Games & Software Piracy

[Azreal_Reaper]

As you all are very aware of, the amount of Software piracy is getting out of hand. I do believe that the pirates are not always at fault, I have found a nasty trend that games distributors tend to do now.

Let me explain:

(Old Game)
Star Wars - Rebel Assault II:
- Comes with Double CD case with booklet/inlay
- Software discounts (without registration)
- Big chunky box (double thickness)
- Full Colour Manual + Tips/help sheets
Cost New: $69.95AU

(Old Game)
Knights of the Old Republic:
- Comes with a paper leaflet CD wallets (x4)
- No Software Discounts except in registration
- Paper manual B/W (IF included)
- Small box, thin cardboard.
Cost New: $99.95AU

Do you see something wrong here?
I do, the games companies are removing our incentive to buy hese games and are cheaping out all the time because they immediately persume that all of us are pirating low-life scum.
Software piracy occurs, but I've also noticed if a game is well made and comes with these incentives, it will be a major seller regardless of the piracy.

Take GTA: San Andreas, comes with a think book with maps, pictures, explanations, basically everything, in a suitable packaging for 79.95AU new. Sold Millions!!!

Let me just state that because a game costs alot of money to make doesn't mean they should cheap out on these incentives which may be a dollar or two extra.
Why would anyone buy a game if it comes in a paper sleeve, no manual and costs 3 times the price of common top shelve alcohol.

Get real game companies, your copy protection will only aggitate people, spend money on these incentives, then worry about the pirates. Stop taking the joy out of buying games.

[pop3_how?]

Yeah, I agree that games are too expensive. And some are also short and not worth the money. But on the other hand, it is the company right to do whatever they want. If you don't want to pay nobody forces you. You would just stop gaming.

[middle of post edited by Underheaven. Don't talk about warez]

The excuse players find about pircacy is the big amount of money you have to pay for games. Lets say the games are worth 10-20$. If you would buy 3-4 games a year, buy 1 and copy 3

[Azreal_Reaper]

No Excuses

Let me clarify,
I'm not suggesting that piracy is acceptable, quite the contrary, but I do realise that game companies are getting stupid with their budgeting and marketing.

All I'm saying is the pre & post production should follow in this order:

(1) Make the Game
(2) Test the Game
(3) End User Documentation (Manual/pictures/diagrams/maps)
(4) Product Box/CD/Inlay design (no sleeves!)
(5) Target Audience/Marketing (ads/promos)
(6) Acceptable Pricing according to Quality Achieved to Time to play.

You do have a point, games are rather short these days, but they are getting less repetitious which means games are achieve higher diversity and are reaching new forefronts of the human imagination.

Also, the cost it takes, the time it takes to make a game can be quite cumbersome, particularly when PC computers are continious developing newer and more impressive hardware which often mean users want more bang for their buck when they buy a game, I'm just saying they shouldn't ignore the little perks that make buying a game worthwhile, who doesn't love looking at original CD's and seeing colour manuals on their shelves with conceptual art inside?.

[metalica]

well I'm telling you one thing, as for this year is the last time I buy EA Sports Total club manager... and maybe any EA Sports game, just because they got a name they think they can release whatever they want... as for total club manager series the last one worth playing was total club manager 2004...yes 2004...As for these year I don't think it can even be called total club manager it totally sucks and its way far from what older versions of total club manager were... And besides that, has anyone tried playing it? its one bug after another, so here I would say to them to stop using clients as beta testers and pay for them cheap bast.... As for the database several names are wrong... and they don't have license of some leagues so...as managing game from this year onwards I will buy Football manager. The only highlight is the 3D simulator... but this is a managing game so...if I want a good simulation I would buy winning eleven or something like that...As you can see I'm pissed of, but with time you expect games to evolve, not the other way...(buy the waay, I uninstalled 2006, and I'm playing 2004...)