Another "pirating software" thought

[Jhill]

From what I hear it's pretty easy to copy games.
Why don't the software companies just pt some kind of burn proof copy protection scheme on the games they make? It doesn't seem like it wouldn't be too hard to do. Or do they do that already and people find a way around it?

 

[SSP]

They already have that. Some are better then others, like the sports games from EA. Its hard to copy.

 

[Looney]

From what I hear it's pretty easy to copy games.
Why don't the software companies just pt some kind of burn proof copy protection scheme on the games they make? It doesn't seem like it wouldn't be too hard to do. Or do they do that already and people find a way around it?

You've got to be kidding right? They've been having protection on games since i started playing computer games (over 10 years ago).

 

[royaldank]

For every 1 guy trying to come up with some protection scheme, there are 50 guys trying to crack it.

Odds aren't in favor of the protection working...

Now, if the started using seriel dongles or keys like that, then you'd be in trouble. Larger software firms do this, but that is for the high dollar stuff. Not $50 games or $150 WinXP.

 

[Zambonni]

The # of types of copy protections are unbelievable, and every single one has been broken.
What man can create, man get break apart (some take a bit more effort though)

 

[Electrode]

They already do that.

A list of copy protection methods
And how to get around them!

 

[Atlantean]

There are so many places where you can download games, you can get the .bin files and convert them to .iso files, or you can just download .iso files. It is very easy to get pirated software.

 

[MikeO]

<< Or do they do that already and people find a way around it? >>



Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner

 

<< Why don't the software companies just pt some kind of burn proof copy protection scheme on the games they make? It doesn't seem like it wouldn't be too hard to do. Or do they do that already and people find a way around it? >>


Been there done that. Crackers will always be one step ahead until protection is hardware based. And even then a workaround will be created.

 

[Looney]

Now, if the started using seriel dongles or keys like that, then you'd be in trouble. Larger software firms do this, but that is for the high dollar stuff. Not $50 games or $150 WinXP.


Dongles would still be crackable. Just as there are cracks and patches for games that requires the original CD (SD2 protection), you'll find cracks and patches for software with dongles too (if they existed in the consumer market). Dongles and keys are more for protection of authorization on who gets to use what software.

 

[trulfe]

i would suggest that for game consoles that they create discs that are larger then the standard size of a CD/DVD so that it cant be fit into a CD drive. This would cut down on the ability to copy them. To my knowledge Nintendo had little problems with this when using cartriges.

 

[VRoOMdesigns]

What's a dongle ?

 

[Illusio]

<< Now, if the started using seriel dongles or keys like that, then you'd be in trouble. Larger software firms do this, but that is for the high dollar stuff. Not $50 games or $150 WinXP. >>



I woulndt put too much stock in Dongles if i were you. They have been around and they have been cracked too. If i remember correctly, 3dsMax requires a Dongle, and they crackers didn't have much problem bypassing it.

The only thing copy protection really does is annoy legitimate buyes and foil casual users trying to copy thier friends bought CD. The pirates in the underground have pretty much have never been stoped (unless you count CD keys for blizzard games to log on to their servers for multiplay, but thats a different story).

 

[Superwormy]

Dongles are hardware pieces, usually in the form of a little pass-through that plugs into your printer port and the apps can't run without the dongle there.

Dongle's are no problem, CadKey and 3D Studio MAX use dongles... and yet go look how easy it is to get a workign copy of either without dongles at all. 45kb crack and you got a dongleless piece of softwarE!

 

[Illusio]

<< i would suggest that for game consoles that they create discs that are larger then the standard size of a CD/DVD so that it cant be fit into a CD drive. This would cut down on the ability to copy them. To my knowledge Nintendo had little problems with this when using cartriges. >>



Sega tried that and to no avail. Crackers just cut out some of the unnecessary in game videos and downsampled the music. and Viola!, it fit on to a 80min CDR...

 

[hevnsnt]

<< "There are so many places where you can download games, you can get the .bin files and convert them to .iso files, or you can just download .iso files. It is very easy to get pirated software." >>




haha.. this sentance is funny.. You have no clue.

