To prevent piracy of their PC games, Ubisoft used to use Starforce. However, the Russian copy protection scheme was linked to all sorts of low-level hardware shenanigans, some of which could (allegedly) damage your computer. So Ubisoft abandoned Starforce. Since then, they've apparently been casting about for something worse.

They finally succeeded. Their intent is to require a constant internet connection when you're playing an Ubisoft game. If you lose the connection, the game shuts down. That'll show those filthy pirates!

In the ensuing firestorm of public controversy, the company has steadfastly avoided any attempt to sound reasonable or consumer friendly. So the site Ars Technica has just rolled out the big guns: the overseas soldier angle.

In terms of numbers, it's not like keeping the military from playing your games on base is going to hurt your bottom line in any major way, but when you're selling single-player games like Assassin's Creed 2 and forcing gamers to be connected at all times while playing, it effectively means that soldiers won't be able to play.

With flaky Internet connections or low bandwidth caps, a constant Internet connection is something of a luxury. Soldiers are only one group where reliable, constant Internet connections aren't common.

Ouch. That whole "you don't support the troops" angle tends to stick. Just ask John Kerry.