Ubisoft to remove online authentication requirement in From Dust on PC

From Dust will have all of its online authentication DRM removed on PC, Ubisoft has revealed.

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Ubisoft has decided to completely remove all traces of online authentication in the PC version of its downloadable title From Dust.

The issues for From Dust began when a now deleted forum post on the publisher's official site noted that online authentication was only required one time, and players would be free to play the game offline at any time in the future. In reality, the game actually requires online authentication every time the game is loaded.

Though Shacknews contacted Ubisoft for a comment on this situation, the only response offered was a post on the game's official forum that cites the original DRM "misunderstanding" as the reason for the decision to remove From Dust's online authentication:

We recognize that one of our posts in the From Dust forum regarding the need for authentication in the game was not clear. We sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding. Our tech teams are working on a patch that should release in approximately two weeks that will eliminate the need for any online authentication. This development time is required as we are working to ensure that those who have already started the game, and who’s progress is currently saved on our servers, will receive and save their game information locally. Once the patch is ready, players who already have the game will automatically receive the update on their next login and subsequent game sessions will be 100% offline.

PC players get one win here; however, there are still a few things that have irked PC gamers the wrong way with the release of From Dust. The game is capped at 30fps and, according to some users, has many bugs.

Still, it's interesting to see the latest development in the Ubisoft DRM saga. Will the company ever learn that its consumers just want to keep it simple?

[via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    August 22, 2011 7:15 PM

    Xav de Matos posted a new article, Ubisoft to remove online authentication requirement in From Dust on PC.

    From Dust will have all of its online authentication DRM removed on PC, Ubisoft has revealed.

    • reply
      August 22, 2011 7:25 PM

      i havent really struck any issues with this game yet, however the failed sync everytime you start or end the game is getting annoying.

    • reply
      August 22, 2011 7:46 PM

      And so it began. With first a trickle, the torrents started churning packets across networks. Small things began to disappear from Ubisoft offices across the world: a paperclip here, a ream of paper there, perhaps the creamer is suddenly gone from the breakroom. Then word spread. "DRM-free! From Dust, DRM-free!" the unwashed masses of PC gamers proclaimed on BBSes and chatrooms. The trickle grew. And now, not a trickle anymore, this river-NAY-this raging flood of piracy surged forth with a force previously unfelt, unseen. It swallowed Ubisoft executives and their bonuses whole. It burst through the doors of Ubisoft's banks, engorging itself on the pensions and salaries of innocent employees. Cast out into the streets, Ubisoft janitors, graphic artists, and programmers could do little do stem tide of piracy's evil waves. Faced with no hope, no future... they laid down. The waves washed over them and stole the life from their lungs. Ubisoft was right all along. Why did they let this happeN?

    • reply
      August 22, 2011 8:32 PM

      Why don't they just do what Blizzard did with SC2? You have authenticate your account online every 30 days.

      • reply
        August 22, 2011 9:06 PM

        With a game like this they probably only care about the first monthor so when sales are high. After that sales drop off and your just pissing off customers.

    • reply
      August 22, 2011 8:47 PM

      Well, they said it wouldn't have the DRM that it did have. Why would you believe them now?

      • reply
        August 22, 2011 8:51 PM

        I think that is the issue here. They have already built up a track record of sudden delays and DRM nonsense with most users. Once bitten, twice shy. PR clusterfuck.

    • reply
      August 22, 2011 8:53 PM

      I might pick up this game if they fix the mouse issues.

    • reply
      August 22, 2011 8:58 PM

      Frankly, I think the mouse issues are more glaring than the DRM but I'm glad they're doing something about something at least. I would like to enjoy this game.

    • reply
      August 22, 2011 9:33 PM

      The headline should read
      "Ubisoft to remove online authentication requirement From From Dust on PC"

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 12:04 AM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 4:21 AM

      well that was worthwhile Ubi, idiots!

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 6:28 AM

      In the meantime everyone playing a cracked version is having zero DRM issues and can play as they intend to.

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 6:47 AM

      fun game, beat it sunday. probably spent 4 or 5 hours in the last level (went back and played it twice, just that fun).

      luckily, had zero issues with the drm.

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 6:53 AM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 6:55 AM

      This game was pirated day 0.

      So they used resources to apply the DRM and maintain it, and now they have to spend more resources to remove it because it has proven that it only serves as an annoyance (and it was predictable).

      And now, instead of working in fixing the game they are spending time in fixing the mess the DMR produced.

      I don't see any benefits in using that DRM.

      • reply
        August 23, 2011 6:57 AM

        plus since its release date hype has come and gone they have lost most of the sales they were going to get from it anyways.

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      August 23, 2011 7:09 AM

      Btw if you are fed up with having to play crappy ports, check out this:
      http://www.pcgamingisnotdead.com/

      Its from Razer, but probably it will be worth to check it out, specially depending on the ending.

      If it ends only beeing an advertisment for one of their products, well at least my curiosity will stop making me ask myself what is behind the countdown xDDDDDD.

      But if it ends beeing a spark for developers to wake up.. it would be really worth it :).

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 8:37 AM

      I'm having a TON of fun with From Dust PC. :(

      • reply
        August 23, 2011 9:16 AM

        Me too, I'm stuck on the inside a big volcano level as of right now.

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 3:21 PM

      Too late

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