Game software piracy is a critical issue in the video game industry. Most video game data can be taken from the original medium and distributed for free. However, this often requires some method of circumvention to play. Common methods are an emulator, modchip, custom flash card, or modified firmware. While this crime of copyright infringement causes millions of dollars in damages each year, it is both hard to prevent and prosecute. Damages are often measured from number of downloads for the torrents online, though there are several reasons why this could be inaccurate. Many video game companies are taking several steps to improve their systems to keep piracy from occuring, but past attempts have been largely unsuccesful. Unfortunately, some of these steps include DRM that inconveniences legitimate consumers as well, which makes the problem more difficult due to possible backlash from them.
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- History of game piracy
- PSP piracy problem
- Piracy in Korea: R4 Triumphant
- crysis piracy
- DS: The Shocking Truth
- UK retailer pulls R4 Cards
- Is piracy a problem that can't be fixed?
- Report: Publishers taking piracy fight to gamers
- Spore & Piracy: EA, ESA, Analysts Weigh In
- Why the Piracy "Crisis" Is Overblown (October 1, 2008)
- ~90% of World of Goo PC copies are pirated
- Inside Game Piracy, Part 1: Crushing Discs, Pushing Education
- Interview: Combating R4 Piracy On The DS