'The Truth Is, It Doesn't Work' - CD Projekt On DRM

Forbes:CD Projekt have had their own issues with piracy – according to their estimates, 4.5 million copies of their latest game have been circulated. Having abandoned DRM as a means of preventing piracy, they experimented briefly with the RIAA approach of sending letters to suspected pirates, but abandoned the strategy after a public backlash, despite maintaining that they could accurately identify pirated copies, and thus no legitimate player was being contacted.

[NYC_Gamer]

DRM is a waste of time because it doesn't stop piracy

[Patriots_Pride]

I agree, but there needs to be something that makes it so that not just anyone can pirate your game. I know DRM is usually cracked within 24h of the crackers getting their hands on the game. Which usually means that there is a cracked version available days before launch so DRM is pointless.

[Ducky]

The article is kind of making an interesting point.
The copy with DRM gets cracked, and it's that version which got pirated/shared first... even though there was a DRM-free version.

The real problem with DRM is that in a lot of cases, the pirated version is easier to install/run than the legit version... so while it might prevent some people from pirating the game easily, it also prevents legit buyers from enjoying their rightly bought game.
(A good example is when Ubisoft was making changes to their servers, pirated versions of their games worked fine, but legit buyers were locked out of their games)

Not all DRM is bad though. Steam is DRM, yet it is mostly loved, particularly because it tries to offer a smooth experience.

[Somebody]

I agree that DRM is a waste of time. It is also more troublesome for legit users than it really should. I hated the fact that I've used up half of my instal limit for DCS A-10C simulation.

But when a DRM does work, an extremely rare event, it produce hilarious results.Prime example: Serious Sam BFE's immortal, Gatling-totting, pirate-eating pink scorpion. Another would be Arma 2's unique degradation of gameplay and graphic. Both game lured the pirates into a false sense of security only to screw them back later for pirating. Should these be considered DRM or just the developers getting back at pirates?

Still, DRM is a bad idea, especially horrible, restrictive ones.

[b_one]

Witcher 2 has same mechanisms

[reznik_zerosum]

still no crack for diablo :D

[GamingPerson]

Piracy is a waste of time because it doesn't stop DRM
DRM sucks though. Drm doesn't stop piracy and No Drm doesn't stop piracy.

[SeekDev]

One reason that developers put DRM in their games is because the publishers are pressured by the investors, the people solely looking to make money from the game, and don't care about the integrity of the industry.

[come_at_me_bro]

At least someone in the industry gets it.

[ninjahunter]

I agree, but there needs to be something that makes it so that not just anyone can pirate your game. I mean, if there were no DRM at all, joe schmos grandma down the street could just download and play. Just a thought.

[Voxelman]

joe schmos grandma could download any game with DRM right now, DRM is usually cracked within 24h of the crackers getting their hands on the game. Which usually means that there is a cracked version available days before launch.

[Baka-akaB]

joe schmos grandma down the street already can , it's easier than running the bought copy . It's all smoke and mirrors for the big wigs and investors

[dark-hollow]

do whatever you like to combat piracy AS LONG as the rightful consumers dont get punished with stupid crap like only online for single player games and stupid annoying DRM.

[Emilio_Estevez]

Good read

[jamesensor]

...and maibe these pirates don't have the money anyway to purchase 60 euro games? Not all of them, but some? And a small percentage that likes to experience first-hand how the game behaves and feels?

[Baka-akaB]

how is that anyone's problem that they can't afford it ? Should we steal ferraris too ?

Now trial i can understand , especially when sneaky publishers refuses to put demos out there . But at some point , like beyond ten hours , you know you should be purchasing it already or erasing it , if that's the reason you stand by .

[jamesensor]

It's nobody's problem. What I meant is that from these people that are broke there's no money to be made. It's like having spare leftovers and not leaving it for the poor (and they don't steal it, they copy it). This isn't a matter of life and death, of course, but in that scenario case they can't win money on it. Even if DRM was unbeatable, people that don't have money wouldn't buy it (I know I wouldn't, and life would still carry on).
About demos, I've seen some interesting demos that put much of the best and leave the worst hidden. They can be pretty much hyped.

[DigitalAnalog]

I find it HARD to believe that people would invest in gaming rigs would not be able to AFFORD well-made graphically-heavy games. This is no different from someone buying a sports car but only to siphon off gas for free.

[jamesensor]

When you find gas for me to download or even a ferrari send me a link, I'd love to try it. Next, about what you say concerning gaming rigs, there's no debate on that and I certainly disapprove such choices.

[shadowraiden]

what a load of shit.
cant afford it dont buy it as if you want to play the game you should pay for it end of.
theres plenty of steam sales etc to get games for really cheap so dont give me the hole i cant afford it excuse as its a poor one.

its not so much you stealing the product its that why should you because you cant afford it be able to play it for free it took time and money to create and so those that trully want to play video games should buy them in order to support the companies to make more.

come back when you have a legit excuse and not one you try to say to make yourself feel better.

