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[this topic is NOT concerning gaming piracy and the 'morals' of buying illegitimate software, but about the policies employed by games shops, especially over the Christmas period]
It's reasonable to assume that almost all of us who use these forums are agreed on at least ONE major issue.
In general, it is universally agreed that piracy is completely unacceptable. Regardless of whether the prices of games in this day and age justify 'alternative' methods of acquiring software, most of us would agree that piracy is simply unacceptable because of;
a) the consequences on the market
and b) the vast majority of us are willing to pay for legitimate games, and feel somewhat cheated by those who persistently look for 'shortcuts' to save themselves money.
A simple glance throughout the SR forums will reveal a number of suggested ways to counter-act the problem of gaming piracy, but, where can the 'line' be drawn? What level can software/hardware companies go to in an effort to prevent gaming piracy? In theory, there will always be SOME way of 'cheating' the system, and the chances are we ALL know of, or HAVE known of, people who engage in piracy.
It's well known that many of us have the ability to pirate games (PS1 most notably) as MANY PC's are now sold with built in CD-Writing software. It's also highly likely that in the near future PS2 pirating will become much more popular, and before too long the sales of PS2 games will drop somewhat due to the increase in pirate software.
My point, however, is the policies employed by games shops, especially over the Christmas period.
You cannot fault the service from high-street retailers the likes of EB, Game, and HMV. At any stage of the year you can return any software for a full refund. It's great news for those of us who may from time to time want to legitimately return a game because of a duplicate birthday present, or because of a truly unacceptable game (as is my case with a Christmas present for my dad). It's sound business strategy, as it certainly influences me when deciding where to purchase my games. I know that I can buy a game knowing that I have the security of a full refund should I wish so.
However, how easy does this make piracy? ESPECIALLY, as during the Christmas period these policies are often extended until sometime in January. Once again, I fail to fault the service by all these companies, and as in my case it's great that I can return an awful game and get something a little better in it's place. What does this mean for piracy though? The ability to buy a game, create a pirate copy, and return it for a money-back refund!?
There's no way of changing this of course, because this sort of service is absolutely crucial to the success of major high-street retailers. Furthermore, why should we give up the opportunity to return unwanted gifts for those who persist to 'cheat' the system?
It's extremely unfortunate that the way games retailers work, tends to benefit gaming-pirates.
Of course it angers me that this sort of thing goes on continually, but then again... When you next visit your local game retailer and look through the bargain sections, it's a fair bet that a number of the games you see have been returned after being purchased for 'pirating' reasons.
But, a top quality new release, without any form of damage, for £25? No-one can complain about that. :-)
I may not agree with it, but I sure as hell make sure I benefit from the 'Christmas Rejects Syndrome'.
It's reasonable to assume that almost all of us who use these forums are agreed on at least ONE major issue.
In general, it is universally agreed that piracy is completely unacceptable. Regardless of whether the prices of games in this day and age justify 'alternative' methods of acquiring software, most of us would agree that piracy is simply unacceptable because of;
a) the consequences on the market
and b) the vast majority of us are willing to pay for legitimate games, and feel somewhat cheated by those who persistently look for 'shortcuts' to save themselves money.
A simple glance throughout the SR forums will reveal a number of suggested ways to counter-act the problem of gaming piracy, but, where can the 'line' be drawn? What level can software/hardware companies go to in an effort to prevent gaming piracy? In theory, there will always be SOME way of 'cheating' the system, and the chances are we ALL know of, or HAVE known of, people who engage in piracy.
It's well known that many of us have the ability to pirate games (PS1 most notably) as MANY PC's are now sold with built in CD-Writing software. It's also highly likely that in the near future PS2 pirating will become much more popular, and before too long the sales of PS2 games will drop somewhat due to the increase in pirate software.
My point, however, is the policies employed by games shops, especially over the Christmas period.
You cannot fault the service from high-street retailers the likes of EB, Game, and HMV. At any stage of the year you can return any software for a full refund. It's great news for those of us who may from time to time want to legitimately return a game because of a duplicate birthday present, or because of a truly unacceptable game (as is my case with a Christmas present for my dad). It's sound business strategy, as it certainly influences me when deciding where to purchase my games. I know that I can buy a game knowing that I have the security of a full refund should I wish so.
However, how easy does this make piracy? ESPECIALLY, as during the Christmas period these policies are often extended until sometime in January. Once again, I fail to fault the service by all these companies, and as in my case it's great that I can return an awful game and get something a little better in it's place. What does this mean for piracy though? The ability to buy a game, create a pirate copy, and return it for a money-back refund!?
There's no way of changing this of course, because this sort of service is absolutely crucial to the success of major high-street retailers. Furthermore, why should we give up the opportunity to return unwanted gifts for those who persist to 'cheat' the system?
It's extremely unfortunate that the way games retailers work, tends to benefit gaming-pirates.
Of course it angers me that this sort of thing goes on continually, but then again... When you next visit your local game retailer and look through the bargain sections, it's a fair bet that a number of the games you see have been returned after being purchased for 'pirating' reasons.
