News

Valve offering From Dust refunds over DRM flap
Posted: 18.08.2011 23:38 by JonahFalcon Comments: 22
It seems that From Dust's DRM isn't so innocuous as it was first reported - in fact, it was changed. Originally, only a typical one-time online activation was required, like most Steam titles. However, now the DRM requires that the user activate it online to run each and every time. In other words, Ubisoft lied.

The DRM description on the Steam page was changed from reading “From Dust PC will release with DRM requiring a one-time only online activation. After which you will be able to play the game offline” to “From Dust requires an internet connection when you start the game. Make sure you are connected to the internet when you attempt to start the game. After you have signed in and the game is running, you no longer need the internet connection and can disconnect from it if you wish.”

Ubisoft may not seem to care whether the user is inconvenienced, but Valve is. They have offered a complete refund to any user who doesn't want the game anymore due to the DRM.

On another note, there are unconfirmed reports that From Dust was hacked off Steam, so Ubisoft once again needlessly punishes the gamer trying to stop piracy.
Related games: From Dust (PC)

Comments

By djole381 (SI Elite) on Aug 19, 2011
djole381
Ubisoft's actions are not stopping piracy. In fact, they're encouraging the players to download pirated copies so they wouldn't have to bother with their stupid DRM.
By neilmike (SI Core) on Aug 19, 2011
neilmike
well, fuck you u-be-soft', 'cos this game is crap on pc platform..eat this ubi 'you're fuckin' lazy Gits' and don't start saying the Xbox can cope better...........'more like sloppy pc port'

for you folks just download SecuROM Remover.exe and remove this horrible DRM software everytimes you have played....
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Aug 19, 2011
nocutius
A very nice move from Valve, cant say so about Ubisoft. Changing the DRM to something worse than you initially promised is quite nasty.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Aug 19, 2011
SirRoderick
"Unconfirmed reports?"

Go to thepiratebay, search for From Dust. First result has over a thousand seeds already.
I say it's fair to call that a successful crack.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Aug 19, 2011
FoolWolf
+1 for Valve - Ubisoft go f*** yourselves!
By PowerJack (SI Elite) on Aug 19, 2011
PowerJack
DRM is AWESOME!!!

^.^
By Chosen_One (SI Elite) on Aug 19, 2011
Chosen_One
THX Ubi. Now I'm gonna download "DRM-free" version...damn, yesterday I was thinking bout buying this game...facepalm.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Aug 19, 2011
SirRoderick
You haven't just literally said you're going to pirate the game did you?

That is.....probably bannable?
By PowerJack (SI Elite) on Aug 21, 2011
PowerJack
In lack of better options I think its a good idea.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Aug 21, 2011
herodotus
Surprise move by Valave as they haven't done this in the past - instead just changing the info on the product page. I guess they realsied the backlash would be massive, and it is well deserved and legally-backed. When will Ubisoft realise that UPlay just drives gamers into the depths of Piracy, rather than punishing the real thieves. Having followed the ongoing attempts to stem all Media Piracy for a couple of years now, the authorities can't even get a solid solution in place and are nowhere near close to it. So why does Ubi think it can?
Punishing legit gamers - the Ubisoft way.

EDIT: Steam has of right now still not changed the Store Page where no DRM at all is listed.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Aug 21, 2011
herodotus
@Powerjack
Stating you are going to illegally download a pirated game is not wise. Be a good idea to delete that one, mate.
By bosnian_dragon (SI Core) on Aug 22, 2011
bosnian_dragon
I never wanted to try this game so I can't say anything, but I do condemn lying to potential buyers.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Aug 22, 2011
herodotus
This from the Steam Forums when I posted a link to this news item on the "From Dust" refunds forums:

"That information was taken from the Lo-Ping website, whose report of refunds being given have been proven false by many of us in this forum. We're being refused.". - Atonnis

I noted it's being listed on other gaming websites as well as RPS, but the source is in question.

Confused now....
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Aug 22, 2011
SirRoderick
A friend of mine bought the game....he is displeased.

First of all there is that whole Uplay nonsense, which is just plain intrusive. Then the DRM meant he couldn't play on his laptop, which wasn't hooked up to the internet. He was tearing his hair out, basically.

And that's before you even get to the unskippable cutscenes/intros, console controls (moving the mouse even just a short distance can provoke automated scrolling), etc.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Aug 22, 2011
FoolWolf
Pirating games is even more stupid then buying this game. Not only because this game is a really bad port - but in general because pirate-asses shows the companies that their is an interest in their games and theat they can continue with the "remove all digital rights from consumers due to pirates". They keep paying millions to change the laws in the societies we all live in and pirates believe that pirating more will change that. That notion is shit.

Best thing you can do - tell them to go F*** themselves and spend the money on a game that listens to consumers and respects consumer rights - and don't ever play the shite with draconian DRM - EVER!

Also - advocating piracy, enabling it, encouraging it here is not OK - against the policies. Keep those ideas and opinions private.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Aug 22, 2011
herodotus
For the last time I think we all need to do something, I know I myself have promised and forgotten time and again. Don't fall for the PRE-ORDER.
Hard as it is, unless it has already been released elsewhere and earlier, top shelf games (and even smaller titles such as this one) are just not delivering as they used to. The nightmare of Ubisoft is ongoing ("IL2: CoD" is the latest) and Activision+Treyarch killed "CoD:BO" for PC for a long time. "Civilisation V" and "Total War: SHOGUN 2" are still gicving PC gamers nightmares...the list goes on.
Will "BF3" be the wunderkind everyone is expecting? Will the Origin system or EA itself stuff it up despite the high extectations?
With the spate of dreadful AAA titles in 2010/11 I'm afraid I have to be skeptical.
By bosnian_dragon (SI Core) on Aug 22, 2011
bosnian_dragon
MOst of the Devs need to go back to the roots :) They just forget what the essence of gaming is...
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Aug 22, 2011
nocutius
I'm sure the devs are not to blame here, the publishers on the other hand...
By Gyorn (SI Core) on Aug 22, 2011
Gyorn
Time over time im astonished by how stupid some of the big companies are.
Even though it has be said already lets repeat it:
They punish their customers with a draconic 'protection' while the pirates are able to play the same game without this intrusive c*ap with next to no delay.
Im SURE this will lower the piracy rate.

Oh and btw...
herodotus, im honoured that you chose to impersonate me with your avatar, but plz refrain from doing so or ill have to sue you ;)
By bosnian_dragon (SI Core) on Aug 22, 2011
bosnian_dragon
Well, the devs could publish their own games, like Paradox does... They don't need to be a part of some "big" company to have their games released succesfully.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Aug 22, 2011
herodotus
Hell, Gyorn I look like you....only cooler:)
Might have to change that....
By PowerJack (SI Elite) on Aug 22, 2011
PowerJack
I don't care about the game.

I was just talking about his options.