Piracy and PSP game sales

When I was in school, I pirated movies, games and software.

But now that I'm in the work force, I pay for everything. I hate reading on forums (even here) when kids are bragging that they downloaded the latest movie, or game, but understand them because I too used to be like that.
 
[quote name='taz98spin']When I was in school, I pirated movies, games and software.

But now that I'm in the work force, I pay for everything. I hate reading on forums (even here) when kids are bragging that they downloaded the latest movie, or game, but understand them because I too used to be like that.[/quote]

I know what you mean. I feel even worse since I was the one who showed all my friends that there are much better places than Limewire to get anything they wanted. They totally don't understand why I pay for everything now.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']Magiic's point makes me wonder, from the publisher/developer point of view, is pirating any worse than used copies?[/quote]

Yeah that is really interesting. I think most of my games have been been bought used too.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']
Actually, I disagree about the PSP software selection at the time you mentioned. I personally felt PSP had the 2nd greatest launch ever after the Dreamcast, with games like Wipeout Pure, Metal Gear Acid, Lumines, Ridge Racer, Twisted Metal: Head On, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee a little later, etc. I actually owned over 10 early games and enjoyed them all. But once Summer hit, PSP did slow down quite a bit and didn't start picking up until Q4 05, but really did awesome in 2006.

Actually, PSP game sales were actually very strong initially. Early on in NPD from what I believe, there were many PSP games selling towards the top in 05. But after that, PSP sales took a downward spiral.[/quote]


Ahh. I forget about Acid and Wipeout Pure. I bought those much later on than they released. I can't remember when, but I remember games costing way too much and there really wasn't anything to play. I mean I bought Daxter, Infected (huge disapointment) and Syphon Filter, but PSP seemed to explode out of nowhere maybe a year after I got it. It could be me not paying attention enough but I wasn't exactly buying games left and right for it. Now I am though.

What's the highest selling PSP game? Daxter?
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']Magiic's point makes me wonder, from the publisher/developer point of view, is pirating any worse than used copies?[/QUOTE]

yes because with a used copy they at least made money when it was brought new. Also some buying a used copy is more likely to buy a new copy of their work in the future than someone who pirate
 
[quote name='62t']yes because with a used copy they at least made money when it was brought new. Also some buying a used copy is more likely to buy a new copy of their work in the future than someone who pirate[/quote]

I don't know of that works. Someone had to buy the game first to pirate it too.
 
[quote name='62t']yes because with a used copy they at least made money when it was brought new. Also some buying a used copy is more likely to buy a new copy of their work in the future than someone who pirate[/quote]


yeah but you could look at that vice versa...i mean that user can wait till it becomes used..and buy it again used.


Yeah i agree, piracy ruins anything in digital industry. But c'mon, The PSP just started generating new users with PSP packs sony just released. Normal Consumers are starting to buy it now due to the package you get.

I fail to remember...that their release sales were a joke. The PSP couldnt even touch the DS in sales numbers...now all of a sudden..it selling more in Japan and more here. so maybe there user base...couldnt generate alot of software sales in the first place.

I wouldnt put out a game on psp..knowing that not many people have the system..and i couldnt generate a profit due to a low customer base. point is there are so many other reasons for falling consumer sales and not just piracy.
 
[quote name='NamPaehc']I don't know of that works. Someone had to buy the game first to pirate it too.[/QUOTE]

A single used copy will never reach thousands of people, so it is not the same. Also a lot of leaked games are from people insdie the industries that dont have to pay for games.

[quote name='integralsmatic']yeah but you could look at that vice versa...i mean that user can wait till it becomes used..and buy it again used.


[/QUOTE]

It is possible, but if they want to have the sequel in day 1 they will have to get it new.
 
[quote name='62t']It is possible, but if they want to have the sequel in day 1 they will have to get it new.[/QUOTE]

Right, but if they were never intending on paying full price, what difference to the pub/dev would it matter if they pirated day one or bought used 3 days later?
 
my point was that when someone buy a used game and likes it so much he must have the upcoming game right away. He is least likely to pirate. Example: someone got a used copy of Halo2 and really likes it. Now he will consider getting Halo3 on day 1.
 
