Why piracy is such a bad thing.

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Author: HeavyBlade
Posted on 08/30/2004
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Read to find out why piracy is such a bad thing. XD

S

o... excited because you pirated yourself a working copy of RPGMaker XP?
I bet you are. But have you ever considered the ACTUAL effect of your actions? I ask that anyone guilty of the above at least read this modified exerpt from an IM conversation earlier.

It's time gamer's woke up to the fact that piracy has far worse effects then having popups, adware, and porn on web-sites.

By the request of the other user in the IM conversation, his/her name has been changed (to [Anonymous]) for privacy.

11:46 PM 8/29/2004 Instant Message Conversation via Trillian - AIM:

"HeavyBlade says:
do you know why piracy is such a problem for Enterbrain?

[Anonymous] says:
no.

HeavyBlade says:
you see, people program software. These people are paid wages varying on skill and time with a company. Investments are made into software to develop the program - ranging from simple needs like winrar for example, to engine licensing and whatnot. The building they work in must be financed as well. Any advertisements and the way the product is released also cost a great deal of money.

A company can easily spend over 10 million dollars making a product for the public.
Do you know what happens when that vast sum of money is not recovered through sales? The company takes a net loss, which in turn, apart from frustrating those who just want to share their games with the world and getting ripped off by those who refuse to pay for it,
greatly affects the companys financial future. Should this happen enough - the company will go bankrupt and all it's employee's put out of a job.
All because enough joe-shmoes couldn't dig out a couple of twenties for a game they wanted.
And this ignores the huge fact that the people working those jobs are people as well. They work, have families, have dreams, and they need that money to keep it all together.

HeavyBlade says:
Did you ever hear of a company called Looking Glass?

[Anonymous] says:
looking glass...
yah i have they made
...
RPGs

HeavyBlade says:
No...

[Anonymous] says:
i believe

HeavyBlade says:
They made Thief.

[Anonymous] says:
thats where i know them from

HeavyBlade says:
They made the Thief series.

[Anonymous] says:
and the first one was on the computer
and then they got it stolen
and pirates gave it
I know..... i have it
but I got it about a week ago

HeavyBlade says:
and as well, two of the best first person shooters ever made - which actually combined horror, action, and rpg all into a first person shooter.
These two games were called "System Shock" (1 and 2 respectively)

[Anonymous] says:
System Shock...
For what system?

HeavyBlade says:
PC. People's hearts and souls went into these games - much like yours into your games. Those two games became the most pirated games in history.
Sales crashed, and so did the company. Looking Glass no longer exists, it's employees finding refuge from unemployment hell in another company. That's why Thief 3 took so long in coming, and why the prospet of a System Shock 3 is close to nil.

[Anonymous] says:
system shock...
was it any good?

HeavyBlade says:
one of the best.

[Anonymous] says:
Um...
can i buy it somewhere

HeavyBlade says:
it surpasses halflife. And it was released before it.
I'll run a quick check.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004XRBM/102-5486320-4256930
or here: http://www.mobygames.com/game/sheet/gameId,590/

I'm not trying to make you feel like a heartless bastard.
My point, is that your clicking around does not deprive some evil corporate empire of a few dollars, as many seem to think the case may be. It punishes real people, with real dreams and families, who, if you met them, would probably earn a place among your friends."

My point is that you're doing much more then just getting a cool, free program and many people aren't necessarily aware of this. Worse still, some seem to think that it's only a few dollars off the top of an uncaring corporations surplus. People, no matter what the condition, where they work, or who they are, are still people like you and me. It may be hidden beneath a gruff exterior, or even a strict one, but it is always there.
Game purchasing is about the people, and giving credit where it's due for something utterly amazing. So, keep this in mind the next time your cursor hovers over that download link.

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