And the Most-Pirated Game of 2010 Is...

[V8 Ninja]

I love how Red Steel 2 had more illegal downloads than actual sales. It gives hope to humanity. (sick)

 

[Lordmarkus]

I know that a pirated version of Starcraft 2 won't let ypu play online, is it the same with Bad Company 2?

OT: The fact that Mass Effect 2 gets pirated over 3 million times makes me just downward sad since it's something rare as a multiplattform game with a competent PC-part and not a straight up port.

Let's just face it, triple A single player games on the PC is just idiotic at this point. I have a lot of friends that play on the PC but all of them pirate the single player games since they don't face any reprisal in form of gimped multiplayer. Asshats...

 

[John Funk]

It's true that not every download is a lost sale, but I'm going to carry on and make the same tired arguments based on that point regardless.

Edit and emphasis mine. People are well aware of the issue by now, do we really need to see the subject in half the articles the Escapist puts out?

I wasn't aware that pointing out "It must really suck to be a developer of a game that was very important to the survival of your studio [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102027-Remedy-Blames-Stiff-Competition-for-Poor-Alan-Wake-Sales] - and to see millions of people downloading and playing it for free" counted as an argument. It's an observation, and one that's very relevant to the subject at hand. I see no reason to complain.

 

[LWS666]

Look at how much higher the rate of piracy is on PC. Entitled geeks will steal anything if they feel they deserve it.

you sure it's not because it's alot easier to pirate on the PC, aswell as alot harder to detect them?

 

[OANST]

OT: Notice that none of the games in the top 5 for any of the systems has been a financial failure, in any sense of the word. One of these days, people are going to realize that while there may be some negative impact from piracy, it's nothing compared to what the various affected industries claim it is. And people actually believe that used sales are as bad as or worse than the imaginary bugaboo of piracy? We really need to quit buying industry spin. As consumers, the industry is not our friend. No industry is.

While it's undoubtedly true that the video game industry isn't in this for hugs and pats on the back, that doesn't necessarily make them the enemy. Besides, as the article states, the people who are negatively effected by the theft of their product aren't the ceo's. It's the people who spent two to five years building something for you to enjoy. And at the end of the day, even if you don't think that your couple of dollars matter, you can at least be a decent human being and show your appreciation for their hard work by paying for the product like an adult.

 

[sosolidshoe]

It's true that not every download is a lost sale, but I'm going to carry on and make the same tired arguments based on that point regardless.

Edit and emphasis mine. People are well aware of the issue by now, do we really need to see the subject in half the articles the Escapist puts out?

I wasn't aware that pointing out "It must really suck to be a developer of a game that was very important to the survival of your studio [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102027-Remedy-Blames-Stiff-Competition-for-Poor-Alan-Wake-Sales] - and to see millions of people downloading and playing it for free" counted as an argument. It's an observation, and one that's very relevant to the subject at hand. I see no reason to complain.

I'm not going to argue this with you, the last time you just had me suspended, I'd rather stick around; the chaps in P&R can handle a debate without resulting to modding opposing opinion.

 

[John Funk]

I'm very hurt by this article, where are the numbers for PS3 piracy? No love for the PS3, how sad.

PS3, as far as I know, is still mostly secure.

 

[Phoenix09215]

The fact people have pirated Alan Wake instead of buying it has annoyed me. One of my favourite games of the year that never really got the recognition it deserved (possibly because it was an Xbox 360 exclusive). Well, selfish people pirating it rather than buying it is another reason why they couldn't make a sequel...

That remind me, I should really get some money so I can download the DLC >.>

 

[John Funk]

It's true that not every download is a lost sale, but I'm going to carry on and make the same tired arguments based on that point regardless.

Edit and emphasis mine. People are well aware of the issue by now, do we really need to see the subject in half the articles the Escapist puts out?

