Consumer-friendly PC publisher Stardock is working on a non-intrusive copyright protection scheme for PC games, according to Edge Online.
Citing an interview with CEO Brad Wardell, EO reports that Stardock is developing the solution for other publishers. GamePolitics readers will recall that Wardell and Gas Powered Games head Chris Taylor released the controversial Gamers Bill of Rights during PAX 2008.
It seems that major PC game publishers were unwilling to sign onto the Bill of Rights, however. While not naming names, Wardell commented on the publishers' reluctance:
While Stardock doesn't put copy protection on its retail games, the fact is that most publishers are never going to agree to do that. So the publishers are telling us, 'Put your money where your mouth is. Why don't you guys develop something that you think is suitable that would protect our IP, but would be more acceptable to users?'
We're investigating what would make users happy to protect their needs, but also provide some security for the publishers. ... We're actually developing a technology that would do that.
Wardell stopped short of terming his new project a form of DRM:
The problem with 'DRM' is that it's so loosely defined... Stardock's products use activation, and I wouldn't say that it's DRM. We're just verifying if you're real customer... We want that [game user] license to be yours, not per machine... It's not your machine buying the game. It's you...
Publishers should have the right to be stupid [about DRM] if they want. That's their right. And it's the right of the consumer to choose not to buy.
Comments
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
If games were not $60 a game, there would be less piracy.
--- Official Protector of Videoland!
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
"Publishers should have the right to be stupid [about DRM] if they want. That's their right. And it's the right of the consumer to choose not to buy."
BINGO! Thank you StarDock.
See EA, it's not that half of us are pirates and they other half just "don't understand."
You exercised your right to be stupid, and we exercised our right to say go to hell.
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
Agreed. Though I am still for piracy because the consumer gets 0 punishment at all, while the publisher gets shafted, if DRM is added. I like the concept that you can tell how many people downloaded the illegal copy, so they can see how many people are pissed if they are smart enough to compare past games like Sims 2, and... Wait, what are other EA PC games? haha If 1/3rd of the people playing Spore are playing it illegally, I know that is far higher than the normal statistics, and it is prolly higher than that.
Explain the loss of 30% of your could be income for your biggest title of the year to your investers EA. Seriously, explain...
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
DeepThorn
I can explain it focuing on the next product befor your current one is done is the reason!
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
I'm interested to see if their schema does indeed put the lucre in the oral orifice.
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
Stupid about DRM,game design and destroying thier products and the industry by proxy by ever focusing on the next product instead of finishing and polishing the one before them...
Online activation is a anti consumer practice that limits a consumers right to own the product, so online only is wrong and unacceptable.
You need a 3 step process disc protection+key+online, hell a online setup that can check the key server without annoying the consumer unless there is a critical key issue. You the publisher have to give more online to get people to use a more secure online system, offering patches and ZOMG! better support through a better online system would bring in more legit consumers...but you guys want less for more and that is what you will get less paying consumers for a higher product price and inept DRM......
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
If you look into Stardocks history, you'l see your rant is a little out of touch with stardocks usual approach.
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
Not picking on Stardock I am picking on the indutry as a whole. *lick* =^^=
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/
Re: Stardock Building non-DRM IP Security for PC Games
The cat stuff is really creepy, please stop doing it.