT of people is boycutting ubisoft because of this and i'm one of them.. And then when the new Splinter Cell comes out i'm gonna play that... Ohhh no i'm not because of DRM i can't... Way to go ubisoft, you guy's are about as smart as an empty can of glue...

  6.3.2010 04:44 #28

• cika (unverified)

  people dont you see whe have to buy the game bicose theat is stealing ... whait *bleep* that how desabel the net so i can do somthing realy bad pleas tell tell tell tell tell tell or i havent read it

  22.3.2010 16:36 #29

• creaky

  Originally posted by cika: people dont you see whe have to buy the game bicose theat is stealing ... whait *bleep* that how desabel the net so i can do somthing realy bad pleas tell tell tell tell tell tell or i havent read it Didn't understand a word of that, however please refrain from foul language in future.
  

  
  
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  22.3.2010 16:46 #30

• BarrySoetoro

  This is a great idea... for businesses who enjoy the prospects of bankruptcy. Hey, maybe they government will bail them out! We can federalize the game industry and tax dollars can fund state-controlled DRM, all because people make idiotic business decisions!
  
  Why not? Don't we all "deserve" protection from every conceivable thing? I DEMAND PROTECTION NOW! I want free federal internet (high speed, no less) welfare cheques to buy my games, and subsidized housing to sit in and play games and get fat off my food stamps.
  
  WHERE IS OBAMA ON THIS?!
  
  *hyperventilating*

  31.3.2010 01:09 #31

• Razor1911 (unverified)

  Buy the game........And if it doesnt work.......be happy u have a new box to look at

  19.4.2010 07:48 #32

• JahRakal (unverified)

  Originally posted by Razor1911: Buy the game........And if it doesnt work.......be happy u have a new box to look at
  Yeah....U can buy all none working Ubisoft games so u can have a whole shelf of game boxes to look at your whole life

  19.4.2010 07:51 #33

• yashshah (unverified)

  i just bought a pirated copy of assassins creed 2 it instaaled fine i crackedd the game and i have a internet connection and it works fine and its speed is 512kb/s but then also the game shows An Internet connection is required to play this game. Failed to connect to the Ubisoft master servers. Please verify that your Internet connection is functional and try again ”

  29.5.2010 13:50 #34