A very specific kind of piracy.

[DiMono]

I was going to say something, but you know what, fuck it. Everyone here either hates/loves piracy and there is no middle ground and I'll just get yelled at and I can't be bothered.

So let me get this straight: you came here to comment about how you're not going to comment? Seems a little contradictory, don't you think?

Anyway, there are a number of options here. First, another user in this thread has offered you their copy. All you'll have to do is wait for shipping to happen, and depending on how you both feel about it you may have to pay for said shipping. Second, all the various PS1 options that have been pointed out. Third, depending on how deep the scratch is, you can actually get a scraper device that's designed to peel off the very top layer of the disc. If the scratch doesn't go any deeper than that, this will smooth it out, and your disc will be saved. I've used one before, and it immediately fixed my disc, so I know it works. And again, depending how deep the scratch is you might be able to get it resurfaced.

As for my own opinion, if you've already paid for a game anyway I don't think there are any moral issues with replacing your paid-for copy with one obtained for free. You've already purchased the game, you should be able to play it. I'm sure there's a Diablo 3 joke in there somewhere, but I choose not to make it.

 

[iseko]

Mail square enix saying: I'm going to download it from a torrent site. Please give me a bank account where I can transfer 20$ too. I wonder what their response will be. A) Whatever, just download it we don't care B)here is the bank account, make it 30$ or C) we will see you in court.

 

[evilneko]

Meh. I wouldn't even think twice.

Then again I also wouldn't be playing a Final Fantasy game anyway.

 

[Joccaren]

IMO, go for it.
12 years ago likely means it wasn't licenced, but actually sold. If it was licenced, then you should be well within your rights to access the data you have the right to access.
Sold is a bit of a different matter.
However, if you are to buy second hand, none of that money will go to the Devs. It will go to whoever is second hand selling it. As such, the Devs lose nothing, and you do not have to pay someone for something you already have.

Having looked further up in the thread, I'd have to do more research into the game itself to actually decide whether or not I think it is Justified, but just working on what is in the OP I don't see too much morally wrong, and legally there are a number of things that could get you through - the licence thing, section 117 of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act posted by FelixG - so if there is nothing legally [Questionably] or morally [Would have to find out more] wrong with it, go for it. However, without full information that I CBF doing research for, my opinion counts as not a lot [To me anyway], so W/E.

 

[lacktheknack]

Well, (and someone correct me if I'm wrong on this) emulators and ROMs are not illegal if you have a physical copy of the game. If I'm correct on that law, then emulation of FF8 would be fine since you do physically have the game and you just can't play it.

Again, I'm not 100% on the laws, but I'm pretty sure I've heard that somewhere before.

The thing is, to run an emulator, you need to perform a BIOS dump. You need a console to do that legally.

 

[lacktheknack]

Huh, I have a PC version of FF8 that is barely used if you want it. Still has the box and everything AFAIK.

A Bioware/Volition developer just offered you a PC copy of the game. This thread is now awesome, and over.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Hopefully we can come to some sort of arrangement.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

Honestly here is your answer. If you want to be a good law abiding citizen of whatever country you're from you have to buy second hand. Even if you reasonably can't piracy is illegal. Now if you want to be a normal person I would say that you are morally within the right to download a game you already bought. As for what you should do, there's the information ^ do with it what you will. If I might make a suggestion however, if you do choose to follow the second option don't admit it on these forums as its a sure way to a ban.

There is nothing illegal about downloading a copy of a game you already own. You cant steal something that is already yours thus they wont punish you.

From the Digital Millenium Copyright Act:

§ 117. Limitations on exclusive rights: Computer programs

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_legal_to_download_a_game_you_already_own#ixzz1wc1dN3Ig

(a) Making of Additional Copy or Adaptation by Owner of Copy.- Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided:
(1) that such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or
(2) that such new copy or adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program should cease to be rightful.

(Section 106 is the fairuse rules just an FYI)

People always seem to forget this. You'll find similar laws in most developed countries. In New Zealand it falls under the Copyright Act http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/copyright-law

 

[Dudeman325]

Meh, you already bought the game. The developers already got their cut, as well as the publisher, and even the retail distributor. I don't see any moral issues with downloading it.

