From Dust PC online authentication to be patched out

by Alexander Sliwinski on Aug 23rd 2011 9:40AM

The latest move in Ubisoft's spiteful relationship with PC players will see the company lessen its controversial DRM measures from the PC version of From Dust. The publisher stated on official forums that it's currently working on a patch, which should be available in two weeks, that will remove the need for needy online authentication.

"This development time is required as we are working to ensure that those who have already started the game, and who's progress is currently saved on our servers, will receive and save their game information locally," the statement reads. "Once the patch is ready, players who already have the game will automatically receive the update on their next login and subsequent game sessions will be 100% offline."

The problems with From Dust on PC don't end with DRM, with users reporting plenty of bugs and technical issues, which Ubisoft didn't directly address in its statement. It's hard to watch PC players being treated like this by Ubisoft -- we're available for comforting bro hugs, guys.

Via: Eurogamer
Source: Ubisoft

Tags: DRM, from-dust, patch, pc, project-dust, Ubisoft

Reader Comments (42)

Its good to know they listen

@Major Pyr0
Probably felt it more

@Major Pyr0

Yeah, they listened as well as that self-entitled brat down the street that kept asking to use your bike. Instead of listening they take your bike to borrow it and fall flat on their face. Then, they come crying back asking what went wrong.

You still want to piss on their face and shut them out forever.

@McPo

A cracked .exe which removes on line authentication was out after day 1. Yet Ubi needs two weeks to patch lol

@HellFlyer

Seriously.

Notch: Creates entire game 30 min in length in 48 hours.
Ubisoft: 2 weeks to remove DRM.

These are facts.

@HellFlyer

Actually that was out the DAY BEFORE the game officially released.

And yet ubisoft claims that their DRM is so amazing and works so well, and that's why before the game was even available, pirates had a far more functional copy of it. Proving once again, that the ONLY thing their DRM is hurting is their own legitimate customers.

I think someone needs to get fired.

It's a real pity that From Dust is on the recieving end of this fiasco. For shame, Ubisoft.

I'll believe it then and only buy it when I see it two weeks from now.

Any word on a patch that will make it any good?

"who's"?

Ouch.

Why after several years and multiple fiascos regarding this type of DRM they still insist on including it in their products is baffling. They are creating guaranteed negative buzz during the launch period of a product, how on earth could they not see that this would hurt their sales?

@(Unverified) I have no idea, but I know that they've only earned my ire and cynicism. So far, I'm finding that the safest bet with PC ubi games is to wait few months, and even then, go over the written details with a fine toothed comb before clicking "buy."

Or just don't buy Ubi games at all. Also safe.

@(Unverified)
While most people think PC gamers are bunch of super smart geeks actually they're not. I've met a lot of PC gamers who are like the average console game. They don't look much into what they're buying. So this DRM they really don't know about when a game comes retail release. So people still buy it even though there's terrible DRM.

@Pugnaciousturtle It's because the shareholders like it. When Blizzard announced the Always on DRM and no mod support, Actiblizzard's stock went up

The damage has been done though. I mean if people complain so much as to get refunds from Steam, you know they've got problems.

I'm just going to say it. I'm sorry I defended this game when the DRM rage was going on. I was going off the post that Ubisoft had made about how it wouldn't have always on DRM. Apparently they lied. Sorry Joystiq.

How 'bout they just... stop using this DRM..

@DekuTree

Because they have this horrible sense of false-pride and assume they're helping the gaming community.

Help us by removing DRM, Ubisoft. I believed in you... once.

@DekuTree

Because the DRM sales force keeps telling developers that DRM is teh only way to stop teh piratez!

They will also use any metric they can taken as far from context as possible to prove that point. Which almost always leaves the most important questions unanswered.

Questions like "Piracy is (momentarily) down but have sales gone up?"

Too little, too late for me. I had an interest in this game until I learned about the draconian DRM Ubisoft was once again going to use. Glad I didn't buy as it turns out that is not the only issues the PC version has.

Had Ubisoft not used that DRM I would have most likely done an impulse preorder purchase, but that window of opportunity for my dollar is gone.

GG Ubisoft. You screwed the developer out of more money then you probably know, and those that pirated the game hadn't a care.

Why do publishers do this? It doesn't work. It just pisses off paying customers. Pirates don't give a crap.

At least Capcom removed this crap before people had the game or removed it day 1 or something like that. Was Ubi really saving your game progress on their servers and not locally without telling the user?

I predicted this and said so right here on Joystiq. The always on net connection was always secretly intended to be temporary to get Ubisoft over the initial hump of the high piracy period at and just after launch.

