Digital Rights Management
Ongoing coverage on Digital Rights Management.
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"I'm not interested in bypassing DRM" - Preservationist brings back physical PC games using discs and…
Preservationist Ryan Enstrom is creating physical PC game discs and cartridges using existing storage media like SD cards, USB sticks, and even old HDDs. These physical copies can be used with storefronts like GOG, Steam, and the Xbox app without bypassing DRM. The project aims to keep physical media alive and demonstrates that digital collections can be made tangible.
Xbox finally fixes bug that made it impossible to play physical games while exec promises "to improve reliability…
Xbox has released an update to fix a critical bug that prevented players from launching games, including physical disc titles. The issue stemmed from an underlying service failure impacting home console sharing and Game Pass content, exacerbated by a bug in the Xbox client software. Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet has apologized for the situation and promised broader improvements to product and service reliability.
Games Mysteriously Disappearing From PlayStation Portal Cloud Library
Numerous PlayStation 5 games have mysteriously disappeared from the PlayStation Portal's direct cloud streaming library over the weekend. While Sony reserves the right to remove titles, the widespread removal of both third-party and first-party games suggests a system glitch rather than a deliberate action. Players are reporting issues with titles like Ghost of Yotei, Madden NFL 27, and Cities: Skylines, with some contacting support who were incorrectly informed the games were no longer available for streaming.
Evening Consolidation
Xbox experienced a day-long outage that prevented both online and physical games from functioning, which the company has since resolved. The issue was reportedly caused by a licensing problem, highlighting the complexities of digital rights management even for physical media.
Xbox CTO explains what caused the Xbox outage, apologises to players, and outlines what's being done going forward
Xbox experienced a major server outage on Monday, impacting game purchases, downloads, and offline play due to a failure in an external licensing service. Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet apologized and explained that the issue has been resolved, with the company initiating a full review to prevent future occurrences and improve transparency with the community.
Physical 'Copies' of GTA 6 Will Expire 170 Days After Launch Date in Japan
Physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 sold in Japan will reportedly expire 170 days after launch, requiring players to download the game within that timeframe. This news highlights potential issues with digital entitlement for physical media.
Xbox service is down, with outages meaning players can't play any digital or physical games, after similar PlayStation Network issues last week
Xbox's online services are experiencing a major outage, preventing players from accessing digital and physical games, as well as signing in and viewing the store. This follows similar issues with the PlayStation Network last week, highlighting concerns about the reliance on digital ownership and DRM in the current gaming landscape.
Pair of PlayStation 4 Games Might Be Removed From Player Libraries
PlayStation 4 adventure games Creepy Tale 1 and 2 may be removed from players' libraries due to a dispute between developer Creepy Brothers and publisher No Gravity Games. The publisher allegedly failed to pay royalties, leading to the games being delisted from the Xbox Store and potentially soon from the PlayStation Store. Players who have the games installed can still access them.
Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Physical Version Will Require Download, Account Login – Rumor
A rumor suggests that the physical version of Halo: Campaign Evolved will require a substantial download and an account login to play, even on PlayStation 5. This indicates that the included disc may contain less than half of the game's total files, with a significant update and online connectivity necessary for initial access. This situation draws parallels to criticism faced by Rockstar Games for Grand Theft Auto 6's lack of a physical disc.
As Sony prepares to end game disc production, GOG jumps up to remind PC gamers that you can just make your own
GOG is reminding PC gamers that they can create their own physical backups of purchased games, especially in light of Sony's decision to end game disc production in 2028. The company highlights its DRM-free installers as a way to ensure long-term access to owned titles, suggesting users can burn them to discs or save them to other media for permanent safekeeping.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Was Unplayable on PC Last Weekend Due to Ubisoft Connect Outage
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag's PC version experienced an outage due to Ubisoft Connect, locking players out for nearly an hour. This issue occurred despite the game's recent remake and its reliance on a one-time DRM check for offline play. Ubisoft has not yet commented on the incident or potential long-term solutions.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is blocked in 132 countries due to Sony's controversial PSN linking requirement – but its Steam page is still visible
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is unavailable in 132 countries due to Sony's mandatory PlayStation Network linking requirement, similar to Helldivers 2. Despite the block, the game's Steam page remains accessible and purchasable in some of these regions, causing confusion among players. The fighting game, developed by Arc System Works, is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC.
PlayStation once again pulls purchased StudioCanal content from user libraries because of "licensing arrangements"
PlayStation is removing previously purchased StudioCanal movies from user libraries starting September 1, 2026, due to evolving content licensing arrangements. This follows similar removals of StudioCanal content in 2022 and Discovery TV shows in 2023. Sony has not announced any compensation or refunds for affected users, who are being directed to a list of affected titles on PlayStation's website.
PlayStation is pulling "previously purchased" digital movies from users' libraries
Sony is removing hundreds of previously purchased digital movies from users' PlayStation libraries starting September 1, 2026, due to content licensing arrangements. This includes Studio Canal titles like 'Terminator 2' and 'Total Recall', which will no longer be accessible. The move highlights the risks associated with digital purchases, as terms and conditions often allow for content removal.
Games Workshop Removes Certain Tabletop Simulator Materials from Steam
Games Workshop has issued DMCA takedown notices for fan-made mods on Steam's Tabletop Simulator, removing popular Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer: Age of Sigmar community content. This action, consistent with Games Workshop's strict intellectual property enforcement, has drawn criticism from the community, particularly as a new edition of Warhammer 40,000 is released.
PlayStation Removing Purchased Content From Your Library Again
Sony Interactive Entertainment is again removing purchased content from PlayStation libraries, this time affecting Studio Canal titles for UK users on September 1, 2026, due to licensing agreements. This follows previous removals of Discovery content and earlier instances in 2022 for some European countries. PlayStation discontinued movie and TV purchases in August 2021 but allows purchases via Sony Pictures Core.
The Grand Theft Auto 6 physical edition is overpriced DRM in a box
This article discusses the perceived high price and value of the physical edition of Grand Theft Auto 6. It argues that the $80 price point is not justified and questions the necessity of a physical release with potential DRM concerns.
GTA 6’s Physical Edition Not Including a Disc Is About Control and Secrecy
The decision to release Grand Theft Auto 6's physical edition without a disc is attributed to Rockstar Games' desire for greater control and secrecy over the product. This move highlights a growing trend in game distribution, potentially impacting how physical media is perceived and utilized.
Game Preservation Matters: Why Classic Games Are Disappearing | TAG
A significant portion of classic video games, estimated at 87% released before 2010, are no longer commercially available due to delisting and lack of preservation efforts. The US Copyright Office's denial of a petition for remote access for researchers highlights a systemic issue, with the industry lobbying group ESA actively opposing preservation. Organizations like the Video Game History Foundation and GOG are working to combat this cultural catastrophe, advocating for legal reform and offering DRM-free options.
The Outer Worlds Upgrade Confusion Addressed by Microsoft
Microsoft, the owner of Obsidian Entertainment, has clarified the upgrade path for The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition following player confusion. The free upgrade was intended as a thank you to original game purchasers, but platform limitations on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have caused issues, requiring players to own both DLCs for eligibility. Support is available for affected players.