 

[Triforceformer]

Extra Credits takes the "If you literally cannot find it in any way, shape or form, pirate it" stance, so there's that.

 

[Ultra Man30]

Just pirate it. You already own the darn thing, so it wouldn't be a problem for anyone if you did it. My stance is that piracy is bad unless you have bought the actual game and your copy has somehow been broken. It just seems like it would be much easier for everyone.

 

[NoNameMcgee]

My god, not another one of these threads. Is your personal moral fiber so flimsy that you can't decide these things for yourself?

Here's the logical answer:

Piracy is illegal. Unless you live in a place where it's not.

Morals are subjective. Unless you're religious.

Weigh those two things together and make your own mind up. But if you want my opinion, you already own the game, you already paid for it, probably the only way to buy it again is pay a stupidly inflated price for a good second hand copy, or pay a low price for a copy that's pretty much the same as yours. The money you would pay is going to some random person who is in no way affiliated with the games company and the games company will receive no benefit from you buying this game again. The fact that you REALLY had to make a thread asking this is strange to me. Just pirate the bloody thing.

 

[V3rtig0]

Not entirely sure what the laws in my country say, let alone other countries. But my logic would be simple: you own the game already. You are allowed to make and use backups of your game discs, and that's exactly what you would be doing, if you downloaded a pirated version of that game.

Morally, I don't really see a flaw in this logic. Legally, I cannot say. You'd have to look it up somewhere.

 

[Solo-Wing]

Huh, I have a PC version of FF8 that is barely used if you want it. Still has the box and everything AFAIK.

Please tell me you have a Final Fantasy IX you are willing to part with... My Copys third disk is ruined. My favorite game of all time and it is unplayable.

TT.TT

 

[Chairman Miaow]

snip

$200?!?!?. Someone has way too much disposable income...

 

[Evil Smurf]

I got a torrent of the album Origin by Evanescence because you cannot buy it anywhere. So go for it dude. Torrent the hell out of that game

 

[Vegan_Doodler]

My god, not another one of these threads. Is your personal moral fiber so flimsy that you can't decide these things for yourself?

Here's the logical answer:

Piracy is illegal. Unless you live in a place where it's not.

Morals are subjective. Unless you're religious.

Weigh those two things together and make your own mind up. But if you want my opinion, you already own the game, you already paid for it, probably the only way to buy it again is pay a stupidly inflated price for a good second hand copy, or pay a low price for a copy that's pretty much the same as yours. The money you would pay is going to some random person who is in no way affiliated with the games company and the games company will receive no benefit from you buying this game again. The fact that you REALLY had to make a thread asking this is strange to me. Just pirate the bloody thing.

Exactly what AverageJoe said, only mine might have had more boob jokes.
If there isn't any way for you to buy it that the developers get the money then any chance to take business away from those idiots on Amazon who sell old games at £200 is a good thing, or alternately, like AJ said, make up your own mind.

Side note when I saw your name I thought it said 'Avenger Joe', can't think why.

 

[Sandjube]

I was going to say something, but you know what, fuck it. Everyone here either hates/loves piracy and there is no middle ground and I'll just get yelled at and I can't be bothered.

So let me get this straight: you came here to comment about how you're not going to comment? Seems a little contradictory, don't you think?

Anyway, there are a number of options here. First, another user in this thread has offered you their copy. All you'll have to do is wait for shipping to happen, and depending on how you both feel about it you may have to pay for said shipping. Second, all the various PS1 options that have been pointed out. Third, depending on how deep the scratch is, you can actually get a scraper device that's designed to peel off the very top layer of the disc. If the scratch doesn't go any deeper than that, this will smooth it out, and your disc will be saved. I've used one before, and it immediately fixed my disc, so I know it works. And again, depending how deep the scratch is you might be able to get it resurfaced.

As for my own opinion, if you've already paid for a game anyway I don't think there are any moral issues with replacing your paid-for copy with one obtained for free. You've already purchased the game, you should be able to play it. I'm sure there's a Diablo 3 joke in there somewhere, but I choose not to make it.

Well as I said, I WAS going to post something but I ended up just deleting it. Then when the box was open, I thought yeah, better post something.