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Modern Warfare 2 is most-pirated game of 2009 photo

Shocker, right? Arguably the biggest game release of this year wound up being the one most stolen? Hard to imagine. 

Yet that's exactly what the people at TorrentFreak are claiming. Their yearly research into the games people love to steal has found that the first-person shooter hit the top of both the PC and Xbox 360 lists for most unauthorized downloads with 4.1 million and 970,000 downloads respectively. The Sims 3Street Fighter IV and Prototype also saw a considerable number of downloads.

It's staggering when you consider that the game has only been out since November and has managed to be stolen so many times. Modern Warfare 2 has utterly crushed last year's champion, Spore, which pushed out 1.7 million copies.

Of course, PC piracy numbers downright dominate the consoles, with even the fifth place PC game beating out the most-pirated title on Wii or 360. The Wii out-pirated the 360 by about half a million downloads. No numbers for PS3 were supplied in the report.

Modern Warfare 2 Most Pirated Game of 2009 [TorrentFreak, via Download Squad]








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68 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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Leon Field's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:33
Leon Field
And last year I would have been among said pirates. Then I got a job and could buy my games. :)

Funny enough I didn't buy MW2, and it certainly isn't worth the space on my hard drive.
psycho terror2's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:39
psycho terror2
lol no PS3 numbers, because there is no PS3 piracy.

also, these are somewhat like NPDs numbers for PC games, in that they don't count downloads from usenet or DDL services etc. still, big numbers.

gotta wonder how IWs unpopular design decisions have affected these numbers.
Infinite Combo's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:42
Infinite Combo
Pirating music...good. Pirating games...bad. Very bad.
bluexy's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:45
bluexy
IT'S ONLY POPULAR BECAUSE IT WAS PIRATED SO MUCH!

RAAAAAAAAAGE.
AlexBebop's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:47
AlexBebop
@ Infinite Combo
I fail to see that logic.
Joshua Hawks's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:47
Joshua Hawks
Can you throw in one more instance of "stolen" in there? I'm not sure we got it.
Elsa's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:48
Elsa
Really? I'm shocked! LOL!
... though I wonder how many people pirate PS3 games... seems it would be difficult given the expense of a blu-ray burner...
Leon Field's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:49
Leon Field
@callmeAlex

Maybe because of concerts and stuff...
Or I may be way off from Infinite Combo's idea.
AlexBebop's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:52
AlexBebop
@Leon Field

Hmm, maybe so. To make it clear I wasn't trying to say it was right or wrong. It just seems weird to me for someone to be choosy about their piracy. It's usually "all in" or "none at all."
Starrynight's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:58
Starrynight
That's a lot of copies..

But still, they made a lot of money off of the game, so it is really that big of a deal?
Even if the people who pirate games DIDN'T pirate them, the companies aren't getting any more money. But I understand why not to legalize it or any of that sh*t but if some people do it, and a lot of people still buy it it all kind of evens out.
Eaten by a Grue's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:58
Eaten by a Grue
Wow. So much for Infinity Ward's IWNet stopping piracy. Assholes. Dedicated servers are the one thing that keeps PC gaming from being a total asshole fest. Sorry to be whiny, but just look at Combat Arms. Essentially, they are supposed to be Call of Duty 4, and their community is absolute crap.
Rammstein's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 18:59
Rammstein
Sorry guys, I can't hear any of you over the loud hammering of the nails going into the PC gaming casket, you're going to have to speak up.

Glad I'm not a part of that 4chan-like sesspool anymore.
Reginald's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:00
Reginald
all of you pirates should be ashamed of yourselves ! Piracy is never acceptable. I have a job, and I use all of that money to pay for all of my movies, music, games, and e-books.

[url] www.utorrent.com [/url]
Rammstein's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:02
Rammstein
In before dedicated serpents nerd rage--awwwwwwwww.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:05
DaedHead8
@CallMeAlex

I'm choosy about my piracy. I don't steal video games but when it comes to music, movies and wrestling PPVs, I'm dirty, stinkin', rotten pirate. I make no excuses.
Rammstein's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:08
Rammstein
I don't steal games because I like to support the gaming industry as a whole, as well as individual developers (<3 VALVe). The RIAA and MPAA can go fuck themselves though, so I could give two shits.
wardprod's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:09
wardprod
Most hyped game of the year, poor single player, new MP system, many of the DLers tried(pirated) it out mainly on PC (wow, guess why).

