Ubisoft DRM authentification server is down, Assassin's Creed 2 unplayable

by Griffin McElroy on Mar 7th 2010 4:00PM

Earlier today, our tips inbox and the official Assassin's Creed 2 forum were set ablaze by incensed owners of the PC version of the aforementioned Italian revenge epic. According to numerous reports from prospective players of the game, Ubisoft's DRM authentification servers have crashed, forcing some players to suffer lengthy login periods when booting up Assassin's Creed 2, and locking some folks out of the game entirely.

A Ubisoft representative responded to a particularly rage-filled forum thread, stating "clearly the extended downtime and lengthy login issues are unacceptable, particularly as I've been told these servers are constantly monitored." The representative added "I'll do what I can to get more information on what the issue is here first thing tomorrow and push for a resolution and assurance this won't happen in the future." We've got a really great suggestion for how to make such an assurance: Find a less abominable DRM policy.

[Thanks, Marc!]

Source

Tags: assassins-creed-2, bug, crash, drm, error, login, server, ubisoft, ubisoft-montreal

Reader Comments (251)

Hey everybody, let's give Ubisoft a hand! One good screwup deserves another, eh?

Everyone knows three f**k-ups equals a great success!

They just need one more now before this all works out!

I really don't see the problem. Sure I don't like DRM, but server problems come with the territory, and the people that bought this game knew from the beginning what they were getting themselves into. Just because this game is a single player story-based game doesn't mean anything. This game was sold as an "online only" game, just like TF2 or MAG or whatever. If you bought this and are surprised by it, hopefully it's a lesson learned.

I fail to see how is this any different than if MAG's servers went down.
I say if you buy an online-only game, you should expect this type of thing to happen, regardless of whether it's a single-player game or a multi-player game.

online-only means online-only. and servers aren't perfect.

Right, Space. I shouldn't be able to play games I own unless Ubisoft says so.

I can't wait until I can't drive my car because a server in Michigan is down.

"I shouldn't be able to play games I own unless Ubisoft says so."

If you bought a product that clearly states "Internet connection" as a requirement in order to activate your game everytime you turn it on...

...then you sir, have given them that power.

Ubisoft sold you a product--DRM and all--and you bought it. you got exactly what you paid for.

next time don't buy an online-only game.

looks like a few people here don't want to admit they screwed up by buying this game and in turn supporting DRM

That depends, Space... can you admit your opinion sucks?

Joystiq has spoken.

Space is wrong and Dr. Blight is right.

@Space Yes, the box does say an Internet connection is required. I have an Internet connection, and my computer's hardware meets all the requirements for Assassin's Creed II, yet I still wouldn't be able to play it.

Well, I also only have the game on the 360. But that's irrelevant to the point I'm making.

my point is if you bought this game on for PC...you got exactly what you paid for. as sucky as that is. and you have no one to blame but yourself for supporting them.

If you want single player ubisoft games to be online only keep buying them. If you don't like this than don't buy it.

would you buy a car that has to connect to a server in michigan in order to drive it? No. So why would you buy a game that has to connect to a server in order to play it.

ah Space nearly all PC games say internet connection required these days because they normally all have an initial authenticity check

One would expect that he would be able to play the game's singleplayer without a consistant internet connection(Not everyone would have known about this DRM on purchase)

if the box says Requires Constant Internet connection of at least xxkbps down and xxkbps up to maintain acccess to any part of the product then yes you have given them the power however i highly doubt it says that my guess would be just internet connection required

loosing MP for a couple of hours due to server crash is fine loosing access to playing a game because of a server crash is 110% the companys fault

Yet the pirates can play just fine right now

I'm with Space here.

If you don't like what Ubisoft is doing (I don't) then don't buy it.

If you buy it and exactly what everyone said would happen does, and you can't play it, then tough cookies. You made a poor decision. Ubisoft is allowed to do whatever they want, they're not strongarming anyone. No one HAS to buy (a temporary license for, since that's what it is) ACII. Ubisoft never hid the fact that constant, high-speed connection was required for the game. I'm sure it's in the EULA. Did you agree to it?

When this fails to sell (and it will), Ubi will have to reconsider their policy. It was a dumb decision, it was the wrong decision for the consumer and for them.

Gotta love irony.

Ubisoft went through all that trouble to put protection in their game just to have it break from the inside.

Okay, can't believe I got to post this but...

There's a bloody reason reason the box would have "requires internet connection" besides this DRM. Space, this really applies to you so listen up.

The damn U-Play system. That ringing any bells? You know, gives you points on the Ubisoft site you can redeem for items, wallpaper, and some other things? You ever once thing that's why the box says internet connection required? Cause you know, they won't really know you got the conditions for the points done unless you are connected to the internet.

What does the box say? Back of box scan please.

I ask because on Ubi's website they have in distinctive green letters "A permanent high-speed Internet connection is required to play the game."

So they really aren't hiding this or anything. Nothing shady on their part.

@space

Yeah, these people have an "internet connection" and said internet connection is working fine or they woudln't be replying to forum posts. What is not working fine is UBI's DRM auth servers. Unacceptable for dishing out $50 for a product.

Space, the game box lists an internet connection as a game requirement. It says nothing of Ubisoft not sucking royal at DRM. If that had been a requirement listed on the box, I guarantee you, nobody who bought the game would be complaining.

@alinos While I am certainly against the principals behind this DRM, the official box art does include a large box just to the right of the rating stating that a permanent internet connection is required. The NA PC box art that has been floating around is not the final version, but I've seen the game in-store.