[quote name='Blackout542']Ahh. I forget about Acid and Wipeout Pure. I bought those much later on than they released. I can't remember when, but I remember games costing way too much and there really wasn't anything to play. I mean I bought Daxter, Infected (huge disapointment) and Syphon Filter, but PSP seemed to explode out of nowhere maybe a year after I got it. It could be me not paying attention enough but I wasn't exactly buying games left and right for it. Now I am though.

What's the highest selling PSP game? Daxter?[/QUOTE]Highest selling was GTA: LCS, which sold close to 2 million I think. It actually sold very well too. Getting a PS2 port kind of hurt VCS, along with the piracy getting worse.

There is no denying, 2006 is the year PSP just got way better by a ridiculous margin, and all the good old stuff was cheap.
 
Copyright infringement isn't really "stealing" in the normal sense because you're not depriving anyone of any tangible object, just like IP isn't really "property" in the normal sense.

All the same, we can all agree that those who download copyrighted material such as games/music/films are definitely IN THE WRONG. People who try to rationalize their 100% ILLEGAL activities by saying "I don't like paying big corporations" or "I can't afford it" are just deluded. This line of reasoning basically says "it's ok to steal, just from big corporations" or "I'm too poor to afford this luxury but I want it anyway". If you want the game, find some legal means to obtain it...you could even borrow it from a friend or rent it! Otherwise, stop whining. Games are luxuries and it's not like you'll die if you don't have the latest one.


If I see a game I like I go and rent or borrow it, and if it's worth my time I usually buy it. Piracy definitely hurts the PSP, like any game console, but the main problem is that piracy on the PSP is very very easy compared to other systems. On the PSP all of what you have to do is on the firmware/software side (like on the PC) whereas for other consoles you actually have to physically open the thing up and solder in a mod chip.
 
[quote name='Mechafenris']It's not stealing... it's infringing on copyright. Big difference. It's comments like this that have our copyright system in the mess it's in now...

Regardless of how it affects sales of PSP software, it does not equate to theft. (And there's no guarantee someone who copied a game would have bought it if it had been the only way to acquire it... otherwise the RIAA would write off their piracy losses directly on their taxes...)

But nonetheless, it's a moral issue that a sensible copyright policy and return to the intention of copyright in general as it's spelled out in the Constitution would alleviate much better than harsher penalties and two-fisted rants...

But it's not stealing. It never was... nor will it be. It's a TORT....[/quote]

BRAVO...you're an idiot. You have no idea what you're talking about.

Videogame piracy, just like, say, music piracy, is a CRIME. Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted materials is a CRIMINAL ACT. Yes, you can be sued in civil court by the copyright owner, but you can also be CRIMINALLY prosecuted by the federal authorities. Have you never glanced at the back of a CD for instance, and seen the FBI warning?

Let me say it again, digital piracy is a CRIMINAL ACT, with potential criminal and civil penalties. For starters you might want to check out the No Electronic Theft Act signed into law by President Clinton in 97.
 
[quote name='62t']my point was that when someone buy a used game and likes it so much he must have the upcoming game right away. He is least likely to pirate. Example: someone got a used copy of Halo2 and really likes it. Now he will consider getting Halo3 on day 1.[/quote]

I guess I can give you that. I would say the person was more likely to buy the game used again then getting it new right away... But yeah maybe, could be more likely to buy it new then someone who downloaded.

I think that Sony has been successful with the PSP, even if it isn't selling tons of software left and right. I mean, BigN has held the portable market for so long and for anyone to even care about the PSP's sales is a good thing.
 
I downloaded a few, but the main reason I did CFW on my old PSP was because the load times are too long on some games. So I actually had a physical copy, and a ISO on my memory stick. I haven't really played my PSlim because I can't tolerate the load times for katamari.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']Right, but if they were never intending on paying full price, what difference to the pub/dev would it matter if they pirated day one or bought used 3 days later?[/quote]

exactly, there would be no difference.

piracy only hurts new game sales...used game sales dont help it at all. so we buy used..its still not supporting the dev/pub..its just supporting your local retailer. Atleast thats what it looks like.
 
I buy new UMD games - but I have custom firmware so I can play my old PS1 games on my memory card.

If that's stealing, then I steal.

But anyone who says that's stealing is an idiot.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']Highest selling was GTA: LCS, which sold close to 2 million I think. It actually sold very well too. Getting a PS2 port kind of hurt VCS, along with the piracy getting worse.

