Need For Speed (2015)

[LeGeNd-1]

EA knows that NFS2015 will be one HELL of a cash-hog. They saw how insanely hyped up everyone was. We were praising EA as the savior at the at point. Seeing how all this hype was going through our minds, an online-only game would probably not fail from a business standpoint since people would actually purchase it either way.

Sad but true unfortunately. All those rabid Underground fans will lap up the game and all its microtransactions no matter what. Then there are people who will buy NFS just because it's NFS without looking up info/reviews before buying etc. They might realize what a bad game it is and return it, but the damage has already been done as EA already have your money

 

[citroengt1]

So no matter how much we rage on or complain about always online, EA knows that there is a large nubmer
of customers who will buy the game anyway.
In****ingcredible...

But hey, perhaps they won't give the always online if we keep up with
the complains.

 

[Stephan]

But hey, perhaps they won't give the always online if we keep up with
the complaints.

Just like SimCity 2013?

 

[JR98]

If only they knew that DRM would instantly turn alot of people that were planning to buy the game away from the sale.


Especially if said DRM ends up on consoles.

Yeah, I held off buying Driver SF because of Ubi's DRM. Once they removed it I bought it...

Will wait for reviews before buying this...

 

[Stephan]

Yeah, I held off buying Driver SF because of Ubi's DRM. Once they removed it I bought it...

Will wait for reviews before buying this...

What is DRM? Is it the one with the activation code?

 

[FT-1]

What is DRM? Is it the one with the activation code?

DRM - Digital Rights Management

In a nutshell, it summarises what you can and cannot do with a piece of software. Once you activate the game (perhaps through an activation code), you must remain connected to the internet so that the server knows you have a genuine copy of the game and that it is not running any mods.

If the idea of 'DRM' was to apply for physical goods, think of it as purchasing a new car at full price and being told it needs to be fitted with a tracker, you cannot modify it and you have to return it after 5 years, without being paid the residual value.

Spoiler

Yes, I know the above scenario exists as leasing. However, you only pay a monthly fee, not the full price.

 

[Stephan]

No wonder why my pirated copy of Sims 4 requires an activation code....but how do you get the activation code once you buy a game?

 

[FT-1]

No wonder why my pirated copy of Sims 4 requires an activation code....but how do you get the activation code once you buy a game?

New games come with an activation code which can only be used once. If you purchase a second hand copy, you need to purchase a new code, which is the price of a new game. This pretty much kills the second hand games market.

 

[JR98]

No wonder why my pirated copy of Sims 4 requires an activation code....but how do you get the activation code once you buy a game?

If you buy the game legally you either get a code in the box/manual (physical) or a Steam key shows up every time you launch it (Steam).

 

[JR98]

New games come with an activation code which can only be used once. If you purchase a second hand copy, you need to purchase a new code, which is the price of a new game. This pretty much kills the second hand games market.

But some, especially older games, do not have activition codes. Luckily my second hand copy of NFSMW 2005 had an unused code

 

[FT-1]

But some, especially older games, do not have activition codes. Luckily my second hand copy of NFSMW 2005 had an unused code

In that case you were lucky because your copy had an unused code. Second hand games with activated codes are worthless... unless you intend to recycle the materials!

 

[Stephan]

New games come with an activation code which can only be used once. If you purchase a second hand copy, you need to purchase a new code, which is the price of a new game. This pretty much kills the second hand games market.

Agreed. No wonder why the store owner warned me about using the game with Internet connection.

 

[RacingPanda]

Luckily my second hand copy of NFSMW 2005 had an unused code

Those activation codes are something completely different. Since there were "no ways" (Internet wasn't a big thing in most areas back then, also the activation process doesn't require an online connection) of checking whether the code is legit or not, you are able to use them as often as you want. That's what also made renting games possible ... how time flies.
So basically, you could as well install MW2005 on every other PC. (you just need the disc to play it)

 

[Michelin]

Those activation codes are something completely different. Since there were "no ways" (Internet wasn't a big thing in most areas back then, also the activation process doesn't require an online connection) of checking whether the code is legit or not, you are able to use them as often as you want. That's what also made renting games possible ... how time flies.
So basically, you could as well install MW2005 on every other PC. (you just need the disc to play it)

You don't even need the CD if you know what I mean

 

[JR98]

Anyone else hoping for some awesome pursuit music like MW/Carbon had?

 

[TVR27]

 

[2clicks]

Well, what can I say? First off, I can say that I'm not surprised. I always had this feeling that EA would never change regarding their anti-consumer approach. A very myopic decision that only serves to uncover the myopia of those ignorant and superficial enough to not consider those that still cannot afford to sustain a robust internet connection, therefore giving rise to the thought that this form of DRM is a very popular idea.

Yes, it might provide fun for a few weeks, maybe months, but even when your connection is the best, you still have to rely on their connection being stable. Thanks to Ubisoft, we know that that is far from easy. Only time will tell if EA will start eating their words and realising that this decision will ultimately kill off the casual gamers if it's poorly implemented by being unplayable. Also, EA's servers won't be running forever.

 

[TVR27]

 

[Mr_X]

It's annoying but not surprising really
I just hope the game isn't super nitro drift weapons battle like the last couple of games
I hate crapterion

 

[sems4arsenal]

How is it not surprising, I know they're EA but I couldn't even think they'll pull such a dumb 🤬 move in a game like NFS.