Here's the final version of the EU box art, showing the warning: http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/956857_126282_front.jpg

We all knew Assassin's Creed 2 was coming with this shitty DRM system before it was released. That's why I didn't buy it and that's why you shouldn't have bought it. Hopefully you won't purchase the next Ubisoft game that comes with it. Proceed with the down voting.

Just because someone buys a product doesn't mean they should have to accept everything that's in it. I live in a city with a harbour that's full of raw sewage. It is my choice to live here, and yet I still feel entitled to complain that my harbour is full of shit.

"What is not working fine is UBI's DRM auth servers."

servers go down, it's something that happens. If you bought this and expected it to go smoothly you are out of your mind. XBL live has had problems, PSN has had it's problems, EA servers has had it's problems. How many games have server issues when they first release because they underestimated the amount of people that would be playing it?

It's hilarious that people are arguing me here. I am saying to not buy the game, do not support this DRM, but if you did buy it, you have no one to blame but yourself, especially when this is implemented in future games.

look at that huge box on the cover of the game, haha, did anybody seriously buy this thinking that it would never have problems? christ I have verizon fios and that shit goes out at least 3 times a month!

but don't listen. keep buying and keep complaining...that's a healthy way to live.

if you guys are going to continue supporting them for there errors I'll go right ahead and buy some ubisoft stock.

@hfm
Unacceptable for a $50 product...but absolutely absurd for a $60 PC GAME! What was the extra $10 for? Added DRM and annoyance? Thanks Ubisoft!

@Space
You are just wrong because it isn't opinion that this is a stupid implementation of DRM. When companies get in the way of common sense usage rights, people are more likely to find ways to do what they see as their right as a consumer. In Ubisoft's case it will only serve to increase the number of cracked games, generate a bad user experience for their consumers and encourage consumers to find other games to play from other publishers. People are either yelling at Ubisoft to get it right because Ubi does publish some great titles that they want to play without being inconvenienced, or they are laughing at Ubi for being so short sighted.

@space

If Ubisoft can't insure that they have redundant multi-location datacenters for their DRM servers they have no business forcing it upon users. If Ubisoft is going to require a constant connection to a drm server to use their legally obtained product they better make damn sure that they hold up their end of the bargain 110%. If they don't they deserve all the ridicule the internet can toss their way.

I generally do not like DRM, but accept that it is a neccesary evil of the world. However I will not buy anything that requires anything more than a passive "activation" DRM at install and even those are highly scrutinized based on the system used and how much it adds to the 'pain in the ass' factor of ownership. An over barring DRM is usually a deal breaker for a game purchase for me. Regardless of how great a game is, if its a complete pain in the ass to install or play because it has to constant phone home to make sure I'm not a dirtbag pirate its not worth my time or money.

Really Ubisoft? I'll never buy one of your games on PC...

As if they'd let you. The whole point of DRM is subvert the concept of ownership. People don't own Ubisoft games. Ubisoft games own people.

@ mian In Soviet Russia, you own games!

@Glenn

True, but they never pay for them.

@Glenn

In Soviet Russia your games are everyone's games.

@Glenn, Well played sir. Yakov would be proud.

People don't own any of the media they purchase, they own a license to access it.

@ Glenn

Win.
That comment was pure win!

I thought though the PC version of Assassin's Creed II didn't come out till the 9th though?

Europe got it earlier.

Looking at Wikipedia:

EU March 3rd
AUS March 4th

I just died laughing. Sorry for anyone who bought the game.

A comment from beyond the grave? This man is serious.

Sorry but I'm glad as well this is happening.

It's just wrong that after you spent 60 dollars on a game you don't really own it and what it is worst you depend on a combination of having an online connection and their servers up to play a single damn player game.

That's just wrong and that's why people will always prefer the illegal copy just to avoid those draconian DRM methods.

Of course, people who pirate games are still enjoying the hell out of their copies. DRM like this is shite; they should re-think their copy protection processes because live-server DRM is a stupid idea PR-wise.

Obviously your reading skills do not.

Hrm, I understand where ubisoft is coming from, but the least they could do is have a backup system for when this shit inevitably happens. Seriously, who didn't see a server crash coming from day 1?

Obviously Ubisoft didn't.

off-topic, personal interest:
is your pic a screenshot from a Twilight Zone episode? I remember seeing that somewhere, just can't quite place it

@Avatar, Ubisoft saw it coming, they just don't care.

After a decade of DRM accomplishing nothing other than harassing paying customers, you have to start to wonder if harassment of customers isn't a side effect so much as it's the point.

Indeed it is halgrimur, nightmare as a child was the title of the episode. One of my favorites.

@Halgrimur

IIRC that's from the episode Nightmare as a Child.

OT: DRM, BAD!

Lordy I feel bad for Community Managers. Can't imagine why so many game journos take the job.

Let's see what's wrong here:
"first thing tomorrow"
For $50, paying customers don't get a salaried guy able to be there on weekends. XBL has tech staff (globally) on the clock 365.

"and push for a resolution"
Making the game playable needs a push? Again, no weekend service? Isn't Sunday pretty popular for staying home with the family and shanking dudes?

"and assurance this won't happen in the future"
Y'know, I think in the past, there's already been assurance to the effect that this wouldn't happen in the present. But thanks for giving us some groundless hope.

Yeah, feel real sorry for those CMs.

In an attempt to disprove my point that they don't give a crap about their users, Ubisoft closed the linked thread and deleted some 16 odd pages of user feedback.

*Genius*

I take it back, it looks like they moved the bulk of the complaints to another thread.

I knew this DRM was a bad idea...

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Ubisoft DRM authentification server is down, Assassin's Creed 2 unplayable

Reader Comments (251)

Posted: Mar 7th 2010 4:02PM Dr Blight said

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