Quick question, is this stealing?

[DracoSuave]

So let me get this straight.

Did the Steam package come with a free copy of American McGee's Alice? If so, then you got the Project Ten Dollar stuff you're supposed to get with a new copy.

If we're talking about the Weapons of Madness and Dresses pack, that's not project ten dollar stuff, and you're most definately stealing it.

Why is it I suspect that the OP's not telling the whole story?

Did I say it came with the first game? Nope, don't believe I did.

It's fairly simple, bought the game (Just the game), couldn't find the dlc for it on Steam, which I would have bought. Went into the file and changed it to have the DLC. However, it is Project Ten Dollar stuff, cause Alice 1 is in the main menu after I did it. Of course I can't play it cause it's not actually there.

Though, like I said, it's fairly irrelevant because did all this months ago. Oh, it's actually reversible, set it back to FALSE and it's the normal game again. So even if it is minor theft, I'll just switch it back.

Well...

How did you do it months ago, it's only been out a single month and a week?

So, you unlocked the menu item for something that doesn't exist?

I'm confused as to what the whole story is here. Did you get the DLC or not?

Also, the Steam version doesn't say it includes it. Where does this idea that you're entitled to a free game because some -other- offer DOES list it come from?

If you want free games, you should probably take up the offer that gives them.

 

[AngelicSven]

So let me get this straight.

Did the Steam package come with a free copy of American McGee's Alice? If so, then you got the Project Ten Dollar stuff you're supposed to get with a new copy.

If we're talking about the Weapons of Madness and Dresses pack, that's not project ten dollar stuff, and you're most definately stealing it.

Why is it I suspect that the OP's not telling the whole story?

Did I say it came with the first game? Nope, don't believe I did.

It's fairly simple, bought the game (Just the game), couldn't find the dlc for it on Steam, which I would have bought. Went into the file and changed it to have the DLC. However, it is Project Ten Dollar stuff, cause Alice 1 is in the main menu after I did it. Of course I can't play it cause it's not actually there.

Though, like I said, it's fairly irrelevant because did all this months ago. Oh, it's actually reversible, set it back to FALSE and it's the normal game again. So even if it is minor theft, I'll just switch it back.

Well...

How did you do it months ago, it's only been out a single month and a week?

So, you unlocked the menu item for something that doesn't exist?

I'm confused as to what the whole story is here. Did you get the DLC or not?

Sorry, did it at it's release. Been playing the Half-Life series all the way through, thought time was going by.

I bought the game, normal version. I heard about DLC, I wanted it and couldn't find it to purchase. So, I changed the .ini file. See, the DLC is like on/off switch in .ini file. Set it to TRUE, you have it. Set it to FALSE, you don't. This 'DLC' includes Alice 1 (Which I didn't get cause Steam version doesn't give it to you) the extra dresses and extra weapons.

So set it to TRUE, played with it a bit and just recently set it to FALSE, so I don't have it anymore. Well, technically I still have it but not utilizing it.

Get it?

EDIT: Also, sorry for being douchey. I made this topic at work yesterday when me and buddy were having convo about it, I never thought it'd be this big.

 

[chiMmy]

Actually, I would say it's not stealing or well... fraud.

All you did was modifying a .ini file...


If they really didn't want that to happen, why did they put it in a simple .ini.
They could've encrypted the file or used a wierd format or just about anything at all to stop the possibility of easy "cracking".

I think there is someone in EA who doesn't like this "Project Ten Dollar"-idea.

 

[SoopaSte123]

Let's change the context a bit.

You buy a car, but the CD player is locked up somehow and the dealership will sell you the key. You decide to pick the lock yourself because fuck you it's my car.

Makes sense to me. If they didn't want you to have it, they shouldn't have included it in the first place.

I say you're ethically in the right.

 

[Kair]

Do we have to post this image so often?

 

[DracoSuave]

So let me get this straight.

Did the Steam package come with a free copy of American McGee's Alice? If so, then you got the Project Ten Dollar stuff you're supposed to get with a new copy.

