Has anyone read this: "The Economy of Piracy", as in (video/pc game piracy)

http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html
from Sins Forums

I found this: 

http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html

posted on the Egosoft website in one of their discussion threads on DRM.  That thread carried on two pages before it was locked by the moderators there.  They have virtually zero tolerance for DRM or any DRM related discussions. 

 

I thought the article is interesting and a bit lengthy to put it mildly.  I was wondering if anyone including anyone from Stardock has read it.  It also discusses the merits of having DRM as a necessity to protect intellectual property vs, having none at all.  Also it raises the interesting issue of whether the decline in the production of quality pc game titles can be attributed solely at the feet of game piracy.

19,285 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

be careful here, there was alot of heat recently due to DRM vs. No DRM debates, lots of people turning to piracy because of Impulse and Stardock etc breaking its promise of no DRM whatever.

im just wondering what the purpose of this thread is? if its to start another DRM fight, please dont, if its to try and start a DRM debate or intellectual conversation, like i said, be very careful, because it will easily turn into a big fight.

my personal thoughts on the whole DRM thing: Crazy DRM makes it harder to play the game in order to prove legitimacy, while good DRM makes it harder (or, better yet, impossible) to copy the game, and, furthermore, play copied versions of a game. Impulse is not crappy DRM. it may not be good DRM, but its certainly not crappy, and Stardock/IC etc have every right to preotect their property as they see fit, if you have a problem with it, just think how you would feel if someone took money out of your pocket because it was easier/cheaper to pirate than buy the real thing

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I think if anyone is going to post in this thread they should be required to read your link in full.

The author did a wonderfull job of breaking down the debate (even as far as the root of the word pirate) using research and having sources to back up every claim.

Some things he wrote about (freeriders) I found quite interesting as I did not know even piracy itself suffers from the act of well piracy.

Well written

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Jedmonds24, reply 2
I think if anyone is going to post in this thread they should be required to read your link in full.

The author did a wonderfull job of breaking down the debate (even as far as the root of the word pirate) using research and having sources to back up every claim.

Some things he wrote about (freeriders) I found quite interesting as I did not know even piracy itself suffers from the act of well piracy.

Well written
End of Jedmonds24's quote

i stated that i did not have time to read the article, i was simply warning the OP that starting another DRM debate could be dangerous

i have time now, and will read the link, but like i said, starting another DRM thread, even one hoping to get some decent, civilised debate going, is in real danger of turning into another shitstorm (forgive my french)

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I think using Impulse to supply patches, and the need to register your game in Impluse is the way to go. If Stardock Games ever decide to use DRM they will loose me as a customer. I have had way to many difficulties with DRM.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

decent, civilised debate going
End of quote

No such thing exists on the internet :)

But yeah what you said does ring true,