 

[RacingPanda]

You don't even need the CD if you know what I mean

Arrr, I do.

 

[Crumpet]

Why is always online such a big deal? I've been observing a few threads on different forums and everyone seems to be outraged.

If they are able to post on an online forum surely that means they have the Internet and this won't be a problem in the slightest?

 

[Ameer67]

If they are able to post on an online forum surely that means they have the Internet and this won't be a problem in the slightest?

*Facepalm*

 

[Pootis]

Why is always online such a big deal? I've been observing a few threads on different forums and everyone seems to be outraged.

If they are able to post on an online forum surely that means they have the Internet and this won't be a problem in the slightest?

Once the servers go down, the game becomes useless if it doesn't have an offline mode.

 

[Crumpet]

Once the servers go down, the game becomes useless if it doesn't have an offline mode.

Blasphemy!

So that's why, I didn't know you lost all access to the game once the servers go down. If this game is meant to be a return of the Need For Speed name it needs to be good, and it needs to have a great legacy that would make people remember and play it in the same way we do with Underground 2 and Most Wanted 2005. Killing the thing in a few years will also kill any nostalgia induced player returns, thus making the game forgetful.

 

[Ameer67]

@Carl the Sloth
1) Just because you can post on this forum might not mean you have the greatest internet in the world. A single post full of text doesn't require a stable internet connection unlike the game would.
2) You could be living on a .01 MBPS connection and still make a post. That would probably not be an optimal gaming experience.
3) The servers themselves might be not even be stable. Meaning if something goes wrong, help yourself!
4) What if PSN/XBL go down like they do once in a while? Have fun!
---
EDIT: Looks like you understood the whole situation now.

 

[Gerarghini]

I get what the big deal is, but maybe my standards are lower so it doesn't bother me as much as some people on here. I expect it to have times where I can't play it, just like almost any other games these days.

 

[LeGeNd-1]

@Carl the Sloth
1) Just because you can post on this forum might not mean you have the greatest internet in the world. A single post full of text doesn't require a stable internet connection unlike the game would.
2) You could be living on a .01 MBPS connection and still make a post. That would probably not be an optimal gaming experience.
3) The servers themselves might be not even be stable. Meaning if something goes wrong, help yourself!
4) What if PSN/XBL go down like they do once in a while? Have fun!
---
EDIT: Looks like you understood the whole situation now.

Adding to that:
5) Day 1 stress. The time when most people are looking forward to play the game is also the time when they are most unlikely to be able to (see Driveclub).
6) Some people don't even have internet connection and/or be able to connect their system to internet.
7) Once the servers are shutdown permanently, you can't play the game ever again. Good luck selling it either because no one else is gonna be able to play it too.
8) Always online might mean there are always other players in the map with you. Looking at the NFS demographic, most of them will no doubt be trolls/noobs that will just ruin the gameplay instead of making it more "exciting".
9) Racing games is a genre that is least dependent on online connectivity.
10) Some people just prefers offline solo gaming. Nothing wrong with that. Consumers should be allowed a choice instead of having it shoved down their throats.

I get what the big deal is, but maybe my standards are lower so it doesn't bother me as much as some people on here. I expect it to have times where I can't play it, just like almost any other games these days.

That is a weird mindset to have. Why would you expect to not be able to use something you already paid for?

 

[Skygrasper550]

Why is always online such a big deal? I've been observing a few threads on different forums and everyone seems to be outraged.

If they are able to post on an online forum surely that means they have the Internet and this won't be a problem in the slightest?

Okay, let's say the upcoming Need For Speed is now released, AND is online-only, as EA has implemented. Let's say you DO have an amazing internet connection, but what if EA's servers go down unexpectedly/without warning? What, then? Oh, that's right, you can't play the game because the game requires an online connection, and it's even worse because it's not your fault that you can't play the game. The game won't even allow you to touch its single-player features just because you're not connected to the servers. Can you imagine how frustrating that would become? Let that sink in for a moment.

EDIT:

One more MAJOR thing I'd love to add. One very likely scenario that EA's servers would crash is Day 1 or Week 1 of the game's release, the time where it's expected that the game would receive its highest traffic of players. If EA's servers can't handle the flood of players upon release, they would crash, and would render the game unplayable. And what happens if a brand new game is rendered unplayable? People return in to the game stores. And when is the most likely time wherein brand new games are returned? Same time: Day 1 or Week 1 of the game's release.

 

[Pootis]

Okay, let's say the upcoming Need For Speed is now released, AND is online-only, as EA has implemented. Let's say you DO have an amazing internet connection, but what if EA's servers go down unexpectedly/without warning? What, then? Oh, that's right, you can't play the game because the game requires an online connection, and it's even worse because it's not your fault that you can't play the game. The game won't even allow you to touch its single-player features just because you're not connected to the servers. Can you imagine how frustrating that would become? Let that sink in for a moment.

EDIT:

One more MAJOR thing I'd love to add. One very likely scenario that EA's servers would crash is Day 1 or Week 1 of the game's release, the time where it's expected that the game would receive its highest traffic of players. If EA's servers can't handle the flood of players, they would crash, and would render the game unplayable. And what happens if a brand new game is rendered unplayable? People return in to the game stores. And when is the most likely time wherein brand new games are returned? Same time: Day 1 or Week 1 of the game's release.

You forgot to mention one thing, LizardSquad and the possibility of them DDoSing PSN and Xbox Live this Christmas affecting sales of the game even further.