Owners of the PC version of Assassin's Creed II who have been affected by server outages are being offered free downloadable content as compensation, according to user posts on Ubisoft's forums.
Many users have reported receiving an e-mail apologising for the server outages which prevented playing the game. One post by user "Rekalty" reproduces part of the message as follows:
"Following the recent temporary game server outages which may have caused disruption to some Assassin's Creed II players on PC only, we would like to reward your patience if you have experienced any problems by offering you some additional content – previously only available with special editions."
Owners who bought a more expensive special edition, which already includes the downloadable content are apparently being offered a free downloadable game from the choice of Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X, Heroes over Europe, Tom Clancy's EndWar and Prince of Persia.
The server attacks were allegedly caused by hackers protesting at Ubisoft's use of new DRM technology that requires a user to have a constant internet connection, even when playing a single player game.
During the attacks legitimate owners of new PC titles such as Assassin's Creed II were no longer able to play their games. However, Ubisoft claim that 95 per cent of players remained unaffected in the most recent attacks and that games using the DRM technology have not yet been cracked by pirates.