But, a top quality new release, without any form of damage, for £25? No-one can complain about that. :-)
I may not agree with it, but I sure as hell make sure I benefit from the 'Christmas Rejects Syndrome'.
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Agent_Under_Fire wrote:
> U boring boy!!!!!!How could u be bothered to rite all that stuff?I don't no wot
> its about but it can't be interesting cos i fell asleep on the 1st line.
We're simple folk in the forums, and we don't like text speek. You come from the big city with your fancy P.C and next generation consoles laughing at us with our 133mhz and Sega Saturns. Bah! Or I'll get Mystique to smash you with 'er stick!
> U boring boy!!!!!!How could u be bothered to rite all that stuff?I don't no wot
> its about but it can't be interesting cos i fell asleep on the 1st line.
We're simple folk in the forums, and we don't like text speek. You come from the big city with your fancy P.C and next generation consoles laughing at us with our 133mhz and Sega Saturns. Bah! Or I'll get Mystique to smash you with 'er stick!
you must get board very quickly have you see a doctor about your sleep problem.
U boring boy!!!!!!How could u be bothered to rite all that stuff?I don't no wot its about but it can't be interesting cos i fell asleep on the 1st line.
well although the n64 might have saved money by using a cartrige but it missed out on a lot like the ability to story long fmv, which was easy to do on the psx. if only someone made a mixture between cartrige and cd, ie fast loading times with the storage of cds.
Longy:0) wrote:
> Ok if it's got no replay value then yes it would be wise to bring it in, ive got
> SD3:JBI i bought from SR and it isn't that good it's boring now what shall i do
> if i take it too EB ill get like £25 when i got it the box was broke it
> had a crack down the side
Yeah, if you take it in on a 'trade-in' basis you'll only get a small amount, but if you'd had the receipt and had decided you didn't want to keep it a little earlier you'd have been able to get your money back and then buy another game.
It's quite important to decide within a week or so whether or not a game's worth keeping long-term, because that can mean the difference between getting a full refund or a stupid amount, half what was originally paid.
> Ok if it's got no replay value then yes it would be wise to bring it in, ive got
> SD3:JBI i bought from SR and it isn't that good it's boring now what shall i do
> if i take it too EB ill get like £25 when i got it the box was broke it
> had a crack down the side
Yeah, if you take it in on a 'trade-in' basis you'll only get a small amount, but if you'd had the receipt and had decided you didn't want to keep it a little earlier you'd have been able to get your money back and then buy another game.
It's quite important to decide within a week or so whether or not a game's worth keeping long-term, because that can mean the difference between getting a full refund or a stupid amount, half what was originally paid.
Ok if it's got no replay value then yes it would be wise to bring it in, ive got SD3:JBI i bought from SR and it isn't that good it's boring now what shall i do if i take it too EB ill get like £25 when i got it the box was broke it had a crack down the side
Longy:0) wrote:
> no point in completing it and getting a refund you want to keep the game i know
> i do
Fair enough I suppose, but at least if it's the sort of game that offers no replay value (e.g your unlikely to pick it up very often.) surely it's worth getting another? Even if you are possibly going to play the game again in the future, if it's only once every 6 months, why not get someone more worthwhile?
We're paying enough money afterall, surely we deserve more for our money.
> no point in completing it and getting a refund you want to keep the game i know
> i do
Fair enough I suppose, but at least if it's the sort of game that offers no replay value (e.g your unlikely to pick it up very often.) surely it's worth getting another? Even if you are possibly going to play the game again in the future, if it's only once every 6 months, why not get someone more worthwhile?
We're paying enough money afterall, surely we deserve more for our money.
no point in completing it and getting a refund you want to keep the game i know i do
cookie monster wrote:
Or complete the game in the 10 day period
> and then return for a full refund. :)
It would seem we really do take full advantages of these policies. Still, surely there's a fair reason for this.
"The game was well below my expectations. I managed to complete it within 10 days, therefore gimme my money back and i'll have another"
Then again, they'd take any excuse as justification for a refund. :-)
Or complete the game in the 10 day period
> and then return for a full refund. :)
It would seem we really do take full advantages of these policies. Still, surely there's a fair reason for this.
"The game was well below my expectations. I managed to complete it within 10 days, therefore gimme my money back and i'll have another"
Then again, they'd take any excuse as justification for a refund. :-)
ADH wrote:
You cannot fault the service from high-street retailers the likes of
> EB, Game, and HMV. At any stage of the year you can return any software for a
> full refund. It's great news for those of us who may from time to time want to
> legitimately return a game because of a duplicate birthday present, or because
> of a truly unacceptable game (as is my case with a Christmas present for my
> dad.
Or complete the game in the 10 day period and then return for a full refund. :)
You cannot fault the service from high-street retailers the likes of
> EB, Game, and HMV. At any stage of the year you can return any software for a
> full refund. It's great news for those of us who may from time to time want to
> legitimately return a game because of a duplicate birthday present, or because
> of a truly unacceptable game (as is my case with a Christmas present for my
> dad.
Or complete the game in the 10 day period and then return for a full refund. :)
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