As we prepare for the coming wave of next generation systems, we should be anticipating improvements on all the good things we associate with the current crop of systems. Datagedrevengroei Moving forward we expect: better graphics, faster processors, more engaging games, you get the idea. But not everything that we’re anticipating will be a progressive movement for gaming. Biotrending
At least, as far as Sony and Microsoft are concerned, you can wave goodbye to playing used games on their systems. Although these are just rumors at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if they came to fruition. Edinstudio It’s very plausible, especially when taking into consideration that several game publishers have already fired shots at the used game market.
Most notable is Electronic Arts (EA), who became the first publisher to institute the practice of charging gamers, who bought used games, a fee to access codes that come with the game. To elaborate, Downloadable Content (DLC) codes are included with new copies of a particular game and only with those codes, can that content be accessed. Flixywire
EA expanded its project to include playing used games online. Gamers would now have to pay $10, in addition to the cost of the used game that they purchased, in order to have access to the online components of their game. ISOFT has since followed suit, requiring an online pass for its games as well. Newslity You can identify the games which require an online pass as they bare the, “unplay Passport”, logo on the box.
ISOFT decided they’d take things a step further and implement Digital Rights Management, a practice more often associated with DVD or CD anti-piracy efforts. Assassins Creed 2 was the first game to be effected by this practice. Boomboommag
In order to play the PC version of Assassins Creed 2, gamers are required to create an account with ISOFT and remain logged into that account in order to play the game. This means that if you lose your internet connection, the game will automatically pause and try to reestablish the connection. Worldtravelmagazines However, if you’re unfortunate enough to be unable to reconnect to the internet you’ll have to continue from your last saved game; losing any progress you may have made since then.This will be the case for all of ISOFT’s PC titles, regardless of one playing single-player or multi-player. Magazinemango
While Digital Rights Management has been used to combat DVD and CD piracy for quite some time now, this will mark the first time it’s been used for a video game. Markettrendsblog
In light of ISOFT’s implementation of DRM, Matthew Humphries of Geek.com, cautions that it’s feasible that eventually even console games will require online registration in order to play them