Software Licensing Storm In a Teacup?
SL.tv has been watching with interest the storm in the blogosphere over 
Ubisoft’s new copy protection measures.
The new PC version of their best selling game Assassin’s Creed 2 was launched in the UK last week and no one seems to have a good word to say about the software licensing solution Ubisoft has implemented.
Many gamers seem downright outraged over the new system. But we wonder how much long term impact this will really have on Ubisoft?
Certainly, the introduction of the new software licensing system was less than smooth.
Ubisoft’s new DRM (digital rights management) system requires gamers to maintain an internet connection and be logged on to Ubisoft’s servers at all times whilst playing the game, even if they are playing solo.
The gaming media were outraged by what they saw as draconian anti-piracy measures, and many sources urged gamers to boycott the new release.
Shortly after release things got even worse. Ubisoft’s servers came under attack from disgruntled gamers, leaving legitimate purchasers “locked out” and unable to use their licensed software for over six hours. Ubisoft has admitted to at least one other attack during the following week.
“Effective copy protection measures are clearly essential if software developers are to generate sufficient revenue to go on supporting and developing their products.” said Jon Gillespie-Brown, software licensing expert and CEO of leading licensing solutions provider Nalpeiron “But a software licensing system should not impact negatively on end user experience. Systems that require the user to remain logged in to the vendors server can be particularly problematic; having the potential to suffer from both connectivity problems on the user’s side, and server issues on the vendor’s side.”
So, at the moment there are definitely red faces at Ubisoft, and a lot of angry gamers out there.
But SL.tv wonders how much real damage has been done?
Sales don’t seem to have suffered all that much. From England, the Independent reports that despite all the noise Assassin’s Creed 2 still managed to make it to #3 in Steam Network’s chart of top selling PC download games for the first week of March.
So, we wonder: were the people who are doing all the complaining really planning to buy the game? Or has Ubisoft’s admittedly rather clumsy new system actually done its work and thwarted a good proportion of the potential software pirates?
This is the story so far from the UK. The game is released in the US on March 16th – so we wait to see how things will work out for Ubisoft over here.
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