If we're talking about the Weapons of Madness and Dresses pack, that's not project ten dollar stuff, and you're most definately stealing it.

Why is it I suspect that the OP's not telling the whole story?

Did I say it came with the first game? Nope, don't believe I did.

It's fairly simple, bought the game (Just the game), couldn't find the dlc for it on Steam, which I would have bought. Went into the file and changed it to have the DLC. However, it is Project Ten Dollar stuff, cause Alice 1 is in the main menu after I did it. Of course I can't play it cause it's not actually there.

Though, like I said, it's fairly irrelevant because did all this months ago. Oh, it's actually reversible, set it back to FALSE and it's the normal game again. So even if it is minor theft, I'll just switch it back.

Well...

How did you do it months ago, it's only been out a single month and a week?

So, you unlocked the menu item for something that doesn't exist?

I'm confused as to what the whole story is here. Did you get the DLC or not?

Sorry, did it at it's release. Been playing the Half-Life series all the way through, thought time was going by.

I bought the game, normal version. I heard about DLC, I wanted it and couldn't find it to purchase. So, I changed the .ini file. See, the DLC is like on/off switch in .ini file. Set it to TRUE, you have it. Set it to FALSE, you don't. This 'DLC' includes Alice 1 (Which I didn't get cause Steam version doesn't give it to you) the extra dresses and extra weapons.

So set it to TRUE, played with it a bit and just recently set it to FALSE, so I don't have it anymore. Well, technically I still have it but not utilizing it.

Get it?

EDIT: Also, sorry for being douchey. I made this topic at work yesterday when me and buddy were having convo about it, I never thought it'd be this big.

Okay, that makes a lot more sense.

No you technically don't own it, because it's not included as part of the purchase deal.

The reasoning is pretty simple: Possession doesn't equal ownership.

HOWEVER...

You can make a reasonable case that you had no idea that it wasn't included, due to the fact that it's part of what you, and what every other person with that software, was given... that the terms of the contract to buy it were not clear enough, and because they wrote the contract, ambiguiety favors you.

Do we have to post this image so often?

Every lie, repeated loudly enough and often enough, eventually becomes believed as the truth.

 

[wakkydude]

Yes, it is, no matter how you'd like to spin it to justify your actions. Theft is theft, digital or otherwise.

Theft is taking something without permission with the purpose of permanently depriving them of that item. You are not taking a code from them, or taking the DLC from them. It isn't theft. (It is STILL against the law though).

 

[Grospoliner]

Let's see. You altered the .ini file, and that unlocked the DLC? You used no third party software to do this? If that is the case then it's a failure on EA's part to provide adequate security. If you didn't violate the EULA then no.

More importantly though, ha ha ha.

 

[Lucane]

Hi everyone, this is about Project Ten Dollar.

So, I recently bought Alice: Madness Returns when it was released some time ago on Steam. Well, I was told there was a neat little DLC that gave me extras. EA pushing Origin so hard and didn't put it on Steam so I couldn't buy it, this DLC is like most/all of EA's, it's following the Project Ten Dollar template.

For those that are unfamiliar with this, it's essentially EA having DLC on the disc/data you purchased. So you still pay for it, but instead of downloading it, they simply 'unlock it' for you. So, as it was, it was actually there, I just couldn't use it. Well, being on PC, I just changed the 'Engine.ini' file to 'unlock' it.

So, I was curious, would you consider this a theft?

I'd say it's more akin to breaking and entering a theme park that has a small locked off area for a little more money you gain access.

You've paid to get into the part you can ride all the rides(in the main sections) but 5 or so rides require extra money but can't be ridden on their own without entering the main park.You have 2 options in getting to that inner area either pay at the gate or hop the fence either way when you return to the main section you get a pass to return anytime so nothing of their's goes missing or taken but their rides are being used without you supporting their efforts to make them so again I'd say it's more like trespassing.

