CD Projekt RED Takes an Official Stance on DRM and Patches

In order to clear up any confusion about their DRM plans for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, CD Projekt fired over an email this morning confirming their stance on both digital rights management and post-release game updates.

CD Projekt RED – DRM policy

In response to recent unofficial statements regarding a DRM solution for The Witcher 2, Adam KiciÅ„ski, CEO of CD Projekt RED, offered the following comment: (Given the concerns expressed by players and growing media speculation, we have decided to make public our internal DRM policy (click HERE to read the policy). Although we are the game’s developer, we obviously won’t be making a unilateral decision on the DRM protection that is applied to The Witcher 2. Nevertheless, our internal rules and guidelines should reassure players. As the game’s developer, we will strive to do everything in accordance with our stated policy.

I would also like to inform all of our fans that no decisions have yet been made as to whether The Witcher 2 will feature DRM protection or what form it might take. As per our policy, we will do our utmost to prevent the adopted DRM solution, if any, from making life difficult for those who acquire legal game copies. I can’t imagine using any protection that would deprive game fans of any of the pleasure that will come from playing the game, as has been the case with other notable PC game titles,) said Adam KiciÅ„ski, CEO of CD Projekt RED.

They’ve also expanded on the matter a bit more over on The Witcher forums:

According to former rumor, we’ve decided to publish our internal policy regarding patches, DRM and games in general:

1. We believe that the chief way to achieve favorable sales of legal game copies is to establish the right relation between game price and product quality. In our opinion, it is more important to encourage acquisition of original game copies than to punish those who play pirated copies.

2. Copyright protection cannot impede or hamper the use of legally acquired game copies. In particular:

– Games that do not require an Internet connection for gameplay reasons should not require an active Internet connection for normal use.
– Game installation should in no way be limited, neither as regards the number of repeated installations on a given system, nor in terms of the number of systems on which a game can be installed.
– Internet-based registration of game copies is advisable only where the developer makes available, free of charge and via the Internet, additional game content or other services requiring an Internet connection.
d. Traditional forms of copy protection like CD-check and serial numbers are acceptable provided they are highly stable and reliable.

3. All patches and updates should be made available free of charge as additional services provided to consumers who acquired original game copies. Charges can be applied only to completely new material providing additional gameplay time.

Our chief aim is to provide our customers with a positive and satisfying game experience. We strive always to remain true to our principles and find solutions that enable CD Projekt to operate effectively in the games industry while allowing us to pursue our stated aim.

Please also visit this thread to read the opinions of two CDPR CEOs regarding DRM.

And that’s why I have the utmost respect for CDP as a developer – they’re up front about their plans and they consistently combat intrusive DRM schemes.