I wasn't aware that pointing out "It must really suck to be a developer of a game that was very important to the survival of your studio [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102027-Remedy-Blames-Stiff-Competition-for-Poor-Alan-Wake-Sales] - and to see millions of people downloading and playing it for free" counted as an argument. It's an observation, and one that's very relevant to the subject at hand. I see no reason to complain.

I'm not going to argue this with you, the last time you just had me suspended, I'd rather stick around; the chaps in P&R can handle a debate without resulting to modding opposing opinion.

There's a difference between a debate and insulting/flaming. If you've learned the difference, you're more than welcome to discuss it here without fear of reprisal. If you haven't learned to argue without being rude, then you aren't - it's as simple as that.

Either way, it doesn't change the truth of what I said: It really does suck to see more pirates playing your game than actual paying customers. That's an observation, not an argument.

 

[maantren]

I guarantee you this: the first time you ever put blood, sweat and tears into making something good, put it up for sale, then see it stolen by 95% of the people who claim to be your fans, your views on piracy will harden. It's literally a visceral shock to realize just how blindly two-faced a lot of these people are, mainly IMO because they have no idea what it means to produce something rather than just consume.

Cheers

Colin

 

[Wintermoot]

how do they what was pirated?

 

[Kill100577]

"IF" i was to pirate games i would definately go and buy them but only if i enjoyed them. I...know someone...who pireted mass effect 1&2 and has recently brought them because HE said they are incredible

 

[mjc0961]

For all pirates might want to crow about stickin' it to The Man, where The Man is Bobby Kotick or John Riccitiello, the CEOs aren't the ones really getting hurt by this.

They don't care about that. It's just an excuse they use to try and hide the fact that they are thieving douchebags. It's a bad excuse but again, they don't really care.

These numbers really are quite shit though, especially Alan Wake which really could have used some more sales. And of course, this is exactly why we get all kinds of nasty DRM in our PC games anymore.

I'm very hurt by this article, where are the numbers for PS3 piracy? No love for the PS3, how sad.

PS3, as far as I know, is still mostly secure.

Mostly, but it's all downhill from here. They've already broken it, and so far all Sony has done is the same thing they did with the PSP: release a patch every time they make progress that plugs up whatever hole was used. Except just like the PSP, it's not going to work because pirates are already on old firmware anyway, and with no new features on offer, why would they download an update that only serves to stop them from pirating? They won't. I find it very surprising that Sony is trying this nonsense again on the PS3 after they fought this battle the same way on PSP and lost. Really sucks because it'd be nice for somebody to beat the pirates. Sony does get some credit for keeping them at bay for so long, but now they aren't even trying to keep them away. I guess PS3 piracy stats can join in the fun for 2011's article because the chances of Sony trying something different to fight this are slim to none.

 

[spacewalker]

I do buy all the games i play, but i like the idea of pirated copies being available.
It lets you get a closer look at a game and how it will run on your system better than demoes and previews, witch i have grown to distrust for accurate reprensentations of the games and their reqirements.
Downloaded copies have helped me several times in instances i have been unable to install my games from the original disks, witch is why i mostly use steam nowdays.

 

[KefkaCultist]

Well those numbers for PC suck but its good knowing I'm NOT one of those numbers. Never have pirated a game and never will.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

OT: Notice that none of the games in the top 5 for any of the systems has been a financial failure, in any sense of the word. One of these days, people are going to realize that while there may be some negative impact from piracy, it's nothing compared to what the various affected industries claim it is. And people actually believe that used sales are as bad as or worse than the imaginary bugaboo of piracy? We really need to quit buying industry spin. As consumers, the industry is not our friend. No industry is.

While it's undoubtedly true that the video game industry isn't in this for hugs and pats on the back, that doesn't necessarily make them the enemy. Besides, as the article states, the people who are negatively effected by the theft of their product aren't the ceo's. It's the people who spent two to five years building something for you to enjoy. And at the end of the day, even if you don't think that your couple of dollars matter, you can at least be a decent human being and show your appreciation for their hard work by paying for the product like an adult.

