.com.unity Forums - 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?