Anti-Piracy Methods In Gaming

[TheNathanNS]

A lighter version of my piracy topic in Deep Thought.

 

 

Some developers are aware of piracy so they use methods which usually render the game unplayable.

 

Here's a list of some anti piracy methods in gaming. With videos

 

 

 

Platform: SNES

 

Probably the most known anti piracy method.

 

In Earthbound, if the game was pirated, the game would have much harder enemies. Not much a detterant is it?

 

 

The biggest "fuck you" to pirates occurs during the last battle with Gigyas, where the game would freeze, you'd also get a really creepy disorted sound (sometimes) and when you restarted your SNES, you'd find out Earthbound deleted your save!!

 

That save you put so many hours into, gone because you pirated it.

 

 

Video:

 

 

 

 

 

Platform: PlayStation 1.

 

Spyro 3's anti piracy method was a bit like Earthbound.

 

If you had a hacked copy, Zoe (the checkpoint fairy) would appear in the first world and forewarns you of the glitches and problems that would occur.

 

So what happens?

 

Well,  some gems and eggs wouldn't spawn, likewise some portals wouldn't open even if the player had the required amountof eggs.

 

Music would also be messed up.

 

Finally, in the final boss battle with the Sorceress, the boss would have the first level's music (very unfitting) and the second you hit her, the game quickly reloads Sunrise Spring as it would any other level.... however all eggs and gems you obtained were lost... rendering the game unbeatable.

 

 

Anti piracy warning:

 

The piracy effect in action:

 

 

 

 

 

Platform: PC

 

This game is pretty popular at the moment.

 

According to the Five Nights At Freddy's wiki, if you pirated this game, everytime you went to close the game, a jumpscare/screamer happens of Freddy Fazbear.

 

Aside from that, the pirated version is still the same as the genunine version.

 

 

 

Platform: PC

 

I couldn't find the PC cover.

 

Anyway, this game probably has the most humiliating anti piracy method.

 

This game is an erotic game....

 

Now, when you pirate this game, the game takes a screenshot of your desktop and uploads it to a server for all to see, which you can request for it to be removed IF you acknowledge you pirated this game.

 

A few of the pics uploaded were of the pirates on hentai sites.... so yeah, pretty embarassing.

 

 

 

 

Platform: PC

 

GTA IV's anti piracy is tame compared to the others, however it does become really annoying and becomes unplayable.

 

 

If you're discovered with a pirated copy, the game will force itself to go into "drunk cam" mode, which gets worse the longer you play.

 

Eventually, the screen is swaying left and right that fast you can't see anything.

 

Video:

 

 

 

 

Platform: Nintendo DS/DSi

 

On the Nintendo DS versions at least, (Or at least according to ROM sites) a pirated Pokemon game won't even boot.

 

Your game freezes before the title screen. Rendering it completely unplayable.

 

 

 

Platform: SNES

 

Possibly, I am unsure on this.

 

 

Video:

 

 

 

Platform: Sega Genesis

 

The game would act normal until you beat the first boss or reach level 5, where the game would fade out and you'd have a message from the devs telling you to get rid of "this silly copy" with really creepy music playing in the background.

 

The game would then restart.

 

Video:

 

 

So what anti piracy methods in gaming do you know of?

 

How cruel are they?

Edited August 27, 2014 by TheNathanNS

[DeathBringerZen]

FIFA has an anti-piracy feature in-place where the game will make the ball bounce much higher than normal and the screen would shake. Pretty funny if you ask me.

 

 

I also remember a lot of Amiga games having such features, but the scene release groups like Fairlight or Paradox usually got around them pretty easy... same when they released Genesis or SNES roms.

[TheNathanNS]

That screen should shake more rapidly the longer you play.

[Tattoo247]

I think they should start doing more jumpscares and just freak the heck out of anyone who tampers with their hard work.

 

It's still funny to see developers acknowledge modders and send them a message.

Edited September 6, 2014 by Tattoo247

[TheNathanNS]

@Tattoo247 I remember reading a comment on that classic "Ghost Car" video and someone said all devs (gaming, movies etc) should do that.