I agree that any media or form of entertainment is not a "privilege". Too many people seem to think they deserve things for free because companies are "evil". I don't know when creating jobs became evil - but whatever.
Although, I also understand the idea of letting some profit slide to generate cheap marketing. If I compose music, but no one hears it - I don't have the chance to create a fan base. However, as you said - there is a limit to that - and I have the right as the composer to demand compensation for my work.
Gamers like to accuse companies of not giving out demos - they do have a legitimate point there. But there is a way around the absence of demos.
Game reviews (both amateur and professional) are all over the internet after a game release. With minimal effort - I can find a way to spend my money wisely. So the whole "I bought a crappy game" complaint is due to them not researching before handing out their money. Those who Pre-Order have to accept that 50/50 gamble without whining.
As for what Pirates gain - I personally think it's bragging rights. Lets say a company delays a game release to add the "most advanced DRM". The pirates are going to specifically target that game to humiliate the company. And since the DRM makes the customers so miserable - they are lauded on the internet.
Whereas a game like "the Witcher" has no DRM...thus pirating it less of an achievement. Plus, the fans will verbally evicerate anyone who admits to pirating the game online.
That's why I think the way to fight piracy is to literally ignore them and cater to each and every game fan. Then those fans will in turn punish anyone who dares to brag about getting the game for free.
@robbristow Thanks for the detailed explanation. I get how that type of free distribution can work as a cheap marketing tool. I admit that I am overly touchy about people downloading games or music for free without considering the people who had to make it.
For example - sharing or borrowing CD's - I'm only fine with that if the person "borrowing" the media really purchases the CD if they like it. But I've seen too many people just "borrow" something long term. Or download a pirated game - just to "try" it. Then they never follow through with their initial promise.
So yeah - I see the benefit and the logic behind your argument...but I still have a problem with downloading with the "intent" to buy. Simply because what is said...and what actually happens are often very different.
@robbristow @stev69 @Gbullet "...it's still not strictly speaking theft". Really? So unless it's a physical object - you can't steal it? As a musician - I understand the level of effort and time that goes into composing, recording, and performing music. So what? The products of my labor are worthless because it's not "technically theft"?
Seems like an attempt to justify bad behavior by bending words to your meaning. Your are stealing someone's intellectual property. Think of the person who put the time in - you are robbing that person.
Thieves love to accuse the "evil" company or industry. But within each company are individuals filled with creativity. Those individuals are the ones who get hurt.
Piracy is wrong - no question. But gaming companies have taken the wrong approach to piracy.
DRM is meant to punish pirates. However, DRM only really affects the paying consumer. Fun things like always online checks for games without multiplayer. Every honest game player has been subjected to some sort of security nuisance.
So why on earth do I have to be punished for buying the game legally? And developers have the audacity to ask why piracy increases? Developers love to call pirates idiots - I suggest there is plenty of idiocy to go around on both sides.
So what is the answer? Look at what some indie game developers do. They deliberately remove DRM and treat their paying customers like royalty. Some of their fans are so eager to support the company - they'll buy 3 copies of the game. Sure piracy will still be there, but thieves exist in every industry.
What developers should focus on is how to maximize the quality and service given to paying customers to encourage them to support the studio long term.
If they don't - they'll be out of business. It's not like the "end of the gaming world". Quite simply - the smaller indie developers will be successful and create a new gaming industry.
I gotta admit - it's hard to spend our already limited time on a game without real purpose. Having a starting point and an ending point is essential for many activities in life (not just games). Even musical form has a distinct harmonic structure that constantly pulls the listener to the final conclusion or destination of the musical phrase.
That being said - I like the idea of making gamers use their senses to experience a game world. Without the distraction of quests, combat, or puzzles - you are encouraged to utilize more complex brain functions than - go to point A or B - or kill monster A or B.
Still...I can't find much reason to play this personally. Even if I got it really cheap - I'd rather spend my time to take a walk in the real world. After all - time is the universal nonredeemable resource. And this seems like a waste of my time.
This game made me think of the famous anime "Gundam Wing" - but there was a team of mechs working together in that story. And the plotline and character development justified the combat in the anime.
I might pick this up at a steep discount, but without a plot or meaningful characters...it holds little interest for me.
I'm still having trouble with snitches. I used the smoke bombs - but there is still only one snitch present. There are two during the alley running scene. But only one during the fight scene.
Is this a specific PC Version bug? Is anyone using a console having the same problem?
Thanks for the explanation. This game may have been "built...to be difficult and satisfying" - but already cheaters seem to already be stealing bragging rights. That might be why the company is proposing easy mode (to cut down on cheating).
This is why I hate MMO's. All of this emphasis on getting online "rep" - when the cheaters simply ruin it.
There is a reason I prefer to be anti-social with my gaming. Give me single-player...let me play the game my way. Hard or Easy.
I get enough of real people in my daily life. That's what I use games to escape from.
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