Couch Command | There Are Four Hosts | Johnny Caps Flashback | Forum | News | KDrama
Register
Login

drm

Comic-Con: Digital Comics Distributor ComiXology Going (Partially) DRM Free

Comic-Con: Digital Comics Distributor ComiXology Going (Partially) DRM Free

, , , , 0

There was a lot of big news from today’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, but this little bit might have the biggest eventual impact on actual comic books. ComiXology, the leading digital comics delivery platform, announced at its Comic-Con panel it is moving to a model without required DRM (Digital Rights Management). The big gripe about ComiXology for some people has always been that you can’t “own” the comic books. They’re only viewable online and in the ComiXology app, and if ComiXology ever went away your books might go with that. That’s no longer a dealbreaker, because under its new system ComiXology will allow users to buy comics as PDF or CBZ files or back up their existing comics in those formats. No DRM, you can read them on any software you want. Wanna read a press release quote? “For those out there who have not joined the comic reading community because of DRM – you have no excuse now,” comiXology co-founder John D. Roberts said in a statement. “We’re excited about the

GOG.com Launches 2014 Summer Sale

GOG.com Launches 2014 Summer Sale

, , , , , , , 0

While E3 and all of its exciting new content may be winding down a bit with the convention’s end, PC gamers will probably be happy to learn that summer shopping frenzy has begun. GOG.com a computer game distribution company run by CD Projekt RED has announced the onset of its 2014 DRM-free summer sale on GOG’s catalog of more than 700 titles at  discounts over 50% off of their original price. “Almost all of our catalog has been discounted by 50 percent,” GOG explained in its kick-off announcement. “Each day we’ll present you with at least two special Bundle Deals with a selection of great classics and indies available up to 90 percent off.” GOG.com focuses on more classic titles than the Valve’s Steam service, but still hosts a number of more recent games that gamers looking for a good deal may be interested in perusing. Games like Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure, Don’t Starve, Wizardry 8, and The Witcher 2: Assassin’s of Kings are currently on sale along GOG’s usual classics. Studio’s that

Consumers Win: Microsoft Changes It’s Xbox One DRM Policies and Daily Internet Connection Requirement

Consumers Win: Microsoft Changes It’s Xbox One DRM Policies and Daily Internet Connection Requirement

, , , , , , 8

Ever since Microsoft announced its DRM policies and the mandatory internet connection happening once daily, it’s been under constant attack by consumers. In a spectacular show of consumerism at it’s very best, people voted with their dollar as well as their loud online voice. Well, message received.  Xbox One will no longer require DRM or any mandatory internet connection, aside from when you first boot up the system for a Day One patch. After that you’ll be free to enjoy your games offline, sell them to whoever, or loan them to a friend, just as it has always been this generation. While the shift is certainly good news for any potential buyers there are a couple of losses for this one.  First off the family game sharing is off the table. You’ll no longer be able to add ten people to share any games registered with your account. In addition, you’ll have to have your disc with you if you want to play on any other console. Previously with the

The impact of used games

The impact of used games

, , , , , , 1

Since Microsoft revealed the Xbox One, they have sparked many a discussion about the future and viability of used games. Gamers are worried that they would not be able to enjoy games anymore at a cheaper price and have even took to social media to have their concerns heard. With the next console generation upon us, it seems like it is a valid concern seeing as how everyone expects the price of next gen games to increase. If publishers and console developers were to impose restrictions on used games, not only will it affect the used game market, it will also effect game sharing among friends and family.

Users take to Twitter to protest possible PS4 DRM [Update]

Users take to Twitter to protest possible PS4 DRM [Update]

, , , , , , , 0

PlayStation fans are calling on Sony to not implement any form of DRM (Digital Rights Management) and to not block used games for the PlayStation 4. While Sony has said that the PlayStation 4 will be able to play used games, no specific details were given about how second hand software or any form of DRM would be handled.

Always-on: Not Always Awful

Always-on: Not Always Awful

, , , , , , , , , 8

If you are any sort of gamer, you’ve probably heard about the “demonic” and “communist-esque” always-on products. Over the past years, this thought train has been drilled in many skulls, but is it honestly that bad? I mean sure it’s inconvenient to most gamers, but will it really mean the end of gaming as a whole and bring on an age where no internet means no games? The most recent and memorable game to have suffered from said issue is the now-infamous SimCity, which suffered tumultuous server issues on the day of its launch. This game was flooded by controversy, vastly overshadowing any positive news about its development just because of the always-on DRM. Nasty, unwashed internet nerds cried because big, bad EA had the nerve to make changes to an IP that belonged to them. And sure the opening week of SimCity was bad, but what did you expect from a game that had 12 million pre-orders in a span of six months? Who could possibly have predicted that so many people would order and play this

Always Online: A Dark Future For Single Player

Always Online: A Dark Future For Single Player

, , , , , 2

Players may notice that games these days invariably seem to come with some form of DRM (Digital Rights Management). The most common of which we see in this day and age is a form of DRM which requires a player to be always online. Always online is used even in single player games, often causing issues such as latency problems or even outright preventing you from playing should you not be able to connect to the servers. Perhaps the most notorious of these always online titles is Diablo 3. Players may remember the infamous Error 37 where, on release day, an excess of 3 million players all over the world simultaneously tried to connect to Blizzard’s servers causing massive stress that eventually crashed them altogether. Another culprit who uses always online DRM would be Ubisoft. Players have to connect to their servers before being able to enjoy games such as Far Cry 3 and Assassin’s Creed’s single player story. Players of Far Cry 3 encountered connection issues when Ubisoft’s servers

Crytek: Blocking Used Games Market ‘Would Be Absolutely Awesome’

Crytek: Blocking Used Games Market ‘Would Be Absolutely Awesome’

, , , , , , , , , , , , , 2

In a recent interview on CVG, Crytek’s director of creative development Rasmus Hojengaard detailed his hopes for the next generations of consoles. First he covered how he would prefer to work with hardware that made the developmental process itself less difficult. As many of us have been made aware over the years by various development studios, some of the current consoles (most notably the PS3), are extremely cumbersome to develop for and can cause needless strain on the creative process.  He said:  [quote]The worst thing that can happen is they make something that’s very complex for developers, regardless of how awesome it might theoretically be. So getting hardware that allows you to quickly get prototypes up and running, and any kind of scalability they can offer will be great as well, as long as everyone has that scalability and not just a select few.[/quote] Rasmus then went on to talk about the recent widespread rumors that have been popping up lately about Microsoft and Sony implementing a new system to block