DRM: The Terrifying Future of Video Games

DRM is slowly seeping into every gamers life. PC gamers are old hats at this dark and dreary world called digital rights management. The CD key being the most infamous of implementations. Stopping you from playing online with the same download, making sure copies weren’t made, and requiring you to buy copies new. Yes, it is a most terrifying world so lets dig deeper with caution.

PS3 gamers have recently been introduced to the Online Pass and I have no doubt that similar systems may follow on the 360. With the 360′s supposed higher piracy rate how could Microsoft ignore developers. Developers – publishers more so – hate losing money and piracy is probably the biggest dent in revenue. I don’t study morals nor do I want to make people feel guilty, but piracy is essentially stealing. You’re stealing someone’s intellectual property. That’s another topic and I’m not interested in opening a big debate like that right now.

I’m not totally against DRM to be honest. I do not like the idea of not being able to borrow or lend games, but I am for developers getting paid for their work. I’ve only had 400+ run-ins with DRM. Those being all of my music that Apple thinks that I shouldn’t be able to transfer from my iPod back to my computer (unless of course I bought it from the iTunes store). It wasn’t a pleasant experience and it’s made me more understanding to people who’s lives are digital. I’m more traditional in the sense of liking physical copies. I even by CDs. Yes, CDs. I buy my music.

Moving back to games, I have only had one hiccup caused by DRM. I like a good RTS and am a big fan of the Warhammer 40, 000 universe. I was an obvious target for the Dawn of War games. I own DaW, Winter Assault and Dark Crusade. Three years back I wanted to play Dark Crusade with a friend who not only didn’t own it, but we couldn’t find a local or online retailer that had it or could ship to our area. We decided to just download the game on our respective systems as the game didn’t require a disc. This ultimately failed when he got an error stating that another person with the same copy was playing online. It was a disappointing day.

I have my beefs with DRM and am fully aware that it is not only here to stay, but going to expand. I just hope that with all this extra security, my $60 still gives me some ownership.

Have you had run-ins with DRM? Let us know below.

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