Realy, whos impressed?
psycho terror2's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:10
psycho terror2
@ Rammstein

THANKS FOR SAVING PC GAMING!

good job.
Rammstein's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:12
Rammstein
@psycho terror2: err... No prob? *looks around* *hopes he didn't notice my first post*
RenegadePanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:22
RenegadePanda
This is news?
Chilly's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:23
Chilly
*Insert obligatory piracy comment*
It happens we all know it, but I love reading the stats on it all.
ikiryou's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:24
ikiryou
Ah, yes, servers dedicated to the piracy of a game which cut out dedicated server support. This news is like chocolate melting on the tongue of God.
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:28
Maurice Tan
No surprise at popular games being popular torrents.

Funny to see the Wii torrents > 360 torrents though. Would it be the higher cost for dual-layer discs, the longer dl time, or that people mostly use private trackers for 360 torrents as Wii owners are generally less internet savvy and more likely to not know wtf a private tracker is? Or just more Wii users? :P
Grandmas Boy's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:37
Grandmas Boy
That's a lot of thievery.
Kyle MacGregor's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:45
Kyle MacGregor
Good.

Every penny you keep away from Activision...
NoMoneyLeftBoy's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 19:48
NoMoneyLeftBoy
Quote Starrynigh:-"Even if the people who pirate games DIDN'T pirate them, the companies aren't getting any more money."
I've heard that argument and it's still staggeringly bollocks.
whatisdelicious's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 20:05
whatisdelicious
"We've certainly shown them!" rejoiced PC gamers everywhere. "We won't stand for the removal of dedicated servers, mod tools, and the like! Hurrah!"

"Well," the console gamer said nonchalantly, "good for you. I'm sure Activision took that lesson to heart. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play Modern Warfare 3."

"Silly console gamer," PC gamers scoffed. "Don't you mean Modern Warfare 2?"

"Nope," the console gamer replied. "Modern Warfare 3."

"What?" cried the PC gamer. "But there's no PC version!"

"You're surprised?" said the console gamer, raising an eyebrow as he walked away. "Well, congratulations on your victory."
XerxesQados's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 20:06
XerxesQados
@NoMoneyLeftBoy

It's staggeringly bollocks...why?
Scott Chapman's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 20:10
Scott Chapman
Loving the "I pirate this, but not those.." comments, like it makes you a better person. There are plenty of bands out there that struggle because of piracy, and as for the old concert/merchandise arguments - when you're talking about a new band that kinda falls on its face. I hate record companies as much as the next guy but concentrating your fire on the artist's wellbeing isn't the way to do it.

Surely a fan is someone that supports the band; if you torrent the material you're just a dirty thief.
Kalmah's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 20:15
Kalmah
What's the point in pirating CODMW2 if you can't even play the BEST online shooter... well, online.
Jack8274's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 20:26
Jack8274
@Kalmah

I'm sorry, I don't understand how if I pirate Modern Warfare 2, I can't play Team Fortress 2.
Coltronathon5000's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 20:41
Coltronathon5000
I wonder what the percentage between pirated/sold is and how that compares to other big game releases. I would expect it's about the same... not like millions of new people suddenly discovered how to use the internet.
Dangsterr's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 21:16
Dangsterr
And those 12gb of DRM in the steam version serve no purpose
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 21:21
Volomon
No PS3 numbers were supplied because no one pirates PS3 games. It's freaking bluray, and unique architecture. There's no mods for a PS3 to crack games, who the hell would host a 50+ gig file anyway not to mention try to download it? Then you have to have a bluray burner, how many of those do you see laying around for cheap?

PS3 games won't be pirated for at least 5-10 more years.
ajaxender's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 21:25
ajaxender
There was a lot, or rather, a fucking ton of bitterness with the pc gamers, over the whole IWNET debacle and various other issues. Many people pirated it on principle, sort of a big 'fuck you' to IW and Activision. I'm technically one of them, I borrowed the game off a friend and used a program someone made to bypass steam. And I'm proud to do it, since just as with MW 1, Activision are charging $90 US on Steam for NZ and Australia.

Sad thing is, I know I'm gonna have to buy it eventually, having played it online on 360 a few times recently. The sales numbers for this game must be nuts, and I wouldnt be surprised if many of those pirates capitulated for the multiplayer. I just will not buy it full price...
Mohd Syafiq Bin Jabaruddin's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 21:26
Mohd Syafiq Bin Jabaruddin
PC Gamers are the Palestenians of the gaming world, just like Palestenians are the Jews of Israel*.

*that last part is an actual quote from a Holocaust survivor.
Mayiplay's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 21:32
Mayiplay
That header image is the definition of epic pirates. You are a Pirate!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLsJyfN0ICU

This is an excellent sentence splice video of it...don't ask xD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZoptTPbb9I&feature=related
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 21:38
Volomon
Also I don't know where these numbers are from, but even the #1 site only has a few thousand downloads. So I think these numbers are mostly made up/ estimates. Most of these downloads tend to be places like China, where they can't get a legit copy anyway.

