2. Yes I used an extreme case, but again it’s just an example that illustrated one of many mentalities that can lead to someone becoming a pirate. If you want another example, here it is: “Sod it. Why pay £30 when I can get it for free?” *Torrents*

3. I don’t recall claiming I had all the solutions anywhere in my article. I am certain some of my ideas are balls, abut I’m sure some work. And people do things they don’t want to do all the time. I can’t think of anyone who would happily pay £50 for a game. Not one person. Doesn’t mean that they don’t though. The point I’m making is many games are overpriced and it’s that malcontent attitude that can push people to get games for free via piracy. And no, they don’t have to lower the price of the PS3. But look at it this way; if they did then they’ve sold an extra unit. Better to make £250 than nothing at all right?

4. Industries hate change. Change means adaptation and a machine as big as the games industry finds adaptation hard. They will fight to try and keep things the same even if they know it’s not working in the hope that it might start working. Sometimes their hopes pay off. Extreme copy protection is an example of how they are trying to stick to the tried and tested method of trying to hinder piracy, rather than stop people turning to it.

5. I’ve known people to torrent games just because they didn’t want to spend £30 on something they where not certain they’d like. Games shops around here don’t accept refunds because you didn’t like the game. Maybe it’s different where you are. Better demos would help people decide they where sure they wanted the game, and hell maybe make them think £30 is actually worth it.

6. Whining in the forums gets the message across just as well as an e-mail. Okay it’s not as professional ore mature, but the companies will still likely read it. And of course complaining won’t MAKE them lower prices. Hence why we need to hit them in their wallets.

7. So why bother debating with me?

You even admit your description of someone becoming a full-fledged pirate to be a very extreme case and make a rule out of it. NEWS FLASH: Extreme cases are uncommon. Publishers hurting their sales? Piracy increasing? You don’t know that.

You’re also quite conceited to assume you have all the solutions. No one wants to pay £50 for a game? Then how come people are buying it at that price? I wouldn’t buy a PS3 at its current pricing, does that mean they have to lower it to something I can afford? Do you read yourself before you submit an article?

“Stop the extreme copy protection. You’ll drive people off if you keep doing it.” – more assumptions. You’d think developers would know it better than you if they were going to lose customers and act accordingly, no?

“Better demos”, “Create something new”, etc. – what does this have to do with piracy? The quality of games only affects your willingness to acquire them, not the means of doing so.

“If publishers notice a slip in sales and there’s an identifiable reason why, they will change their ways.” – and if they notice a slip in their sales they’ll change their ways at their own discretion… they’ll accept feedback but they wont lower the price tag because some tard went to whine in their forums.

You’re really not adding anything to the debate with all this.

You are right, lending games is prohibited tn almost all EULAs, however due to the fact it’s almost impossible to enforce, and if two people want to play the gamefrequently they need to buy another copy, most publisher’s leave it be.

You are right on your second point too, but clearing thier own houses will only prevent pre release piracy.

If you enjoyed this article I have a second piracy article on music: http://www.musicouch.com/Musicouching/Piracy-2-Music.160625

Also, another important way that companies can prevent piracy is by putting their own houses in order. It’s not uncommon to find games (and music and films) available on torrents before the release date, so presumably someone within the industry is complicit in the piracy process.