Why do people think it's ok to pirate games?

[Canadamus Prime]

One reason I could think of that one might pirate games, or any software for that matter, would be to metaphorically say "fuck you" to the greedy exploitative corporations that make them.
...I'm not saying I do that, I'm just saying that might be a reason one might pirate games and/or software.

 

[Nivag the Owl]

Because the goddamn disc is broken for the PS1, and I want to play Legend of Mana again damn it.

Nah.

[HEADING=2]EVEN IF YOU OWN THE GAME, DOWNLOADING A ROM OF IT IS STILL ILLEGAL![/HEADING]

Hmm. I feel like you're trying to tell me something. The message isn't quite clear. Stop being so cryptic, Onyx! I can't decipher this crazy gibberish so I'm gonna go about my business for now.

 

[Cody211282]

if you know there's a 'shop' where they give you anything you want for free and nobody is going to arrest you or even make you pay a fine, even though you know it's illegal, you'd probably go there.

I wouldn't I hate to sound like a morally uptight ass but it's still wrong, even if everyone is doing it and no one cares it's still wrong. Just because It's easy doesn't make it right.

 

[Kiriona]

Well, I don't have much money to spend, for one thing, and piracy = FREE. Although for games, it woud depend on what kind of game... I buy console games. Don't pirate console games unless you want to hassle with a mod chip and all this DRM bullshit.

My other reason is because these greedy ass companies and artists REALLY need to learn that their assholes are NOT lined with gold, and they don't need to make millions of dollars a year so they can buy the moon, or enough cocaine to give them a heart attack, especially when the economy is in shambles.

That's my opinion, anyway...

 

[ImprovizoR]

Well, it's OK if the company is already treating you like a criminal like Ubisoft. The way I see it, with companies like these no matter what you do you are labeled a pirate. So better to be labeled a pirate and not spend money, then be labeled a pirate and give them your money. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[sogortheogre]

I don't think pirating most games is right; but, I would take exception to games that are no longer produced and you can only get from eBay or the likes; for example, I downloaded Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries, but only because Microsoft doesn't actually sell it anymore.

 

[hey_iknowyou]

My take on pirating is it's ok if you'd never be willing to pay for whatever your pirating. For example, I download films and that, I rarely buy DVD's though so I don't see how I'm stealing anything. I'm providing myself with some entertainment that I wouldn't ever be paying for anyway. If there was a particular film that I really enjoyed and watched regularly I'd usually end up buying it anyway, therefore the way I look at it me downloading films is not costing the film industry anything as it is always something that I wouldn't pay for anyway if that makes any sense.

Games I pay for all the time so I'd feel worse downloading a game so I don't ever do it. The only exceptions I can think of are old abandoned games that aren't being sold anymore and are legally available for download from various sites.

 

[Captain Ninja]

i hate people who pirate games. when i see people who have pirated them i usually look at them with disgust.
the idea that a developer team spends X amount of years to create a game, its not right of fair that people get it for free.

 

[Floppertje]

I didn't say it was right it's not. but if you wouldn't buy the game if you couldn't pirate it, they're not missing your money are they? they wouldn't get it either way. most of the money goes to publishers anyway as far as I know, and they don't even deserve it.
But if I really like a game, I'll buy it even if I've already pirated it. same goes for music and films. If I like it enough, I buy it cause I place value in authenticity.

 

[wordsmith]

My line of thinking is since you didn't pay for it your stealing, and well stealing is wrong and a criminal action thus don't pirate game.

And your line of thinking is incorrect. If Piracy was stealing, it would be classed as theft, and so if you got caught you'd face the same penalty as if you'd lifted a game from a shop. It's not. That's why there's a law against what's called "Copyright infringement". It's a different crime, therefore there is a different definition and it is dealt with by a different law. But no, it is not stealing.

The difference (because I know you're crying that question out) is this: If I steal a car, I remove the possibility of the showroom selling that car to someone else, and so I cost them that sale. If (strictly as an example, not encouraging, endorsing or supporting piracy, Mrs Moderator) I decide to pirate say... The Saboteur for PC. If I didn't intend to pay for it in the first place, the company hasn't LOST any money, they never stood to gain it in the first place. They can still go out and sell it to people, I've not removed that from them.

To put it in perspective, if you could found someone who could take apart cars, find out how they worked, then put them back together and created exact copies of them (except say, for example, without the automatic braking system that kicks in if you drive over 40mph), then offered you one for free, would you seriously be standing there going "Oh noes, I can't possibly do that!"?

To be honest, Pokemon probably has one of the best DRM features- R4 Flashcarts are rampant with DS owners, and you know how they made sure people bought the game? You can't use the Pokewalker or the trading system unless you've got the IR chip that's in the top of the card.

 

[ragestreet]

It's free, easy, and fun. That's all I need.

Also what makes pirating games any different from music, movies, or TV shows? I'm still not giving my money to the people who make those but you don't seem to have problems with that.

 

[KingTiger]

Well...let me explain from an Arabian country's perspective.

Downloading an original game would cost zero thanks to the unlimited net connection, while buying an original game(100 bucks max) would cost what I used to pay to study one subject(local price) in the national University.

also, that is equal to a month's food costs for a person. So what to do when companies treat you like a golden goose? Pirate the game which you cant afford.

From meeting people in my high school and Uni....about 100% will pirate instead of depriving themselves from food. its either pirate or no game/movie/music. so it only makes sense for them to pirate. the mentality is "why pay for something when you can get it for free"

Practically every gamer I met so far pirates regularly. And yes its very beneficial to have those as friends. You dont feel any guilt...only a big sense of accomplishment.

 

[Wickedshot]

So it's wrong to share ideas or spread the word, and only an evil person would, for instance, make copies of bread and fish to give out for free, since it devalues the products of bakers and fishermen?
WWJD?

 

[kurupt87]

Pirating is seen as ok because:
-in most cases a pirate wouldn't buy the game anyway, even if he wasn't a pirate
That is for the actual pirating of a game you do not own. For those who would buy the game, but choose to pirate it, then you are a thief, and that is wrong.

For the "pirating" that is letting family/friends play your game, downloading ROMs of games you own for different gaming platforms, I can't think of a reason why it isn't ok.

 

[twasdfzxcv]

i hate people who pirate games. when i see people who have pirated them i usually look at them with disgust.
the idea that a developer team spends X amount of years to create a game, its not right of fair that people get it for free.

Can I assume that you've never borrowed a CD, never watched a movie at your friends' places and never used public library? Cause it'd be wrong to take away from the artist for free.

 

[ImprovizoR]

whoever is making Crysis 2

LOL, Why Crysis 2? Because it's not a PC exclusive anymore?

 

[ragestreet]

i hate people who pirate games. when i see people who have pirated them i usually look at them with disgust.
the idea that a developer team spends X amount of years to create a game, its not right of fair that people get it for free.

Can I assume that you've never borrowed a CD, never watched a movie at your friends' places and never used public library? Cause it'd be wrong to take away from the artist for free.

Oh he's probably done all of those but it's okay because he's special.