So those saying Piracy is evil, oohh and aaahh. Don't really know jack. Movie box office sales of Taken was fine for instance, even though the movie was on the scene before the official movie came out in theaters. As for piracy hurting music, I honestly think that's bullshit. Especially small bands, they often put the music on torrents themselves to promote the music. Most pirated music is often the most purchased. Many underground bands promote this way, they can't get wide marketing in place and have to sell via website.

Direct to DVD sales are good, enough to continually make DVDs, yet they are instantly pirateable on or before release.

http://torrentfreak.com/record-label-sponsors-bittorrent-site-isohunt-090503/

The music companies blame torrents for this, as the current sales of major records have slipped to new lows. Now these are like Metallica and all that, does anyone listen to Metallica any more? People's tastes change, people stop listening to certain groups, pick up on others. The problem is the market has become saturated before you needed heavy promo and whatever was on MTV was the thing. Now MTV is less about the music and more about shows and random crap. Because it no longer is the sole source of info.

Small garage bands can promo their stuff all on their own through Youtube.com and other places. These large corp backed bands are pissed and try to take down what they see as threats, with little actually data behind it.
Tarvu's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 21:40
Tarvu
As has already been stated, not worth any of the space on my cumulative 3TB.
Mornelithe's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 22:40
Mornelithe
People actually waste their bandwidth downloading MW2? I guess there's no accounting for taste. Why encourage a company that's all but publicly stated they'll eventually move to a Pay 2 Play model....for an FPS. Yeah, have fun with that one.

I'll be playing games that are actually tailored to the device it's on. Be they exclusives for my PS3, or the multi-platform games that look and perform vastly better on my PC.
Starrynight's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 22:54
Starrynight
@ NoMoneyLeftBoy
staggeringly bollocks, why?

They're still getting money, and they aren't losing any, either.

I'm not going to say I pirate or anything, but what about those games that are "alright" but aren't worth $50-60? Wait until they're used and get them cheaper? Well, that would work, but I "thought" that the gaming companies don't get money from games that are re-sold. So, either way its not helping them. and Some games just aren't WORTH the money, but you still may want to play it. (I'm not sure if this happens to anyone else, but it does me)
runtheplacered's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 23:33
runtheplacered
@ Jack8274,

"I'm sorry, I don't understand how if I pirate Modern Warfare 2, I can't play Team Fortress 2."

Nono, he said best online shooter. Which of course, as we all know, is Counter-strike. But if he said best online stooter still receiving updates, then yes you wouldn't be able to play TF2.
runtheplacered's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 23:36
runtheplacered
@ Rammstein,

"In before dedicated serpents nerd rage--awwwwwwwww."

In before somebody makes fun of your shitty German rock band name ... awwwwwww.

"Sorry guys, I can't hear any of you over the loud hammering of the nails going into the PC gaming casket, you're going to have to speak up."

Right, because MW2 is the only game you can play on a computer! Also, how can you support Valve and yet feel that PC gaming is going to die? That's a pretty big oxymoron.
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/28/2009 23:49
hpv
NoMoneyLeftBoy: "Bollocks"? Are you retarded? Did your mother smoke crack when she was pregnant or did she just drop you on the head one too many times because it's hard to hold onto a baby while getting nailed over the back of a couch?

Publishers makes $0 off the sale of used games. They make $0 off the non-sale of games. They make $0 off the "piracy" of games. What part of this equation do you not understand? Was it the part where 0 = 0 = 0 or the part where you are just fucking retarded?

Please, go die in a fire before your stupidity kills someone.
Emrah's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/29/2009 01:26
Emrah
Oh, activision just lost quadrigazillion billion dollars..
thisissami's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/29/2009 02:02
thisissami
@hpv don't be a jerk

@Mohd Syafiq Bin Jabaruddin

is it just me, or does that statement not make sense? i'm pretty sure you screwed up the second half, especially considering that when you google your supposed quote from a holocaust survivor, the only hit is this dtoid page.
KingSigy's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/29/2009 03:06
KingSigy
I think whats more impressive is that another million people have the 360 version. Why is this game so popular?
ecstasy's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/29/2009 03:52
ecstasy
Call of Duty isn't worth pirating.
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/29/2009 03:58
mistic
so the 970 000 downloads from torrentfreak = the number of banned 360's a month back? :-)
thatguyukno's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/29/2009 05:16
thatguyukno
@ whatisdelicious your a fucking idiot. PC gaming is not going to die, nor will they not make MW3 for the PC. Your a tool to believe every DL was a copy that was actually used, most are too dumb to figure out how to skip the DRM, and the few who can get past it, are too dumb how to enable MP. Now please go back to choking on your console dick.
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