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twesterm on 09 August 2008
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Onyxmeth said:
twesterm said:
Actually, as bitchy as I am about pirating I'm fine with used and borrowed games.

With used games, you're still paying for them at least and the game is still getting a sale. That sale at least tells the developer it's still popular and people like the game. True, I would much rather you buy it new but I can completely understand buying used games. Buying used games is no different than buying second hand furniture or anything like that.

As for borrowing games, I don't have a problem with that. With borrowers, I assume it's between two people that both regularly buy games. Again, I'd much rather the person just buy the game but I completely don't mind people borrowing.

Now making copies, that is completely different. There's a fine fine line and that is crossing it.

I agree there's a line, but your argument against pirating doesn't support the relevance of crossing that line. I asked you because you were hell bent to prove that this affects the pockets of game developers and yet you seem ok with more pressing matters to your own wallet, like the used games market. It's not that I'm saying used games and pirating games are in the same boat, but in regards to your arguments against pirating they surely are.

The truth of the matter is, pirating isn't stealing. If it were stealing they would call it that. Pirating, as someone already pointed out, is illegal sharing. Walking into a store and filling games down your pants is stealing. Pirating is a grey line, that may or may not be stealing depending on the person. Only if the person would have bought the game otherwise does it really count as stealing, because you're not actually getting the exact same product they sell in stores. It's a copy.

To break this down, do you have any problems with a game owner making a single back-up copy of a game they paid for? If no, then I ask, do you have a problem with that same person giving his single back-up to a friend to keep?

 

The used game market is a little fuzzy but I'm fine with it because:

  1. The game is still being sold and shows that people want this game.  When a publisher sees a game sells well it looks good for that developer and means they will want to work with them more and be more flexible for their next game.
  2. You're still paying for the game which is still a far step from paying nothing for it.  Like I said, I would rather you buy the game new because I get the money but buying used still makes me happy because at least you're still respecting the developers.
  3. If there was in fact something wrong with selling used games, it would be just as illegal as pirating games.

And I don't care if you make a backup of a game you own for backup's sake.  You can even let your friend hold it as long as they don't play it.  If they want to play the game let them play your original (or whatever your play copy is) or make them buy it.

Also, pirating is not a gray line.  It is not some opinion and wrong depending on the person, it is just flat out wrong.  People give stupid reason after stupid reason to justify it but that doesn't make it right.  Even the excuse you gave up there about the person not buying it is bullshit (I'll get into why tomorrow if you want me to but I'm tired at the moment) and just another justification.