Ubisoft’s recent DRM “upgrades” have caused many a gamer to take up arms against the company. Not allowing players to play without having a constant internet connection was just the first step in an obviously diabolical attempt to eliminate all of the consumer’s freedoms. The second step is to remove the physical manual.

While the previous paragraph may have been laced with sarcasm, the fact of the matter is that the company will be cutting costs by digitizing Xbox 360 and PS3 manuals and providing them via the disc rather than having something that gamers can hold and read. Shaun White Snowboarding, coming out Fall 2010, will be the first of Ubisoft’s console releases to see the new initiative.

Despite the questionable reception of Shaun White’s initial video game snowboarding venture, he has already expressed confidence in working on a sequel.

According to Reuters, “The Flying Tomato” made it clear that the knowledge that he gained with completing his first snowboarding video game will only ensure success with his second venture, remarking that he now “knows what is possible and not possible, experiences that will all help with the next game.”

However, while White is eager for the opportunity for another run down the digitized slopes, Ubisoft is a bit reticent…

Just in time for the holiday season, a game that’s perfect for your favorite PC sports gaming junkie has been released through Steam. Shaun White Snowboarding is now available for $29.99 although a hard copy of the game for PC and DS from retail outlets costs the same. The benefit of Steam is that if you find a computer with the Steam client on it that you can sign onto, you can play the game pretty much anywhere. It became an active download in the Steam stores on December 3, 2008. For other consoles and the PSP the game would set you back between $39.99 and $59.99.

The game offers a lot of options and freedom in terms of play. One is the “open-world mountains” that you can board any way you want. Other than the normal snowboarding, you can also have snowball fights, hike through…