There is no denying, 2006 is the year PSP just got way better by a ridiculous margin, and all the good old stuff was cheap.[/QUOTE]

ah but for a while people were using GTA for the exploit to flash their system...
 
[quote name='integralsmatic']exactly, there would be no difference.

piracy only hurts new game sales...used game sales dont help it at all. so we buy used..its still not supporting the dev/pub..its just supporting your local retailer. Atleast thats what it looks like.[/quote]

There is a small difference. If you buy used, the next person who goes looking for the same game used and finds its OOS may very likely then buy a new copy. With piracy because its digital downloads theres an endless supply so they don't have to go looking for a new copy, unless all the torrent sites were closed down...
 
morality is murky, as with music, my own thoughts are my downloading a song or album makes me aware of more music I certainly would not have heard on the radio, and more likely to buy music.
Before 1998/1999, I rarely purchased cds because I thought most music was terrible. The bulk of my collection was purchased after I had downloaded mp3s and discovered tons of new music I like.
With my psp, I bought it solely to play old games on. Then I decided to buy a couple games. Then I decided to download games I did not own, play them, and have since increased my buying several fold.
Now I buy a game and rip it to my system to play off the memory card (I keep the game).
I don't consider my actions stealing, nor immoral, because the end result is I buy more stuff than I otherwise would. In a strict interpretation of a vague and possible misguided law are my actions wrong, probably. But if I had a psp with regular firmware, I would own far fewer games and probably rarely use the system.
 
[quote name='62t']ah but for a while people were using GTA for the exploit to flash their system...[/QUOTE]

Exactly. This is all so simple. Put an exploit on your UMD game and you'll sell millions of copies. :whistle2:k
 
If you wanna see even more just look at the amount of people on the site PSPiso. But to be fair Sony brought this on their selves by not protecting their stuff. I mean piracy is a problem with every console, but Sony just made it way too easy on the PSP and as a result, people have taken advantage of it.

EDIT: 2,094 online right now alone, and this isnt even at the peak hours, and when GOW came out their server crashed because of the amount of people trying to get on that site.
 
[quote name='KillJoi99']If you wanna see even more just look at the amount of people on the site PSPiso. But to be fair Sony brought this on their selves by not protecting their stuff. I mean piracy is a problem with every console, but Sony just made it way too easy on the PSP and as a result, people have taken advantage of it.[/QUOTE]
Uh, I wouldn't say that Sony is intentionally making it "too easy." I mean, with every new firmware update, they've added in new anti-piracy measures (which are beaten over and over).

Any system can be exploited. It's not really the fault of the company being too lazy. It's just going to happen, no matter what.
 
Pussies, if these guys want to steal games, then they should steal them physically.

No, really, this is the kind of thing that drives the quality of games down. At least it's not as bad as in the music industry- video game pirating hasn't become mainstream like Limewire has. I was yelled at by other kids in my school because I said that downloading songs off of there was illegal.
 
[quote name='CoffeeEdge']Uh, I wouldn't say that Sony is intentionally making it "too easy." I mean, with every new firmware update, they've added in new anti-piracy measures (which are beaten over and over).

Any system can be exploited. It's not really the fault of the company being too lazy. It's just going to happen, no matter what.[/quote]
I know they're not doing it intentionally, but its a physical design flaw in the system. It is easier to pirate games on the PSP than anywhere else.

But I would like to know, out of all of you people saying its bad to steal PSP games, how many of you download music off of Limewore, Bear Share, torrents, ect.?
 
I blame it all on the Chinese.(joke/half truth))Piracy is pushing PSP hardware.If it werent for piracy who knows what would have happened to the PSP.

Buying used games is not helping the industry either.So most of you can get off your high horse of righteousness.
 
[quote name='62t']It is no harder than the PS2/Xbox exploit, flash X360, or getting flash cart for DS.[/quote]
True, however, for some reason it is way more popular on the PSP. I gotta disagree on the 360 though, the second you play a pirated game on Live, youll receive a console ban, so at least MS has found some sort of leverage, and plus you have to take the 360 apart to do this, making it harder than just plugging it it(PSP).
 
[quote name='KillJoi99']I gotta disagree on the 360 though, the second you play a pirated game on Live, youll receive a console ban.[/QUOTE]

you dont know what you are talking about.
 
