Trying to Understand DRM?

[Pankes From Idaho]

All I know is it has something to do with copyrights and there a pain in the ass. Also there are DRM free games?? Can someone explain please?

[ONe_mOMENT]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management

Explanation above.

[Pankes From Idaho]

I still don't understand my intellect is not that strong when it comess to big' ole words..with copyright ♥♥♥♥

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

DRM = digital rights management = things that companies do to try to prevent people from copying their game for free, basically.

Some examples of DRM:
* key code to unlock full version of software
* must have disc in drive to play game
* activation needed
* activation/install limit (can only install up to X times)
* must be online to play
* "wrapper" DRM (must run accompanying program)

Not all games have DRM. Some games have no such restrictions, and can theoretically be copied infinitely many times and still be perfectly playable.

DRM is controversial because in many circumstances it may reduce/deter piracy but may also put burdens on good consumers. For example, a game that requires being online could be hard to play if people have spotty internet connections.

[Pankes From Idaho]

Thanks ^^^

[Bananabreadloaf]

Digital rights management simply allows developers and publishers (the people who make your computer software and videogames, etc.) control the use of their products.

Steam, the software that you are using now is an example of this kind of technology. Steam can limit the use of the games on your account.

Yes, there are DRM free games. An example I can think of is Good Old Games[www.gog.com], a website where you can purchase and download PC games of the past, all Digital Rights Management free.

[Satoru]

Note many games on Steam are also DRM free as well

[Pankes From Idaho]

one more little question so what exactly do they limit you from

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

DRM systems intend to limit you from copying the game and distributing it to other people, without their permission.

[Satoru]

DRM has many forms since at it's root is simply an exercise in 'control'

Note though taht some of the above is really a tad out of date. DRM of the old days were more or less predicated around "Preventing Piracy". SecuRom/Starforce were all modelled around this concern. Most people who are anti-DRM mostly remember things like Starforce destroying your cd-roms, or Sony's DRM root-kit doing terrible things.

HOwever DRM today is entirely different because it now about 'authorizing users'. While this SOUNDS the same, it's actually very different in the way you approach DRM. The game-changer here was the ubiquity of the Internet. Essentially all users now have SOME form of internet. Which means yuou can take advantage of this to control users access. Because you can use the Internet to authorize users, the need for things like SecuRom/Starforce are now extinct.

The other side of things is that DRM is now using a much more carrot/stick model. The old days DRM was "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" stuff. Now it's, authenticate online and you get to hav online save or uPlay will give you some custom avatars, or Steam will give you achievements, etc. The idea being is that the DRM is now actually giving users VALUE, rather than simply being incredibly annoying to users. DRM is now essentially so 'invisible' because it basically something you barely notice, and the DRM platform itself igvesyou access to so many benefits.

Gabe always said that to compete with pirates you have to give them something they can't have. DRM has now evolved to mimmic this philosopy

[Pankes From Idaho]

But that seems fair? becuse if someone else had to pay and someone else could freelance? So is it a form of pirating or something. To me I think it would be fair if everyone had to pay

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Yes, but things that prevent people from pirating a game can also affect people who don't pirate the game. That's the main trouble with DRM.

Also why some vendors have chosen to go DRM-free -- such as GOG.

[Satoru]

postewar の投稿を引用：

That should mean that they do not require the Steam Client process running in the background in order to launch and play them

That is correct and what I am referring to.

. (i'm not talking off line mode) I know of a couple games that will do this. Is there a comprehensive list of these games, a wiki? Because I highlydoubt it is very many.

Ask and ye shall RECEIVE!

http://steam.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games

As you can see the list is quite large, though yes it's full of games that maybe you're not exactly goign to get super-excited about :P

[Ellen]

Satoru の投稿を引用：

The other side of things is that DRM is now using a much more carrot/stick model. The old days DRM was "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" stuff. Now it's, authenticate online and you get to hav online save or uPlay will give you some custom avatars, or Steam will give you achievements, etc. The idea being is that the DRM is now actually giving users VALUE, rather than simply being incredibly annoying to users. DRM is now essentially so 'invisible' because it basically something you barely notice, and the DRM platform itself igvesyou access to so many benefits.

Gabe always said that to compete with pirates you have to give them something they can't have. DRM has now evolved to mimmic this philosopy

While I do agree that it had changed for better you forget to mention that the "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" stuff is still alive and well, it is just called Region locking now which is a huge annoyance to the users who would want to have a legitimate copy (which either never becomes available or takes 2-3 years like skyrim).