Ubisoft forgoes always-on DRM for PC games

Due to complaints, Ubisoft has ditched the always-on digital rights management for its PC games.

Players criticized the anti-piracy effort, which required them to be online for their games to work.

According to an interview with Rock Paper Shotgun, Ubisoft did away with the measure months ago — back in June, said the company's worldwide director of online games, Stephanie Perlotti — but hasn't made it official until now.

"We have listened to feedback," said Perlotti, "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, and from then you are free to play the game offline."

Ubisoft's previous stance meant that if an internet connection dropped, players would be kicked out of the game, losing any unsaved progress they made.

Players can also activate games on as many machines as they want.

In July of last year, Ubisoft told PC Gamer that the DRM had caused "a clear reduction in piracy."

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NHL 13 soundtrack revealed, looks to create authentic hockey experience

EA has announced the official NHL 13 soundtrack, which they hope will help create an "authentic in-arena hockey experience". The soundtrack features 16 licensed tracks by established and upcoming artists from around the world including Anti-Flag and Foxy Shazam.

Couple with the extensive presentation overhaul in NHL 13, the music will ensure the game sounds like an authentic NHL hockey experience.

“The true NHL hockey experience is about speed, power and creativity,” said EA's Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing, Steve Schnur. “To create its sonic counterpart, our soundtrack features a mix of well-known bands like Gaslight Anthem, Anti-Flag and The Offspring, up-and-comers that include Battleme and Canada’s Classified and Monster Truck, and arena favorites like Zombie Nation’s ‘Kernkraft 400’ and Bassnectar’s ‘Pennywise Tribute’. We think fans will agree that this is the new sound of NHL hockey.”

Below is the complete NHL 13 soundtrack:

In addition to the soundtrack, NHL 13's gameplay will help create an authentic experience led by the all-new True Performance Skating, and supported by an innovative new AI system dubbed "EA Sports Hockey I.Q."

NHL 13 will be available on September 11, 2012 in North America and September 14, 2012 in Europe.

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Dementium 2 bringing the scares to PC and Mac

Two years ago, Dementium 2 offered up a survival horror experience for DS owners. The game was ambitious, attempting to bring some major scares and compelling first-person shooter gameplay to Nintendo's previous handheld. Ultimately, developer Renegade Kid delivered the goods for the most part. While Dementium 2 wasn't without its flaws, it was a solid title for DS gamers looking for something different from most of what's on the portable.

Now it looks like the game will reach a wider audience. As announced today, Dementium 2 is now headed to PC and Mac. The game is set to launch for the platform "soon" and is being developed using the Unity engine. If you want a slight glimpse of the improved visuals, check out the teaser below. But seriously, don't expect anything more than a slight glimpse.

Aside from the amped up graphics, Dementium 2 on PC and Mac will also support the Xbox 360 controller, as well as mouse-and-keyboard configuration. So far, that's all we really know about this upcoming survival horror shooter.

Memetic Games and Digital Tribes Games are currently working together on this new version of Dementium 2. Expect some more announcements down the road, and if you never played the original DS game, watch out for this upcoming iteration.

[Destructoid]

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Ghost Recon studio to announce new project 'very soon'

Ubisoft Paris, the studio responsible for the Just Dance and Ghost Recon franchises, is planning to announce its next project "very soon".

Ubisoft Paris' international product manager Aymeric Evennou teased on Twitter today: "New project announced *very* soon. Finally!"

Ubisoft Paris has recently developed Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. While it was released back in May, the game has plenty of upcoming DLC. Next week Raven Strike will release and Ubisoft has already confirmed development on further Future Soldier DLC which is planned for release later this fall.

For future news regarding this currently unannounced project, and all other gaming news, follow @Matt_GZ on Twitter.

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To the Moon takes off on Steam this Friday, follow-up planned

Developer Freebird Games has announced that it will be releasing To the Moon on Steam on September 7. That's this Friday, you guys! News of the game's Steam launch comes straight from the indie dev, who had previously revealed plans to do so.

If you already purchased To the Moon directly from Freebird, you'll have access to a free Steam key. You'll have to email the studio and request it, though, so stay tuned for a future announcement regarding how that will all be handled.

In addition to the Steam news, Freebird has announced that it will be working on a new episode of To the Moon. The upcoming title will star the same doctors as they try to implant artificial memories of fulfilled dreams inside another character's brain.

To the Moon was well-received when it launched last year. Specifically, it was lauded for its ability to tell a compelling tale within the confines of its video game-ness. Additionally, we awarded the game a spot on GameZone's top 10 indie games of 2011 list.

