Oh I Don’t “own” the Game? Then Replace My Disk On Demand!

Posted By: Rian Quenlin In: Blog On: 20 Jun

DRM blah blah blah doesn’t work blah blah blah. Okay let’s cut to the chase. There is one thing that bugs me about the mentality of companies that use DRM, and that’s the fact that they believe you don’t own the game, only a license to use it.

If this is the case, then why is it every time my disk gets lost, stolen, damaged, or corrupted, I have to buy it a second time? In all honesty, if I don’t own the game but I own a license to use it, then I should be able to get replacement disks on-demand. Let’s look at an old form of DRM, serial codes. Pick up an old copy of The Sims or Diablo 2, and you’ll see that it comes with a serial code. A long string of numbers about 16-20 digits in length. Put it in, game installs. No problem.

If the game has online capabilities, then that serial code will only work once. If someone got the same code as you somehow, you’re screwed. This is where I get to my point.

Disks become damaged, and they take up space. I feel they are becoming obsolete, especially with GOG, Steam, and the Humble Indie Bundle allowing you to purchase once and that’s the end of it. Disks with DRM however do not have such a luxury. Many games demand like a spoiled child wanting his Batman glass that the disc be in the drive at all times during play.

Publishers and distributors should get with the 21st century. I should be able to say “Yes, I need a replacement disk for Shoot The Nazis 4: The Movie, The Game. Serial code is 6289-4899-1242-4992.” and have a brand new disk be sent to me. Once I input the new code, old one becomes invalid to prevent exploit. Quick and easy. Maybe have to pay for shipping. It sucks how we still have to wrangle with the annoyance of damaged hardware in this day and age.

Of course, knowing Pro-DRM companies, they’ll probably spout nonsense on how the license is tied to the disk.

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Tags: drm, opinion