If there's one thing that annoys about piracy, it's the excuses. If you're into piracy, whatever, but don't try to dress it up as something it's not. The flawed logic and the sense of entitlement is the thing that really annoys me, and that's the subject of this week's video.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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I've always maintained that pirating a game for free is just like shoplifting.
But people say "OH BUT IT IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE PUBLISHERS PAY EXTRA TO HAVE THEIR GAMES PRESSED AND PRINT THE INSTRUCTION MANUALS SO ITS DIFFERENT". The bottom line is: the game costs $10, it took sweat equity to make, and you're getting it for free.
Not that I judge thieves in general, I just maintain that people be honest about it.
I'm not gonna argue with you on this Jim, I agree. I won't state me thoughts on whether or not "piracy" is wrong, but I do agree people should stop defending it as something it's not.
@Lenigod sorry that's rubbish, digital media may be copyable but it's still stealing. If I copy your work onto my usb you honestly consider that not stealing what is by rights your work and intellectual property?
The only reason people are so ok about it is because as Jim said these are big faceless corps, but you damage the industry and the people who work within it.
Agreed. I'll admit I bag something on PC *occasionally* though now with the advent of Steam, I actually don't mind purchasing stuff as much because now it's all in one secure place.
I bought Chinatown Wars for DS when it came out :)
The one that really annoys me is "Buying used is just as bad as piracy."
Oh, really? Well, seems to me that buying used helps game stores prosper, which in turn allows that store to expand or stick around and provide me with yet more games of the new and used variety.
Hell, if I trade in a game, I can put it down as credit for a new game, practically helping sell a new game.
If you pirate a game, it accomplishes none of those things.
So buying used isn't close to the same thing. Consumer benefits, retailer benefits and while developers and publishers don't want to admit it, it does benefit them as well.
@Xaronax
He didn't have to buy games before he worked at Destructoid huh?
And can you say for a fact he doesn't buy a single game now? That EVERY game he wants to play, is sent to him in a magical package with a note saying "Cause we love you."
While I agree with you, I have to laugh at the idea of PC gaming ever dying. As long as there is a PC, there will be PC gaming. Even before PCs had monitors, there were games for them, why would people stop making them because they aren't profitable any more? They weren't profitable when few people had computers but games were still released.
I used to make excuses but since growing up I don't steal games any more.
Ill tell ya who the thieves are..corporate CEO's charging the most they can and paying their employees as little as possible..govermnent officials who take our hard earned tax dollars and blah blah yak mumble grumble piss moan....I am filled with so much hate
Yarp, I pirate games. I may be a thief, I may not. Do I really give a shit? Not really. I tend to buy the ones I enjoy, unless it's an older game, in which case I don't care so much. I will, however, buy the sequel if I liked it enough. I have ways of supporting the developers that I like, and really I shouldn't be faulted for downloading a crappy game that I never play to completion because it is, after all, a crappy game.
Bottom line: I pirate shit. If it's good, they see my money, if not, why should they get it anyway.
the thing is that you either have integrity, or you don't. software pirates don't have integrity, and therefore should be shunned out of any gaming society. seriously, i'm tired of not getting good games on my ds because you shit stains have to have your stuff on the free tip. maybe instead of being a lame ass who can't afford games, you could work to become a person that has an extra $50 a month to buy that game you want, did you ever think of that? best jimquisition ever.
Jim, I love your use of music from DKC 1 & 2 music, but it must be said I'm starting to miss Life is Beautiful.
Have to agree though, nothing is more pathetic than pirates trying to justify why they steal intellectual property. May they all have the joy of someone reaping the benefits of their work without compensation.
"You don't pay for any of your games. You don't really get to have an opinion on the matter."
Don't presume on what I do.
I have paid for games. I continue to pay for games. I will always pay for games.
Reviewers do not get every game for free. In fact, there are a few games I review that I have to buy TO review, so don't tell me I don't buy games, because that is utter bullshit.
