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Ubisoft removes 'always-connected' DRM from games

In early 2010, Ubisoft began releasing PC games with the controversial "always-connected" DRM, which meant gamers could not play their single-player games without being always connected to the Internet.

If your connection hiccuped at any point, the game would return you to the main menu, losing any forward progress you had made since last saving.



It appears, after months of complaints and outrage, that the publisher has finally updated a few of its games to remove the DRM, including popular titles like Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction.

After the latest patch, players can enjoy their games without needing to be always connected to the Web, but an active Internet connection will still be needed to first start the game and validate the install.

In general, Ubisoft has shied away from the DRM, even choosing to not use it in its latest RTS game, "RUSE."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 2 Jan 2011 1:19

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• 14 comments

• ROMaster2

  Consumers: 1
  Corporates: 0

  2.1.2011 01:41 #1

• rvinkebob

  Good they finally did it, but it took them THAT long? What a bunch of stubborn idiots...
  

  
  

  2.1.2011 02:42 #2

• 3MUK

  EFIC FAIL
  
  AM I RIGHT ?
  

  2.1.2011 02:57 #3

• Ryoohki

  They finally got it through their heads that it only hurts legitimate purchasers instead of the people who just leeched it off of bittorrent drm free.
  

  2.1.2011 08:43 #4

• bam431

  Should just scrap DRM, Like that would ever happen.
  

  http://www.pirateparty.ca/
  Xbox Live: war dog431 - PSN: bam431 - IGN: bam431
  Youtube: electrowaffle - Twitter: bam431

  2.1.2011 09:19 #5

• GryphB

  Seems they finally got the message! Score!

  2.1.2011 10:38 #6

• Notcow

  I wonder how badly sales dropped from loyal consumers for them to have made this decision...

  2.1.2011 13:52 #7

• jeff_2

  We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.
  

  If you open up your mind to much, your brain may fall out

  2.1.2011 14:05 #8

• Frogfart

  I hate them and want them to go under in the coming Depression. SHIT= DRM.

  2.1.2011 18:05 #9

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by ROMaster2: Consumers: 1
  Corporates: 0 More like
  Consumers: 5
  corporations: 485,286,285,296,103,185
  

  2.1.2011 23:00 #10

• andmill11

  Originally posted by jeff_2: We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.
  So then install it before or after your internet goes off..
  

  3.1.2011 17:03 #11

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by andmill11: Originally posted by jeff_2: We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.
  So then install it before or after your internet goes off.. It has to validate EVERYTIME you try to play..hence the problem.
  

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  3.1.2011 17:55 #12

• andmill11

  Originally posted by DVDBack23: Originally posted by andmill11: Originally posted by jeff_2: We still have not won my internet will be going off for a week shortley for some BT maintance, Splintercell will not work because I can't validate my install, a battle is won, not the war.
  So then install it before or after your internet goes off.. It has to validate EVERYTIME you try to play..hence the problem. Oh snap I read it as it needs to be connected the first time you install and then validate it. Not every time you start the game it needs to be validated. I retract my previous statement.

  4.1.2011 02:58 #13

• editmon

  I wonder just how much corporate profit went down the tubes just because these a-holes never listen to the end user. Think of all the lawyers, servers, air-conditioning, support, maintenance, and DRM programming that money was wasted on that could have been spent on game development and better public relations. D.A.s
  I hope they feel the money they used to bribe ... uh, "lobby" congress to pass DRM was better spent.

  7.1.2011 13:02 #14