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Software pirates – not as cool as Johnny Depp.<\/em><\/p>\n
So the practical reasons for piracy are obvious, but what about moral obligations? The fact is, no one is losing sleep over pirating games. It is often discussed freely and openly, and people will freely share games without embarrassment or scruples. Piracy has become accepted to the point where many people don’t even think about it anymore. The same can be said of speeding, or in some cases drunk-driving. It’s dangerous and against the law, but people will often admit to it without much thought. Contrast that with how many people would freely admit that they shoplifted the shirt they’re wearing.<\/p>\n
The problem here is circular – piracy isn’t morally questionable to people because everyone is doing it – and everyone is doing it because it isn’t morally questionable. People’s morality is entirely socially constructed – they think something is wrong because everyone else does, and that is what they’ve learned is “wrong”. Unfortunately, piracy has been paintedas “okay” by a large majority of people who spew the same rationalizations in forums, to their friends and in comments sections like some kind of hive-mind propaganda machine.<\/p>\n
So how do we stop it? Quite simply, we can’t. People have been pirating video games since their inception, and will continue to do so. Many companies have simply abandoned strict DRM attempts, as even those touted as “unbreakable” have their fortresses overrun within days.
Campaigns such as this sprung up all over the internet in response to harsh DRM which punishes consumers who purchase legally; DRM which was easily circumvented by crackers anyway.<\/p>\n
Arguably the best logistical counter to piracy is to include features which cannot be accessed without a valid copy. A big part of this is online Multiplayer, which most pirated games do not have access to. Games such as Modern Warfare 2, with enormous piracy numbers, also have enormous sales numbers because people who enjoy the pirated game become hungry for access to the online component.<\/p>\n
What really needs to be combated, however, is the absurd sense of entitlement pervasive amongst pirating gamers. Many of these people have rationalized their piracy for so long that they actually start to believe it. It’s been said before, but I’ll say it once more: playing video games is not a right, it’s a privilege. The amount of money, effort and hours put into a top title easily justifies its price. If you pirate games now, try and stop, and try and discourage others.<\/p>\n
If you continue to pirate games, so be it, but at the very least be honest with yourself about it, and feel a little shame when you open that torrent.<\/p>\n