French publisher Ubisoft has dropped it's controversial DRM for PC games that required the user to have an always-on internet connection. . . .

Ubisoft's decision to drop the always-on requirement will please many gamers angered by the service that restricted play in a bid to combat piracy. Games from the publisher can also now be activated on any number of PCs.

. . . "Whenever you want to reach any online service, multiplayer, you will have to be connected, and obviously for online games you will also need to be online to play.

"But if you want to enjoy Assassin's Creed III single player, you will be able to do that without being connected. And you will be able to activate the game on as many machines as you want."

Ubisoft has become the next publisher to jump into the digital distribution arena with the launch of its Uplay PC application. Like Valve's Steam and EA's Origin, Uplay PC is intended to be the company's community and online retail platform, with friends lists, and integrated store, and a chat system. Uplay PC is an expansion of Ubisoft's 35-million member strong Uplay platform and replaces individual game launchers for Ubisoft PC titles.

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To kickoff the launch of the Uplay PC application, Ubisoft has made certain PC titles only $1, including Driver: San Francrisco, From Dust, Silent Hunter 5, and Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2. H.A.W.X. 2 is today's $1 title, with a different title taking that spot throughout the weekend. Uplay PC will also be sporting daily discounts up to 75 percent off on other titles.

On PC it's only around five to seven per cent of the players who pay for F2P, but normally on PC it's only about five to seven per cent who pay anyway, the rest is pirated. It's around a 93-95 per cent piracy rate, so it ends up at about the same percentage. The revenue we get from the people who play is more long term, so we can continue to bring content."

French publisher Ubisoft has dropped it's controversial DRM for PC games that required the user to have an always-on internet connection.

According to a report by Rock Paper Shotgun, the service was dropped in June but only officially acknowledged now by Stephanie Perlotti, worldwide director of online games.

"We have listened to feedback, and since June last year our policy for all of PC games is that we only require a one-time online activation when you first install the game, and from then you are free to play the game offline," she said.

Ubisoft's decision to drop the always-on requirement will please many gamers angered by the service that restricted play in a bid to combat piracy. Games from the publisher can also now be activated on any number of PCs.

Perlotti clarified the decision using the forthcoming Assassin's Creed III as an example, stating: "Whenever you want to reach any online service, multiplayer, you will have to be connected, and obviously for online games you will also need to be online to play.

"But if you want to enjoy Assassin's Creed III single player, you will be able to do that without being connected. And you will be able to activate the game on as many machines as you want."