'Pirates are just misunderstood customers,' says The Witcher 3 dev

PSU writes:

"More specifically, CD Projekt RED has become known for long-term support of its games with free downloadable content, including last month's massive overhaul of The Witcher 2's combat system by a Witcher 3 gameplay designer. With the latter making its debut on next-gen consoles at a time when DRM concerns are at a fever pitch, I seized a post-E3 chance to ask game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz if CD Projekt RED's fan-first mission will continue."

[PopRocks359]

I'm sure some are. Not all though. There's a million different variables when you think about it.

I really think it goes both ways; some pirates don't have many financial options or want to try the game before ponying up. Others just don't have any consideration for the fact that they should pay for something before having any ownership of it.

[starchild]

I agree. But I think that if you are not supporting the guys that make your hobby possible, you really need to rethink your life. (I'm not talking about you).

If someone spends all the extra money they have on games, but occasionally uses a crack or downloads a game to use it as a demo, I can't say I see anything morally wrong with that. Only that person knows, though. It's on their conscience.

[JunioRS101]

Pirates save money, but are willing to go through more trouble in order to play their favorite games.

A strange compliment.

[Dark_Overlord]

"but are willing to go through more trouble in order to play their favorite games."

Pirated game

1. Install
2. Copy crack
3. play

Original game

1. Install
2. online authentication (depends on game)
3. Jump through a dozen more DRM hoops
4. Attempt to play (fingers crossed)

IMO cracked games are far easier to set up and play, especially with all the bloatware removed

[SteamFrostedEgg]

Pirated game

1. Spend an hour searching for game files and crack
2. Install
3. Copy crack
4. Run Game
5. Computer shuts itself off
6. Dispose of underwear
7. Reinstall entire operating system
8. Repeat the above until you find a crack that doesn't have a virus snuck in

While this might not be the case all the time, there is always the chance that you will get caught out by it.

I will gladly pay for games brand new on day one because I can afford it however not everybody can. As piracy is free, it's always a handy option for those who do not have the finances to pay for every game they want to play.

[JunioRS101]

I guess if you know what you're doing it's easier. I have pirated like 3 games ever and so it was a little confusing to set up for a new guy. I can see how it would be easier after a couple tries haha.

[jujubee88]

Sounds very good! ^^ Now, shut up and make this game remote-play (well) on VITA, CDPR (so you can shut up and take my money)!

[Heavenly King]

They already said it has remote play. EVERY PS4 game that does not use camera and other extra device will be able for remote play.

[jujubee88]

All PS4 will have remote-play, but it's up to the dev teams to design controls schemes that feel at home on VITA (rather than some one size fits all, universal control scheme).

[InTheZoneAC]

pirates are a bunch of justin beiber punk a**es who've never been disciplined, always thinking something has to be given to them.

[Shadonic]

what about those who just don't have the money and just want to try it out ?

[Heisenburger]

I can't afford a sports car....

Yeah, I think you see where I'm going with this.

I'm not an entitled person. If someone thinks that they DESERVE something without earning it they are entitled. Period.

Now that doesn't mean that I am without empathy, as I don't buy games "the day 0ne" nearly as much as I would prefer.

So I nut up and work hard for, and appreciate the things that I have.

[Shadonic]

I know piracy is bad but there have been times where friends of mines who had pirated versions of different games have led me to buy the full ones.

[ShaunCameron]

Um. They can pay up like everybody else. It's not the industry's fault that they suck at managing money.

[Matpan]

@Heisenburger

http://www.gameproducer.net...

I think that sumarises it...

On the other hand, what about devaluated regions left aside? Like south america, where I live? Many publishers don't even BOTHER to release here, let alone do it at an affordable price. So you are either stuck with digital download (best option IMO for us) or a blood sucking import, which will cost you not only big bucks, but convert that to Pesos (in the case of argentina, my country, that makes almost every disc copy of a game arround $400 argentinean pesos.

Russia, has a restriction i think and games there cost no more than 20u$s, isn't that right? Why not make the same for other regions where currency exange ain't favourable, piracy in these areas would be greatly reduced and surely devs would turn a profit from these forsaken lands :)

[UnHoly_One]

Pirates aren't customers at all, they are thieves.

If somebody robs a convenience store is he/she a misunderstood customer, too???

[Pandamobile]

That's a horrible analogy.

[ShaunCameron]

Actually it's a good analogy.. It's a case of people who think they have the right to have what belongs to someone else choosing to get it by rather unlawful means.

[Pandamobile]

Except that stealing a physical object actually represents a loss for the victim, rather than just a potential loss of sale.

