Command and Conquer 4 DRM causes problems
Gamers complain need for constant internet connection is crashing game
Gamers have been experiencing problems playing Command & Conquer 4 - an issue which seems to be due to the game's DRM requirement of a permanent internet connection.
The game's official forum has been flooded with complaints following the game's release on Friday, with people experiencing connection difficulties, firewall compatibility problems and crashes which result in lost save data.
Eurogamer readers have also reported problems. As the site noted in its review, C&C4's DRM - which works similarly to Ubisoft's unpopular system - means a user must be connected to the internet at all times when playing.
"Just like Ubisoft's contempt-to-the-max DRM system, this will kick you out if your net connection drops for any reason - even in single-player," said the review.
EA's community manager responded to problems being reported by forum members over the weekend, and a patch to address issues with the English and Russians versions of the game has now been released.
I bought C&C4 on Friday and suffered the same problems as were reported widely. It's very frustrating and, I reckon, damaging to the industry when affecting those real customers outside the sector who have reason to be less patient.
So, what DRM should be used in PC games then if we keep in mined 2 vital conditions:
- it must be reliable enough to hold against high experienced hackers
- if must be consumer convenience
?
Seriously, the question(Which DRM to use) itself leads to failure as long even closed platforms aren't save from piracy.
There are so many variables to consider for ths problem...but one thing is for sure:
(And the history did show that quite nicely.)
The harder you try to secure your digital Product the more you piss off your real customer base.
And to be frankly even a minority can destroy your image. (The rule of negative versus positive word of mouth. ...10:1)
I am not in the position to make recommendations but let's say every big publisher woul'd stop to produce PC Ports(Games), it wouldn't make a damn of a difference for the future, because when you put on a challenge someone on this little world will take the challenge just to show you there is at least one solution to a problem. (At least in the case of the digital world.)
Btw, i liked the CP from "The whispered World" with the dices. :P
Edited 1 times. Last edit by Urs Schaub on 22nd March 2010 4:34pm
Guess what that means?
Dmitry, I only buy into one of your vital conditions.