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General discussion (archive)% of gamers that care about DRM?(45 posts)(45 posts)
(45 posts)
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Posted March 14, 2014
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zaine-h: I imagine it depends on the type of DRM. Stuff like tages and securom are bound to have a lot more disdain for them then Steam. Still, I would guess less than 10% really care about DRM.
It also depends on level of DRM. Both Tages and Securom can range from simple CD check to Limited Online Authentications and Always Online requirement. Steam's own DRM also things like requiring being online but is rarely if ever used as games are tied to steam by use of steamworks "features".
Posted March 14, 2014
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real.geizterfahr: I would guess... less than 10%. Just have a look at the digital sales of The Witcher 2. Only 15% of <span class="bold">digital</span> purchases were made on GOG, while GOG was the only place to get the game DRM free (digital AND retail).
But if you own the game on Steam you can redeem your free Witcher 2 'backup' copy here on GOG, thereby getting you a DRM free copy even though you bought it on Steam.
Posted March 14, 2014
Beside limiting the number of activations / installations, I don't care about DRM. I'm used to sign in to check my identity for my right to use what I purchased, and actually like it as the way it should be. Same as proving your age when you want adult content and services, just normal as regular in check with the laws.

"DRM Free" is a bait to my eyes, either way you must sign in to download your purchases first hand, to access your library and account which all is tied to. Second, it is a licence to use we get anyway, the created work is and remain property of their authors, forever even with giving out source and removing their product from commercial business.

That's it for me. :)
Post edited March 14, 2014 by koima57
Posted March 14, 2014
I care, but I use logic in my buying process.

Here's how I do it:

1: Can I get the product DRM-free? If yes, move to 2. If not, move to 3.
2: If I can tolerate the DRM, if I'm confident I can get it to run and if I really really really really want to play it, then get it. Otherwise, move to #3.
3: Is this a game I think I'll want to play a lot, play on multiple computers or keep and play now and for years to come? If yes, get it DRM-free unless #4.
4: Is it dirt-cheap rental price? If so, grab a copy.
Post edited March 14, 2014 by Tallima
Posted March 14, 2014
The percentage of gamers that don't like DRM would be close to 95%.

The percentage of gamers that are not willing to put up with any kind of DRM would be much lower, though growing.
Posted March 14, 2014
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Strijkbout: The percentage of gamers that don't like DRM would be close to 95%.

The percentage of gamers that are not willing to put up with any kind of DRM would be much lower, though growing.
I'm not sure about that 95%. There are some gamers who don't even understand what DRM is. Couple that with those who use Steam, they may be even more unaware of it as they might see Steam as the store front end where they get to their games, not even understanding that part of logging into the Steam client is DRM.
Posted March 14, 2014
Oops, accidental post.
Post edited March 14, 2014 by Strijkbout
Posted March 14, 2014
Oh, i would guess its more than a single digit. Please remember the XBone shitstorm.
If you would ask about PC-Gamer than i would say <10% and there are fewer every day (seeing the
success of Steam).
Posted March 14, 2014
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Licurg: All the ones that had a problem at least once with it .
Plus a few more, likely not many though. I've been fortunate enough to have not had problems with DRM. That's likely part due to my having purchased very few titles from anywhere but GOG since they started.

I dislike DRM on principle.
Posted March 14, 2014
I don't know how many care about it - but way too few.

Speaking for myself, if a game has DRM, I'm not buying it. Which these days pretty much translates to "GOG is the only place I buy games".
Posted March 14, 2014
5%-20% is my guess.
Posted March 14, 2014
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koima57: Beside limiting the number of activations / installations, I don't care about DRM. I'm used to sign in to check my identity for my right to use what I purchased, and actually like it as the way it should be. Same as proving your age when you want adult content and services, just normal as regular in check with the laws.

"DRM Free" is a bait to my eyes, either way you must sign in to download your purchases first hand, to access your library and account which all is tied to. Second, it is a licence to use we get anyway, the created work is and remain property of their authors, forever even with giving out source and removing their product from commercial business.

That's it for me. :)
I think you may have convoluted the acquisition of games and DRM protection schemes used with games. I'm not speaking of the initial purchase and acquisition of the game license. I'm referring to the usage of game licenses that have already been acquired and are in your possession, either on your hard disk, dvd, or some other media, already installed or ready for installation. Those games that you launch to play that have some sort of protection scheme that otherwise is not necessary for the game to function if it were excluded.
Post edited March 14, 2014 by JohnnyDollar
Posted March 14, 2014
Considering how fast Microsoft backed down from its DRM schemes with XBone, I guess quite many.

I find it funny how many people say "I don't care about DRM... except if it is intrusive, of course.". Duh. I guess it completely depends how one defines "intrusive".

Many people also seem to confuse "tolerate" with "couldn't care less". I've bought quite many games with DRM (last time today), yet I certainly care about DRM, and prefer buying my games DRM free.


I guess a similar question could be how many people care about their privacy, and companies and authorities using their personal data for various purposes. On the other hand there has been a shitstorm for Facebook, Google, Microsoft etc. allegedly collaborating with NSA or mining data for business purposes from their customers, but on the other hand someone might claim that no one who e.g. owns a credit card cares at all about his privacy.

I guess my stance towards data privacy is similar to DRM: I tolerate it when I feel I don't necessarily have a real choice (e.g.. credit cards), but then I've chosen not to use e.g. Facebook due to privacy concerns. So in the end, I still do care.
Posted March 14, 2014
Very low, likely at best 5-9%. However that's just a general guess. Take into a account and exclude people who don't know what it is, think they know what it is but actually don't, only play games (online multiplayer, MMO etc..) that require DRM by design etc.. it might be a different percentage but perhaps not by much.
Posted March 14, 2014
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Pangaea666: I don't know how many care about it - but way too few.

snip
^This.
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General discussion (archive)% of gamers that care about DRM?(45 posts)(45 posts)
(45 posts)