There is a benefit to publishers for sure but it doesn't have much effect on developers because they get paid regardless. Will developers get paid more if publishers make more money? I don't know is the honest answer, it does sometimes work out that way in other businesses but is by no means certain. I'm not sure if they get royalties as part of their deal so i can't really explore that further.weker said:I feel there is a large benefit for the developers which has a back lash to the consumer.CannibalCorpses said:What benefit do you feel from DRM? Is it something that adds to your experience or is it possibly just a stumbling block for you in the future? The online only DRMs are going to have an effect the first time your internet goes down for any length of time and how will that benefit you?weker said:snip
It also helps games like Diablo 3 to help stop cheaters from breaking the games auction house.
There are some more subtle forms of DRM like Steam, which gives you a friends list as well as create sales and other things.
Not all DRM is good I just don't intend to be single minded and crucify all forms of it.
Diablo is a strange one because you can't actually play it offline anymore. You used to have to make a new character to play online so i'm not sure how stopping you playing it offline will have much effect other than to stop people who don't have internet or who have poor connections from playing at all. Game exploits and bugs will still remain and that will have an effect on the game over time, like it does with all games. People will always try to find an easier route to what they perceive as the end goal.
I'm not crucifying DRM i'm just trying to find one positive effect for the consumer. I hear lots of people jumping to it's defence but until i see a real bonus for me i will always remain sceptical as to how it could be used against me in the future.
I don't use steam so i can't really comment much on it but can you play steam games offline or do you need to be signed into steam and online?
Anyway, i've got a job interview so i wont be replying for a while.