Another thing that bothers me is the inherent condescending mentality that comes with pirating. "Oh, big corporations will never go out of business, there will ALWAYS be enough people to buy their games so they can make a profit!" Yeah, paying for the game is for EVERYONE ELSE to do. I don't know about anyone else but the sole reason I buy games is so pirates can do what they do. I don't even play my games, they just sit on a shelf inside shrink-wrap.
There's another way to look at this. If I'm a developer, and there's a gamer out there who has absolutely NO intention of ever buying the game I made, I believe I'd rather them steal it than not play it at all.
In other words, I'd rather be stolen from than ignored entirely. That's not an endorsement of piracy, and I'm not actually a developer so it's just my impression from the outside looking in, but it's something to consider.
"I will continue to try games and buy the ones I like or want to try the multiplayer.
Morality doesn't even factor into it."
Clearly, morality doesn't factor into it, because if it did, then you'd realize that it's immoral.
But that's entirely missing the point of the video, which specifically said, "Stop making excuses for stealing," to which you responded with what? An excuse for stealing.
I would pirate games but my pc is too outdated to play new games and I haven't figured out where to get disks big enough to burn console games onto...so yea..I'm still a turd, I just haven't carried out my evil-doing...thus far
Jesus, I really hate people who try to explain why pirating is not stealing. It DOES NOT help the game developers at all. Like the issue with Capcom where they released Street Fighter 4 on the PC (who tried their best at stopping piracy for it, I might add) and found out that it was one of the top games pirated. Then people come out and say how stupid Capcom is for not releasing Super Street Fighter 4 on PC. Really piraters.. wtf.
I don't buy games with obtrusive DRM. I don't pirate games. I will continue to do both of these until this is magically resolved by someone who cares more about this than me.
Watching all of the pirates coming out of the woodwork to defend what they do is amusing. No matter how you rationalize it, you're stealing guys - just admit it! If you love a game developer and the work that they do, you should be willing to show your support for them financially.
@xaronax
So what, he has a Steam God account. He's a damn games reviewer for one of the largest games blogs out there. That's like saying someone who has a company car has no right be pissed about car theft, you amoral bug of a person.
I have ONE pirated game on my computer, Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen. If you can tell me where to purchase that game I will gladly do so right now. Fucking Windows 95 games.
The only real time I think it's slightly justified is if you just want to try a game and you end up buying it anyways. Of course, out of all the games I pirated the only one I ended up buying is SMT: Devil Survivor. But in the long run I'm pretty glad I didn't buy some of those days. (Kingdom Hearts something/something days, what a boring game) I do regret not buying the Ace Attorney games I pirated, I'll get to buying them when they're cheaper. (and not the ones on WiiWare ugh)
But yeah, pirating is bad, it should stop I suppose.
I pirate partly because of technologically-illiterate self-righteous twats like Jim Sterling.
Yes, piracy is bad.
Yes, there are legitimate reasons for doing it.
Yes, I prefer to purchase some times and other times I pirate.
No, it's not stealing.
Why should I ever even consider paying 60 bucks for something I haven't even tried? I still meet or exceed my budget for games every month (Thanks Mint.com), but I don't buy garbage like Two Worlds II or Test Drive Unlimited II because I tried them and found out they sucked. People who sink money into these games are artificially attached to them simply because they have to justify their expenditure.
I will continue playing every PC game that is released for free, and buying the ones I actually deem worthwhile. Why is that so hard to understand? People don't buy cars or get married without trying the merchandise out first.
@Noir; although you have a point..I'd be hard pressed to believe someone who has a full working copy of a game that they got for free,is going to go out and pay full price for said game...I know they are out there...die hard fans and *gasp* people who admit it was wrong,and want to support the developer..but I think we both know that's a very teeny weeny fraction of folks who pirate
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Contest:
2:00 PM on 02.10.2011 | 
And i may or may not be a pirate.
Remind me when someone gives a shit.
