Gait Games

The noble knight.

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### The Controversial DRM System on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4: What You Should Be Aware Of

Recently, extensive dialogue has emerged regarding a new Digital Rights Management (DRM) framework introduced on the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles. Reports suggest that players are required to connect their consoles to the internet every 30 days to validate the licenses for their digital game acquisitions. This development has triggered concerns among gamers, resulting in confusion and speculation regarding the motivations behind this system.

#### What We Previously Knew

The issue surfaced when content creator Modded Hardware brought attention to the DRM modifications, indicating that digital games bought after a specific date in March impose a 30-day limit for offline usage. After 30 days without internet connectivity, players would find themselves unable to access these titles, requiring an online verification to confirm their licenses.

Lance McDonald, a notable figure in the gaming sector, further fueled the discussion through his social media, asserting that this newly introduced DRM was harmful to players. His remarks prompted inquiries from various gaming preservation organizations, which began to investigate the consequences of this DRM policy. The group DoesItPlay conducted their examination and characterized the situation as an “unintentional” error from Sony.

Additionally, tests carried out by members of the DoesItPlay team, including an experiment involving the CMOS battery on a PlayStation 4, confirmed that the DRM issue was genuine and could not merely be perceived as an insignificant glitch.

#### What We Currently Know

In spite of the escalating controversy, Sony has not provided an official statement on the issue. Players seeking answers have reached out to PlayStation Support. However, some feedback from support representatives has been inconsistent. For instance, one user mentioned that support validated the presence of the “30-day timer,” while other interactions claimed there were no prerequisites for re-authenticating digital purchases, which further fueled confusion.

Tests performed by various individuals continue to indicate that the DRM system is operational. For instance, content creator Spawn Wave outlined his experience trying to play two recently acquired digital games after detaching the CMOS battery, only to encounter error prompts about license validation. This indicates that, contrary to some claims from support, offline access is indeed constrained under the current DRM framework.

#### What Remains Uncertain

The scenario remains ambiguous on several levels. There is inconsistency in the statements from PlayStation Support, and Sony has yet to provide a formal explanation for the DRM modifications. What is evident is that following the latest firmware updates, a DRM system exists on both the PS4 and PS5 platforms—whether this was intentional or not is still up for debate.

Clemens Istel, head of DoesItPlay, remarked on their investigation, implying that the additional DRM measure might be established to counteract fraudulent activities, particularly concerning refund scams reported within the community. However, he stressed that the specific motives behind this DRM implementation are still unclear, including whether it was intended to be a behind-the-scenes adjustment without disrupting the user experience.

This situation underscores a rising tension within the gaming community concerning ownership, access, and the ramifications of DRM policies in an increasingly digital marketplace. As gamers await further clarification from Sony, the significance of this DRM dilemma continues to resonate, igniting conversations around digital ownership rights and consumer protection in the gaming industry.

Pick your poison.

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Ahead of the new Steam Controller release on May 4th, and shortly after I finished reviewing it (it’s good!), I sat down with Valve engineer Steve Cardinali and designer Lawrence Yang to discuss the Controller, the industry-upending RAM shortage it’s launching into, and delays to the Steam Machine that said disruption has caused.

While no new Steam Machine pricing or release date specifics slipped from any errant lips, both Cardinali and Yang spelled out what previous Steam statements have always inferred: that even a company of Valve’s standing (and wealth) can’t get around the lack of vital components, nor the associated explosion in costs, that hardware manufacturers are facing worldwide. That doesn’t mean they’ve been hoarding RAMless Steam Controllers, though.

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### Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: An Upcoming Preview with the New Demo

As fans eagerly await the launch of *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth*, scheduled to arrive on June 3 for the Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S, excitement has surged following the unexpected release of a demo on Tuesday. This complimentary trial lets players dive into the start of this vast RPG adventure, presenting a remarkable chance to transfer progress into the complete game.

#### Demo Experience

The demo includes Chapters 1 and 2 of *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth*, granting players several hours of gameplay that transitions from Kalm to the Grasslands. Gamers will trace the journeys of Cloud Strife and his allies as they traverse a perilous landscape, evading Shinra forces in search of clues about the mysterious Sephiroth. A crucial moment in this adventure is the addition of the Nibelheim flashback, highlighting the intricate relationship between Cloud and Sephiroth.

#### Gameplay Mechanics and New Features

A key highlight of the demo is its introduction of novel gameplay features and systems. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the thrilling card-based mini-game called Queen’s Blood, which is set to introduce an engaging level of strategy to the overall experience. Moreover, interactions with Chocobos will enrich exploration and adventure aspects within the game.

The demo acts as an essential evaluation of whether *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth* can provide a varied and enjoyable open-world environment. Players will be eager to determine if the presented challenges and activities enhance their adventure or turn into tedious tasks.

#### Performance on Switch 2

Another significant factor for players is the performance of *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth* on Switch 2 hardware. The earlier installment, *Final Fantasy VII Remake*, although visually striking, faced constraints, operating at 30fps with graphical adjustments on older technology. With *Rebirth* being a more ambitious title set in a sprawling and visually rigorous world, gamers are optimistic that the Switch 2 will manage the graphics and gameplay fluidity anticipated from a contemporary RPG.

#### Looking Ahead

With *Final Fantasy VII Remake* part 3 approaching, fans are also looking forward to updates about this concluding entry in the trilogy. June’s summer gaming showcase is anticipated to provide additional insights into the franchise’s future, generating excitement within the community.

In summary, the demo launch not only acts as a preview of the full game but also enables players to assess the innovations and performance of *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth*, laying the groundwork for what is expected to be a remarkable continuation of this cherished series.

Alexa, play Altars by Charli XCX.

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Take a deep breath. Listen to some birds chirping. Watch some plants sway in the gentle breeze. Ahhhhhh. Life could be a dream. At least, it could be if the new forest biomes added by Helldivers 2‘s latest patch were in a totally different game. Instead, they’re in a frantic shooter about murderdeathing space monstrosities, now with sturdier mech suits and rebalanced melee weapons at your side.

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In case you missed it, Valve confirmed the Steam Controller’s price and release date yesterday. Naturally, as part of that reveal they’ve faced a bunch of questions about the other hardware they’ve got in the works, including the Steam Machine and the more distant next Steam Deck. As far as the latter’s concerned, they still aren’t saying much, but have at least confirmed they’ve busy working on both it and making sure current Decks don’t keep going out of stock amid the ongoing RAM crisis.

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Arrows, Arrows, and more Arrows.

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If Dig In were called a ‘historical wave defence strategy base-builder’ or similar I wouldn’t have been jarred by it. Odds are I’d have skimmed right past. Instead, Icelandic developers Vitar Games are calling it “a WW1 trench warfare colony sim”, and this wigs me out a little. We are colonising the Somme! Nothing is too sacred for artistic depiction, and people have been commodifying memories of the World Wars for decades, but throwing in an ultra-compacted gravitational mass of a concept like “colony” really turns it all up to 11/11.

It’s a gift to cultural essayists. Within the combinatory logics of Steam, it’s also a harbinger for such genres as the “WW1 life sim” or even “cosy WW1”. I am trying to imagine what Wilfred Owen might have written about bladder gauges. Here is a trailer.

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