[MidnytRain]

Pandomobile

I still consider it bad because even if it's not a loss of something physical, the makers aren't being compensated for the time and money they spent producing it. There are many non-physical things you shouldn't steal. Like screwing over someone who's doing something for you in exchange for money (house or yard work). Just because you're not taking something in your hands, doesn't mean you're not taking their time and money.

[WeAreLegion]

No, but they are misunderstood people, most of the time. It would go a long way for us to focus on rehabilitating robbers than punishing them. Bullies will bully, no matter how many times you tell them to apologize. We can't just say, "This person did something wrong, so they are beyond repair." It doesn't work like that, no matter what our legal system says.

[spilltheink]

I don't mean to interrupt your self-righteous message, but nice generalization, asshat. I will never understand what type of person you'd have to be to go through the effort of commenting your feelings about pirating online.

I'd never defend pirates. They exist, and my personal feelings about them will not change that, even if i wished that they would.

I am not defending myself. I'm really far from a hardcore pirate, but I'd be flat-out lying if I said I'd never downloaded a movie, CD, or game.

I'm not saying you're not partially correct. I'm sure there are pirates out there who are legitimate thieving bastards. Though, I'd say a pretty large part of software piracy comes from people who'd have not otherwise purchased the game; since this leaves the act of pirating in, what can be argued is, some kind of moral gray-area, I just don't get how certain people feel they are entitled to preach from a pedestal about it (though I guess that mirrors my sentiments toward anyone who is inclined to preach).

What I am saying is that I would really like to meet one member of this vocal "Pirates are pure evil" group so I can actually understand how/why the actions, which you cannot stop, of someone, whom you'll never meet, make you guys angry enough to write about how terrible they are on message boards.

[UnHoly_One]

I'm not in a fit of rage or anything, but wrong is wrong and I'm not afraid to say that.

I'm sorry if I come off as "preachy" or "angry", that is not my intent at all.

[Matpan]

again...

http://www.gameproducer.net...

[TheGrimReaper0011]

Alright, let me say this
piracy can be bad, im not saying it is
but that really depends on the person doing it
for instance, i pirate games, i download games that are cracked and can play them for free
i do this, because while reviews are nice, i think to get a really good feel of the game, you have to play it yourself
Easy example, I pirated The witcher 2, as i never played the first one and didnt know i was gonna like this one
After about 5-6 hours of playing, i deleted the file and bought the game on steam, becaus i wanted to support the developers AND becaus i thought THIS game is worth its price!
Why should i spend 60 dollars on a game that i only play once? If a game fails to make me stop using a pirated version and buy the actual game, then its not even worth it in the first place, in my opinion
I also am NOT going to download a pirated version of The Witcher 3, because I luv The Witcher 2 and have seen that these developers know how to make a game
i also did the same with skyrim
First try it out with cracked version, after 10-15 hours, deleted it, bought the actual game
The thing is, people can use it as a limitless demo like I do, but most wont, becaus they dont wanna support the developers
and the thing is, would you rather have your game pirated by someone, or rather that they never even look at your game?
With that said, bring on The Witcher 3!! Not sure what I'm getting it on.
PC, but dont know if its strong enough?
PS4 cause then i also have remote play?

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

Exact same boat, I pirated Witcher 2, played a few hours, enjoyed it a lot. So I stopped and deleted the game. But then it went on sale on steam a few days back so I bought it and 1 as well.

[Kennytaur]

The problem is, people like you who pirate for demo are in a minority. But even you, whom I recon is a decent chap, come off like you think you're somewhat entitled, and that's the problem because you're not.

"Why should i spend 60 dollars on a game that i only play once?"
- Because that's the price, and if you're not willing to pay it, wait a few months for a drop.

"If a game fails to make me stop using a pirated version and buy the actual game, then its not even worth it in the first place, in my opinion "
- Really now? You still got to play the game for free, and I don't know your judgement for whether a game is worth it or not, but that logic is just plain flawed. A game can be not worth buying, but you're still going to keep playing it?

I may be misinterpreting your comment, but anyway... If I get The Witcher 3, it'll be for PS4 as it'll look near as makes no difference to the PC version and have remote play on the Vita so I can play it in bed, or more importantly, on the throne.

[UnHoly_One]

Why should i spend 60 dollars on a game that i only play once?

Because that is what the price is.

If it isn't worth it to you, then don't buy it, but that doesn't make it ok to steal it either. You're still a criminal, regardless of how you rationalize it to yourself.

I like Audi's, but I also am not willing to pay the asking price for one, I think it's too much... That means I should be able to go steal one, right? And that would be ok with you?

Unbelievable.

[TheGrimReaper0011]

okay, first of all, relax dude!
i meant to say, why should i pay 60 dollars for a game that i only play once and then never again. I didnt say FINISH once.
Second,
you are comparing a game with a car. A game cost 60 dollars new. A car about 10.000 here new.
Third
i already said i dont use piracy as a way if stealing! Only to try out a game! Some of us cant afford to pay 60 dollars and have it go to waste!
Fourth
Who the hell are you to judge me? At least im being honest here!

