Ubisoft Removes Constant Online Authentication DRM For PC Games

Ubisoft has eliminated its controversial PC DRM technology that required players to remain connected to the internet in order to play the company's games, enabling consumers to play many 2010 titles offline for the first time. A Reddit user first noticed that a recent patch now enables the PC versions of Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction to be played with web connections turned off – although they do still require an Internet connection to authenticate the game on start-up. Ubisoft's innovative DRM technology was heavily criticized by players when it was announced in January last year. The company had acknowledged consumer outcry, as one Ubisoft spokesperson said "[we] wouldn't have built it if we thought that it was really going to piss off our customers." But the company went ahead with the system, launching it to coincide with the release of The Settlers 7. However, following a spate of server attacks which prevented players from being able to access their own games, and continued criticism from gamers in the face of these issues, Ubisoft eliminated the system for the release of the PC version of real-time strategy game RUSE. This latest retroactive removal of DRM server authentication for games that previously required it represents a further backtrack from what Ubisoft once considered "the best way to deal with" piracy in the PC market.