Do You Pirate Games?

[dreek lass]

I know that some people frown upon others, who pirate games off of the internet and acquire them that way, but I am not ashamed of saying that I pirate a lot. I pirate games, movies, software - all kinds of things. If I want it and I can find it online, then I will download it lol.

Others will agree with me and say that the cost of games and consoles is way too much in this economy. And I agree that it is. I mean, it is not like people don't still g into game shops and purchase them directly, and some will pirate games and then actually buy the hard copy once they have deduced that the game is worth the money.

So, what is your stance on the matter; are you for pirating or against it?

 

[CaptainWoodzy]

I did a lot as a kid, but I'm nearly 30 now and can afford to support my favorite companies by actually paying for their software, movies, etc..

I just see it as an entitlement issue more than anything. We have a whole generation of kids that really don't see it necessary to pay for things, like they should get it for free, and that alone is bad for the economy. It lowers profit margins, therefore lowering the amount of money for payroll, causing layoffs. It's a vicious cycle and I really do wish it were easier for people who download hundreds of brand new games and movies to get caught for it.

At the same time, companies really need to evaluate the worth of their products. Games shouldn't be 60 bucks a pop, and movies should be a tad cheaper. I'd hope that would encourage people to pirate less, as it's just common sense and something kids should learn. "You want something? Work for it and pay for it."

 

[SS42A]

I own both pirated as well as original games. Pirated games may look like a breach of copyright, but in the long term, it's pirating which will win because there are some legitimate copies of games which are long out of print or no longer being sold. Those who want to revisit these old memories will want to download these pirated games simply because the original makers have long ceased printing of the games. Say for instance, you can no longer find an original copy of the Commander Keen computer game in most retail stores. Those who want to play this game will have to rely on pirates. Pirated games and roms are necessary if only to preserve the rich history of gaming and archive its libraries.

 

[dannyboy]

I liked them as a kid, but i eventually outgrew those games as i got older.

 

[Mesmond]

I mainly pirate because I don't have the money to support my gaming habit now. I don't champion pirating, nor encourage it. I view myself as a "pirate by necessity", that doesn't mean I haven't paid for some of the games I play, but that is reserved for only the titles that really grabbed me when I first played them.

 

[strangel0ve]

I do sometimes. I feel that there's a tendency by the media and companies to demonize pirates, when there is a definite potential of piracy as a way to advertise and for gamers to test out games before buying. I pirate but I buy the games that I like to support the developers, such as Bioshock Infinite, Fallout, Witcher, and other titles that I felt that the developers really put effort into the game and deserve to have the money to continue to develop games.

 

[Haze]

Nope. Never have and never will. I understand why people do it, but personally I just don't.

 

[DrRipley]

I don't but not really for any specific moral reason, I just like to participate in commerce, I guess. Besides, there are a lot of benefits that come with paying for original games and memberships anyway. As for pirating done by other people, I'm not nearly knowledgeable enough in capitalism to know which side is right, but personally, I think when it comes to extreme opposing views such as these, the best answers and solutions are usually somewhere in the middle.

 

[Joker99352]

No, I work hard for my money and I like to splurge on things. I know the nature of corporations isn't exactly squeaky clean, but a lot of work goes into those games (assuming they're good, which they are if I'm interested in them) by people who are underpaid as it is. I think the effects of piracy are highly exaggerated, but I'm still against it as a personal value. On the other hand, I very rarely buy brand new games for full price because I'm stingy like that. But the bottom line is that two wrongs don't make a right, and I'm mainly opposed to piracy done by greedy people for selfish purposes.

 

[ozadin]

Yes, I have, but I'm not ashamed to say it. Some game developers make their game very crappy, and I don't want to support them by buying their games, especially indie games. I wouldn't mind throwing in a few bucks to indie developers if their game is worth buying, like Bastion, Thomas Was Alone, Binding of Isaac, and so on.

 

[Looper]

I pirate games because I don't have a job yet and all my money goes for school. When I get a job though I will buy games, because lately owning original games have a lot of advantage, unlike back then when you buy a pirated copy of a playstation game, you don't really miss anything, probably except the game manual that comes with original copies. But now, all these pc games and their downloadable contents and achievements really add fun to the game.

 

[jenniferb7890]

At the same time, companies really need to evaluate the worth of their products. Games shouldn't be 60 bucks a pop, and movies should be a tad cheaper. I'd hope that would encourage people to pirate less, as it's just common sense and something kids should learn. "You want something? Work for it and pay for it."

While that is true, there's some immense code that goes into video games (just think of the graphics!), and programmers get paid some big bucks. Unless those programmers are willing to take a pay cut, video games will not be going down anytime soon. Video game store hardly make any sort of profit from new games, which is why they have to buy back cheaply and sell used games at a high price (it's the only way they're making any money).

I've never pirated any games. Admittedly, I did think about it once, but as I was researching how to get an XBox game I was warned against going online because if Microsoft caught you they would deactivate your account. That was enough to turn me away from it, and I've never really thought about it since.

 

[Joel]

I use to pirate games quite often except for Valve's and Blizzards. Now, I have a little bit more discretionary income but also a lot more patience and the ability to find better deals. There are games that will still receive the full premium price from me, but mostly I don't need to be on the cutting edge. The Steam summer sale is a rip roaring example of this. I just buy what I feel. I've spent like 30 bucks on quite a few games and its awesome. So, no more pirating just being a better and smarter consumer.

 

[DrRipley]

I pirate games because I don't have a job yet and all my money goes for school. When I get a job though I will buy games, because lately owning original games have a lot of advantage, unlike back then when you buy a pirated copy of a playstation game, you don't really miss anything, probably except the game manual that comes with original copies. But now, all these pc games and their downloadable contents and achievements really add fun to the game.

I agree. This is really how all companies should be dealing with piracy, in which they should really make a good effort to give people a good reason to buy into their service. In most cases, people are willing to pay for services when they think it's worth it. It's only when they feel like they are getting ripped off that they don't mind then ripping off the companies in return. I think the other industries should take note of what's happening with the gaming world right now, because of how the structure and relationship between the community and the developers are getting better as compared to other entertainment and technological markets.

 

[Gamer_Fries]

I don't pirate MUCH and I don't really pirate anymore but I can't lie I still do from time to time. I can't say there have been any games recently that I have pirated but a couple years ago I did have a cracked version of Minecraft for a while before I ended up buying it. Also I used to pirate games more often back before I had the money to actually just buy them myself. Also with Steam I have little to no reason to pirate since everything usually goes on sale for like 50-75% off like right now during the summer sale.

 

[Medza]

With the advent of Steam , piracy is more effort than it's worth. I would much rather wait for a sale on Steam and buy a game for 75% off rather than risk getting a virus and breaching the law. It's not only the right thing to do, it's just more convenient that way and it supports the people that make the games so they can make even more great games that you enjoy.

 

[JoshSmith100]

I do not pirate games and I do not ever plan to pirate games. Id rather support the game developer then download it off some third party site where I can get a virus. These game developers put so much work into their games that they deserve to get their fair share.