[citation][nom]smalltime0[/nom]Isn't there a no return policy on console games as well? Of course, and its the same with PC games, if the products faulty then you can return it...[/citation]
Exactly. Some people buy a game, have an issue with it and return it. The next time they go to purchase a game, they get scared and just DL a hacked version instead. The non-return policy on retail is likely a direct reason people started pirating in the first place.
If a CD and a little packaging is under a buck, why can't they accept returns on $50-60 games? I would think that some company out there ought to start sticking a "returnable!" sticker on their games. If a game is good, I'll keep it. Being able to send in a scratched disc for a replacement is a nice service thing too.
If a game company is willing to "put themselves out there" for the consumer, they may just find that people warm up to them and respect them by not pirating their games. Respect has to start somewhere. I'm waiting for a game developer to stand up and say "we're willing to take risks, we will make original games and polish them before release, we won't use DRM and we're willing to trust you if you will honor us by not pirating our games."
Of course, there will always be a lot of low-grade people who have no morals and see piracy as a right. But there are a lot of older gamers who actually do desire to return things to the way they once were.