[UnHoly_One]

I'm totally relaxed, and I'm not judging you at all.

You admitted to pirating games = You are a criminal.

That's a fact, not me judging you.

Reasons don't matter. "I can't afford it", "what if I don't like it", etc, etc... That's all a bunch of bull.

It's a product with a price tag, same as a car, or a bike, or a computer, or a box of macaroni and cheese.

If you want it, you need to pay for it, not steal it.

But you choose to steal it.

[InTheZoneAC]

but their logic is it's not ok to steal it from the dealership, it's only ok to steal it at the factory production line once it's completed there.

[Kennytaur]

Some pirate because they want to demo, and these I can understand to some degree as they can be likened to customers test-driving a car, even though their method for demoing is wrong and they are in a strong minority.

The majority of "pirates" do it because they feel entitled to play something they're not willing to or able to pay for, and they're just scumbags.

[Sketchy_Galore]

That's easy to say when it's not your ship they're hijacking but I doubt you'd be saying the same thing if it was your feet on the plank as a cutlass pokes you towards the choppy waters. Why don't you just get back to making your game and leave the maritime law to us.

[Kennytaur]

"Pirates are just misunderstood customers" - says CD Project.

I read this as: "Please don't pirate our game. See, we're cool right?"

[Mr Tretton]

Yup, CDP has officially tried too hard.

[BattleTorn]

Pirates are "customers" that misunderstood that they wanted to be paid for making the game.

[shadowmist13]

I dont know if I should save for a ps4 because of all the new things like second hand gaming drm and always online stuff,i want to use it as it pleases me,but the fact that you can stream games to your ps vita sound epic.And as far as piracy goes,i pirate a game and if it cant keep me playing i erase it,if it really catches me i go and buy the game the next day and i dont have to worry about being always online.

[evilsooty]

Might be some truth to it. I was a huge pirate years ago when I didn't earn very much (not that this is a justification by the way), but I have since bought most of the games that I pirated and enjoyed and have a Steam library of 100+ games.

You can't tar all of them with the same brush, but on the other side there will always be those who will never pay for games.

[bjmartynhak]

One extra point:
Depends on the person's hobbies too.

Are we able to buy every software, song, comics, manga, books, textbooks, movies, series?

Maybe the people who download games just buy other things (that have the option to download too). And if the game were not available, the person wouldn't even think in buying.

[ChillOut707]

Usually I pirate the games I am not sure about its quality or games I am not familiar with , Then if I liked it then I buy it through steam without downloading it again except for the additional updates , I am sure a lot of people do that on Consoles and PC

People who pirate because of funds problem at least have their excuse and the majority of people around the world are that case , they hardly had the money to buy the console/build PC so even if they buy games then they buy the Big ones with major online features like FIFA and Battlefield and forced to pirate the others , I think also there is a lot of countries that most of its gamers doesn't have credit cards or doesn't have gaming stores at all so pirated consoles and pirated games are their only option

All the blame should be put on people who has the ability and funds to at the very least buy the game on sale on steam but prefer to stick with piracy , its insane to not buy a game you liked when its on sale for 10-15$ when you has the ability to buy it at that cheap price

[kingduqc]

The civ V game I bought on steam doesn't work, the one I pirated worked flawlessly...

I wonder why people pirate games lol.

[greenlantern2814]

Pirates are just thieves. Plain and simple they might as well walk into a store and grab a copy off the self and walk out.
They ad to the price honest people have to pay for the game, and people are against game rentals and used game sales but some how defend the people who steal.

[aliengmr]

But its not plain and simple. When its a digital product what is actually stolen?

If you consider that a good chunk of the folks that pirated a digital game never would have purchased it anyway, what revenue is lost? Digital games aren't physical products which have overhead.

Piracy is not something you can fight. It simply cannot be stopped. A store can take meaningful steps to stop physical games from being stolen, but DRM has something like a 99% failure rate.

Sure morally, there might not be a difference, but that isn't how you deal with the issue. Its a complicated problem.

I have "torrented" one game. I paid in full for the product, which thanks to its copy protection, prevented me from playing the game. I did what I was supposed to do and I payed them to jump through hoops instead of actually playing the game.

I won't even get into the fact that some publishers charge the same amount for digital products as physical. Prices that have far more to do with bloated development costs worthless DRM, than piracy.

[greenlantern2814]

You are still stealing some one elses hard work. I am sure if you invested time, effort and money into something you would want to be paid.
If you don't think it is right for a publisher to charge the same for the digital version you don't have to buy it.