Blizzard: Fighting Piracy with DRM 'A Losing Battle'

[Dranoche]

Steam really sucked when it first launched, so there's still plenty of hope for the new bnet. WoW has evolved a good bit. It's been drastically refined (the interface at least, for the most part, the rest of the content is subject to opinion), so it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that the new bnet will take a similar path over time. Talking about the chat stuff, etc. here. Going to stay out of the DRM argument.

I know, slightly off topic, but related enough and popping up enough in here.

 

[crownjules]

Isn't it about time we just had a DRM "megathread" as a catchall? We get the same old discussions dredged up every time a company comes out with a statement about DRM and their plans involving it. Just have one DRM thread that is used for all discussion about it's merits, pitfalls, the different types of DRM, upcoming types of DRM, what company is using what DRM, who benefits from it, who doesn't, who's getting assraped, does it or does it not make more money for the company, crying because you bought a game with DRM and it's bugged, debating who it effects the most, condemning companies for using certain DRM methods, and maybe even discuss some digital rights/copyright law infringement because it seems DRM might be treading on certain consumer rights.

Did I miss anything?

 

[Dumac]

Isn't it about time we just had a DRM "megathread" as a catchall? We get the same old discussions dredged up every time a company comes out with a statement about DRM and their plans involving it. Just have one DRM thread that is used for all discussion about it's merits, pitfalls, the different types of DRM, upcoming types of DRM, what company is using what DRM, who benefits from it, who doesn't, who's getting assraped, does it or does it not make more money for the company, crying because you bought a game with DRM and it's bugged, debating who it effects the most, condemning companies for using certain DRM methods, and maybe even discuss some digital rights/copyright law infringement because it seems DRM might be treading on certain consumer rights.

Did I miss anything?

This implies that the issue of DRM and its implementation aren't evolving.

Also, it isn't like PC Gaming (or all the forums for that matter) move quickly. These are pretty slow forums, so why complain about more threads? Just don't click on them if you are disinterested.

 

[mindcycle]

This implies that the issue of DRM and its implementation aren't evolving.

Also, it isn't like PC Gaming (or all the forums for that matter) move quickly. These are pretty slow forums, so why complain about more threads? Just don't click on them if you are disinterested.

This.

 

[coloumb]

Then why bother stickifying WoW topic? Why not start a new WoW thread every other day? I think it's a great idea to stickify a DRM thread - keep the discussion in ONE topic for an eternity.

 

[CKent]

I understand that Blizzard is a/the top game company... but it amazes me that they're seemingly the only one to realize that fucking your paying customers isn't good business practice.

 

[crownjules]

This implies that the issue of DRM and its implementation aren't evolving.

No it doesn't. The discussion will naturally evolve to cover new implementations of DRM since the posters in said thread have an active interest in it. It would centralize the topic so that all the DRM info isn't spread out over 100+ different threads consisting of 2-3 pages of posts.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Kind of related, I now own a macbook (in addition to my gaming desktop) and know that Blizz will include Mac installation on the disc. Will I be able to use one copy of the game for both my desktop PC and Macbook? Just wasn't sure if I would run into a roadblock when trying to 'register' a second time from the laptop even though it would be under the same battle.net account.

Probably a dumb question as I'm sure it will be handled along the same lines as the Steam method.

 

[Aikouka]

Kind of related, I now own a macbook (in addition to my gaming desktop) and know that Blizz will include Mac installation on the disc. Will I be able to use one copy of the game for both my desktop PC and Macbook? Just wasn't sure if I would run into a roadblock when trying to 'register' a second time from the laptop even though it would be under the same battle.net account.

Probably a dumb question as I'm sure it will be handled along the same lines as the Steam method.

Online shouldn't be a problem but I'm not sure about offline. You may always have to be connected to B.Net on your secondary PC.

 

[kalrith]

Kind of related, I now own a macbook (in addition to my gaming desktop) and know that Blizz will include Mac installation on the disc. Will I be able to use one copy of the game for both my desktop PC and Macbook? Just wasn't sure if I would run into a roadblock when trying to 'register' a second time from the laptop even though it would be under the same battle.net account.

Probably a dumb question as I'm sure it will be handled along the same lines as the Steam method.

Well, if it's like Warcraft 3, then you can install the game on as many PCs as you want (and actually be able to play it on all of them at the same time). The only problem you would run into is with connected to Battle Net at the same time on both PCs. Obviously SC2 might be different, but there's my 2 cents for you

 

[Fingolfin269]

Well, if it's like Warcraft 3, then you can install the game on as many PCs as you want (and actually be able to play it on all of them at the same time). The only problem you would run into is with connected to Battle Net at the same time on both PCs. Obviously SC2 might be different, but there's my 2 cents for you

I would never (intentionally) be logged in at the same time. Playing SC2 from the mac would just be secondary and probably rarely done. Maybe while on a plane are in a hotel... Just something to pass the time in the single player campaigns.

 

[kalrith]

I would never (intentionally) be logged in at the same time. Playing SC2 from the mac would just be secondary and probably rarely done. Maybe while on a plane are in a hotel... Just something to pass the time in the single player campaigns.

AFAIK, you'd be fine in this situation. I think Blizzard's "DRM" is strictly for Battle Net; therefore, if you don't go online from two computers with the same copy at the same time (or with a pirated version), then you won't be affected at all.

This is also probably why LAN play was removed. One person buys one copy of WC3 and lets his 7 friends install it on their computers. You've got an instant LAN party for $20! I just hope they make it easier for multiple people from the same location to use Battle Net at the same time than how it is right now.