You enjoy playing games because they provide entertainment, challenge, and a way to relax or connect with others.
You enjoy playing games because they provide entertainment, challenge, and a way to relax or connect with others.
I said I never pirated a game, though that isn't completely accurate—I've technically downloaded a few older titles recently. The most recent was Star Trek: Bridge Commander, which I still have on disc but no longer have a copy. Then it became available on Gog in a functional version, so I ended up purchasing it!
They all need to provide it according to the rules. That’s why they did it. Not because Gabe chose to be polite. Honestly? If you purchase a costly title and don’t use it within the return period, you’re responsible. It’s like shopping at a store—don’t just try something on and assume it fits, then let it go. That doesn’t belong to you. As I mentioned, technically it’s a breach of trust. The real issue is that the “digital era” doesn’t grasp the phrase “you can’t afford what you don’t have.” Regarding a faulty PC port again, that’s your responsibility too. Wait for feedback; once it surfaces, the facts usually emerge. I’m not saying these items are bad, but stealing isn’t a viable solution. Two mistakes. You might rationalize it mentally, but it remains theft. Have I ever stolen before? Yes. Yet I wouldn’t convince myself otherwise. Recently I bought Cyberpunk. I knew it was awful. I just wanted to experience its worst. No refund. Few problems, and I managed to extract more than £26 from it.
In 1999 I downloaded everything freely, but now I can afford it and pay for anything that isn’t free. YET the main reason I still pirate games today is because DRM is so poor, it might be the only way to enjoy them properly. Some titles I’ve avoided because their DRM is too bad—it’s not worth the cost. It applies beyond just DRM; other issues matter too. If a game has reviews mentioning DRM, I’ll skip it right away. Game launchers also affect my choices. Rockstar’s requirements changed my wish list—GTA V and others are now blocked because of their launcher/tracker setup. Games for Windows Live even prevent playing certain titles. So unless I could bypass the restrictions to play a game without DRM or a tracker, I’d likely give up on it. Most paid games on my PC already cost me, so there’s little incentive left.
I was the first to buy games using my own funds, starting with NFS High Stakes (NFS 4). Before Steam, platforms like Kinguin allowed me to pirate titles since they were too expensive locally. Back then, prices were staggering—Half-Life 2 cost over 320BGN (about 160+€) at launch, while my rent was half that amount. The first F.E.A.R game was around 120€, which seemed unreasonable compared to the alternatives. Demos disappeared, so I resorted to piracy to test new releases. Nowadays, I still consider pirating a few games if they meet my expectations and I don’t uninstall them immediately. Exceptions were Cyberpunk 2077 and Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2, which I pre-ordered before release because I couldn’t wait any longer. Yes, I’m one of the rare ones who didn’t be disappointed with Cyberpunk. Sometimes I still pirate games just for quick cash, treating them like fast sales attempts—just another EA title. I no longer pay for EA games; I’ll always find ways to pirate them. When it comes to EA, it’s less about money and more about making a statement.
It involves legal concerns because copying protected material can have consequences even if the original remains intact. The focus should be on understanding the differences between copyright and piracy, as using the terms interchangeably can mislead discussions about technical issues.
It's costing you something you haven't paid for. You can style it however suits you. The way people choose to view it is entirely up to them. I don’t really mind if they do; it’s their decision. To be honest, I also dislike the gaming world as a whole, let alone the music scene. They both act selfishly. But after spending thirty years reflecting, I’ve come to realize that taking something without paying for it is essentially theft—unless it was given away for free. And yes, in the past I’ve done it too. Mostly when finances were tight and I couldn’t afford a game. I never made it fashionable then either. Now I base my views on that. If a game delivers what I paid for, I’m content. If not, it’s fine. If it turns out like PUBG with thousands of hours of chaos, it’s impressive. To be honest, the last thing I took was Fallout 3. At the time, I had no money and even lacked internet. I’d have to walk to a bookstore just to find a connection, bring the game back, and install it. Since then? That’s a different story. I’ve bought Fallout 3 multiple times—different editions, versions, and even for Xbox. I also picked up the FONV box set, various collectibles, and other merchandise. Essentially, I’m saying: if a title is worth what I paid, I’ll support it fully. But if I spent £175 on Fallout 76, I’ve had to rethink. Now I’m more cautious. Still, I’ve collected many games through sales, free offers, and gems, so stealing feels unnecessary. Plus, I feel more at ease with new releases now—especially after a tough experience with FONV. I learned that if it’s not worth the effort or the money, don’t take it. The key message to game developers is clear: avoid buying their products at launch and refrain from taking what isn’t good quality. They’ll learn.
The ultimate takeaway for creators? Don’t rush in. Let them release games and let players judge them themselves.
I love gathering vintage arcade titles (from the '90s to early 2000s) and occasionally download ROMs to test them in an emulator before investing in a physical copy. This usually comes only if reviews and gameplay clips aren't convincing enough. For games I already own, I feel comfortable downloading ROMs just to enjoy them on an emulator. I’d handle the files myself, but I lack the necessary equipment. My boundary is clear with newer PC or console releases—I’m okay with ROMs for older titles, but not for fresh ones. If I’m uncertain, I’ll try demos when they’re accessible or wait until a fair price appears.
I only use old games. I own a full collection of ROMs for NES, SNES, N64, Master System and Mega Drive. My thought behind it? The original creators earned their pay when these titles launched. Publishers had ample time to profit from them. I don’t spend money on Donkey Kong unless it’s a one-time thing. I won’t pay for games whose licenses have changed hands multiple times, as the original developers would never expect that. They usually aren’t interested in selling anymore, and if they are, they charge unreasonably high prices for games that are 30 years old (like Nintendo’s Virtual Console approach). It’s not that I play these often; I just downloaded them when possible, since it’s easier to have everything ready than to search for a specific title. Plus, they don’t take up much space. Likewise, I only pirate PC games if they’re ANABONWARE, no official seller is willing to sell them, and secondhand copies aren’t worth my time. Back then, I got System Shock and Grim Fandango because they weren’t available for purchase. Once they reappeared, I bought them.
Regardless of perspective, digital piracy doesn't equate to genuine theft. Would stealing the Mona Lisa be considered theft? If I borrowed the Harry Potter novels and lent them to a library for those who can't afford them, would that amount to theft? Libraries once served as early FTP networks, enabling shared access. The internet should be viewed similarly—a public resource. Everyone should understand this. If you dislike it, refrain from using it. It's not fashionable to take others' creations without payment, yet often you miss out on updates or patches after purchase. Adding DLCs or critical updates is just a few clicks away when you buy the game. Piracy can mean missing out on timely patches and risking data loss before installation. Restoring your saves might happen online before the setup even completes. Most pirated titles are limited offline, highlighting how crucial online interaction has become. I was surprised to learn that except for one session in Assetto Corsa Competizione, the rest of my gameplay was online. Project Cars 2 had 95% of my sessions online, with only 5% as practice runs. I never even began career mode. There are still single-player titles focused on story, but those who pirate games know how problematic it is to get stable versions without crashes or system issues. While I don't condone piracy, it's equally wrong to let those who can't afford games feel guilty for playing them. It's a disrespectful act if you can afford it and still use it freely.