Ubisoft calls always-on DRM a success

Earlier this week, Ubisoft confirmed that the PC version of Driver: San Francisco will require a constant connection to Ubisoft's servers to run, even in single-player mode. It's a digital rights management scheme the publisher has used to much controversy, but one that it insists works.

According to PC Gamer, a representative of the publisher defended the practice this week, saying it has seen "a clear reduction in piracy of our titles which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success."

Ubisoft first introduced the always-on DRM scheme several years ago and used it in titles like Silent Hunter V, Settlers 7, and Assassin's Creed II. However, after denial-of-service attacks brought the games' servers down and rendered them temporarily unplayable for legitimate customers, the publisher appeared to rethink its stance.

Ubisoft subsequently relaxed the DRM on Assassin's Creed II and Splinter Cell: Conviction and opted not to use it at all for titles like R.U.S.E. and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

For more on Driver: San Francisco, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.