Actually, I do pay for my product. Between Steam sales and the stuff I find in thrift shops and record stores, I have no reason to pirate games, since I can afford it when I'm paying $10 or less a pop. However, most people can't afford to pay full price, and I can see situations where paying the sale price isn't an option; example, most of the games that were on the above list, which just don't go on decent sale prices. Forgetting for the moment whether there's any justification for piracy or not, my point was that these piracy figures, when compared to the sales figures for the games in question, pretty much prove that the piracy "problem" is nothing but spin from the likes of Bobby Kotick and the RIAA. The industry is our enemy in the sense that, in a capitalist system, there is a constant struggle between the producers and the consumers. The producers want to get as much money as they can out of the consumers, while the consumers want their money to go as far as possible. This whole piracy mess is an attempt from certain content producers to squeeze more money from the consumers.

As for your statement that it's the devs who suffer, care to show any sources? Because my understanding is that they get paid before the first unit is even shipped, and anything tied to sales is a bonus, not part of their regular paycheck. Or what did you think those multi-million dollar budgets went to? No, if the devs are hurt at all by this, it's because the CEOs, in an attempt to make the shareholders happy, screwed them over as well as the consumers, as was the case with the mess between Activision and Infinity Ward.

Mods: I'm not advocating piracy, simply stating that it's a much more minor problem than the industry leads us to believe, and that I'm sick of them screwing over the customer in the name of protecting him, as is the case both with the piracy debate and the recent "buying used games is the same as pirating them" lie.

 

[OANST]

OT: Notice that none of the games in the top 5 for any of the systems has been a financial failure, in any sense of the word. One of these days, people are going to realize that while there may be some negative impact from piracy, it's nothing compared to what the various affected industries claim it is. And people actually believe that used sales are as bad as or worse than the imaginary bugaboo of piracy? We really need to quit buying industry spin. As consumers, the industry is not our friend. No industry is.

While it's undoubtedly true that the video game industry isn't in this for hugs and pats on the back, that doesn't necessarily make them the enemy. Besides, as the article states, the people who are negatively effected by the theft of their product aren't the ceo's. It's the people who spent two to five years building something for you to enjoy. And at the end of the day, even if you don't think that your couple of dollars matter, you can at least be a decent human being and show your appreciation for their hard work by paying for the product like an adult.

Actually, I do pay for my product. Between Steam sales and the stuff I find in thrift shops and record stores, I have no reason to pirate games, since I can afford it when I'm paying $10 or less a pop. However, most people can't afford to pay full price, and I can see situations where paying the sale price isn't an option; example, most of the games that were on the above list, which just don't go on decent sale prices. Forgetting for the moment whether there's any justification for piracy or not, my point was that these piracy figures, when compared to the sales figures for the games in question, pretty much prove that the piracy "problem" is nothing but spin from the likes of Bobby Kotick and the RIAA. The industry is our enemy in the sense that, in a capitalist system, there is a constant struggle between the producers and the consumers. The producers want to get as much money as they can out of the consumers, while the consumers want their money to go as far as possible. This whole piracy mess is an attempt from certain content producers to squeeze more money from the consumers.

As for your statement that it's the devs who suffer, care to show any sources? Because my understanding is that they get paid before the first unit is even shipped, and anything tied to sales is a bonus, not part of their regular paycheck. Or what did you think those multi-million dollar budgets went to? No, if the devs are hurt at all by this, it's because the CEOs, in an attempt to make the shareholders happy, screwed them over as well as the consumers, as was the case with the mess between Activision and Infinity Ward.

Mods: I'm not advocating piracy, simply stating that it's a much more minor problem than the industry leads us to believe, and that I'm sick of them screwing over the customer in the name of protecting him, as is the case both with the piracy debate and the recent "buying used games is the same as pirating them" lie.

I think you will find that if a developer's game doesn't sell very well, then they are not likely to continue being funded for future products. So, yes. It hurts the developer.

