Piracy on Older Consoles

[SUMIRE]

Just to throw this out there (and not trying to say this in any way justifies piracy of such games), 'rights holders' is the key word here. The developers themselves get jack squat out of these new digital releases.

I'd be happy if when I bought a second hand game, some of the money went to the original people that made it, but it is not my fault they never thought of stuff like that when they raked in all the cash back in the day. Maybe they should have added a premium on the original price to take it into account? ..maybe they did.

I always prefer to buy originals as I like to play them on the original hardware.

[sj33]

I'd rather get something for my money. And I can't put downloaded content in my PC Engine now can I? (Well, I can, now, kinda.)

I was being slightly facetious of course. I was trying to highlight the inconsistency when people wax lyrical about the damage done to the industry through downloading of retro titles (due to money not going to the rights holders), yet this also does not happen when we buy the same retro game in it's original, legitimate format.

I'm not trying to argue in support of downloading - I purchase all my games legitimately. But I'm not convinced that many of the arguments against downloading really hold up to scrutiny.

[speedlolita]

While I agree, I don't think I'd really care if the game industry completely packed it in tomorrow.

[Kaido]

Think it's more to do with hurting the industry and I'm sure job's have been lost because of it - independents closing etc

I torrent because a few of the shows I watch take ages to appear on UK tv like Grimm but I end up buying boxed sets of what I enjoy

I used to buy pirates in my younger days because I could t afford it and haven't bought a pirate game for years now

But again it's the OP's choice but I don't think he intends on tracking down what he wants to play so downloads it instead

Any torrents, downloads where the IP is owned infringes copyright no matter how old it is it's just and always is an ethical debate - nothing more

Email Nintendo telling them you are downloading games and I'm sure they will be alright about it

Games are so cheap on virtual networks like PSN that there isnt really an excuse Anymore except you just don't want to pay any money for them

Don't get me wrong, I buy almost all my games (my wii is not modded) but I do it because it is easier and I can afford it. Sometimes I download free games or those with advertising. Sometimes I even donate to a project or preorder something way in advance. There was a time I found it easier the other way, and that shows progress towards some ideal.

Show me an independent studio shutting and I'll show you EA's marketing budget. Independents that fail do so because of their market strategy, software priorities and failure to adapt.

I don't see any moral issue with pirating something if you feel it is easier than obtaining it legally. Although I do think that if 'the man' sues you for a small sum or your machine is flooded with malware then that is what you chose to expose yourself to. For some people that is more than worth the risk and I can appreciate that.

A homeless man is technically stealing from the dumpster and a beekeeper is technically stealing from the bees. Sometimes that doesn't make him a thief.

[dvdx2]

wow - some real changing attitudes to piracy. If some of these comments had been posted 5+ years ago on ntsc-uk, there would have been up-roar...

[EvilBoris]

While I agree, I don't think I'd really care if the game industry completely packed it in tomorrow.

Kernow Lite : Reduced Sugar, More Pessimism

[endo]

A homeless man is technically stealing from the dumpster and a beekeeper is technically stealing from the bees. Sometimes that doesn't make him a thief.

Maybe technically there's a point to be made about stealing from dumpsters, but stealing honey from bees? Whuh? So we're all guilty of stealing milk from cows then too?

[dvdx2]

Kernow Lite : Reduced Sugar, More Pessimism

lol - perhaps jocking for 'rllmuk personality' status?

[EvilBoris]

Show me an independent studio shutting and I'll show you EA's marketing budget. Independents that fail do so because of their market strategy, software priorities and failure to adapt.

I'd agree with that, as lovely as it would be for every game to be super original and varied, the problem is the market doesn't accept certain types of games very well and the cost invloved in producing the games means they can't take risks.

Even on this forum where I imagine we consider ourselves to have superior tastes over the average gamer will still veto certain titles for being "too expensive" in favour of those AAA yearly titles with super marketing budgets and the shiniest graphics, which many of the same people are happy to buy at full price.

The current crossover that is happening with "indie" games appearing on Steam,XBLA etc will burst, just like it has on IOS where only a select few titles make it because the bar gets raised so high in quality that selling your game at a price which is appropriate for the costs invloved in production means that consumers refuse to purchase, that along with the constant sales which mean that people expect everything at a discount/free.