[Joystiq]

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Team Solo Mid are your North American League of Legends Champions!

PAX sure was an intense weekend for eSports - you had the DOTA2 International Finals, the Red Bull LAN and the League of Legends regionals all on the same weekend. It was hard to know what to watch - but the most exciting of these tournaments had to be the League of Legends tourney which had some extremely tense moments and dramatic finishes.

Day four of the tournament kicked off with a grudge match between Counter Logic Gaming and Curse Gaming. The players of Curse were mostly old CLG players, so the tactics were familiar between the two teams. Indeed, the energy was high in the match as these Curse players were out to prove that CLG made a mistake in letting them go. The stakes couldn't have been higher either - the winner of the match not only secured themselves a 3rd place finish, qualifying them for the World Championships, they also would secure themselves a guaranteed salary in the Season 3 Championship Series from Riot.

CLG's unorthodox double teleport strategy allowed for greater map control in game one, throwing Curse against the ropes. Curse knew they had to give it their all, and you could sense their despiration in some of their pushes. However, CLG's superior farming won out and they managed to secure a win after a grueling 45 minute game.

With third place decided, it all came down to the finals between fan favorites Team Solo Mid and Dignitas - despite Dignitas' best efforts, TSM came to win today. With superior coordination in game one, TSM was able to escape team fights with literally slivers of health left, dominating top and mid lanes. This domination led to the tournaments earliest Baron kill at 22 minutes in. Dignitas thought to counter that in game two with their tournament life on the line, switching back to an earlier poke style team composition that had served them well in the semifinals. However, TSM switched gears and went completely on the offensive, steamrolling Dignitas and winning the entire tournament!

Final Results and Winnings

1) Team Solo Mid: $40,000. World Championship Seeded past Group stages. Season 3 Qualified for Salary

2) Dignitas: $30,000, Season 3 Qualified

3) Counter Logic Gaming Prime $25,000, Season 3 Qualified

4) Curse $15,000

5) Team Legion $10,000

6)Team Dynamic $10,000

7) Monomaniac Ferus $10,000

8) TSM Evo $10,000

Congrats to all the participants, and a big thank you to RIot for putting on a wonderful tournament!

Dustin Steiner is GameZone's eSports Correspondent! Follow him on Twitter @VGHC_Deitis and check out Video Gaming Hard Corps, where he is a local tournament organizer for the S. FL. Fighting Game Community.

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Stained demo updated, pre-orders now available on Impulse

Developer RealAxis Software has released an updated demo for Stained. This latest version adds a few enhancements and removes some in-game bugs. Additionally, it makes the combat sequences a bit more challenging (read: a lot more challenging).

In my preview of Stained, I discussed how the game was tough but fair. Like so many old school action platformers before it, the game really makes you think before you act, and you need to time your offense properly if you want to succeed. This amped up difficulty should prove interesting for gamers looking for a high level of challenge.

Stained is set to launch later this month. You can currently pre-purchase the game on Impulse for $8.99, and it's also headed to Desura. Additionally, RealAxis has submitted the upcoming puzzle platformer to Steam Greenlight for approval.

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Ed + Danielle open, overflowing with rad indie gaming merch

Edmund and Danielle McMillen have officially opened up shop once again. If you're a fan of all things awesome, be sure to stop by Ed + Danielle and check out their wares.

You'll find everything from Super Meat Boy and Binding of Isaac plushies to signed comic books and posters. That's not all, though. Ed + Danielle also has a bunch of character figures, stickers, and more. A lot of the stuff is signed, too, which boosts its awesomeness by 10. Oh, and if you're looking for a copy of the retail edition of Isaac, there's that, too. Ed + Danielle also carries Theory of Cute merch. That's Danielle's brand of sweet handcrafted items.

If you're a fan of McMillen's games and you're looking for something to adorn your bed or work desk, check out what Ed + Danielle has in stock. Additionally, if you're just looking for something awesome to give a loved, you'll be surprised at great stuff you'll find.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to look around the shop, so go away and don't bother me.

[Ed + Danielle]

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The Network blasts its way to Playism

The Network is the latest indie title to make its way to Playism. The game, which appears to be a retro-inspired top-down shoot 'em up has a unique feature: You never actually fire bullets. Instead, you must collect nodes and direct them toward enemies.

The Network looks to provide gamers with a fresh take on the traditional shmup. It's pretty interesting stuff, and I look forward to playing the game for myself.

You can download The Network for $1.99 on Playism. The game includes over 20 levels, three modes, and an "unforgettable ending." You can expect a review right here on GameZone soon.

[Playism]

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