Game Publishers Doing More Damage than Pirates?

thenextpresident writes "Over on JoeUser.com, there is an interesting article, from the creator of the previously mentioned TotalGaming.net subscription service, that discusses two things: the PC game market vs the console market, and how one game developer views game publishers as a bigger problem than the software "pirates". "So don't talk to me about piracy. It's not the pirates that have ripped us off of hundreds of thousands in lost royalties. It's been "Real businesses" doing that thank you very much. The position of royalty eating parasite has already been taken." He also digs into all the problems PC games have: usually being buggy on release, CD keys, patches (and more patches), hard drive space while still requiring the CD be in the drive. All together, a really interesting look at the game industry from just one developer."

Comments

Re:I've often wondered

[Pluvius]

But then again, I'm not buying the bulk of these games, so I must be an evil pirate.

Since the loss estimates are always based on "potential" sales minus costs instead of actual sales minus costs, you probably are an "evil pirate" in the industry's eyes.

Rob

Re:So true

[Sigma 7]

Something's not right when a game you just downloaded off Kazaa is less of a hassle to play than the same game off the box. The "copy protection" craze has gone to far; no matter what, digital content of any kind *will* be copied and used illegally. You just can't get arround it, CD-Key, DMCA, Dongles, or whatever.

Actually, CD-Keys (and other subscription style software) are one of the few protection systems that work. They are very effective at restricing the pirate's ability to use online portions of the game, if it is implemented correctly. (i.e. the game only works if there the CD-Key has been printed at the press.)

Even though there are alternate servers or cracks to allow bypassing the CD-Check, not many people use them, and as a result, the pirate is placed in a smaller group of servers or players.

However, I do agree that other forms of protection can be eventually broken - if the system trusts the client at all, than it is vulnerable.

Re:Copy Protection

[Mumbly_Joe6432]

Basically, companies need to make the prices and convenience more appealing to the buyer- just like in any other industry. I would have to argue that software prices are amazingly high; it does take a lot of work to create them, but if everyone was to actually pay for all of the software they use I don't think that nearly as many people would be able to afford a computer at home, or want to. I've seen the most honest people I know take home a cd from work,say microsoft office, and quite frankly, I don't blame them.

It is true that many software companies are shooting themselves in the foot by using too much protection, but the root of the problem stems from the buyer being unwilling to pay the price. The problem simply builds on itself when enough buyers feel this way and unite to make cracks and even whole programs easier to aquire than a purchased version of the program.

Some major reforms are going to be made in the future concerning how we buy software/music. I'm willing accept the revolution, as long as the revolution doesn't have irresponsibly priced products.

Re:I don't deal with CD protection

[Aerion]

I've been using similar software, Daemon Tools, for a number of years now, and it's worked pretty flawlessly (well, except when I realize that I have a 6 GB hard drive, and no room for a bunch of CD images laying around...).

One obvious advantage to Daemon Tools is that it's free.
The other obvious advantage is that the website used to have on its front page, in large, friendly, letters, "THERE IS NO ILLEGAL MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE." It's not quite as reassuring as "DON'T PANIC," but ... well, actually it's not really reassuring at all.

But it's still free.