@Gabriel Pyyrhic
Just an FYI. I pirate a lot of stuff and thats usually how I decide if I like a game enough to want to buy it. And price is a huge factor when balanced with how much I like the game because of how expensive they are for me.
For me to get civ 5 with full DLC's in steam cost ~115 euro. And my salary after taxes is ~250 euros. So yeah thats a big purchase and I'm not gonna give the money before I'm damn sure there are gonna be worth it.
Civ5 is a game that passed the bar but many other are not and I dont feel a bit sorry for pirating them.
Also pirates dont take any dollars thats the whole point they exist. I can make quite the case that piracy in fact does more to promote a good game than any amount of advertising.
Piracy is a horrible barometer for the character of a society. It has a lot more to do with how well off the society is economically.
Just out of curiosity how much did the game set you back based on your income?
You have been very civil so I will be the same.
I live is Australia, so that means we get royally ripped off in regard to games.
The cost was IIRC
BNW $50
G+K (about the same)
DLC's Cant remember but I think about 7-10 each
Base Game (do not remember but I would hazard a guess at about 90-100 (this was in store, EB GAMES, collectors)).
It really should not matter what a person earns, and my income will compare favourably (ie I am worth about 2 buttons and a stamp, income or asset wise) in this regard to anyone who does not live in a third world country. So if you are thinking I am a wealthy person who is out of touch with real world problems, you are wrong. Every game purchase is a big investment for me, which is why I favour STEAM sales for most of my purchases. That said I do buy collectors editions of certain games when they come out (CIV V was one) and as such do not make many expensive game purchases a year. I realise I cannot afford to have a million games and so work within my limits. Its not so bad, considering what its like in many parts of the world, having a game like Civ V to escape to is a luxury IMO. This what not always the case, once I was well off, but times (as they are for many people around the world) are not easy right now.
If you think that piracy is the domain of poor countries you are also wrong. Do you live in a first world country ? How many of your peer group gamers pirate ? If the first is yes, and the second is many then how does your assertion follow.
Games are easily the least expensive form of entertainment given the amount of time you can get out of them. If you make a bad purchase well, ok it happens, how is that different to any other area of our economic lives ?
Regardless of a persons income why is it acceptable to try out a heap of games illegally before making a choice ? There are numerous ways of doing this, many many games have demos (IIRC Civ V is one of them), there are reviews, forums, gameplay videos, screenshots or finally go down to your local game store and ask to try it.
Why is it OK for anyone to use a given piece of software in a way that is not supported by the developer ? In the end it is their product, why should anyone be able to say oh well I'm poor so the rules don't apply to me. It is not food we are talking about, no one pirates because they will die if they don't.
No you cannot make a case that piracy is good for games or any other media. That's is pure hogwash. I guess all the money that is spent every year to try and educate people about the costs of piracy in all areas of media are paid for by very very stupid people.
BTW In TOMA's case they have already stated they want to buy the game because they want patches, ergo if that was not an issue they would not be buying it.
Finally ........
Having said what I have said, I feel I should add the following. I don't shy away from my opinions in any way, but if my tone has provided offense I do apologise. I tried rather hard to keep it unemotive but feel I probably failed. So MIA CULPA for any lack of civility, explicit or implied.
Anyway I figured this would all likely get out of hand, and will end up turning into circular arguments so I think I will end my part in this conversation here and get back to the gameplay threads.
Regardless of our differences I truly hope your financial circumstances improve in the future. I may not have any sympathy for piracy but I have much empathy for anyone who is struggling. All the best.