One more idiotic move. . ..
I've returned to pirate versions over time, just to protect my computer. The stages are interesting to look back on:
In the beginning: I had no money. Piracy was the only way to play any games.
next: Once I had money, i bought games. I wasted a lot of money on games I only played once.
next: Play-testing. To avoid wasted money, I used demo versions and/or *cough* downloaded full versions. I still bought anything I played more than once.
next: DRM broke my machine for the first time. I think it was some version of securom, but I don't remember exactly. After that, I would only install pirated versions. I still bought the ones I played, but didn't use the disks/installs. I actually have a few dozen games still in the shrink-wrap from this time frame. I think the scariest part of this that the pirated versions were always easier to install, and almost always more stable.
Last stage: DRM got so bad, I gave up on any publisher that uses it. Back when Stardock was totally anti-DRM, I bought every game they published. Now, the only titles I buy are DRM free indi releases. I won't admit to how many games i actually *play*, but it's safe to say the number is higher than the number I *buy*.
Bottom line, I'd love to buy the games. I love the shiny manuals and neat artwork on the boxes. There's something special about opening the shrink-wrap in anticipation of a great game. Even so, I can't justify supporting a system that so casually disregards my desires and needs. There were just too many times when the eager anticipation of a great game was followed by a 2 hour repair/removal/fix session after DRM did something stupid to my machine.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
