Ubisoft, please explain (a full in depth analysis of Ubisoft with my opinions)
Firstly, I would like to point out that this is in the HoMM6 forums because these complaints don't apply to every single game. It is mostly aimed at this one.
It isn't a regular thing for me to jump on a forum and start complaining about a game, as I mostly prefer to support games and give feedback so that the developers can make a better game. However, after playing your HoMM6 beta, after playing the full game, and after frustrating myself with it, I am just about done.
This post could be longer than the Earth's diameter, but I am going to try and keep this short, in knowledge that Ubisoft selectively represents information on their forums to prevent knowledge of the "truths" from spreading. This alone is just proof that Ubisoft is either embarrassed about their latest business choices, or would prefer it if customers would just shut up and buy their games. Who could blame them though? Isn't it their job to make money of their products which they provide? However, there is another issue at hand.
Lets talk DRM a little. For those who are unaware of what DRM is, it is digital rights management. Basically, it is where game companies try to prevent unrestricted access to their games, or in other words, only allow legitimate consumers to play. One form of DRM is steam, where you need to have steam installed and logged on to your account to play certain games. But the bigger issue here is Ubisoft's take on DRM, the Uplay/conflux.
This is where my main issues arise. In Ubisoft's attempts to prevent pirates from illegally playing their games, they introduced a system to some of their games (HoMM6 in particular) where you had to be online to play the game. Yes, there is an offline function, but it does not work. By definition, playing a game offline is playing a game offline, correct? Well that is not what Ubisoft see. They see it as "playing offline means playing 75 percent of the game offline." How is this justified? More importantly, how is this fair? To limit not only your consumers, the main source of your revenue, but to also not limit those who pirate the game! Pirates can play the game offline, with all features enabled, while real and legitimate consumers are left in the dirt. Upon asking why we are kicked onto the dirt, Ubisoft reply to us and tell us to eat it. No, they don't listen to our concerns, they don't try and compromise, they just tell us to fix our own problems or leave. This isn't customer support, this is customer ABUSE.
Do I honestly care if a game has DRM in it? NO! Do I care if the DRM supports those whom the DRM is directly targeting? NO! Do I care if the DRM hinders those who are meant to be supported by it? Yes I do, because that is wrong, and unfair. I gave you my money, I expect a full, 100 percent working product. If it is not a full, 100 percent working product then I expect it to be fixed! This is basic consumer rights, I have the rights to a working title, which I gave you money for. If you don't fix your problem, then I expect a full refund! I do not pay for broken products, and anyone in their right mind who has common sense should also not want to pay for broken products, because paying for a game that does not work as advertised is STEALING.
You can argue that the game works online as intended, or that the game even works offline as intended, but I have to wonder why UBI would even treat their customers like dirt in the first place? They are treating pirates more as legitimate consumers then the real customers themselves! Even worse, the online DOESN'T WORK all the time!
What happens when UBI servers go down? Easy, you can't play the game you legitimately payed for. Therefore, the product is not working as advertised, therefore it is not a working product. BY LAW, I should have my money back in those scenarios, because I am NOT getting the full, advertised product. Alternatively, make your game fully playable offline, so when the servers are experiencing technical difficulties, I can play the product as advertised: a product that can be played online and offline. Because I am not playing the product offline, only 75 percent of it. And 75 percent does not equal 1, therefore I am not getting the 1 offline product as advertised. How anyone can get away with this is beyond me. Mind you, pirates can play their full copy of the game for free. The sooner Ubisoft learn that pirates are always going to plague the gaming world, the better. Because no matter how hardcore and awesome and tight your DRM is, pirates will find a way. This DRM doesn't stop them, it merely takes them longer to pirate the game. It has been proved time and time and time again, not a single product to this date has a 0 percent piracy rate. How do you think 2D boy, the devs of World of goo felt? That game had a 90 percent piracy rate on the PC!! Yet they still managed to make a massive profit from that game, because many people wanted to buy the game after hearing how good it was.
So I finally close my argument here, and literally dare Ubisoft to respond in a civil manner. Just watch how long this thread lasts. It will disappear before your very eyes, only further proving my points. Ubisoft don't care about consumers, they care about money, and they care about pirates! Don't believe me?
Well then, lets just see how Ubisoft respond to me, a legit customer. Better yet, lets see if they even respond at all.