StarCraft 2 Pirated More Than 2.3M Times

[turbolover22]

[citation][nom]waynewarrior78[/nom]I really can not stand the argument that "Ill pirate it and then Ill pay for it if I like it!" That is horse crap. I cant go to 711, steal a coke, drink half of it, then decide to go back in and pay for it........[/citation]


Oh, but you can!!

 

[Guest]

shiboe, I agree that pirating is wrong. However, what is also wrong is making the legitimate customer pay for it with things like online-only play and no LAN support. I don't pirate, but I certainly don't buy games that have BS DRM schemes on them. Piracy is going to happen, regardless of what they do. They just need to focus on (1) making a great game (2) offer some cool incentive when you purchase a legitimate copy (3) give the paying customer the freedom to do what he/she wants.

 

[shiboe]

[citation][nom]try55n[/nom]shiboe, I agree that pirating is wrong. However, what is also wrong is making the legitimate customer pay for it with things like online-only play and no LAN support. I don't pirate, but I certainly don't buy games that have BS DRM schemes on them. Piracy is going to happen, regardless of what they do. They just need to focus on (1) making a great game (2) offer some cool incentive when you purchase a legitimate copy (3) give the paying customer the freedom to do what he/she wants.[/citation]

I agree to some extent, but at least with software, everything is moving towards cloud computing and online interoperability anyways. There was a time when I would be absolutely pissed to be required online to play, but these days, I can hardly find a situation where I'm using an offline computer.

Music however, I completely agree. The last CD I purchased (focus on "last") had DRM that stealth installed a virus that would corrupt playing non-DRM music. That was bull and the result is me not buying another CD. Ever. Games haven't gotten to that yet, and at least with SC2 there is reason/motivation to be online.

More than anything, I understand the need to implement some form of anti-piracy measures (online req.) to, at the very least, force software thieves to jump through a few hoops. Provide enough hoops and opportunity for consequence, and it becomes a motivating factor NOT to steal. It's definitely a balance though with impacting the legitimate costumers' experience, and one that weighs heavily on every production.

 

[frederico]

[citation][nom]bmouse[/nom]I gave up paying for DRM crippled software after I bought GTA IV. You can't just play the game, you have to sign up for a 'Games for windows live' account. I have stopped playing it because of all the hassle involved in just getting into the game. Soooo, why should I waste my money when I can have a similarly cumbersome experience for free? I feel no remorse in torrenting shitty software that treats even paying customers like pirates. At least then it makes sense to be treated that way.[/citation]

Wow, and the stupid just keeps coming. Dude, what on earth are you talking about the crappy bloatware GTA for?

You logged into this website to post, you just log into Starcraft 2, same thing, "but... but.. DRM..." - there is no freaking drm, just login, like this site, like WoW, jesus people

 

[techguy911]

[citation][nom]frederico[/nom]Wow, and the stupid just keeps coming. Dude, what on earth are you talking about the crappy bloatware GTA for? You logged into this website to post, you just log into Starcraft 2, same thing, "but... but.. DRM..." - there is no freaking drm, just login, like this site, like WoW, jesus people[/citation]

Do you realize that there are millions of americans that don't have access to the internet, while the internet is available in most cities it still does not reach people far from cities.
Having a drm that relies on the internet is silly i have customers that buy software they live 20 miles outside the city they do not have access to the internet or cell phones.

Population North America : 344,157,450
number with internet access: 266,244,500
-----------
77,912,950 number without internet service

So close to 80 million cannot play starcraft 2 because of drm.
I would say that is nice slice left out from sales because of drm.

 

[frederico]

[citation][nom]techguy911[/nom]77,912,950 number without internet service.. So close to 80 million cannot play starcraft 2 because of drm.I would say that is nice slice left out from sales because of drm.[/citation]

Holy cow, just.. holy cow

What percentage of gamers do not have the internet? lets give it a figure, like 5%. Lets be unrealistic.. 10%. Remember now.. 'gamers'.

How many copies of SC2 were sold? about 3 million. Does it have DRM? yes. How many times pirated? ...

..

2.3 million times.

What on earth would that number be if there was no DRM?

Now you were mentioning 'lost sales'..?

jesus

 

[techguy911]

Question is did drm work?....nope wasted money anything besides annoying people who bought it and have problems due to drm.

 

[shiboe]

[citation][nom]techguy911[/nom]Question is did drm work?....nope wasted money anything besides annoying people who bought it and have problems due to drm.[/citation]

Well that was just about the dullest argument I've ever seen made. For your consideration: 1) Proving a negative... not really possible. 2) When did something have to work in 100% of cases to be considered a success? If that is our parameters, everything that has ever been made is a failure.

 

[dustcrusher]

I wouldn't have a problem with piracy if most pirates either purchased or deleted the games they torrented.

That said, software companies need to stop believing that copy protection and DRM are effective deterrents- you can't put that cat back into the bag. The emerging trend of offering extra stuff or discounts for buying new is going to be more effective in the long run.