Looking at Microsofts DRM setup and how it works, I was curious if I could come up with a next gen console DRM solution that accomplishes what its supposed to accomplish, yet is more acceptable by the gaming community.
This thread assumes that digital distribution is the future and that you are aware why things like DRM are needed for digitally distributed software.
If you think that gaming should load off a disk forever and stay exactly where it is now, please be kind not to post a rant about it as I am trying have a civilized discusion.
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Game installs/registration:
Digital and retail games are installed on an next gen console and need internet to register to your gamer ID. If no internet is available where your console is located, for retail games you may register the game with any internet enabled device such as PC, smartphone through Xbox.com/Playstation.com using an activation code that comes with the game.
Outcome:
Games are installed and tied to your account and are able to to follow your gamer ID around wherever you go and whichever console you decide to game on, quite possibly well after this generation of gaming is over. They also load much faster and you don't have to worry about swapping disks, scratching disks, losing disks... Welcome to next gen console gaming!
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Always on:
Next gen console needs to connect to internet every 24 hours. If there is no internet available after 24 hours, the single player component of the retail game still can be played, but only if the original disk is inserted in the console.
Outcome:
Console needs to connect to the internet so people can't abuse the system and install 15+ games on to their console, take the console offline and play the games forever while immediatly reselling the games they have installed. For those with no internet, they are able to keep the original game disk in the console and bypass internet check-in.
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Used game sales:
Retail games can be traded or resold to anyone, but with a fee. After the original purchase, each time the game is installed/registered with a different account, there is a fee of 10% of the current official MSRP for the game. This fee is paid on the console or through Xbox.com/playstation.com when the game is registered. This revenue is provided to the developer/publisher of the game.
Outcome:
Developers and publishers are no longer completely cut out of the used game sales market. Retail outlets like Gamestop are no longer able to sell used games for 5 bucks less than new games and make up to 100% profit on the transaction. They will have to adjust their prices accordingly to accomodate for the registration fee as no one would buy a used game for 5 bucks less if they know they have to pay another 10% when they register.
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Game trading:
Retail or digital games can be traded 1 time per title per gamer ID. The trade has to happen digitally on the console or through the website using the gamer ID's involved in the trade and can be traded infinite number of times (but only once per title per gamer ID). Trades don't occur on the game disk basis but on the game title basis(digital vs physical trading).
Outcome:
Friends are able to trade games with each other digitally without paying the 10% MSRP fee. Once you trade a game title away, you can never be traded that game title back. You have to repurchase it if you want to play it again.
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So I'm looking to discuss things like...
Would something like this be more acceptable to some of you?
Did I make any obvious ommissions here in terms of DRM and functionality?
Can someone still abuse the system without hacking with this type of DRM?
What would you like to see work differently?
etc...
