Valve games seem to be less pirated than quite a few other games, and I have a few guesses as to why:

1. Steam makes digital distribution quick and easy. Some people who pirate games simply don't feel like going to the store to buy them. Not many, but I've seen it happen. Steam helps prevent this.

2. Non-restrictive DRM. You can run any Steam game on any PC as long as you're logged in, meaning that when you buy something, you're buying a single user license rather than a single machine license. It serves two purposes: It means that the user can play any place, at any time, without having to worry about install limits, but it doesn't allow multiple users to run the same copy, so people still have to buy their own rather than sharing. This mainly prevents small-scale piracy, such as among a group of friends.

3. Non-intrusive DRM. Steam doesn't latch itself into the deepest folds of your system. Steam doesn't throw a tantrum if you try to play a game on a machine that has a DVD burner. If you close out of Steam, you really close out of it, rather than having an invisible process take its place and eat up resources at all times.

As I said, these are just guesses, but I'd bet I'm right. I'd bet that not only do these directly eliminate many common reasons for piracy, but they give a positive portrayal of Valve so that people who generally pirate for other reasons are more like to purchase Valve games (as well as other games offered on Steam) as an act of good faith and appreciation. Valve has an image of being one of the only large PC game companies to put the user first, so they get more respect.Posted at 1:44PM on Jan 18th 2009 by Covarr

I believe that a lot of it is the price of games. People see it as, "Hey, I can download this $60 game free and no one will know." or they just can't afford it. Valve makes their games incredibly cheap. For ~$100 you can get ALL of their games. Which, in my opinion, is an excellent deal. Why would pirates take the chance when they can spend their coffee money on all the games they want and then own them legally. And as you stated about the non-restrictive DRM I think you are mostly right however there are sometimes I wish it were a bit more open. Like when playing Age of Empires III on my LAN. It is much nicer just to use one CD key to install them all. But Steam would not allow that. Other than that the Steam DRM is perfect and is about the only DRM that I support.Posted at 2:28PM on Jan 18th 2009 by Marshall

Valve is full of themselves. Steam has had many many issues through the years and while its stable now it seems every time a patch is released it borks you.

Also, unless you buy a Valve/steam game on CD you're screwed unless you've got internet access and can download the steam client and then login to download (5gigs avg) of data to the machine you're using. Not very practical if you want to game in under 10min.

The article mentions demos. Really? The last decent demo I've seen has been a long time. A really long time. I played the Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 demo yesterday and the soviet mission was a very short mission with no opportunity to build anything. To me that is *not* a demo, its a teaser. Sure it teases you to go buy the game but is cheap not to let you actually play in depth gameplay. As I recall older games that put out demos let you play a full level before ending the demo. While the RA3 demo was a full mission it was a poorly picked mission not really showing off the tech tree at all.

The other issue with demos currently is that they come out *after* a game has gone retail. Demos *used* to come out *before* a game went gold. What is up with that? Are they afraid someone is going to steal their code or idea? In this day and age if you even mention your game the idea is pretty much out the window so that is a horrible arguement.

The issue with pirating has more to do with the decisions that the publishers are forcing game makers to make/adhere to for the bottom line. Sadly the publishers have turned this industry into the music industry and it will probably get worse before it gets better.Posted at 2:32PM on Jan 18th 2009 by Jason

Ok, I'm gonna come clean here I've pirated before give me a break, but I think they are onto something the reason I've done it is I can't afford every new game out that I want to try, I said TRY that makes a difference. When most people I know download a pirated game we TRY it out see how it preforms on our P.O.S. computers before invest 50$ into a game we either hate or is unplayable. After I actually play if i figure I'll play for more than a day I'll purchase the game more to use the serial key for online play than anything but still. By reading this article I actually realized I buy products from steam than anything, because I don't have to go out of my way to buy a game when I can download it in a few hours, Yes I would rather download for a few hours that I can go out and do things rather than goto the mall and spend time there then run home and install it.

I pirate for two reasons:
1. To try a game myself prolly for an hour or two
2. See if it's worth my limited funds.

And to those of you saying games aren't to expensive etc etc I would agree a year and a half ago but the situation people are in today including myself it is difficult to justify purchasing a game to try it a figuring out you don't enjoy it or it doesn't run.

