Adobe Ftw?
- Thread starter Tihzz
- Start date
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Yes. Developers deserve to be paid for their work.
I used to be a game dev. Part of the reason the game development company I worked for went under was piracy. I always pay for what I play, and really despise the thinking that is prevalent these days that people shouldn't have to pay for games or other software - it really DOES hurt game and software development, despite many pirates claiming it does not.
Just my two cents.
I used to be a game dev. Part of the reason the game development company I worked for went under was piracy. I always pay for what I play, and really despise the thinking that is prevalent these days that people shouldn't have to pay for games or other software - it really DOES hurt game and software development, despite many pirates claiming it does not.
Just my two cents.
Jov
A grisled PvPer
I agree and disagree, SgtSpike.
When a company as large as Activision releases a blockbuster title like Call of Duty: Black Ops, and charges (what I consider to be) an inordinate $60 per copy of the game, then I don't mind pirating.
Or Adobe, for instance, who charge a ridiculous $2,600 for the Adobe Master Collection CS5.
However, when it comes to indie developers, like Mojang, Deep Silver (Makers of the Gothic series), Frictional Games (Penumbra, Amnseia), or CD Projekt Red (The Witcher)... I'd never pirate.
It's companies like those that need the gamers support - but when it comes to huge corporations that release games just for making another buck, and not for the artform or for a love of gaming, and who overcharge for said games (and load them with DRM)... well pirating from them almost seems like the RIGHT thing to do.
When a company as large as Activision releases a blockbuster title like Call of Duty: Black Ops, and charges (what I consider to be) an inordinate $60 per copy of the game, then I don't mind pirating.
Or Adobe, for instance, who charge a ridiculous $2,600 for the Adobe Master Collection CS5.
However, when it comes to indie developers, like Mojang, Deep Silver (Makers of the Gothic series), Frictional Games (Penumbra, Amnseia), or CD Projekt Red (The Witcher)... I'd never pirate.
It's companies like those that need the gamers support - but when it comes to huge corporations that release games just for making another buck, and not for the artform or for a love of gaming, and who overcharge for said games (and load them with DRM)... well pirating from them almost seems like the RIGHT thing to do.
I still disagree with that Jov - people who work for a large company need their company to be successful just as much as people who work for small companies.
Also, consider this: ALL companies are in it "just to make another buck". Large companies like Activision exist because of investors. Those investors might be big-time millionaires, but they also include small-time middlemen. They might be included in mutual fund bundles as well. If a bunch of people pirate Black Ops, then Activision doesn't make as much money, investors don't get as much money, the average joe's retirement account isn't worth as much, etc.
I know this is all on an irrelevant scale when you're talking about a single person pirating instead of buying, but when you talk about the HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of people who pirate games and software, it can take a HUGE chunk out of overall profit for software and game devs. Now I know that not every pirated piece = what would have been a sale, but you can't argue that none of those pirates wouldn't have bought the software if they hadn't pirated.
Also, the more "blockbuster hits" that Activision or any other large dev puts out, the more interested people will be in investing in game development, both in large companies, and in small indie companies.
Ultimately, if piracy wasn't an option, we'd see more people purchase games, we'd see more money invested in games, we'd see more developers interested in taking chances on new and unique ideas for games, and we'd see more games available, period.
If you think a game is too expensive, don't buy it, or wait until the price drops. If you think a game is terrible, don't buy it.
If you think Photoshop is too expensive, don't buy it. Look for a substitute that will work for what you need. I found Paint.Net for free, as well as Jasc PaintShop Pro that does everything I need it to do. There's no reason for the average joe to need Photoshop. If you're a graphical artist and really need the features from photoshop, pick up an older copy of Photoshop on the cheap until your artistry skills create enough money to buy the latest & greatest.
Also, consider this: ALL companies are in it "just to make another buck". Large companies like Activision exist because of investors. Those investors might be big-time millionaires, but they also include small-time middlemen. They might be included in mutual fund bundles as well. If a bunch of people pirate Black Ops, then Activision doesn't make as much money, investors don't get as much money, the average joe's retirement account isn't worth as much, etc.
I know this is all on an irrelevant scale when you're talking about a single person pirating instead of buying, but when you talk about the HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of people who pirate games and software, it can take a HUGE chunk out of overall profit for software and game devs. Now I know that not every pirated piece = what would have been a sale, but you can't argue that none of those pirates wouldn't have bought the software if they hadn't pirated.
Also, the more "blockbuster hits" that Activision or any other large dev puts out, the more interested people will be in investing in game development, both in large companies, and in small indie companies.
Ultimately, if piracy wasn't an option, we'd see more people purchase games, we'd see more money invested in games, we'd see more developers interested in taking chances on new and unique ideas for games, and we'd see more games available, period.
If you think a game is too expensive, don't buy it, or wait until the price drops. If you think a game is terrible, don't buy it.
If you think Photoshop is too expensive, don't buy it. Look for a substitute that will work for what you need. I found Paint.Net for free, as well as Jasc PaintShop Pro that does everything I need it to do. There's no reason for the average joe to need Photoshop. If you're a graphical artist and really need the features from photoshop, pick up an older copy of Photoshop on the cheap until your artistry skills create enough money to buy the latest & greatest.
