The Far Cry series has always pushed computers to their brink, generating some truly impressive visuals that rival even Crysis back in the day.  Ubisoft have revealed the system requirements for Far Cry 3, including the minimum, recommended and the OMG LOOK WHAT MY COMPUTER DOES setting.

Ubisoft has announced a PC version of Rayman Origins with a release date of March 29th, 2012.  Rayman Origins is an excellent co-op game that we gave a 4.5 out of 5  thanks to a great platforming experience shared by all.  The PC version will retain the four player local co-op support, but that's not the best news.

If there's one controversial topic over the past few years of games, its DRM and the methods employed to try to get customers to buy new copies of games.  Whether it's having an always on internet connection or requiring customers to enter one time use codes to access functionality -  DRM has come to the forefront of both console and PC gaming. 

So you logged onto the PlayStation Store and you're ready to buy Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2. You're all excited about playing some couch co-op with your friend/sibling/parent/child/significant other/pet.  Now you just hope your crappy cable connection can hold on long enough to get the game downloaded.  Not only that, you're getting it a full day before those Xbox jerks.  Huzzah.  Then something catches your eye.

You know those little things that start to bother you when you think about them, but don’t really matter otherwise? This issue of On the Download features a few little pet peeves of mine in the world of digital gaming - things that may upset some people, enrage others, or you’ll just shrug it off.

Ubisoft has announced that the PC version of Splinter Cell Conviction has been delayed approximately two weeks for final phase bug fixes and polishing.  Rumors around the net have linked the delay to Ubisoft's controversial DRM scheme, which requires you to be connected to the internet at all times to play the game.

Oh DRM - How we loathe thee.  Let me count the ways.  One - You don't really do anything to stop pirates.  Two - You only end up hurting the real customers.  Three - You are a royal PITA.  Four - You do nothing to stop pirates. 

The PC version of Sacred 2 may have a 16 player co-op mode, and a 4 player co-op story mode - but that doesn't necessarily mean at your next LAN party you'll need 16 copies.

Welcome to the initial post of a column we like to call Beyond Co-Op. This is a column where we talk about other news around the industry that isn’t necessarily tied to co-operative gaming. Each week will see the subjects of the column listed on the front page with more in-depth discussion after the break.  Lets face it, we are all gamers that simply love games, co-op or not.  There's plenty of stuff going on around the industry that we can cover; so why not do it?

DRM, for all sorts of media, is a bit of a mess right now, and that's putting it delicately.  How many times can you move that song to a new Ipod?  Your 360 died; now you can't play XBLA games unless you're connected to the internet?  These are worst case scenarios, but the problem is there, for many legitimate consumers.  The most recent flaming has taken place over Spore, and it's Amazon reviews.