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Reader Comments (649)

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:01PM (Unverified) said

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Steam

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:06PM PhoenixSamurai said

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Steam, or after you already bought a disk version. Bittorrent

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:58PM (Unverified) said

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I think it would be cool if generated some sort of timeline code or packet based off of the buyer's information, ip address, etc. via a sick algorithm. (Think word scramble...but far more complex) Then work that code into the game somehow like numbers that make up the ink lines on the dollar bills. That way if one shows up on the internet they know who did it. If they change it maybe none of the models render correctly. idk

I like steam, too. AC2's drm isn't bad its just way ahead of its time. Maybe in 2080 when there's free citywide internet everywhere...or something.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:08PM Faceless Troll said

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The best DRM is the DRM you never notice. I'm going to have to echo Steam here because most of the time you can't even tell you have DRM running.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:12PM Tenkely said

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I like what ever Sony is using to allow me to play some PSN games or movies on my PS3 and PSP. I believe it just just checks the first time you play and authorizes your device for use. It's simple and straight forward. I know PSP has it's issues with piracy, but when I buy a a game or movie from my PS3 and want to use it on my PSP, it is pretty seamless.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:16PM likedamaster said

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Steam or Cd check & serial.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:39PM hsol said

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steam

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:44PM One Stomy Night go watch it said

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Just a simple disk check like in the old days. Just transfer that over and make it hard coded to not allow the executable to be copied and you got a semi solution.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 1:52PM (Unverified) said

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I think that steam is the best DRM system I've found. I don't like having to keep my disk in the drive and given the fact that I can take it into offline mode it really suits all my needs. That being said I do occasionally worry about the day steam goes offline and what will happen to all my games, but for now I'm happy with that solution.

Posted: Mar 23rd 2010 1:32AM (Unverified) said

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My favourite type of DRM is the old-school matrix-lookup. Best example I can think of off the top of my head is for Introversion's Uplink - when you start a new agent, you need to look up a two-letter code in a table that comes with [a physical] copy of the game.

Sure, it may be really easy to bypass (but we're not judging that here), but it's my favourite.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:10PM (Unverified) said

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Steam

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:16PM (Unverified) said

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Steam is by far the best solution out right now.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:50PM (Unverified) said

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Steam - Steam coming out with a Mac client without making you re-buy all of your games did it for me - they're actually just trying to protect the property not screw the consumer.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:25PM (Unverified) said

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I would like a DRM solution that for each single player gameplay must be connected to the internet with a high bandwidth to stream gigabytes of unrelated code. Each save game would be hosted only in the cloud network which would be taken down for hours for daily maintenance. The games would be shipped with an extra $20 to the sticker price, require a 50-hexadecimal Key which could only be obtained with an account which you bust submit your personal information, credit card # and SS# and a letter from your parents.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:27PM benzadrine said

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I'm going to go with the mob and say Steam.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:31PM icearcher said

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I think that steam does DRM the best.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:36PM (Unverified) said

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Steam is the only acceptable DRM I have used.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 2:49PM (Unverified) said

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Steam is by far the best

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 3:01PM fischju said

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The Steam system is great, but I gotta give it to the ol' disk authentication, nothing installed on the users PC.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 3:03PM PlayerOne said

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Steam

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 3:07PM (Unverified) said

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If the companies really cared about having their software pirated they would go the route that commercial devs go. Programs such as Quark Xpress (newspaper layout program) use usb or serial port dongles to verify the use of authentic software. However, this may be able to be circumvented as well... Realistically I'm all for Steam, it rules.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 3:09PM future42 said

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register once online, able to play on that computer forever, if you uninstall, you can play it on a different computer.

Or just use Steam.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 3:17PM (Unverified) said

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Steam, no questions asked. If I have to be specific, I really loved those code wheels they gave out in the olden days and disc checks aren't terrible.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 3:53PM swrdmstr25 said

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where the game will ask you if you are playing a legit copy then asked you to swear on someones grave that you are telling the truth

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 3:59PM (Unverified) said

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I pick steam/steamworks as well. The login system works, their support is good (my account was hijacked once, and they helped me out quickly to recover it), and I like the fact they keep track of everything you have purchased and you can always download old games you want without storing discs or wasting hard drive space.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 4:10PM kilrathi said

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Definately steam

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 4:15PM Fantusta said

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I miss putting in the 4th word from the 8th line on the 32nd page of my manual.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 4:17PM pacapaca said

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best DRM lets a customer install on multiple machines but requires disk in the drive to play a game

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 4:23PM (Unverified) said

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Steam is the best DRM around. Unobtrusive, seldom gets between me and my gaming experience. Has a damn offline mode.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 4:23PM (Unverified) said

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Steam, which is pure AWESOMENESS.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 4:41PM (Unverified) said

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I think integrate fully to an automated service like Steam/Impulse or D2D sounds like a better idea, then make sure that the program is up and running to allow people to play the game.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 5:04PM CorpseSlay said

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like everyone else, steam is the answer

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 5:12PM Redtale said

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a one time online activation DRM is okay with me because at least you can revoke it when you uninstall.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 5:27PM (Unverified) said

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Steam is the only way to go. Not only does it protect developers, but it enables us gamers to have access to our gaming library at the click of a button, regardless of what PC we're on.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 5:44PM Burgerz said

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Steam

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 5:56PM arctic00 said

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Steam or keep-original-disc-in-drive are the best solutions

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 6:02PM (Unverified) said

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The DRM is what prevented me from buying this. Now I may be able to get it for.. FREE!? Oh man!

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 6:03PM alexmlowgmailcom said

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Steam.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 6:57PM (Unverified) said

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ubisoft's securom :D

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 6:21PM TheCow said

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The question is asked: what DRM would be best.
Well, I think Steam's software delivery system beats the rest.
All you need is a password and a user name,
and you can download any game.
There was skepticism before, but I think it passed the test.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 6:40PM riostarwind said

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well... I hate to be along with everyone else but Steam is awesome. Nothing else compares but I don't care about DRM that much compared to most people. I don't like it but eh I'll still play a game if it's worth it.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 7:47PM meledeo said

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How about you just enforce piracy rules and then we don't have to worry about it.

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 8:17PM (Unverified) said

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Code Wheels!

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 9:06PM (Unverified) said

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steam ftw!

Posted: Mar 22nd 2010 10:40PM gamerkim28 said

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Hate to beat a dead horse, but Steam has it down.

Posted: Mar 23rd 2010 1:00AM Riley said

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Is anyone going to say something other than Steam?

Posted: Mar 23rd 2010 2:27AM (Unverified) said

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a good drm system is a drm system that tries to take away all attention from the actual drm by offering other services and features
aka steam

Posted: Mar 23rd 2010 6:25AM (Unverified) said

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Steam!

Posted: Mar 23rd 2010 11:21AM Nibbled said

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Securom DRM

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