Jov
A grisled PvPer
I agree with everything you said, Sgt. Point well made.
I'll typically only download something if I'm 'on the fence' about buying it. In this way, I treat the download as an extended demo. If I'm 100% satisfied, I'll end up purchasing the software.
That said, I really don't have the budget for anything right now that isn't at bargain basement prices. Namely, I've continued to use Adobe Premiere Pro (video editing), and Fallout: New Vegas even after they met satisfaction, but that is because -still- I wouldn't be purchasing the software, regardless, under my current circumstance.
So, I try to be at least somewhat moral, and buy the software that meets my approval - but again, I do see your point!
I'll typically only download something if I'm 'on the fence' about buying it. In this way, I treat the download as an extended demo. If I'm 100% satisfied, I'll end up purchasing the software.
That said, I really don't have the budget for anything right now that isn't at bargain basement prices. Namely, I've continued to use Adobe Premiere Pro (video editing), and Fallout: New Vegas even after they met satisfaction, but that is because -still- I wouldn't be purchasing the software, regardless, under my current circumstance.
So, I try to be at least somewhat moral, and buy the software that meets my approval - but again, I do see your point!
Haha, I hear ya about not having money... the last game I bought was more than a year ago I believe, before last Christmas! I got MW2 as a grad present last December, Black Ops THIS Christmas from my wife, and Forza 3 my last birthday. Other than that, I've had no money for new games, so I've had to watch them come and go. 
At least there hasn't been too much I would have wanted to play anyway!
I do hear that a lot from people - that they treat downloading as an extended demo. While I personally don't agree with doing that, I'm glad that they at least end up purchasing some of the games they play, versus some people who have their moral compass pointed due south and only buy the games when they can't get around the protection!
At least there hasn't been too much I would have wanted to play anyway!I do hear that a lot from people - that they treat downloading as an extended demo. While I personally don't agree with doing that, I'm glad that they at least end up purchasing some of the games they play, versus some people who have their moral compass pointed due south and only buy the games when they can't get around the protection!
coffeejunky
Server Moderator
Adobe do annoy me with their pricing. Particularly for those in the UK/EU...I believe it was cheaper to fly to the US and back to buy a copy of their ultimate suite than to buy it in the UK.
However as it is a tool used by professionals Adobe feel they can justify the price, if people need it for their work, and they earn a living that way, then they can force people into paying really insane prices.
I don't download things in general, as I'd personally rather buy them, its less hassle, risk and you know you are supporting the company (and even your own country through tax).
I'm betting its not a great business move on Adobe's part though. Look at Microsoft, Windows and Office were so expensive to buy, but now it is actually really competetively priced for home users (excluding the pointless Ultimate), and their deals with students will for sure have reduced piracy. If only Adobe would do a deal for just Photoshop for students/home users, all they offer now is Essentials, which is nowhere near as powerful.
And frankly the challenge from piracy is not coming from the West so much, it's pretty much part of their culture in Eastern Europe and the Far East to have loose laws on Intellectual Property.
Ah and while I'm at it, EA make me rage with their having a 5 time activation limit on the Steam edition of Crysis (with no key deregester either), Steam is a DRM, theres no need for an additional layer, that is just taking advantage of consumerism there. When I buy a game I like to you know, buy it, not have it leased to me on their terms.
However as it is a tool used by professionals Adobe feel they can justify the price, if people need it for their work, and they earn a living that way, then they can force people into paying really insane prices.
I don't download things in general, as I'd personally rather buy them, its less hassle, risk and you know you are supporting the company (and even your own country through tax).
I'm betting its not a great business move on Adobe's part though. Look at Microsoft, Windows and Office were so expensive to buy, but now it is actually really competetively priced for home users (excluding the pointless Ultimate), and their deals with students will for sure have reduced piracy. If only Adobe would do a deal for just Photoshop for students/home users, all they offer now is Essentials, which is nowhere near as powerful.
And frankly the challenge from piracy is not coming from the West so much, it's pretty much part of their culture in Eastern Europe and the Far East to have loose laws on Intellectual Property.
Ah and while I'm at it, EA make me rage with their having a 5 time activation limit on the Steam edition of Crysis (with no key deregester either), Steam is a DRM, theres no need for an additional layer, that is just taking advantage of consumerism there. When I buy a game I like to you know, buy it, not have it leased to me on their terms.
I definitely get annoyed at some of the limitations placed on me by varying varieties of companies. Another reason I don't like pirating - if it wasn't for pirates, we wouldn't have DRM of any kind. I didn't know the steam version of Crysis had an activation limit - that's lame. Is there an activation limit on the boxed version? Because I've installed mine 4 times at least... :shock: I might be at the limit now without even realizing it!
coffeejunky
Server Moderator
There is no 5 activation limit on the retail version. Which makes it even more obscure that the Steam version should have it. Crysis warhead has the limit on both steam and retail versions.SgtSpike said:
If its retail you can contact EA and get it reset, but with Steam most people seem to find Steam tell them to contact EA and EA tell them to contact Steam.