Pirating

[JeanUSARMYGUARD]

This may be a sore subject with many of you but I feel it should be discussed, since that Matrix games are available through pirating means.

Have you ever pirated? That being a Game, music, movie, tv show, etc.?

I feel if one is to pirate they ought to pirate a game they have already purchased. For example. If you purchased Call of Duty years back... but the disc is scratched beyond repair and you dont wish to shell out $20 to buy a game you already own... I feel that it would be understandable for that individual to pirate that game online. A number of my buddies already do this with a Microprose title not available anymore.

However Im against pirating UN purchased material.

[Erik Rutins]

Sorry, but this is not the place for this discussion, given where it will likely lead. I'd suggest taking this over to the Wargamer.

[MadmanRick]

Piracy does not benefit anyone. You may think that downloading games "free" from the internet that someone else has purchased, is not harming anyone, after all the Company received money for the game that was purchased. However, some companies (i.e. Matrix to use an example) operate on a slim profit margin, their target market is small (albeit dedicated) and therefore piracy even on a small scale impacts their ability to remain solvent. Large scale piracy threatens their very existence. I obviously would prefer to pay for nothing, but in this world nothing is "free". I enjoy strategy games immensely, they entertain and relax me. In order for me to continue to enjoy these games, someone has to produce them and by extension, someone must be paid to make them and I must pay to play them. Therefore, irregardless of how little I think a company may be harmed by me "pirating" a game, I avoid it at all costs. I am by no means a corporate shill, I am simply pragmatic about the situation. I like strategy games and want to be able to continue to enjoy them, therefore I buy them. Oh and to me I don't separate out of print games from the rest, if I want a game that is out of print then I go to those venues that sell used games and buy it there. Sure my money is only benefiting the reseller, but I know in my heart of hearts, that I did the right thing.

[V22 Osprey]

Jean,If you think about it,if one person pays for a game(thats $30 dollars for example) and puts it on the internet.30 people download the game and lets say only half of them actually purchased and it got broke or lost and the other half just wants a new game.Thats hundreds of dollars the company is losing in sells.How does that seem right to you?

[GaryChildress]

Piracy could conceivably be used to replace a damaged legitimate copy but the very existence of pirated games inevitably means many will simply pirate the product instead of pay for it. My belief is that once you venture down that road it inevitably compounds itself in your attitudes, philosophies and belief systems. We humans are notorious for trying to justify our behavior through extravagant means of philosophical "accounting". [:(]

[Terminus]

So, you've been told not to have this discussion here, but do it anyway? [8|]

[V22 Osprey]

Oops.You are right terminus.I didn't see Erik's little post.

[GaryChildress]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

So, you've been told not to have this discussion here, but do it anyway? [8|]

Sorry Terminus. You're right. Just couldn't resist. [:(]

[Erik Rutins]

Well, I was hoping I wouldn't have to lock this but it's heading where every other piracy discussion has headed, so locking it up now. Seriously, it's a good discussion to have, but not at a software publisher's/developer's forum. Try the Wargamer or the newsgroups.

Regards,

- Erik