I also agree with the theory behind Naster's post, as long as people are honest enough to actually use the game as a quick demo, and then buy it if they like it, then I don't think it is morally objectional. Though of course, most people won't do that, they will probably never buy the game.

One common argument that you often hear that I don't think hold much ground is "I can't afford games". Well, games are dirty cheap these days. Not the latest release, but the games released a few years ago can often be found for less than 10€, often in compilations of several games. If you can't afford the latest release, buy a slightly older one, you will get many hours worth of fun for your €. 

While it is indeed true, Fnord, that older games are cheaper, you'll usually find that the pirates are playing games even before they've been officially released.  Time is a factor, and many people want to play games when those games are still new on the circuit and just released.

...but some people end up paying inordinately high prices for that privelege, whilst others pay nothing at all for the same privilege.

Originally Posted By Naster

 

Who says it has to work like that with games? What if it was more like you respect someone so you pay for their services (the service being the creation of a game, not the act of allowing you to play it)? In many countries restaurants make a good portion of their money from tips, and you're expected to tip for a good service but not for substandard service.

 

 

I actually find it strange that you're even arguing with me, since you were the one posted that "Piracy for Dummies" chart that I fully agree with, and you even stated that you "don't agree that piracy is necessarily evil."

I stated the exact opposite "Therefore i don't agree that piracy is a necessary evil" the "a" makes a big difference 

Restaurants make profit on tips, but by pirating games you're not paying anything, so the comparison is incorrect.

I fully agree with Lucien21 on this one

Originally Posted By markornikov

I stated the exact opposite "Therefore i don't agree that piracy is a necessary evil" the "a" makes a big difference 

Whoops! That does change the meaning a little. Sorry for misquoting.

Tipping was mentioned... Personally I consider poor tipping a far worse sin than downloading software. Someone who stiffs a waitress after an hour or two of service is just cheap trash, no mater how indifferent the food, drink or service was, and is a far worse indictment of character than scamming a game floating on the web.

On topic, clearly the pressure is on developers to invent a painless and effective DRM, or deliver games in a totally novel way that would make it a moot point. Until then it is unreasonable not to expect people to bend down and pick up the $20 bill they found on the sidewalk. Actually that's not even a fair comparison because the twenty is part of a limited supply, someone is a loser, while the digital copy can be endlessly duplicated...

I'm reminded of a very interesting Walter Benjamin essay from the early 20thC entitled "Authenticty in the Age of Mechanical Duplication". While his focus was the implication of replication in the realm of art, the question he posed presages the dilema we now face in an age of infinite perfect effortless duplication of digital media. 

Continuing off-topic: Tipping customs vary from country to country, though. In my country tipping is not customary but waiters' salaries are already included in the prices of the meals. So I hope you don't judge my character based on my earlier tipping example, I was merely hypothesizing.

No, don't worry I could tell you knew what the deal was when you said "in some countries". But even in countries where waiters are salaried you always leave at least a little something extra - "petit monnaie" as they say in France.