But people say "OH BUT IT IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE PUBLISHERS PAY EXTRA TO HAVE THEIR GAMES PRESSED AND PRINT THE INSTRUCTION MANUALS SO ITS DIFFERENT". The bottom line is: the game costs $10, it took sweat equity to make, and you're getting it for free.
Not that I judge thieves in general, I just maintain that people be honest about it.
NO! NOT MY PRECIOUS CAN! IT WAS SO UNIQUE, AND NOW THEIR ARE TWO OF THEM. YOU ARE HORRIBLE.
You don't pay for any of your games. You don't really get to have an opinion on the matter.
I will continue to try games and buy the ones I like or want to try the multiplayer.
Morality doesn't even factor into it.
The only reason people are so ok about it is because as Jim said these are big faceless corps, but you damage the industry and the people who work within it.
Good work for highlighting this issue Jim.
I bought Chinatown Wars for DS when it came out :)
Logic reversal.
Oh, really? Well, seems to me that buying used helps game stores prosper, which in turn allows that store to expand or stick around and provide me with yet more games of the new and used variety.
Hell, if I trade in a game, I can put it down as credit for a new game, practically helping sell a new game.
If you pirate a game, it accomplishes none of those things.
So buying used isn't close to the same thing. Consumer benefits, retailer benefits and while developers and publishers don't want to admit it, it does benefit them as well.
He didn't have to buy games before he worked at Destructoid huh?
And can you say for a fact he doesn't buy a single game now? That EVERY game he wants to play, is sent to him in a magical package with a note saying "Cause we love you."
Nope.
So don't be dumb.
I used to make excuses but since growing up I don't steal games any more.
Bottom line: I pirate shit. If it's good, they see my money, if not, why should they get it anyway.
fucking thief
the thing is that you either have integrity, or you don't. software pirates don't have integrity, and therefore should be shunned out of any gaming society. seriously, i'm tired of not getting good games on my ds because you shit stains have to have your stuff on the free tip. maybe instead of being a lame ass who can't afford games, you could work to become a person that has an extra $50 a month to buy that game you want, did you ever think of that? best jimquisition ever.
Have to agree though, nothing is more pathetic than pirates trying to justify why they steal intellectual property. May they all have the joy of someone reaping the benefits of their work without compensation.
Don't presume on what I do.
I have paid for games. I continue to pay for games. I will always pay for games.
Reviewers do not get every game for free. In fact, there are a few games I review that I have to buy TO review, so don't tell me I don't buy games, because that is utter bullshit.
In other words, I'd rather be stolen from than ignored entirely. That's not an endorsement of piracy, and I'm not actually a developer so it's just my impression from the outside looking in, but it's something to consider.
Morality doesn't even factor into it."
Clearly, morality doesn't factor into it, because if it did, then you'd realize that it's immoral.
But that's entirely missing the point of the video, which specifically said, "Stop making excuses for stealing," to which you responded with what? An excuse for stealing.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/jimsterling/games/?tab=all
Still feel the same way?
Anybody who says they have not is usually a liar if they're online, especially if they listen to a lot of music.
I listen to a lot of music. Like a fucking thief.
Also, I'll be arrgreeing with you here, Jim. Arrsome plundarr!
Considering he just told you he pays for shit, yeah i still feel the same way.
So what, he has a Steam God account. He's a damn games reviewer for one of the largest games blogs out there. That's like saying someone who has a company car has no right be pissed about car theft, you amoral bug of a person.
But yeah, pirating is bad, it should stop I suppose.
Yes, piracy is bad.
Yes, there are legitimate reasons for doing it.
Yes, I prefer to purchase some times and other times I pirate.
No, it's not stealing.
"It's like abortion.
It's legal, and a choice, but at least admit you snuffing out a human being"
HahahahahaWHAT?!
Gotta support the industry you know?
good job, Jimothy
I will continue playing every PC game that is released for free, and buying the ones I actually deem worthwhile. Why is that so hard to understand? People don't buy cars or get married without trying the merchandise out first.
^also wtf indeed.
Not for the abortion reference.
But since when was piracy legal?