FIFA 09 next game to anger gamers with excessive DRM?

Electronic Arts is hoping the upcoming version of FIFA 09 will finally win over a lot of steadfast Pro Evo fans to its cause.

However, the looming spectre of digital rights management (DRM) is set to plague PC owners yet again, which will doubtless result in EA getting a torrent of filthy abuse once more.

The Spore DRM debate has only quietened down a bit in the last few days, yet the war is potentially only just beginning.

Gameplayer.com.au has reported that FIFA 09 will have some form of DRM, though they believe it is unlikely to be the full-on hate-inspiring form used in Spore.

We here at Gamezine believe that as long as EA don't include 'restrictions' that seem to actively punish the legitimate user and then have no impact whatsoever on piracy, it will be fine.

Only if it includes a Spore-like system that is deemed grossly unfair to the loyal purchaser will there be a response akin to what has been seen recently.

Moving on, another interesting thing Gameplayer.com.au pointed out was that the dynamically updating league information touted so much by EA will NOT be available for free, but will be a subscription-only service.

Well, players will be able to have one league updating for free, but if you wanted more than that, you'd have to cough up.

Gameplayer.com.au make the point that this is a big feature that is being used to sell the game, yet won't be available (properly) 'out of the box'.