His opinions on the very hated system

Sep 29, 2008 07:31 GMT  ·  By

Chris Remo is pretty popular in the gaming industry. Having founded websites like GamaSutra or ShackNews shows that he might know a thing or two about anything related to games and gamers. He recently approached the very sensitive issue regarding DRM (Digital Rights Management) and how gamers are treating it very badly. He went on to say that not every DRM is the work of the devil, or how gamers hate a game just because its publisher decided to protect it by using such a system.

“I can't help but feel a lot of the vocal protestors are simply getting caught up in the righteous fury of the moment. It looks like we're at five activations per game now, up from three; that's unlimited installs on each of five PCs, as I understand it, and a deauthorization tool is coming. Realistically, how much more do you need? Obviously, it's not as good as 'infinity installs (plus one)' but can't we just come to terms with the fact that no amount of Internet petitioning or Amazon guerrilla warfare is going to take the activation limit out of the realms of the finite?” he asked in an article for Penny Arcade.

All of his observations are well founded. In today's world and on the Internet, if you write about DRM, your story will surely get attention. Partly because of the scandal regarding Spore or Crysis: Warhead, but those are being taken care of by Electronic Arts. Gamers just have to understand that the system was made to protect the developer's and publisher's interest. You still want them to make good games, don't you?

In the end, this is what he had to say to the readers, “To PC gamers: let's stop turning every inconvenience into the plight of Sisyphus. To publishers generally, and Electronic Arts in this case: doubt not, you will always be called on your s... To everyone: God knows the debate about Whether PC Gaming Is Dying isn't one that needs renewing, so let's not give it more fodder”.