If they want to cut down on priacy give me a few hours of game play even a hour would probably hit the spot, enough for a person to get a feel of the game and to have some fun, then after that give me a link to download full version and pay online if I feel it is worth I'll hand over my funds.Posted at 4:12PM on Jan 18th 2009 by David

Valve believes PC game pirates are "underserved customers"

No Valve, actually they are called "thieves". So nice to see politically correct language even from pc game developers.Posted at 4:35PM on Jan 18th 2009 by Ladron

Ladron, you're 100% missing the point of the article. Valve isn't calling pirates underserved customers to be politically correct. All people that pirate games are not just thieves who want free games.

The point Valve is making is that people that pirate games are potential customers that just view games differently. Instead of looking for ways to screw over valid customers with terrible DRM they are looking to give people what they want (easily downloadable games, a community, easy updates, etc.) to convert pirates into paying customers.Posted at 5:44PM on Jan 18th 2009 by sorensilk

I imagine that a pirated version of TF2 or CS:S would be a lot crappier than a legally downloaded one, although I don't really know how it'd work at all anyhow

I used to pirate games, but only single-player games (i.e. Oblivion) and games I couldn't reasonably get (i.e. Quake II, where was I supposed to get that before they were released on Steam). Basically pirated multi-player games would be terrible compared to their legal counter-parts so I never saw that as worth it

On another note, the fact that you have to be connected to the internet and download an "on average 5GB download" to play the game is completely stupid. First of all, with Valve games, if you have 1 Source game installed and you download another, the second download is already ~80% complete. Also, how often do you have to download the games, and how hard is it in this day and age to be connected to the internet? Personally I find it incredibly easy to be playing HL2, to switch to TF2 to switch to L4D, to switch to CoD4, etc. all with just a few quick clicks

Valve has reason to be full of themselves seeing as how they deserve itPosted at 6:17PM on Jan 18th 2009 by Calvin

Ok. Im my country I must pay around 150US$ for a PS3 game. A Nintendo DS costs 500US$. A 360 costs 1.250US$. Hell, even a PS2 game can cost as high as 130US$. Who is the thief now?Posted at 7:34PM on Jan 18th 2009 by marcelo

your country?Posted at 7:40PM on Jan 18th 2009 by Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew)

Valve knows what they are doing. All of their games have had some multiplayer if not all of the gameplay revolve around multiplayer for a reason. Games for Windows or LIVE trys to copy their success except they still have games like Grand Thief Auto which is a DRM overdose with 3 things you need just to play. The fact you have an Steam account verifys your copy everytime you play and since the multiplayer is what adds huge replay value, people tend to pay for a good product.

The majority of pirated games are single player heavy games because there is no free downloadable content or multiplayer. Gamers want a game that will last years and offer upgrades for free. Screw any dev's that charge for extra maps and addons. We invest in a game to play, not pay over and over. Hell, the majority of games being released early without testing for problems really pisses the gamers off. We do not want to buy a game and have to wait on a patch just to play it. The Developers that actually finish their product and release a masterpiece will always see high sales. (or atleast offer solid patches that resolve problems gamers submit to forums)

And it is true that many countries overcharge the MSRP because of the lack of economic support towards gaming. Downloading games from places like Steam is a great way to fight piracy. Why do you think Steam sells games from soo many companies now?
EA games may actually be worth buying now that Steam is selling them without DRM. The best way to fight piracy is release FINISHED games and distribute the games to all corners of the world that demand them at reasonable prices.Posted at 9:07PM on Jan 18th 2009 by Voodjin

In the modern media age, its disgraceful that a product that physically costs about 20p to produce (box and a CD) should cost 30 quid in the shop.

People want to consume lots of games, so they can't keep dishing out such a high price. The market is there, but customers don't want to be treated like carp when they know that media can be got for free.

If games were reduced to 10 quid, I'm sure they'd make up for the losses by increased purchases. I'm hoping that piracy will drive down the price of games, similar to its effect on DVD prices.