I'm sure the same thing will happen with PSN+ too, where sales of new Digital only games will plummet, because people expect them for free.

[speedlolita]

Kernow Lite : Reduced Sugar, More Pessimism

Deal with it.

[ItsThere]

Play nicely people.

This is a touchy subject, if a mature discussion can't be had there can be no discussion at all.

[egparadigm]

The problem is, with all of the releases on Wii VC, XBL and PSN you could well be pirating a game that is readily available and does offer a revenue stream to the rights holders.

Yes, Harry, I think to be in the clear morally you need to publish a list of the games you've pirated so we can all check that you're not pirating something available via such services!

I don't bother with pirating because I really never sit down and play it if I haven't paid for it. Most stuff is available very cheaply and can be traded in or sold on once complete.

[JSR]

Why pirating old software is still wrong:

1. You're devaluing the original products out there. By downloading and making use of a product, you lessen the demand for the original copy, making the real cartridges/discs out there less worth than they should be.

2. By lessening the demand for the actual game on trading sites, the games popularity is less prolific, and is hurting the chances of the game being distributed digitally/getting a sequel/remastered/getting known by more people etc.

3. By downloading and playing a pirated game, you suddenly spend time being entertained by a product you should not otherwise have. Decreasing the need and want for new retail games, or even your original backlog. You can instead spend all your time being entertained by old games you have not paid a cent for, and ignoring actual paid content altogether.

4. By downloading and playing old games you are keeping the demand for that pirated software up, making it easier for others to also do the same as you.

5. By downloading and playing old games you are contributing to a culture and philosophy that says such behaviour is ok.

6. By downloading and playing old games you are getting desensitised to the worth of a game. By having a massive collection of content to choose from, you feel less of an attachment to it and less responsibility to actually make an effort in the games. They become throwaway experiences.

7. By downloading and playing pirated games you are breaking the law.

[MonkeyJuggleDX]

I used to get the odd PS1 copy and I'd torrent PS2 stuff when I had my HDL setup, but now there is no appeal in it. Why have a copy? Most titles on older systems are cheap enough. In fact, I've re-purchased some of my favourite retro titles lately for pittance.

Namco Classic on the GB cost me about 8p, I got Jumping Flash 1 & 2 on PS1 for about 17p. Much more worth it than having a burned CD-R on your shelf.

I could download all the Famicom games on my Xperia Play, but it's not the same. Nothing gives the same level of gaming satisfaction as playing an original game on the original hardware, hence me spending a ridiculous amount on a new AV Famicom. Silly money for an 8bit system, but worth every penny to me.

Also, as previous posts have mentioned, with pirated software, it's so easy to download a bazillion titles, but once you have, you just can't be arsed to play any of them.

When I had over 400 Super Famicom games about 11 years ago, I spent more time choosing what to play than actually playing them. Earlier this year I had over 100 PS3 games, now I'm down to 26 in my 'collection' and about the same again in my 'play through once before it goes to CEX' pile.

[dvdx2]

Why pirating old software is still wrong:

1. You're devaluing the original products out there. By downloading and making use of a product, you lessen the demand for the original copy, making the real cartridges/discs out there less worth than they should be.

2. By lessening the demand for the actual game on trading sites, the games popularity is less prolific, and is hurting the chances of the game being distributed digitally/getting a sequel/remastered/getting known by more people etc.

3. By downloading and playing a pirated game, you suddenly spend time being entertained by a product you should not otherwise have. Decreasing the need and want for new retail games, or even your original backlog. You can instead spend all your time being entertained by old games you have not paid a cent for, and ignoring actual paid content altogether.

4. By downloading and playing old games you are keeping the demand for that pirated software up, making it easier for others to also do the same as you.

5. By downloading and playing old games you are contributing to a culture and philosophy that says such behaviour is ok.

6. By downloading and playing old games you are getting desensitised to the worth of a game. By having a massive collection of content to choose from, you feel less of an attachment to it and less responsibility to actually make an effort in the games. They become throwaway experiences.

7. By downloading and playing pirated games you are breaking the law.

Some interesting points, and sorry, but quite abit of codswallop too....