Teemeister: The small problem with that specific notion is... it's not legal. No company in their right mind is going to purposefully release free fully-functional trial versions to P2P networks.

Of course, companies do release non-fully-functional free trial versions... they're called "demos".

No, I'm talking the way other rentals are handled now... you plunk down $3 and get to play a full version of a game for a week that the rental place legally acquired. It works for console games... why not for PC games?

Well, actually, I know why in the past... it used to be you could pirate PC games without a lot of fuss, but not console games (since they were cartridges). But seeing as how console games and movies are almost all CDs or DVDs now anyway, it seems like less of an issue there.

One downside is that rental versions of games/software would *have* to be DRMed in some fashion, otherwise a customer could just do a full-install, return the software CD/DVD, and dub himself one bit of software richer for $3. Yes, you can rip rental movies DVDs too, for instance, but the idea of using software without a CD is a "normal function", as it were... ripping a DVD isn't.

Peace & Luv, Liz

I tend to focus on online sources for trial versions (or demos) because as soon as you rent a CD/DVD you can easily copy it - and the black sheep will copy it, unless it's copy-protected. But that's not what we want, is it? An alternative would be web-downloads of demos that are not too crippled, meant to excite the potential gamer, yet they miss quite a bit of the full version game code. The missing code could be downloaded from a source that requires registration or some proof of purchase. Once you have both "parts" you can archive them on a medium of your choice. No copy protection required.

A great deal of the "Pirates" who "Pirate" software, own the software they Pirate.
Most Pirateers stress also in their NFOS when they can for the Obtainer to buy the game.
Pirateers got more Ethics than StarForce does, they only Pirate software because they believe it may be: too expensive, or not available in their area (Not "Not released yet" available, more like Not Available because of location), or to give those who get the software a idea what it can do.
By Software I really mean Games, as I see no one cares if they Pirate very expensive software (Adobe, Microsoft, Symantec..)
I did not tho get a Pirated version of Gal Civ 2. I demanded a Gal Civ 2 Preorder as a birthday gift and so far, I'am very happy with my purchase, though there is onw little flaw in my happiness... I got a computer that needs a bit of a upgrade....

I downloaded this game and tried it, then turned around and bought it. This was before I heard about the whole Starfarce fiasco (via Penny Arcade), I doubt I am the only one either.
when people talk about piracy they rarely take into account how often the game purchaser gets swindled by developers. I don't think I can count how often I have bought a game that turns out to have been totally misrepresented by its ads and packaging, not to even get into hired false forum posters and for-sale review sites. In that light full-version demoing, which is how I term it, is less of a crime and more of a sane response to the fact that quite a few software companies are outright stealing from game buyers.
Of course what starforce did was inexcusable, and had everything to do with strongarm tactics, and nothing to do with protecting consumers and I certainly don't condone it. And obviously, since I purchased the game after deciding I liked it, I am not insinuating that Stardock is in any way ripping folks off. Anyway, I hope this admission doesn't get me dropped from the forum.

I have pirated games too. But have many original.

When I buy a game it's because it's worth it.

I rarely buy games like 3d shooter for example. Or king of game like Anno. Thoses games can be fun, but you will never pay 40 or 50$ for it.

I have pirated games too. But have many original.

When I buy a game it's because it's worth it.

I rarely buy games like 3d shooter for example. Or king of game like Anno. Thoses games can be fun, but you will never pay 40 or 50$ for it.

I have pirated games too. But have many original.

When I buy a game it's because it's worth it.

I rarely buy games like 3d shooter for example. Or kind of game like Anno. Thoses games can be fun, but you will never pay 40 or 50$ for it.

I have pirated games too. But have many original.

When I buy a game it's because it's worth it.

I rarely buy games like 3d shooter for example. Or kind of game like Anno. Thoses games can be fun, but you will never pay 40 or 50$ for it.

I have pirated games too. But have many original.

When I buy a game it's because it's worth it.

I rarely buy games like 3d shooter for example. Or kind of game like Anno. Thoses games can be fun, but you will never pay 40 or 50$ for it.

Damn is there a problem with my cpu lol ?

No just the server who's unable to manage all the suscribers