[quote name='KillJoi99']I know they're not doing it intentionally, but its a physical design flaw in the system. It is easier to pirate games on the PSP than anywhere else.

But I would like to know, out of all of you people saying its bad to steal PSP games, how many of you download music off of Limewore, Bear Share, torrents, ect.?[/quote]
I don't download any music & I don't buy any music because I'd rather spend what little money I have on a video game. It's very enticing to pirate music or games but I do not do it.

aihuman, if you buy used, the next person who goes looking for the same game used and finds its OOS may very likely then buy a new copy. With piracy because its digital downloads theres an endless supply so they don't have to go looking for a new copy, unless all the torrent sites were closed down... Buying used is not anywhere near as bad as pirating.
 
[quote name='KillJoi99']Oh, ok....:roll:. Then please enlighten me on how I am wrong.[/QUOTE]

you can play backups on xbox live without a problem.



Another reason why music and video game piracy is a bad comparison. A musician can make money from concerts, endorsements, and other things.
 
I love some of the longshot reasons why used games sales drive new game sales. I know I personally rarely if ever buy games new. In the past the only new games I have purchased are

CoD4 ( loved the beta)
Rockband Bundle (not something you buy used)
BioShock (loved the demo)
Mario Galaxy (I wanted it day one)
Guitar Hero III (same as rockband)

I can't think of any other games I've purchased new in the past year outside of those. Everything has been bought used. Unless a game really sells me with the demo Im not going to buy it new. I've never been in a scenario where I bought a sequel on day one because I loved the previous one. Nor have I been unable to find a used one so I bought it new instead.
 
[quote name='J7.']I don't download any music & I don't buy any music because I'd rather spend what little money I have on a video game. It's very enticing to pirate music or games but I do not do it.

aihuman, if you buy used, the next person who goes looking for the same game used and finds its OOS may very likely then buy a new copy. With piracy because its digital downloads theres an endless supply so they don't have to go looking for a new copy, unless all the torrent sites were closed down... Buying used is not anywhere near as bad as pirating.[/quote]
I'm not saying you necessarily are, however, I would bet the majority of people that are saying pirating games is so bad, either download music or programs illegally, and are frankly hypocrites.
 
[quote name='62t']you can play backups on xbox live without a problem.



Another reason why music and video game piracy is a bad comparison. A musician can make money from concerts, endorsements, and other things.[/quote]
And video game makers can make money off of advertising, but thats not even the point, pirating is pirating no matter what your stealing.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']Let's just say someone at GAF posted the number of torrent sites for each platform, and this is what he saw:


If PSP is the top non-PC, hardware sells very well, but the software sales are crap, that really tells you something. Piracy is definitely hurting PSP regardless. Now, not all those people who downloaded will buy the game, but I'd say PSP game sales would definitely be more reasonable if it wasn't for piracy. Piracy is indeed a problem, no matter how you try to spin this.[/quote]


I'm just tossing this out there as devil's advocate. What if the exact opposite is true and the ease of psp piracy is the driving force behind psp hardware sales? Sort of a "I'd rather play several okay-ish free games rather than a few I'd have to purchase" logic? Like when people buy those crap NES-rom 99-in1 things.
 
I was searching for sites that have PSP formatted videos so I wouldn't have to reformat to get on PSP (this thread is me asking you guys what the best sites are http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175506 )
And one of the first sites I found through google was this site that lets you download games formatted to work on PSP (& videos, music, software, tv, etc) all free if you pay a one time membership fee. Includes games that work on PSP like Final Fantasy 7 etc. How can a site like that exist? Isn't that basically paying for a pirating membership... I'm not going to post the site, but I assure you its out there.
 
[quote name='J7.']I was searching for sites that have PSP formatted videos so I wouldn't have to reformat to get on PSP (this thread is me asking you guys what the best sites are http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175506 )
And one of the first sites I found through google was this site that lets you download games formatted to work on PSP (& videos, music, software, tv, etc) all free if you pay a one time membership fee. Includes games that work on PSP like Final Fantasy 7 etc. How can a site like that exist? Isn't that basically paying for a pirating membership... I'm not going to post the site, but I assure you its out there.[/quote]

If it's the site I think you're talking about...it's a huge scam.
 
Yea, it is. You can get pirated games for free in so many places, and if you run a simple Google searc you can find them really easily.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top