Last night’s PlayStation Store update brought with it a pretty fantastic deal for the digital PSN version of Tomb Raider, that also includes an overly intrusive digital rights management system that will likely cause problems for some users in the future.
First the good news, the PlayStation Network deal gives you the following digital items bundled together; The full Tomb Raider game, a 3-pack bundle of the weapons that Agent 47 uses in Hitman: Absolution, the Shanty Town multiplayer map (a ramshackle area that features steep climbs, multiple ziplines for quick escapes, and deadly traps to set for your enemies), the Tomb Raider Outfit Pack (a 3-pack bundle of outfits for Lara — the Hunter, Aviatrix and Guerilla outfits), and a free digital copy of the puzzle game Quantum Conundrum.
The entire bundle costs the normal retail price of $59.99, so this is a great deal for anyone who was planning to pick up Tomb Raider and hasn’t experienced the awesomeness that is Quantum Conundrum. The only problem with it is the DRM restrictions associated with Tomb Raider, that require users to log into their PSN account every single time they want to play Lara’s latest adventure.
As pointed out by a NeoGAF user, the offending bit of language in the TOS agreement reads:
“Purchase or use of this item is subject to the PlayStation®Network Terms of Service and User Agreement and this item’s use restrictions. This item has been sublicensed to you by Sony Computer Entertainment America. One-time license fee for downloads to up to 2 console systems that are associated with the purchasing account. No more than one activated PS3 system within a 24 hour period. Content may not be used by any other account. You must sign in to PSN each time you start the game.”
Granted, most of the time this DRM restriction will not be a problem, however, it seems to be setting up a situation where some buyers might not be able to access Tomb Raider during PSN maintenance periods or if their Internet goes offline. Additionally, the “content may not be used by any other account” line is particularly troubling for anyone who plays on a shared PS3.
Tomb Raider looks like a fantastic title, but it appears that it might be best to just stick to the boxed retail version due to the game’s DRM.
[Update] Multiple users who have purchased Tomb Raider on the PSN have confirmed the DRM message, however, they are claiming that there are actually no restrictions while using the software.
