Unless you've had your face in a first-generation, un-backlit Gameboy Advance this whole time, you know that the R4 is an incredibly popular (and illegal) accessory for the Nintendo DS. But one newspaper says that the device may be popular than we thought, claiming that 90 percent of American DS owners may be getting their pirate on. Wait -- what?
This figure comes from The Sunday Post, a Scottish newspaper. John Hillier, Manager of ELSPA's Intellectual Property Crime Unit, was more than happy to speak up for the article.
“The implications are massive. In America it's thought 90 percent of Nintendo users are playing pirated games because of R4s,” said Hillier. “That's the real danger – you may think you're getting a good deal but using the R4 is risking the future of the games industry."
Doesn't the number seem a bit high to you? A very rough, quick poll of my friends and acquaintances gives me a figure of about 50 percent. Sure, that's a pretty high number for piracy, and I hate to think about how much money Nintendo is losing to the R4, but it's still a big difference from claiming that most of the nation is using the device.
If this is true, are you with me in the silly minority that enjoys having a collection of fine games on your shelf?
[Via StrategyInformer -- Thanks, JR]
Contest:
10:38 AM on 01.31.2008
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Pirating DS games just for the sake of the argument, "$30 for a puny little cartridge?" is the same kind of thinking that makes people kick babies across the street without hesitation. At least, that's my opinion on the whole R4 deal.
So I really don't feel guilty over using it...
Which is a shame, really. DS games aren't THAT expensive. Wouldn't mind getting one for homebrew though.
and....i'm ashamed to say that I never even new what an R4 was until today
I believe it. Just take a ride on the NYC subway at morning (school) rush hour. There be pirates everywhere, yarrrrr.
Which is a shame, really. DS games aren't THAT expensive. Wouldn't mind getting one for homebrew though.
NO you MORON,
what you really meant is that a great deal of people have them. Certainly not 90 percent, maybe 30-40 percent.
I have an M3Simply, which is almost exactly like the R4, and I only use it for homebrew. Lately I've been playing DScent and Secret of Monkey Island on SCUMMVM.
Also, Phidias and Colors alone make flash cards worthwhile.
90% is a terribly high figure for this though.
Honestly, I've heard about it once before this post and otherwise have never thought of it, nor has anyone I know that owns a DS. So... I know at least 40 people personally who play a DS and none of them use R4 or even know what it is... I must live in the 'goody-two-shoes' area of the U.S.
Total BS Statistic.
DS games are cheaply available everywhere in the US. No US citizen should need to pirate them!
To those who use it for imports- Aren't DS games region-code neutral anyway?
Yeah, my friends are all fucking nerds. Maybe I should up it to 60% just to be safe
I would think the figure is more around that 90% of americans either don't know about the device or can't figure out how to get the software onto their DS. And even more so can't figure out how to get the games to work on the software to play it on their DS.
http://colors.brombra.net/index.php
I challenge you to keep your mouth from hitting the floor at what is possible on the humble DS.
Heh heh. [url=http://www.nomorelol.com/]LOI[/i].
@casualweaponry
O I C WUT U DID THAR.
You beat me to it!
: P
So most of the small portion of the populous that pirates uses the R4, not too unbelievable.
I heard 90% of DS owners have held a sparrow in their hands to feel its tiny rapid heartbeat, and then crushed it for sheer amusement.