DICE: Piracy “a problem”, but DRM not the solution
Lewis Denby September 10, 2011 - 11:31 amDICE’s Karl-Magnus Troedsson thinks that piracy is still a major problem for PC gaming, but that “draconian DRM” isn’t the way to solve it. It’s not too much of a problem for the Battlefield franchise, though, he says.
How do you solve a problem like piracy? Because, while he’s seen the public discussion surrounding it diminish, DICE’s Karl-Magnus Troedsson thinks it’s a very real threat to PC gaming.
And he’s thankful that his games – such as the upcoming Battlefield 3 (pictured) – can mitigate this fairly: players have to be connected to the internet to play a multiplayer-focused game, so there’s no worry about having to incorporate “draconian” DRM solutions like the ones employed by Ubisoft – whose DRM system forces players to be online even in singleplayer games.
“So far, Battlefield has been unaffected by it because we have a multiplayer online game where you need to be logged in, so we haven’t had any huge problems with it,” he said.
But he added: “We’ve had other titles that have been hit hard by it, so piracy is still a problem.”
So how does the industry need to combat piracy? Speaking in an interview with Gamespot, Troedsson explained that player-unfriendly DRM solutions aren’t the answer.
“I’m not advocating draconian DRM solutions,” he said. “I don’t believe that’s the best way to do it.
“I’d rather have people buy our games, direct to consumer through different e-tailer solutions. And then by doing that, they should get something more in the game. I don’t know… it could be early access or a boost pack for free or something like that. But piracy is definitely still a problem.”
DICE’s next installment in the Battlefield franchise is looking rather good, by the way. Check out our hands-on Battlefield 3 preview!
And keep up to date with all the latest Battlefield 3 news right here at BeefJack.
