How DRM turns modern economies back 100 years
I'm sure you all remember the days of "Buyer Beware" (if only from U.S. history class). I've also visited 3rd-world and emerging industrial countries where the same principles apply (like the tourist infested markets in Beijing). There you can go and you can buy many items for much less than you would find them in the U.S. You can even buy items that aren't available in the U.S.. Unfortunately, the quality and authenticity of those products are often lacking.
Now with DRM, we're bringing back those good ol' days.
Recently, I bought Catan, a remake of the Settlers of Catan board game, for the XBox 360. It was 800 points (or about $10). After I downloaded the game, I found out it only allows multiplayer online. In other words, you can play against the computer or against random strangers. If you want to play with 4 people in your home, you have to have 4 xboxes, 4 tvs, and 4 subscriptions to xbox live.
Because that's how I wanted to use the game, I called customer support, but they were unforgiving. After you've paid your points, they're gone for good... and you can't re-sell the product either.
Buyer beware.
Now with DRM, we're bringing back those good ol' days.
Recently, I bought Catan, a remake of the Settlers of Catan board game, for the XBox 360. It was 800 points (or about $10). After I downloaded the game, I found out it only allows multiplayer online. In other words, you can play against the computer or against random strangers. If you want to play with 4 people in your home, you have to have 4 xboxes, 4 tvs, and 4 subscriptions to xbox live.
Because that's how I wanted to use the game, I called customer support, but they were unforgiving. After you've paid your points, they're gone for good... and you can't re-sell the product either.
Buyer beware.
Written on October 17, 2007