[Bladesfist]

He means, publishers often release piracy figures and say "Heres how many copies we did not sell because of piracy" When really loads of people would not have bought it anyway as they find the game not worth the price for the content. A lot of kids find it hard to buy games legitimately on PC because its mainly digital and you can't just hand over cash, you need a card. If you were in this position of actually NOT being able to buy any games, would you give up gaming. Be honest.

[revben]

It is not always about affording it. I live in Jamaica, and the only way I can get a game would be to pirate it or buy it online. I do not have a visa card yet, so buying it online is a no-no. Given that I delete most of the games I pirate, within a three hours, a demo would be a good way to fight piracy. I am not talking about the 30 minutes things they are releasing nowadays. Two-three hours is good.

[PixL]

Ironic thing is this statement comes from a Polish company. Piracy rate in Poland is still very high, which affects their products a lot. Yet they know DRM leads to nowhere.

They also know how to price their products. Witcher 2 was priced at less than 30 Euros on launch, both PC and X360 for a very quality product with soundtrack, map and additional guide.

[joab777]

I guess i just wish ppl would support companies like cd projeckt so they can continue on. I love the witcher 2. What happens is that great games come out like kingdoms of amalur, ppl steal it and then doors close. I know that is not what happened exactly at 38 but it does happen. So many companies wont even take chances anymore because they make half of what they might have made. Capcom claims dragons dogma is good enough to sell 10 million. I dont know if it is but it will probably sell 700,000 but 1.5 million will play it. Thats a big difference when deciding whether to make a sequel or not.

[Hufandpuf]

There's no stopping piracy. Only legit buyers lose.

[sriki007]

if only some developers put the time and money for developing the game instead of DRM it'll sell more.

[ShaunCameron]

Not it won't. Most games even on a good day barely sell at all.

[BinCs]

It doesn't work, unless the developer has an army of mindless fanboys who will defend their every decision.

[DudeJets]

I pirated TW2 as I didn't want to unsealed my collcectors edition. 4 days later I purchased my 2nd copy via steam. Boom still got my sealed CE

But yeah drm really doesn't work.

[hiredhelp]

Priracy in games industry started back in the 80's still going strong.
There should be a way to stop it but problem is every generation of kids are more more smarter see is alot like hackers, years ago you may only had soo many now you have kids running and hacking complex shit.
The pirated scene is exactly how the guy stated its bragging rights who get most downloads..
Razor1911. Skidrow. Reloaded. These your top scene groups in pc gaming you know them add on's. DLC we pay silly money for.? FREE Consoles ,PC,Apple products.
Its a shame but this guy knows his shit hes telling you all what ive said for years while piracy is bad in todays industry it doesnt hurt sales. Same goes for this online pass BS. Just another way make free money people buy new always buy new people on tighter budget buy second hand or wait will always watch pockets.
The gaming industry thrives on sales bought new the second hand buyers never been a effect on the industry.
So yeh piracy is wrong but its syarted a very long time ago since i was a boy anyways tape to tape,
But you never heard company's complain now they make millions millions compared to back then.
----------------------------- ------------------------------ - ------------------------------ - ------------------------------
Yes i know i cant spell but im not here for english test, Yes i had education and yes im brittish
But im also a old time gamer.

[paddystan]

I remember I pirated From Dust after it released on PC (bought it yesterday from Ubisoft Steam sale). It was so easy to crack the game and the ubisoft launcher thing. Took me probably 2 minutes, just copying the cracked file and replacing them with the real files. Very easy.

[mananimal]

Look!, if I have to download a game, its STILL a form of "Digital Rights Management", SO STOP with this BS, if its not on DISK!!, a disk!!, in a PHYSICAL FORMAT, ITS STILL DRM. When i can purchase a GAME, and its CONTENTS are on a DISK, & i can play it at my leisure, then thats is what IS NOT DRM. Whether its a "CLOUD" Server or just a plain ol HARDDRIVE of some sort, ITS STILL CONNECTED & NEEDS TO BE connected to the ""INTERNET" in order to DOWNLOAD THE FREAKIN GAME!!!, Plz, stop this Madness!! or the attempt to REDFINE what is & isnt DRM. ONLY ON A DISK, can I the CONSUMER CONTROL MY PURCHASE, a harddrive can easily malfunction through a mire of different ways, some crappy update, piracy, or just natural decay of it, if your content is DIGITAL it can STILL BE LOST, STOLEN, CORRUPTED, DELETED & ultimately STILL CONTROLLED BY THE INDUSTRY.

[Hawkred63]

Whoa.

[tallkidoPL]

Everyone should buya copy of witcher1/2 if you dont have it yet and support CD PROJEKT!!

[Hicken]

I like them as devs. If I had the funds and a computer that would run it, I'd definitely get their games.

[tallkidoPL]

Witcher 2 came out on 360 if you are interested and for witcher 1 you dont need new computer,gogle can you run it to see if w1 would work