 

[Moochkin]

id say that since you purchased the disk then technically whatever is on that disk is then yours, and as such you can do what you like with it. What they have done there is akin to selling you a car and then charging you for the key to get into the thing.

 

[Dalek Caan]

Your good man. You paid for it, you now own it. Don't see why you should have to pay extra. Just hope EA doesn't track you down. They have eyes everywhere.

 

[Sikratua]

Ess-En-Aye- To the motherfuckin' Pee

He has the DLC. EA did not receive 10 dollars. Therefore, 10 dollars of EA's money is actual money missing from their coffers. That's not "potential." He did it. If he hired a locksmith to open a lock, and then never paid him for the work, it would be very similar to what he did to EA. All other issues in that can be argued back and forth until we're both blue in the face.

id say that since you purchased the disk then technically whatever is on that disk is then yours, and as such you can do what you like with it. What they have done there is akin to selling you a car and then charging you for the key to get into the thing.

You'd say that, and you'd be dead wrong. Software is not purchased outright. When a person purchases a video game, for instance, that person purchases the ability to play that game, as intended by the makers and owners of that intellectual property, for as long as the person owns the physical media upon which the game was originally sold.

By altering the code of the game, the person violates rulings on the books since 1989. (Nintendo V. Tengen) Furthermore, these rulings were given more strength by the rulings given in Sony v. Hotz, which were likely a major part of the reason for the settlement in that case. Frankly, Sony should have curb stomped the douchey little toad, as an example to all who might have follwed him. But, they showed mercy, and in doing so, became a major target for pretty well every hacker on the planet, for a time.

While I agree that a person should be able to play a game they purchased however they like, tyhat comes with one major caveat. "However they like" cannot infringe on anyone else's rights. Like it or not, and from the looks of this message board, the majority absolutely hate this, what the OP did infringed on EA's right to be paid for their work. Full fucking stop.

 

[Drizzitdude]

you bought the product you can do what you want with it as long as you don't redistribute it. You aren't hurting anyone else or anything so your fine.

 

[orangeapples]

Has anyone tried to bring a lawsuit to the gaming companies that try to do this?

Technically when you purchase a game disc you are buying the license to play the content on that disc. Modification to the content on that disc is technically not allowed by the EULA and is wrong. As I do not have copies of those games, I do not have a copy of the EULA on hand, but it is my understanding that they are not holding up their end of the EULA by locking out content which I'd say is illegal, if not a shady business practice.

 

[mew4ever23]

Anything and everything on the disc should be available at launch, no extra money required, bottom line. When it comes to steam and digital distribution, if you did not require an additional download to acquire the DLC, this applies.

Frankly, Project $10 seems targeted at used games anyway. The fact that EA's trying to pull this over digital is insane. If it was as simple as popping open a .ini and tweaking it, then by all means.

 

[Sikratua]

You're not getting this at all. He hasn't appropriated the $10, he's appropriated the DLC. EA's financial position is completely unaltered by this; they are not missing anything. And it is only potential, he may never have actually paid for it if he couldn't get it in this manner.

In your example there is an element of deprivation in the form of the wasted time and resources in completing the job. It would be more appropriate to think of it as if I went into your house, made a photocopy of the contents of a book but didn't take the book with me. You haven't lost or been deprived of anything so I haven't committed theft of the book. I've still committed an offence though, but it's not theft.

Well, in your example, if you were to do that, you would be depriving me of my printer paper and printer ink. Or, provided that you brought your own printer and paper, you'd still be depriving me of the money required to pay for the electricity used to power that printer. Eventually, in doing that, a person has stolen something.

"He may never have paid for the DLC." Legally, that has no bearing, whatsoever. There is no place in the law for "what a person would have done." There is, however, a place in the law for what the person actually did. He DID get that DLC. He DID do so without paying for it. He DID deprive EA of their 10 dollars, for something that he DID decide that he wanted. You're basing a defense on speculation. I'm basing an indictment on fact. How did you start your post? "You're not getting this at all."