 

[MikeO]

<<

<< i would suggest that for game consoles that they create discs that are larger then the standard size of a CD/DVD so that it cant be fit into a CD drive. This would cut down on the ability to copy them. To my knowledge Nintendo had little problems with this when using cartriges. >>



Sega tried that and to no avail. Crackers just cut out some of the unnecessary in game videos and downsampled the music. and Viola!, it fit on to a 80min CDR... >>



I think he ment to enlarge the CD physically.

 

[trulfe]

<<

<< i would suggest that for game consoles that they create discs that are larger then the standard size of a CD/DVD so that it cant be fit into a CD drive. This would cut down on the ability to copy them. To my knowledge Nintendo had little problems with this when using cartriges. >>



Sega tried that and to no avail. Crackers just cut out some of the unnecessary in game videos and downsampled the music. and Viola!, it fit on to a 80min CDR... >>





when i say larger, i am referring to physical size. after all console producers make the type of media the console will read so if they create a disc that is in between the size of a CD-R and much much smaller than a laser disc ( so that it is only a little bigger than a CD-R) i think this might work.

 

[cuteybunny]

i dont think the company really care about you the consumer wanting to make a copy for your own use, and stored safely incase the original get screwed up by kids, accidental damages.
copy protection is an evil scheme used as a tool so the media can control what you can't do or can do so it is not for the best interest fo us the consumer so why encourage it?



<< From what I hear it's pretty easy to copy games.
Why don't the software companies just pt some kind of burn proof copy protection scheme on the games they make? It doesn't seem like it wouldn't be too hard to do. Or do they do that already and people find a way around it?

You've got to be kidding right? They've been having protection on games since i started playing computer games (over 10 years ago). >>

 

[Illusio]

<<

<<

<< i would suggest that for game consoles that they create discs that are larger then the standard size of a CD/DVD so that it cant be fit into a CD drive. This would cut down on the ability to copy them. To my knowledge Nintendo had little problems with this when using cartriges. >>



Sega tried that and to no avail. Crackers just cut out some of the unnecessary in game videos and downsampled the music. and Viola!, it fit on to a 80min CDR... >>





when i say larger, i am referring to physical size. after all console producers make the type of media the console will read so if they create a disc that is in between the size of a CD-R and much much smaller than a laser disc ( so that it is only a little bigger than a CD-R) i think this might work. >>



well in that case it still woulndt mater. If i remember correctly, dreamcast games werent just dropping the CD into your computer CD drive. You actually had to hook up your Dreamcast to your computer or something like that.

 

[trulfe]

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<<

<<

<<


when i say larger, i am referring to physical size. after all console producers make the type of media the console will read so if they create a disc that is in between the size of a CD-R and much much smaller than a laser disc ( so that it is only a little bigger than a CD-R) i think this might work. >>



well in that case it still woulndt mater. If i remember correctly, dreamcast games werent just dropping the CD into your computer CD drive. You actually had to hook up your Dreamcast to your computer or something like that. >>








if thats the case, then it wouldnt work afterall.

 

[hevnsnt]

I mean lets face it..

Game manufacturers want to keep costs down when producing the units, otherwise they may lose more by not selling as many units than they would by having cheaper hardware and some people copying their games..

 

[Illusio]

i think if game companies just lowered thier stupid prices, they would sell a lot more titles to more than balance it out. I mean, Id rather pay $30 for a game then $60. I buy a lot less games because of that or just wait for em to hit the bargin bin.

 

[Looney]

haha.. this sentance is funny.. You have no clue.

LOLOL you're right, i missed that post.

i think if game companies just lowered thier stupid prices, they would sell a lot more titles to more than balance it out. I mean, Id rather pay $30 for a game then $60. I buy a lot less games because of that or just wait for em to hit the bargin bin.

Bah, the cost of games has very little to do with pirating. Music CDs are $15, and you see people pirating mp3. Lots of shareware are $10, and there's still pirating.

 

[drewshin]

i'm sure this could be another topic, but does everyone remember the "old" copy protections (not really a copy protection i guess)?

they would have keys, or make you look in certain pages of the game manual to proceed to the game.

anyone recall any other weird schemes?