As reward for my massive intellect I will accept chocolate biscuits.

The game is still in the best sellers list at Steam...

I guess many people don't mind the DRM... I on the other hand just don't bother buying games with that kind of restrictions.

People need to stop buying Ubisoft. I haven't bought an Ubisoft game since they started this and won't until they stop. Pirated versions of this game are available w/o the always on DRM. Hit them in their wallet and their more likely to listen.

Hmm, looks like in two weeks I'll finally be able to play the game I bought on release day....

Don't forget the Xbox version, Ubisoft - I still haven't seen the ending because of crashes.

You think that they listened? They had probably already intended on removing it a few weeks after release. >< On the other hand, lately i have been buying less games that werent specifically designed for the PC, they generally run like shit and are full of bugs and issues. It is sad that developers get away with selling $50 games to PC gamers when they are full of bugs and issues. I know From Dust is only $15 but whatever. If they don't want to spend the time to get the PC version right, don't sell it on PC. I have been mad that Rockstar hasn't put RDR on PC, but i guess it is for the best.

@Xplicit

"You think that they listened? They had probably already intended on removing it a few weeks after release."

They probably had absolutely no intention of patching online authentication out of From Dust until 90% of the people who bought it immediately demanded a refund (and depending on the digital store, they got one) while everyone else who was on the fence made it painfully clear they were going to buy it. Ubisoft's DRM switcharoo, their outright lying in regards to the situation, and the amendment or deletion of the developer's posts on the official forums regarding the DRM (which said there would be no online authentication at start up) have basically doomed any hope of From Dust PC making money. Right now they're just trying to cut their losses as much as possible and trying to put a positive PR spin on it.

@jackal

weren't going to buy it*

Damn Joystiq, when will you get an "edit post" feature?

Still not buying it. Was amped for this game too..sad sad console ports ruining my PC gaming once again.

Comforting bro hugs. Because apparently women don't play videogames. Right.

LOL few weeks ago they were shouting its a success,oh ubi how you try to imitate big bro give it time youngun give it time

Starting to consider buying this game, now! Hopefully those bugs get fixed.

"This development time is required as we are working to ensure that those who have already started the game, and who's progress is currently saved on our servers, will receive and save their game information locally,"

Please tell me I am interpreting this incorrectly. Game saves are _only_ on their servers? No local save at all? :-\

While you're waiting for Ubisoft to get a clue, go play Bastion instead! It's awesome, one of my favorite games of the year so far :)

They need to fix the terrible mouse/camera controls, then it might be a game worth mentioning

This works out perfectly for them. Most DRM nowadays is really only about delaying piracy, and this way they get to have had DRM on when it launched in order to accomplish that, while still looking like they care by patching it out later on.

@Fo0dNippl3
That is their intention. Only problem is the piracy scene still cracks it day one. They had some problems with the always on DRM when it launched with whatever game they did it with the first time (Assassins Creed?) but it only took them about a month to crack it. Now it's no problem for them, From Dust was cracked immediately.

F@$# Ubisoft. Just buy Bastion instead.

That is a wonderful port (okay, after a few patches, but Supergiant responded fast and have been open) that plays great on the PC and it's a fantastic game as well. You won't regret it.

Want on PS3, please!

This game could have been far better than it is. Too simple.

From Dust

From Dust PC online authentication to be patched out

Reader Comments (42)

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:46AM Major Pyr0 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:57AM McPo said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:39AM Mmmmz said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:08PM HellFlyer said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:31PM R Planteer said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 5:19PM aea0a095 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:49AM archipelagos said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:54AM itsANDREW said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:56AM BrianH said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:57AM Gooblechev said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:58AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:01AM Pugnaciousturtle said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:04AM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:20AM LOMDR said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:02AM ironneko said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:02AM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:13AM DekuTree said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:57AM Apsac D said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:53PM Scuffles said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:13AM toastybuffoon said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:02AM Roto13 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:27AM Cranky Penguin said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:28AM Dick Socrates said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:37AM Dante G said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:43AM thenutman69321 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:47AM DethLocke said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:48AM bjb1990 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:51AM Xplicit said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:39PM jackal said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:40PM jackal said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:11PM Slomoshun said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:14PM CJ9X said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:52PM 1OhhOne said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 1:02PM Electrium said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 2:50PM Dao Jones said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 4:17PM Misterlee said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 5:09PM shiftplusone said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 6:30PM Fo0dNippl3 said

Posted: Aug 24th 2011 12:56PM thenutman69321 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 7:12PM Oldtaku said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 8:52PM KenobiEagle said

Posted: Aug 25th 2011 9:05PM Royalkin said

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