Play your PC games offline if you want
Ubisoft claims to have officially discontinued use of its controversial (and crappy) DRM measures. A spokesperson told Rock, Paper, Shotgun that it implemented the policy in June as a direct result of fan backlash.
“We have listened to feedback, and since June last year our policy for all of PC games is that we only require a one-time online activation when you first install the game,” said Ubi’s Stephanie Perotti, “and from then you are free to play the game offline.
“Whenever you want to reach any online service, multiplayer, you will have to be connected, and obviously for online games you will also need to be online to play. But if you want to enjoy Assassin’s Creed III single player, you will be able to do that without being connected. And you will be able to activate the game on as many machines as you want.”
Given Ubisoft’s less-than-savory history with the PC market, I can’t say I expect this policy to last for long in its current form. Hopefully it does, but I’ll remain skeptical — Ubisoft hasn’t exactly earned much trust on this one.