Aerothorn on 13/12/2008 at 20:28
So, what do you folks think of the whole crackdown on the used games market?
Over the summer, I bought a used copy of Galactic Civlizations II - only to find out that since it was used (and the serial number had been used) that I could not patch it, and was stuck with version 1.0. Suffice it to say I am miffed. I suppose it is the company's right to do what they want with their software, but considering that there was absolutely no warning on the box, it seems rather underhanded.
june gloom on 13/12/2008 at 20:31
Hence why I don't buy used PC games.
So glad I bought HL1 back in 2000 before Steam.
fett on 13/12/2008 at 20:48
That, accompanied by the 2+ hours I spent repairing my HL2 install, multiplied by the amount of times I've cut my wrists in frustration over Psychonauts CD's not working properly, led me to buy a PS2 this Christmas.
I'm at a point where I'm fully willing to say Fuck The PC Game Industry. I hope they die in flames and all have to get jobs at K-Mart. I'm sick of being fucked over because I supported their product by paying an outrageous price for it, then being treated like a criminal, and end up having to depend on criminals (cracks, torrents, etc.) to make the fucking thing work properly. Fuck them and the OS they rode in on, Ken Levine included. They collectively don't give a shit that they're ripping us off, and the whole time bitch about piracy and sales. It's their own fucking fault and I'm tired of being the scapegoat. Lego Indiana Jones was the last PC game I'll ever buy (Fuck all the Securrom bullshit, and fuck you LucasArts). I'd rather date the whore that is the console market than keep getting dicked by a steady girlfriend. I know that the crackdown will apply to the console market too, but at least when I buy a new console game, it works out of the box, and I won't have to buy a new $225 vid card to make it so, or spend hours on e-mail trying to get past the CD check or some bullshit. Fuck 'em, fuck 'em, fuck 'em.
Not that I feel strongly about it or anything.
Ostriig on 13/12/2008 at 21:02
Quote Posted by Aerothorn
So, what do you folks think of the whole crackdown on the used games market?
I think it's abusive bullshit, and comes as the shit-glazed cherry on top of all the excessive DRM crap we've had to put up with. I'll leave it at that.
doctorfrog on 13/12/2008 at 21:42
Stardock's policy on used copies of GCII is here: (
http://forums.galciv2.com/115253)
It's a popular thread, with many users arguing for the idea that when you buy software, you only buy a license to use it. Have some more Kool-Aid, guys.
I enountered my own minor hassles with activating my own new copy of GCII, due to a lack of internet at home. Stardock was willing to help me with this, but it took a week, and left a bad taste in my mouth. The concept that their properties don't have DRM is nonsense, no software product these days ships fully patched, and their patches require activation: DRM. The "full" game is therefore laden with DRM. It's a loophole.
I'm not 16, so pirating games doesn't feel justified anymore, but a company having control over whether or not I can install and play their games isn't right either. GC II was the last "thou must activate, mortal" game I've bought. I don't buy licenses to things, I buy things.
I'm in the very odd position of only buying games now whose DRM is either nonexistent or easily defeated. I'm a conscientious consumer of the work of both game developers and pirates. I'm scratching my head as spittle flies between pro-consumer and pro-publisher advocates.
When the fuck did playing PC games turn into something political? I just want to own and play my damn games (and movies and music).
If they ever fucking do this to books I'm going to take a torch to the entire world.Phatose on 14/12/2008 at 01:26
A company having control over what you can do with their property is the very core of all Intellectual Property rights. And frankly, thinking you own something that cost millions of dollars to develop after paying $50 is naive.
Ostriig on 14/12/2008 at 01:35
I assure you that any generation of the Audi A4 cost a hell of a lot more than 20.000 Euros to develop.
Phatose on 14/12/2008 at 01:42
So if you buy an Audi, that 20k Euros gives you the right to open up a factory and start reproducing them?
Ostriig on 14/12/2008 at 01:46
No, but it does give me the right to sell it at second-hand at my discretion.
fett on 14/12/2008 at 01:46
Quote Posted by Phatose
So if you buy an Audi, that 20k Euros gives you the right to open up a factory and start reproducing them?
No - but it does give him the right to drive it, paint it, go off-roading in it, beat off in it, or re-sell it without and Audi attorney sitting in the passenger seat with a waiting pair of handcuffs.
