This is really worth reading Jay & Steve! http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ydn75/i_am_sos_who_made_mcpixel_and_gave_out_free_codes/
I think I read something on Gamasutra about this guy and how he seemed to actually encourage piracy.
What did you get out of it DBM?
Well personally, I thought the guy was very clever. His game had been pirated. Was always going to happen, because it is a popular game (Ballads has went that way, don't know how you feel about that?). Now I believe he has said right, I can be pissed off about an uncontrollable act, or I can actually engage with people (giving out free codes). Now, giving out free codes means that anyone going to DL his game will see the codes and go to his site first to see if the codes have been used. They have now visited the Dev's site and seen some of his other work. Maybe, just maybe, they will like what they see, appreciate what he has done (other games and the fact he gave out free codes) and try out his other games, virally or maybe even buying. I don't really buy that he likes "pirates" and is actually encouraging them. It is clever PR in my opinion.
Now I don't actively encourage piracy. I have never posted links, or directed people towards a pirate site but I HAVE and DO DL torrents. The torrents I DL are movies that I will never watch otherwise. If there is a particular film that I want to see (Batman, Anchorman 2, etc) then I will go to the Cinema to see that, or buy the DVD.
The only games that I have DL are classics like Zelda: Ocarina Of time, because I bought the original many moons ago and wanted to enjoy it again.
wow... just googled ballads of reemus torrent... lots of um... XD so didnt expect it
Like I said, it's inevitable. It's not nice for Jay & Steve but complaining about it is a waste of time and effort. As argued before, "sometimes", it can help to generate more interest in future games. The glass is ALWAYS half full! :)
Ya, I think there's probably ways to work with piracy to market your game more. It's so hard to quantify, but it's going to happen so might as well roll with it I suppose.
In our situation, we figured the time and inconvenience of maintaining license keys was more costly than the loss from piracy that some DRM approach could hope to prevent, so we went DRM-free with Ballads and let the cards fall where they may.
Bravo! It's easy for people like myself to sit and say "I would do such and such!", but when it's your livelihood, it hit's home hard that some people are going to take your baby (metaphorically) away and put it out there free of charge for people to give or take.
I do think you are right though, even if you went down the DRM route, if someone out there is determined enough, they will crack it.
Piracy is only getting harder and harder however so maybe, just maybe, it will be near impossible to illegally share content on the web. Long time away though.
lol.. maybe! Im glad you didnt use codes ether! I am running TuneUp (legally) and got a message saying my key was pirated and i needed to buy one! still arguing with customer service about it :(
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