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A Portrait of the UK Game Pirate

Posted by Zonk on from the they're-everywhere dept.

Next Generation has a report up on a British study that indicates something like 84 percent of 15 to 18 year olds pirate video games in Britain. 72 percent of those folks pirate games because they can't wait for the UK releases. From the article: "This study shows very clearly the drivers behind videogame piracy...Most respondents who have and will continue to illegally download games are young males, between 15 and 19 years old. They feel videogames are too expensive and resent the long wait for many games released in the US or in Asia before the UK. With a high level of computer literacy, it's easy for them to find a game online and download it. Their friends all do it and why shouldn't they?"

9 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. In Britain... by KinkifyTheNation · · Score: 1, Funny

    In Britain, only teenagers pirate video games.

  2. News Flash! by brkello · · Score: 5, Funny

    Piracy is easy. Kids do it. Game publishers are on streets selling crack to feed their family. Film at 11.

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    Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
  3. Re:Not surprising by cpt+kangarooski · · Score: 3, Funny

    There's really no good reason for a game to be released in the USA, and then wait months before releasing it in the UK.

    Oh, I'm sure that localizing software from the US to the UK is a time-intensive process, requiring careful attention by the translators.

    --
    -- This and all my posts are in the public domain. I am a lawyer. I am not your lawyer, and this is not legal advice.
  4. Re:Not surprising by Bios_Hakr · · Score: 2, Funny

    They have to remove the guns and replace them with sticks and whistles.

    Plays havoc with most strategies.

    --
    I'd rather you do it wrong, than for me to have to do it at all.
  5. Education is key by satanami69 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just teach them kids right and don't copy that floppy

    --
    I really hate Dan Patrick.
  6. Re:Not surprising by Seumas · · Score: 3, Funny

    Consumer: I don't want to spend $70 for a videogame or $30 for a DVD. That's very over-priced. I'm going to copy this game from someone else, instead.

    Corporation: I don't want to spend $80,000 for a developer. That's very over-priced. I'm going to open up shop in the third world and hire one for less than a burger-flipper makes in my town.

  7. Thats not a portrait of a UK game pirate by FidelCatsro · · Score: 2, Funny

    http://www.acemurdermystery.com.nyud.net:8090/imag es/pirate/Bluebeard_2.jpg
    That's a picture of a UK game(Legged) Pirate , Blue beard

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
  8. Re:I can see the release date thing as a driver... by Svenheim · · Score: 2, Funny
    I think a more logical reason for why cost is an issue is because games are usually priced somewhat equally, even though the content is vastly different. GTA: San Andreas, Disgaea, or Guild Wars might give you 100+ hours of gameplay for $50, whereas Star Wars: Republic Commando, Prince of Persia 2, or God of War might give you 10 or 20. After you spend $50 each for three great games that last 100+ hours, and then spend another $50 each on three lesser games that are much, much shorter, you start to think, "Maybe it's safer to pirate the next one... that way I can't get burned."

    Yes, a game that takes 100 hours to get through is obviously worth 10 times as much as a game that takes 10 hours to play through!

    Similarly, a 3 hour movie is so much better than a 2 hour movie, and a 500 page book can beat any 300 page book!

  9. Re:I used to play video games... by tom8658 · · Score: 2, Funny

    you're all exactly right! I have no moral standards! I have no ability to distinguish between right and wrong! I eat babies with ranch dressing!!!!!!

    honestly...if it were that easy to "reevaluate my expenses" and magically make more money appear, wouldn't I have done it already? It's not like I smoke two packs a day or something.