Posted at 6:52AM on Jan 20th 2009 by Kaj

My position on "piracy" has always been economics.
Most people cannot afford to pay to keep studios need working to stay in business. In that case, game studios needs to find ways to develop games with less costs.

There are precious few games that should maintain their value over time. Console games are the perfect example. On release date they are $50-60. Several months later they are $30-40. After a year, those same games are $10-20. Look at the prices for Madden '06, '07 and '08 once '09 comes out for a quick reference.

Anyone remember how long Half Life 2 was at full price? That is just uncalled for.

Most who would "pirate" can afford $20 for a great game and $10 for a not-so-great game.

If nothing else, the fact that people will but nearly anything, even horrible games, for under $10 should tell game publishers and developers something.

Also DRM and serial keys that keep users from using on multiple PC's (obviously not at the same time) are the main reason KeyGen's are made. If a person buys a game, they should be allowed to install and play it on any numbers of PCs and laptops, one at a time.

Add in DRM that forces you to maintain and insert media is pointless. If you bought it, you should be able to play it without locating a CD/DVD. Media is for re-installs only.

I agree with demos to allow the buyer to test out the game. Since most gamers have internet connections, make the demo a full version that must be connected to a server of the developer to be playable. That play time is kept track of. If you are that person who you can tear through a 40 hour game in 2 hours, you wouldn't have been a very happy customer if you had bought it.

On the other hand if the game had lots of replay and online / multiplayer aspects, most people would plunk down their credit card as soon as their "Free Time" ran out.

Honestly, how many times do you play the newest best games where you have no connection to the internet?

I'd accept that limitation to pay half the cost of games.Posted at 8:04AM on Jan 22nd 2009 by LaughingTooHard

Simple.... The games are too damn expensive.



different topic: some of the games don't run well under average hardware and basic computers, unless you drastically reduce screen resolution and remove textured graphics to minimal. Also remove shadows, and other specifications just to get a decent framerate. By then the game looks like crap. We need some games that look great, play very well, and with very low requirements so that everyone can fit. Example Unreal Tournament 99, great graphics, very requirements, and still lives up to today's standards.

Official system requirements
Minimum Recommended
Windows
Operating System Windows 95, 98, 2000 and NT4.0 or XP
CPU Intel Pentium 200 MHz Intel Pentium II 266 MHz
Memory 32 MB 64 MB
Hard Drive Space 120 MB of free space 605 MB of free space

Network Internet connection required for online multiplayer
Macintosh
Operating System Mac OS 7.6 or higher
CPU PowerPC 603e 200 MHz or faster
Memory 64 MB
Hard Drive Space 120 MB of free space

come on this beats halo 1 for pc with way less requirements and looks better. i'm not saying make the game look old, just make it look good and work very well on basic computers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BStPdDrWPb8&feature=related

also most of us can't afford $300+ graphic cards or can't upgrade due to imbedded graphic cards.
Posted at 6:07AM on Jan 26th 2009 by Cowman

Lots of good arguments in here on all sides. I do have to take issue with the person who said the pirate copies of games don't run well. My experience is quite the opposite. This is no lie: I have purchased numerous games over the years, and then had to get a pirate copy because the boxed version wouldn't run correctly. Don't ask me how, but the pirates actually fix a lot of the problems in these games. Maybe the DRM is messing things up..? As far as pirated MMOs go, most MMOs have no copy protection beyond a serial number. That serial number is forever tied to your online account, and without an account you can't play. While Steam may be fine for a lot of people, its useless for those of us trapped where broadband isn't available. That's a good 25% of US territory. I also agree with the sentiment regarding demos - they have fallen by the wayside and its hurting the game industry. Personally I think the studios are afraid to show people just how bad their games are before their released. The overall quality of PC games has steadily declined over the past ten years, so much so that when a game is released that doesn't out-and-out suck, reviewers sing its praises. I think $40 is a fair price for a quality title with good replay value and/or lots of game hours. I will never pay more than that and I'm certain I'm in the majority. Studios don't really lose when some kid that would never buy their game pirates it. He'll play it for three hours and then delete it. The problem is the 35-yr old guy in Scandinavia that thinks he's cool because he gets free games for all his buddies.Posted at 9:40AM on Jan 28th 2009 by psycros