Capcom backtracks on SFIV: AE DRM
Svensson: "We had it wrong."
Capcom has backtracked on controversial DRM plans for the PC version of Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition.
As detailed last week, the game was to be largely unplayable without a persistent internet connection, with only 15 of the 39 fighter available while offline and no save facility. The publisher insisted that the measures were vital for combating piracy and hackers.
The news didn't go down too well with many gamers, especially considering it broke on the same day as Witcher 2 developer CD Projekt unveiled its progressive approach to the issue.
Well, today Capcom has admitted that it misjudged the situation and has duly tweaked its plans.
"The argument that legitimate users would have a worse experience than pirates was the loudest and most convincing," wrote senior VP Christian Svensson on a Capcom Unity blog post titled "We had it wrong".
"We certainly don't want that to be the case and that was never our intention. So we've heard you loud and clear and here's what we're going to do about it.
"Shortly after launch (it might even be at launch, but we'll see how submission timing and approval goes) we will roll out a small title update that will completely remove the character limitations for offline mode.
"That is to say, once you've updated, you will be able to use all 39 characters when not connected to the internet to practice your combo timings, have some fun with a friend on a laptop, or whatever while offline.
"As one would logically expect, to get any of the benefits of the online services (online multiplayer, replay sharing/watching, achievements, etc.) you must be online and logged in."
A firm release date still hasn't been pinned down for the PC version of Capcom's beefed-up brawler, but it's expected to be available some time in early July.