And how exactly are consumers being screwed in regards to this industry? Games that have budgets of many millions of dollars more than they would have had twenty years ago currently cost ten dollars more than they would have twenty years ago. That seems pretty reasonable to me.

Also, I don't think that you will find any sane argument that says that used game sales is on an ethical level with piracy, but I think it's a pretty fair assessment that used game sales costs the industry about as much in sales revenue as piracy does.

 

[Grey_Focks]

OT: Notice that none of the games in the top 5 for any of the systems has been a financial failure, in any sense of the word. One of these days, people are going to realize that while there may be some negative impact from piracy, it's nothing compared to what the various affected industries claim it is. And people actually believe that used sales are as bad as or worse than the imaginary bugaboo of piracy? We really need to quit buying industry spin. As consumers, the industry is not our friend. No industry is.

Actually both Red Steel 2 and Alan Wake CAN be considered financial flops, but I agree with your point, maybe not so much in an "Us vs. Them" sense, as there are people who make games because *gasp* they enjoy it, but for the most part it is just like every other business.

EDIT- I just read your last post, and I have to say, that yes, the Developers ARE hurt by poor games sales more than the CEOs, but I thought that was a gimme. If their game doesn't sell well, what's to say the publisher will have them make another one if they have already failed to turn a profit?

 

[Berethond]

OT: Notice that none of the games in the top 5 for any of the systems has been a financial failure, in any sense of the word. One of these days, people are going to realize that while there may be some negative impact from piracy, it's nothing compared to what the various affected industries claim it is. And people actually believe that used sales are as bad as or worse than the imaginary bugaboo of piracy? We really need to quit buying industry spin. As consumers, the industry is not our friend. No industry is.

While it's undoubtedly true that the video game industry isn't in this for hugs and pats on the back, that doesn't necessarily make them the enemy. Besides, as the article states, the people who are negatively effected by the theft of their product aren't the ceo's. It's the people who spent two to five years building something for you to enjoy. And at the end of the day, even if you don't think that your couple of dollars matter, you can at least be a decent human being and show your appreciation for their hard work by paying for the product like an adult.

Actually, I do pay for my product. Between Steam sales and the stuff I find in thrift shops and record stores, I have no reason to pirate games, since I can afford it when I'm paying $10 or less a pop. However, most people can't afford to pay full price, and I can see situations where paying the sale price isn't an option; example, most of the games that were on the above list, which just don't go on decent sale prices. Forgetting for the moment whether there's any justification for piracy or not, my point was that these piracy figures, when compared to the sales figures for the games in question, pretty much prove that the piracy "problem" is nothing but spin from the likes of Bobby Kotick and the RIAA. The industry is our enemy in the sense that, in a capitalist system, there is a constant struggle between the producers and the consumers. The producers want to get as much money as they can out of the consumers, while the consumers want their money to go as far as possible. This whole piracy mess is an attempt from certain content producers to squeeze more money from the consumers.

As for your statement that it's the devs who suffer, care to show any sources? Because my understanding is that they get paid before the first unit is even shipped, and anything tied to sales is a bonus, not part of their regular paycheck. Or what did you think those multi-million dollar budgets went to? No, if the devs are hurt at all by this, it's because the CEOs, in an attempt to make the shareholders happy, screwed them over as well as the consumers, as was the case with the mess between Activision and Infinity Ward.

Mods: I'm not advocating piracy, simply stating that it's a much more minor problem than the industry leads us to believe, and that I'm sick of them screwing over the customer in the name of protecting him, as is the case both with the piracy debate and the recent "buying used games is the same as pirating them" lie.

Developers do not usually "get paid before the first unit is even shipped." An advance, which is what they get, is a loan that they have to pay back.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

The numbers for the 360 don't surprise me that much, it seems like a lot of people wanted to try out the new IPs (Dante, Wake, RDR) without committing to a full purchase. How many of those people ended up buying them legitimately afterwards? I fear that # is quite small.