Steamworks Makes DRM Obsolete

[DigiQ8]

A new set of advanced features delivered in Steamworks, headlining the new feature set is the Custom Executable Generation (CEG) technology, What is CEG you say? look below.

CEG is a customer friendly approach to anti-piracy, CEG makes unique copies of games for each user allowing them to access the application on multiple machines without install limits and without having to install root kits on their PC.[br]
The new features also include support for in-game downloadable content (DLC) and matchmaking. The in-game DLC support allows developers to deliver new content as they choose (paid or free) from inside the game itself, allowing users to make immediate purchases and experience the new content in the same game session. The Steamworks matchmaking now includes the robust lobby system shipped and tested in Left 4 Dead.

Steamworks is a complete suite of publishing and development tools that are available free of charge to developers and publishers worldwide.

 

[V-Man339]

It's taken them this long to notice?

 

[PimpinPenguin]

The Steamworks matchmaking now includes the robust lobby system shipped and tested in Left 4 Dead.

Robust!! are they freaking kidding. Valve's lobby system is a load of shit and is the worst thing about Left4Dead.

I still don't see how Steamworks makes DRM obsolete. Steamwork is DRM.

 

[Naurgul]

Is there a more in-depth description of this CEG I could read? There's nothing on the official Steamworks site about it.

 

[BabyHeadCrab]

Can someone explain to me on CEG is any different than the existing method Steam has been using with DRM-free titles? What exactly does it do?

 

[PvtRyan]

Robust!! are they freaking kidding. Valve's lobby system is a load of shit and is the worst thing about Left4Dead.

I still don't see how Steamworks makes DRM obsolete. Steamwork is DRM.

Technically, cd-keys are DRM and they have been in use since, what? 1996? It's obvious that the term "DRM" these days doesn't refer to all anti-piracy measures, but to draconian, incredibly user-unfriendly ones like Starforce.

 

[Absinthe]

What Ryan said. The issue is not DRM itself, but the bullshit practices and enforcement practiced today that's become associated with the term.

 

[Dekstar]

I think it basically means that whenever you download a game from your account, some files will be completely unique for you. If you are a pirater, who usually just copies the games, with a small crack so that they don't use steam, then uploads them, it'll apparently make it harder since your copy will still have your identifier.

Unfortunately pirates will most likely easily find a way around this.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

I can't see this working at all. Valve's DRM are easy to crack. The same methods crackers used to crack HL2 are still being used today. Valve haven't updated any of the security features, nor have they prevented cracked Steam clients. Until they sort them out this new addition is pointless.

And i still don't see how having files unique for each person combats piracy. Crackers are going to strip the identifier just like they do with music.

 

[Lobster]

You cant stop piracy, you can only give people more reason to want to buy the software, DRM like Starforce has only ever hurt paying customers, alot of companies seem to underestimate the blinding efficiency of pirate distributors. Some people are just born to be cheap bastards, there is nothing we can do about that.

 

[Tagaziel]

Point is, Steamworks' DRM is meant to be as unobstructive as possible it seems, unlike most DRM nowadays. Basically, the publisher controls the distribution of his games while the player can play however he wants.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

I'm not bothered by the DRM which is present, its not in the same form as the toxic forms shipped on games for the last 2 years. No root kits or install limits seriously brightens up my day, and I'm happy to sacrifice to a small variation in DRM as long as those 2 features have been kicked out of bed.

You are also correct that piracy still has its hand in Valve's games but by the same token I think Valve are minimising their losses to piracy compared to other developers. The convenience of digital distribution, sale prices, auto updating, new content or DLC and an established community for multiplayer gaming are advantages over piracy.

As Gabe has stated before, piracy exists mostly when the service for pirates is better than the paid product. So...if the game isn't available in that location / has DRM installed / isn't supported or patched, people will opt for piracy to avoid those features. I think the approach Valve take is that they make the service very convenient for customers, whereby buying and downloading a game very fast from Steam is better than installing an ISO from a half dead torrent, with no updates or proper support.

Saying that, piracy still exists, so you can't win everyone over with a damn good service. Some people just can't afford to buy games or don't want to pay. You can't change that until mindsets are altered and people realise the service they are missing. The community aspect of Steam, with friends, groups, game gifts and gift passes are carrots for friends to spread the word to the individuals, to catch the bug to buy their games properly through Steam. It has definitely helped but you can't touch everyone.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

I would very love to get hold of their papers regarding CEG, because my understanding is that its halfway between Steam and No Piracy control at all.

 

[Laivasse]

I'm still not clear what form this 'in-game DLC' will predominantly take. Are we talking just microtransactions but made cool-sounding by an acronym?

 

[Tee Kyoo Em]

.

 

[PvtRyan]

Apart from being choc-full of trademarkable buzzword goodness, the brochure essentially explains that it's just another way of controlling how software can and cannot be used.

As long as the user's rights aren't being violated or restricted, isn't that just fine?

 

[Tee Kyoo Em]

.

 

[PvtRyan]

I wrote this sentence in reference to the original thread title "Steam makes DRM obsolete", which came straight out of the press release. You don't make DRM obsolete by simply claiming that CEG is not really "digital rights management" but an "anti-piracy" method, when the latter is actually a part of the former.

Sure, but as I said: the word 'DRM' has taken on a different meaning from what it technically is and is synonymous with stuff like Starforce.

 

[Dipso]

A better title would thus be; "Steam makes obtrusive DRM obsolete"

 

[PimpinPenguin]

A better title would thus be; "Steam makes obtrusive DRM obsolete"

That's yet to be seen. I think the current Valve DRM is the best we can get. It prevents Zero day piracy as well as preventing pirated mulitiplayer versions on legit servers. I don't see how they can really improve on that. As intrusive as some of the other DRM were you got to admit that Starforce was a force to be reckon with back in it's day. It was pretty successful at preventing piracy for a while.

 

[Eejit]

That's yet to be seen. I think the current Valve DRM is the best we can get. It prevents Zero day piracy as well as preventing pirated mulitiplayer versions on legit servers.

My flatmate downloaded a zero day pirate copy of DoW2. He didn't like it btw.

 

[Surrogate]

Steam is DRM, that's indisputable, as it only allows you to use software under special circumstances, such as being logged in with an account.

I like Steam though. It's DRM, but it's so much more - it gives more to the user than what it takes away, unlike other DRM's which only do the latter. Chat, games permanently tied to a digital identity, updates, stores and so on. It's lovely. Rather have games use this as their DRM, than coax up five hundred obtrusive ways of protecting copyright.

Pirates can never be stopped, but loyal costumers will come back when they're treated nicely.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

My flatmate downloaded a zero day pirate copy of DoW2. He didn't like it btw.

That's because it didn't use the Zero day protection feature. Fear 2 also didn't use it. They both left the retail discs unencrypted and included the executable. If both had encrypted it and not included the exe, then it wouldn't have been pirated before launch, just like Valve games.

Steam can be pretty nasty if you don't want it's additional features. If you don't like chat,community and updates then having this additional app running is worse for some people.

 

[Lobster]

Bring back cardboard Code Wheels i say!