14 DAY TRIAL // Video game publisher Ubisoft has said that the Digital Rights Management system that it uses will not hurt gamers because it has a solid customer support system that can deal with any problems linked to the game protection.
In a statement issued to Rock, Paper, Shotgun Ubisoft says, “While it’s correct that copies of Anno include three activations and that changing hardware may trigger the need for reactivation, the vast majority of Anno customers never encounter this scenario.”
It adds, “On the rare occasion when a customer does need additional activations, Ubisoft customer service is available to quickly resolve the situation, and we encourage those customers to contact us directly so that we can ensure they are able to continue to enjoy their game.”
The Digital Rights Management solution used by Anno 2070 is called Tages and a number of those who played the game discovered that the install limit can easily be reached simply by changing a part of the system on which the game is played, like the graphics card.
Those who reach the three install limit need to contact Ubisoft directly in order to ask for the limit to be removed.
The process is needlessly complicated even if players usually get the extension that they need.
Ubisoft has long been known for implementing tougher DRM systems in their PC based game in order to limit the impact of piracy.
A number of other developers and publishers have stated that strong DRM, which tends to be a nuisance even to legitimate customers, does not work and that those determined enough can pirate any title on the market.
Piracy has been a problem for the video game industry for some time, especially on the PC, and the most common response has been to deliver tougher protection measures and to try and take down sites that host content that is illegally distributed.