| axumblade said: *sigh* does the DRM actually screw up the computer or something? I don't know why everyone hates it so much so could someone clarify? |
DRM is hated because it reduces the control you have over your purchases. Some DRM is much more restrictive than others (which is why some people don't mind Steam). For example, Spore contained DRM that only allowed you to do 3 installations before you were locked out and needed to call EA in the hope they would allow you to install it again. It is THEIR decision if you are allowed to install your game. While EA might not go out of business anytime soon, imagine you've purchased a title which in 5 years time you want to replay, but you can't install it because of the DRM, and the company that produces the game is no longer in business to allow you to play it.
Personally I don't like Steam either. While generally people haven't been bitten by it, I dislike the fact that Valve has complete control over whether I can play games I have purchased. I've heard of cases of people who have breached the TOS for a single game, and because every game the have bought is linked to a single account, once their account was disabled, not only did they lose access to the game they breached, but also every other title. When you "buy" a game from steam, you are actually subscribing to the service (hence they can cancel your subscription...)
DRM also removes the rental/resale market (and in my opinion, the main target of DRM). No longer can you buy a game and once you have finished it, sell it later. You also can't purchase a game, your mate purchase a different game, and when you are both done, lend the games to each other.
To top it all off, DRM only affect legit consumers as well. Pirates aren't stuck with any of these hassles because the crackers work around all this stuff. So the pirates not only get the game for free, but get a better product than those who have spent money on it.
