Ubisoft Defends Internet-Connected DRM As A 'Success'

Ubisoft hasn't won many fans among consumers for its use of a DRM scheme that requires a persistent internet connection in some PC games, a policy it recently revived for the upcoming Driver: San Francisco. But the publisher says there's a simple reason it employs the measure: it works. A company representative recently told PC Gamer that the company has seen "a clear reduction in piracy of our titles which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success." Despite the success, such protection will not be present in all of Ubisoft's PC titles going forward -- the company recently confirmed that the August release of From Dust will not include such a scheme. Ubisoft's first began requiring an internet connection for most of its PC releases in early 2010, including the protection method in titles such as Settlers 7, Silent Hunter V, Splinter Cell: Conviction and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. The company removed the check for those titles earlier this year, after consistent complaints from fans.