One just needs to look at the effect of FFVII on the PS1's sales and Azzanation's piracy argument instantly falls flat. Not to mention, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and the best piece of evidence he provided is an anecdote without proving that his anecdote is representative of the entire video game market.

On emerging markets, he's right. Talking from first hand experience. I didn't know a single person that didn't have a pirated PS1 or PS2 in Venezuela. It's not a huge number by any means (I would say something like 10% of total sales? Probably less), but he isn't completely wrong.

And yet, those "exemplary successes" are the only games in the discussion for crossplay. So yeah, you're wrong. My most played game of 2016 and thus far in 2017 is Battleborn, a game well known for its lackluster sales. Yet, I've never had issues finding a game. Titanfall was talked about here as a huge flop. Yet I was always able to find a match. Evolve is another MP focused title that sold poorly. Yet I reached #3 on the world wide leaderboard as Goliath at one point because I never had issues finding games. Hell even Pit People, an early access turn based strategy game, no problems finding games.

What MP games do you play on Xbone?

On emerging markets, he's right. Talking from first hand experience. I didn't know a single person that didn't have a pirated PS1 or PS2 in Venezuela. It's not a huge number by any means (I would say something like 10% of total sales? Probably less), but he isn't completely wrong.

I am not saying piracy makes up for all of PS1 and PS2 sales however it was a boost to them. Many gamers brought them off the fact you can burn your games. Maybe where i am from it doesnt make up the market however guess what everyone got for there Xmas and Bday presents, Chipped PS1s. N64 sold less than half the PS1 yet N64 games had a high attach ratio also and there 1st party games matched and sold more than PS1 games. I have a brought version of FF7 after i got it free and it crashed. Upsetting as it was i went out and got a real copy. Take the Chipped PS1s away from the market and you will see a dent in the hardware sales. PS1 was also cluttered with shovelware and heaps more games so of course its going to sell more software than a console with less than half the install base and with alot less games to choose from. Also PS1 games were alot cheaper to buy. There are alot of aspects to this. I was finding PS1 games for $1 to $5 in Store bins. They were everywhere.

Whats crazy on sales figures is its not an even competition. Its just laughable how serious some people take them as if it means better or a championship trophy. I dont mind a good debate however its not a life and death situation here haha. Different tastes for different gamers.   

Not a knock on you but I can't help but wonder how skewed your and others perception might be about this. PS1 was in the 90s, and required a CD burner, a mod chip or specific cheat devices, but most importantly internet access at the. So emerging markets couldn't really play a major role in piracy for PS1 when many emerging markets didn't have consistent or reliable or widespread internet access at that time. I know that here in the states, Internet was not everywhere in the 90s and we were stuck on dial up 56k which is slow as molasses. There's just no way that piracy was really a factor, anywhere at the time. 10% would be massive to me. I'd argue that That percent is much much smaller, but the people who did pirate did so disproportionately.

Can't say I'm sure what all is required for pirating on the PS2 but THAT would require a DVD burner and probably DSL. Two things that also were still being developed and not entirely common.

Very minimal boost.

It totally make sense that you buy games for $1 but preffer to pirate a game in a age of very slow internet and that recordable CDs/DVDs would cost close to this $1 game.

And you being on VGC your claims should at least make you fell silly.

Most of the sales of any SW comes in the first 2 months at full price. So even with all the promotions and discounts discounted from the attach ratio it would probably reduce not much, would probably still be healthly above N64. And that isn't because of shovelware it's because of the very abundant variety of good SW on the system.

It was very easy to chip a PS1. They went to a shop to buy a PS1. Than they take it into an IT store and ask the guy to chip the PS1. $40 later you can now go to any market place and buy pirated PS1 games for bargin basement deals. Gamers didnt need to own a CD burner or have access to the Net. Once Chipped your in the market because now your PS1 reads burnt CDs. Thats all it is and all it takes and it was very cheap to do aswell. You honestly think the PS1 sold so well due to just being completely awesome? haha Same goes for PS2. They were pirate hungry machines which just about every one wanted one for where i am from.

And it was easy to obtain PS1 and PS2 burnt games as they were sold at any black market and discount bins. It was a common thrend which lead to many gamers buying one for the cheap games. Ever wonder why the N64 1st party games sold more than most PS1 titles on a console with less than half the install base? Theres your anwser. Nintendo hated piracy and knew that was the case with CDs hence why they stayed with cartidges.