Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

I had to order a new XP Pro disk from MS because the key that came with my new copy ($400.00 program) had already been used to register a pirated copy of XP. This took many weeks to recover from and HP was no F**king help!

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

Yes, there is a key generator already out there, I dont know if it works or not. And the same site I just found the keygen on has full downloadable copies as well... this is without using torrents etc... just a direct web download.

And I dont see much to gain by taking down the torrents now. Since they seem to be mostly unpopulated at this point. I think this is best a lesson learned for the next round really. There are several means to go about making a new release harder to pirate, but once the pirated copies are out there, it is pretty much going to stay.


Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

Well there is one saving grace about this, one or more versions of the BT file for both games seems to also have within it spy/malware. I guess they will be getting more than they bargined for with these downloads. LOL.

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

You might have a point since a good like a video game might be classified as having an inelastic demand curve (basically the price fluctuation won't change much the demand)...like sigarettes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

the key generator should be sent to Aaron for study, that way aaron can create a patch to kill the generated keys.

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

That won't work. If you kill the generated keys, you kill the real ones as well..

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

Yeah, the 'security key' algorithm is not some unique/exotic process. It's just a encryption formula like a zillion others that have been broken all through history. Once someone figures it out they can make 'keys' just as valid as the original program can make. That's why software companies have been trying to do other "hardware" related things like force a check for the original CD.

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

I like the idea of spamming the pirate channels with vesions that look like the full game, but are like demos in that they let you play long enough to see it's a cool game, but then you can't continue due to some hidden crippleware and/or polite request to buy the full version - so it's like getting casual pirates to check out the demo, get hooked and find out they'd like the full legit version and that it's worth the money.

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

Really? I rather doubt it. You don't get customers by irritating people (legitimate copies or not) which this would - and spamming file-sharing networks with fake copies is (again) RIAA-level tactics, and look how much good that's done them.

The key to getting "conversions" is to focus on rewarding legitimate purchasers, not by trying to punish downloaders. Any anti-piracy implementation will just mean everyone here has to wait longer for bugfixes/GUI improvements and that certainly qualifies as punishment in my view.

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

As I said, I like the idea, though certainly it could backfire.

I remember being amused by how (the Atari ST version of) Rogue had a check to see if the player was trying to cheat death by abusing saved game files. If it thought it detected that, it would still let you play, but started introducing very deadly creatures into the game who were enforcers. I thought it was neat, and even though it could be fooled or might possibly go off when someone wasn't cheating, it made the point in a humorous way that one was not supposed to Save-cheat like in so many games.

Not that that's the same thing. You make a good point that spamming disk images would add to the bandwidth problem, for example. Again, I was mainly just saying I liked the idea. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

the reason why I said the key generator should be sent to aaron is because of method microsoft uses. See, there isn't an infinite number of combinations. if so, I could type in 555-5555-55-5555-555-555 and so on and get a legitimate code to use. What the key code generator does is generates codes similar to what aaron uses because someone spied on the system processes and engineered a key code generator -- or, as I suspect, aaron used a standardized key code generator and someone adapted an existing key code generator.

Now what microsoft does is take advantage of that and manipulates their programs to use keycodes that are further modified by randomization and based on various hardware signatures. Of course, the most effective means microsoft has now is the Genuine Microsoft Product program where programs have to be checked in for use. Now it can still be broken, mind you, but the idea is to just make it difficult for people steal the program.

Now this would, definitely, slow down bug fixes, that's why I suggested the fake-torrent

Now here's the thing about the demo-torrent idea, yes it will irritate people. But let's consider who we'd be irritating, people who, 99.9% of the time wouldn't by the program to begin with, and will more than likely never have an intention to buy a program. Not to mention, the torrent plan doesn't require malfador or strategy first to implement, thus it wouldn't even effect them.

But what I think I failed to mention is the fact that such a plan has a huge marketing opportunity for malfador. See, once such a plan is in effect, we can then submit it to various sites such as Digg which could then attract others find out what space empires is about. Which in turn works in our favor because once we spread word that we are inserting fake SE5 torrents, then would-be pirates aware of it will become wary of SE5 torrents while exposing the audience of digg or slashdot or another social news site to SE5.

As for rewarding legitimate buyers, that's definitely an option - but how long until the pirates steal that too?

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

Go Play This

It will help to take your mind off of these low life scums who posted SE V and Dominions 3 to BT sites.

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

That maze game startled me it made me jump!

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

I've seen that maze...better if u don't play it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif i warned u

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

I can't believe anyone is seriously considering this...

Re: Space Empires V Pirated!
 

Right words Atrocities
If anyone(who find the game on web)will try it... Ok.
but then... Buy it.