Uplay

Uplay

Developer(s)	Ubisoft
Stable release	4.2.1 (PC) / December 18, 2013 (2013-12-18)
Development status	Active
Platform	Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, iOS, Android, Facebook Platform
Type	Content delivery Digital rights management Social networking
Website	uplay.ubi.com

Uplay is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications service created by Ubisoft to provide an experience similar to the achievements/trophies offered by various other game companies. The service is provided across various platforms (PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Facebook, iOS, Android, and most recently revealed, OnLive). The Uplay app for the Wii U was released after the launch of the console^[1] on 1 December 2012 on the Nintendo eShop.

Features

With the release of Assassin's Creed II in 2009, Ubisoft launched the Uplay network, which is activated either in-game or via the Uplay website.^[2] Uplay allows players to connect with other gamers, and to earn rewards based on achievements (called "Actions") in Uplay-enabled games, with Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot stating that "the more you play, the more free goods you will be able to have".^[3]

Each Uplay-enabled game has four specific Actions that can be accomplished, earning the player Uplay points, which are referred to as Units. Each Action grants the player either 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 Units, which can then be used to unlock game-related rewards; though the Units are not bound to the specific games they were earned in, and may be used to purchase rewards from any available game.

Client

The Uplay desktop client was released on August 16, 2012. The desktop client connects Uplay's currency and reward features, and links a player's Ubi profile across platforms (consoles, Facebook, PC, and mobile) into a single app.^[4] The client is similar to Valve’s Steam and EA’s Origin desktop clients - where the user is able to purchase and launch games from the application.

A single Uplay account is required to access the client, that can be used across platforms (consoles, PC and mobile) and to access Ubisoft’s online sites, and forums. If customers already have a Uplay account, they use their existing login and password to login to Uplay PC. Otherwise, they will be asked to create a new account upon their first connection to the Uplay desktop client.^[5]

Uplay supports offline play of its games, cloud saves, download of free-to-play games, a chat client with friends lists and notifications, and the ability to redeem rewards earned.

Digital rights management

When it was initially launched, the Windows version of Uplay required players to maintain a constant connection to the internet to play Uplay-enabled games. Uplay games would not start without an active internet connection, and losing the connection during gameplay would halt the game, sending users back to their last checkpoint or save depending on the specific game.^[6] Some games, such as Assassin's Creed II, were later patched to save the player's exact location prior to disconnect and return them to that location when an internet connection was re-established.^[7] The scheme quickly came under fire after a denial-of-service attack attack on Ubisoft's DRM servers in early March rendered Silent Hunter 5 and Assassin's Creed II unplayable for several days.^[8]

The always-on requirement was quietly lifted for existing Uplay games towards the end of 2010, being changed to a single validation on game launch.^[9] However, the always-on requirement made a return in 2011 with the releases of Driver: San Francisco^[10] and From Dust, the latter having been explicitly stated by Ubisoft prior to release to only require a one-time online activation on install.^[11] From Dust was later patched to remove the always-on requirement.^[12]

In September 2012 Ubisoft employees confirmed in an interview that no further Ubisoft games would be using the always-on requirement, instead opting for a one-time activation of the game on install.^[13]

Certain Ubisoft games required an online pass known as a "Uplay Passport" to access online and multiplayer content. In November 2013, Ubisoft immediately discontinued its use of online passes on future games, and made the Uplay Passport for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag available at no charge.^[14]

Rootkit allegations

In July 2012 Tavis Ormandy, an Information Security Engineer at Google claimed that "Uplay" DRM is a rootkit and poses a serious security risk. The software installs a browser plugin that provides access to the system. Ormandy has written proof-of-concept code for the exploit. The exploit was fixed as of version 2.0.4 released on July 30, 2012.^[15]

Uplay-enabled games

References

External links

• Official website