MoO on GOG!!!

[rcorporon]

MoO 2 isn't abandonware, so I don't see what the issue is... besides, can't we all agree that MoO and MoO 2 are kickass, and worth $6?

 

[Tagaziel]

Stop right there. You are equating legality with morality. Ask yourself this - if people started downloading abandonware games en masse, what negative consequences would that have? I can't think of any. On the other hand, I can think of considerable beneficial effects, as continuing interest might encourage revival of the franchise with sequels and remakes. For example, I have no doubt that abandonware community greatly contributed to enduring popularity of the X-Com series, so thanks to them Irrational is now working on ano- ...


Oh, wait. Fuck.

I concede this point to you.

You know, that's a scary thought.

Arcanum 2, a first person shooter?

There are plenty other valid examples on GOG, feline.

Yes, but we were discussing MOO2, Rattus Rattus.

I too doubt GOG would let any malware slip into their releases. That would take some epic ineptitude, and GOG are anything but epic. But still, the fact that they have to rely on scene cracks to make those games playable casts some doubt on professionalism of their operation. Who's to say that GOG aren't two guys sitting on a pile of pirated games in their basement?

Their corporate owner, CD Projekt? They're signing deals with the companies that own the IPs and get the files from them. Yes, they use scene cracks. If they wouldn't be available, they'd make their own.

It's simple economics. Why blow money on something you already have available and actually own in the first place?

Don't let the volume of cracks fool you - it is a result of the fact that many games use a similar or identical copy protection scheme, so once you've cracked one, you can easily crack them all. That doesn't change the fact that cracking is pretty fucking hard, as it involves assembler programming and modifying binary executables. You can be sure that crackers are all very bright individuals. One might say they are wasting their considerable skills and intellect on developing cracks for the benefit on self-serving, ungrateful slobs like us.

Given that most crackers' identitites are unknown, I find it a bit far reaching to consider them "wasting their skills". For all you know, they can be respectable IT managers cracking games on their laptops on company time.

Well, like me.

Awww, don't hit yourself too hard, Ratty.

Minor nitpick: warez scene isn't the same as abandonware scene. The latter isn't very well known for cracking feats.

Well, most abandonware games don't need to be cracked, they just need the manuals. Or code rings. Or spread sheets. Or virgin male sacrifices.

 

[Ratty Sr.]

You know, that's a scary thought.

Arcanum 2, a first person shooter?

If they call it Journey to the Center of Arcanum and get Brian Mitsoda to work it, I'm buying it.

Yes, but we were discussing MOO2, Rattus Rattus.

My rant was directed against GOG in general, the mention of MoO only triggered it. So you could say I've been off-topic all along.

Given that most crackers' identitites are unknown, I find it a bit far reaching to consider them "wasting their skills". For all you know, they can be respectable IT managers cracking games on their laptops on company time.

 

[Arr0nax]

Why dont you think for a minute how selling products works. Even software if not in physical form present can be stolen.

No they can't. If you did read my posts and especially the wikipedia link you'd understand the difference between stealing and infringing.
Did you call it stealing when you borrowed your friends game ? I'm pretty sure you didn't. Do you call it stealing when you buy a second-hand game ? I'm pretty sure you don't. Yet you're using the software without giving anything to the developpers.

Also, I'm pretty much thinking about it every day since I intend to distribute my own games in the future. I know they will be copied and I accept it because it's how information works.
The information/culture market has to and will find other ways of being financed than enforcing a per-copy fee. It's inevitable and it's already happening.

 

[Dario ff]

Aren't piracy and theft considered different crimes?

If you people are discussing its morality, don't expect to win the argument. It's an endless debate I wouldn't like to go through again.

 

[Professor Danger!]

If you people are discussing its morality, don't expect to win the argument. It's an endless debate I wouldn't like to go through again.

It's either that or the abortion debate.

 

[Crni Vuk]

Why dont you think for a minute how selling products works. Even software if not in physical form present can be stolen.

No they can't. If you did read my posts and especially the wikipedia link you'd understand the difference between stealing and infringing.
Did you call it stealing when you borrowed your friends game ? I'm pretty sure you didn't. Do you call it stealing when you buy a second-hand game ? I'm pretty sure you don't. Yet you're using the software without giving anything to the developpers.

Also, I'm pretty much thinking about it every day since I intend to distribute my own games in the future. I know they will be copied and I accept it because it's how information works.
The information/culture market has to and will find other ways of being financed than enforcing a per-copy fee. It's inevitable and it's already happening.

Maybe I got you wrong. But to say it that way.

If I would develop a game/programm selling it in a store and someone would upload it to share it. Then I would call it "theft". yeah. It might not describe it that acurately particularly regarding laws. But well. A crime is a crime. Regardless what we call it.

 

[Professor Danger!]

I think the fact is, I would rather pay for it, since i'm afraid of the 'ol pokey, thanks to that wonderful show Oz some years ago.