Why not try another workaround: Lower the price to, let's say, 20 Euros, instead of 50. Do not integrate agressive Copy Protection Systems. And make the game good, worth playing. Not just for 4-5 hours (who said Modern Warfare 2?!), but really good, intense and binding. I bet much more players would be willing to buy the original game, because even if the game isn't that good after all, they do not feel like "robbed" of 50 bucks. And if the game is indeed good, they will feel satisfied and love the Publisher, much more likely to buy any future game from them.

 

Still, almost all publishers think that the best way to ensure their game will not be copied/downloaded is to apply more and more restrictive copy protection systems, because according to them only "freaks" out there use torrents and p2p networks. Well, publishers, here's a shocker for you: Even my Grandma knows how to use torrent and p2p networks! Oh, and by the way, if you think on axing PC versions, because the consoles are "secure" and console games cannot be cracked: well, it is, as we all know, just a matter of time, until next-gen consoles are cracked too. We have seen it happen in the case of PS1, PS2, xbox, and now xbox 360, and very soon ps3 and any future next-gen console.

 

 

Another way to protect the games, according to publishers, is the multiplayer experience. In a Videogamer.com interview, C&C: RA3 lead balance designer Greg Black suggested online play, which requires authentication, as a primary weapon in the war against PC piracy.

 

"I think one of the best ways to fight piracy is to have a compelling online experience," said Black. "Because you have to authenticate your copy to get online, and that's something we've tried to do with (Red Alert 3's) cooperative campaign. If you really want to fully experience Red Alert 3, you want to jump online and play the campaign with a friend, and you're going to need a legit copy of the game to do that. So I feel on the creative side that the future for PC gaming is online and that's how we're going deal with the piracy problem."

 

Really? And what if I do NOT want to play a co-op with a friend? Or how about this: Online part of the games also get cracked, you know?

 

The real incentive to get people to buy your games is not copy protection, nor digital distribution, online authentication or micro-transactions, but in fact lower prices and better quality.