News

Ubisoft: PC Driver: San Francisco "requires permanent internet"
Posted: 27.07.2011 13:00 by Simon Priest Comments: 7
Publisher Ubisoft has confirmed that Driver: San Francisco does require a "permanent internet connection" in order to play on the PC; hardly surprising.

Ubi clarified when questions arose after Steam updated their product page for Driver: San Francisco. Console versions need one-time activation for features.


"PC version requires permanent internet connection," twittered Driver's official channel. "You can play offline on Xbox360 and PS3. Online Uplay Passport activation required (once) for multiplayer and bonus features," Ubisoft later added.

"Bear in mind though that the PC version of DRVSF is released simultaneously to consoles." This hasn't always been the case with new Ubisoft releases as the PC versions have tended to be launched sometime after - likely to help combat piracy and boost console sales.

Steam's product page carried a warning: "3rd-party DRM: Ubisoft's Online Services Platform. Ubisoft requires a permanent internet connection to play this video game at all times" This led to questions being asked by fans whether Steam was being overcautious.

Uplay Passport is Ubisoft's own 'online pass' system which costs £7.99 on PC and PS3 and 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360. Ubisoft's PC DRM system has been widely criticised since it launched as it demands a constant internet connection even for singleplayer games.

Server trouble in the beginning also caused PC games to be rendered unplayable although Ubisoft has made significant improvements to their reliability now. They've also said PC titles may drop the 'always-on' requirement after a certain amount of time passes.

Has Driver: San Francisco's PC DRM demand for internet put you off, videogamer? Driver: San Francisco releases on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC September 2nd.

Source: Eurogamer

Comments

By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Jul 27, 2011
FoolWolf
Not good enough Ubisoft - no Driver for me. Simply hate the always online requirement, and the skipping of always on is always on to start and save like AC2? (Do you still need to connect to save?).
One time activation, updates etc could be a confirmation of the key to proceed like Origin have for crysis2 .
By Thibby (SI Core Veteran) on Jul 27, 2011
Thibby
Permanent Internet connection= No buy for me, sry Ubisoft.
By GERGE (SI Newbie) on Jul 27, 2011
GERGE
This will be my first pirated game after 2-3 years.
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Jul 27, 2011
djole381
@GERGE
Why pirate it? Simply buy it and use a crack when it comes out. That way, you don't need a permanent connection in order to play the game.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 27, 2011
nocutius
An asshole move, specially cause the console versions don't require it also.

Don't really care about the game, but i completely dislike the idea cause they're bound to do the same with other games as well.
We've seen what happens when servers go offline in a case like this, the game becomes completely useless.

Thank you, but no thank you, i'll just wait untill the "...PC titles may drop the 'always-on' requirement after a certain amount of time passes" happens. So not only i won't have to deal with stupid DRM, the game is also guaranteed to be cheaper by then :).
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 27, 2011
herodotus
Nail i the coffin time again for Ubisoft. I personally have no problem with it, as long their conection does not drop out, which it often does in other games by them using this DRM.
It is almost like stating they Ubisoft couldn't care less about the game nor the gamer by doing so ("Silent Hunter 5" fans felt abandoned by Ubisoft and very angry). Just the money....always the money.
Ubi slipped to the bottom of my trusted Devs/Publishers list a while back ("SH5" being the prime reason) and it will obviously stay there for some time to come.
It's the 21st Century, Ubi - move on. The game will be pirated without a doubt (tho why bother, I don't know) so there is no need for this.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Jul 28, 2011
FoolWolf
For me they died with the always on-line but I had my suspensions earlier since they had a run of StarForce before so I am still very skeptic about Ubi titles. FarCry2 showed that they also are full of BS and not caring enough about making their games work...