DRM Petition

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: NoWhereM
I am just so honored that someone from EA would deign to reply to our narcissistic, insignificant little petition with such acumen. I think it should be perspicuous to all of us now precisely why EA's DRM contrivance is simply indispensable.

I guess that takes care of that.

EA's reply, as you correctly point out, says and explains very little.

The petition, whilst undoubtedly a futile exercise, represents an attempt to have some input into the DRM decision-making process. I would argue that, where a company fails to abide by the demands and requests outlined in the petition, their intentions fall beyond the scope of combatting piracy and they may justifiably be accused of failing to address the concerns and wishes of a significant number of their clients.

I stand by the petition: at the very least, we tried.

However, whilst I have a strong aversion to Securom and feel that EA have made many erroneous decisions with regards to DRM in the recent past, I am grateful that they took the time to acknowledge our existence. I will defend the fact that they have contributed, even if I feel that their contribution fails to address the specific issues we have raised.

 

[NoWhereM]

I signed the petition day one, I don't have a problem with it. I'd just rather be ignored than insulted.

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: NoWhereM
I signed the petition day one, I don't have a problem with it. I'd just rather be ignored than insulted.

I don't think that the companies can continue to ignore these issues for much longer.

I would also like to see more meaningful input from the companies: as you well know, I understand exactly where you are coming from.

The issues won't go away simply because a company fails to address them. If we are unable to convince the companies of the need to reconsider the manner in which they are using DRM on this occasion (and we are both aware that only drug induced optimism would lead anyone to believe that the petition would prove successful in this sense), other occassions will arise and other channels will be employed.

 

[Maximilian]

"GM Dave B
EA Games
Customer Support"

It looks like hes a customer support rep, CSR, theyre just trained to be nice to people and probably only have a passing understanding of why we people hate DRM and that it dosent even work in its intended purpose. EA are too inflexible to give in to consumer demands, their market research teams and sales numers will dictate what they do with regards to everything.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

At least they responded, albeit in a fluffy, "no actual response" kind of way.

Like I said before, they will respond better when their revenue starts dropping.

That's the only way they'll listen, unfortunately.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Red Irish
EA have replied (I would like to thank EA for acknowledging this thread and this petition):

Hi

Thank you for contacting EA Games. I appreciate the well thought out, logical manner of your message and your petition .

EA firmly believes in the value and use of DRM to protect the hard work and effort our studios put into game creation. While we understand the frustration of many gamers regarding this issue, we also believe that we must protect the effort and time that our developers put in to creating games. For this reason we choose to use digital rights management to protect the artists work and our investment. While there may be future changes to the DRM software we use, there is no publicly available information that we are planning to alter the software at this time.

Again I truly appreciate the time and effort you have put in to your message and the logical points made in the included petition.

With warm regards

GM Dave B
EA Games
Customer Support

Thanks for the effort, Red Irish. Clearly EA's GM of Customer Support can't make any promises on behalf of the company. We can only hope that they do kick the contents of your petition up to senior management, and that those managers take the petition seriously. Basically, all we're asking for is non-Draconian DRM that actually works as intended, without negative side-effects.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: tk149
Thanks for the effort, Red Irish. Clearly EA's GM of Customer Support can't make any promises on behalf of the company. We can only hope that they do kick the contents of your petition up to senior management, and that those managers take the petition seriously. Basically, all we're asking for is non-Draconian DRM that actually works as intended, without negative side-effects.

My sentiments exactly. I'm glad to see someone respond at the very least.

It's very possible he did contact someone higher up and was told to write the response he did. If not, then he has previously been told how to respond to this situation (which is most likely). I'm sure they're well aware of what people think about the draconian DRM used in Spore and other titles since there was such a huge public outcry over it.

Honestly, i'd consider buying EA games if the DRM they're using for Sims 3 (disc check only) is what they continue to use for all new PC game releases. I really don't have a problem with that variety, even if it is SecuROM doing the disc check. It's the online activation / install limit crap that I won't support.

 

[TC91]

Thanks Red Irish.

 

[Red Irish]

I am not sure if we have actually achieved anything, but you are all very welcome. Personally, I think all thanks should be directed towards the 62 signatories.

Still no word from Ubisoft, Atari or Valve.

 

[wanderer27]

Sadly, this is pretty much what I expected - PR machine rhetoric :roll:

I commend you for you efforts Red Irish, but the Petition you put forth was too soft for me so I never bothered endorsing it.

Besides, as far as I'm concerned I've already solved my DRM problem:
I just don't buy any games for myself or my family from any Company employing these abusive schemes.

 

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: wanderer27
Sadly, this is pretty much what I expected - PR machine rhetoric :roll:

I commend you for you efforts Red Irish, but the Petition you put forth was too soft for me so I never bothered endorsing it.

Besides, as far as I'm concerned I've already solved my DRM problem:
I just don't buy any games for myself or my family from any Company employing these abusive schemes.

I respect your stance, moreso given the fact that the companies appear unwilling to listen to their clients.

 

[Red Irish]

Thanks to everyone who participated.
Thanks to GM Dave B of EA for at least replying. Atari, Valve and Ubisoft chose not to reply.

62 people signed the petition, hopefully the companies wil some day take note.

Over and out.