I was under the assumption that most entertainment products (well, films and games) either get pirated before or after release, and end up costing the developer millions anyways. Doom 3 just seems like a more significant case because it's a game that a lot more people wanted to play.

I mean, I have to admit that when Doom I and II came out, only one of my friends actually bought the game, and sometimes I didn't even *know* whose copy of the game I was installing on my computer. Yes, I was a bastard back then, but I don't think much has changed in the industry--game developers must have lost a lost of money to such piracy then, and they're still going to lose it now; I would imagine the percent of profit lost is probably around the same, although I have no way of knowing.

In regards to making retailers hold on to the much-anticipated release date when they already have copies in stock: my guess would be that this is to buffer against shipping problems so that all consumers have equal access to buy the game at the same time. I don't know if that's really why it's done or not, though. (Or am I missing your point?)

id should have worked out a deal with nVidia to share this quarter's profits. Then it would have all cancelled out...

Posted by: misuba on August 2, 2004 06:05 PM

I can imagine the frustration software developers feel when people pirate their product. Especially when pirates are so unapologetic about it. Whether justifying stealing software by claiming "I deserve this game for free," or "Id won't miss the money," to (my favorite) "I'm not going to buy the game anyway, so they aren't losing any money." However you slice it, you're still stealing.

Given the attitude of most pirates, and to minimize their damage, it probably would have been a better idea to ship Doom as soon as it was ready. I mean, it was already delayed multiple times right? And the hype? I don't know how much more hype they could have given it, two E3 appearances should have been enough. Well, I'm no marketing expert so what do I know.

I'd say this is a case of "don't cry for me, Argentina." id's making their money, be it from the $54 pricepoint (they're probably making at least $30/unit at that price, and that's seriously lowballing it), or from the fact that this engine is going to be so in demand that they can practically charge what they want for it, and then get huge points on the royalties of games that use it.

id's always been in the market to design game engines, not games, as their creators have stated repeatedly. Hell, they used to practically *give* Doom away. I don't think they're hurting from the piracy.

Pre-emptive reply to flamers: no, I don't support piracy. Just making a point here.

I kinda figured that the people who are pirating the game currently are wanting to try before they buy. Considering the large investment in pc upgrades to run the game, it seems people may actually want to know if the game will run properly on their computers before buying the game (at which point you cannot return the game at a store). Also the game happened to get out online before you could buy it in the stores, so I'm sure many people wanted to start playing ASAP.....

id are going to make huge amounts of money on this game. Every id game from Quake onwards has been little more than a tech demo for what their spanky new engine can do. who cares if Doom III is pirated when the real money is to be made by the millions of dollars it costs to licence the latest id game engine?

I admit that i downloaded it. I'm still going to buy it when it comes out over here because I cant play online with a pirated CD key. However I have to wait for 2 weeks before it comes out in the UK but I can play it now and use the same savegames when I buy a "real" copy.

Don't give the pirates such a hard time; Its only out in the US at the moment and theres nothing worse than paying £35/£40 for a game that runs slowly on your machine and isnt really worth playing. Its brilliant by the way, GOTY stuff, a masterpiece.

The cost of piracy is a fantasy concept. Many "pirates" (jeezus, what an overblown term for people who make a personal copy) would never buy the game.

In a sensible market, people pay what something is worth. But since prices are all fixed by publishers, that isn't possible, and thus you get illegal copying. Doom 3 is an engine Demo. The game is boring, though pretty. IT should be given away free or maybe for $20 or something. id makes their money on licensing. You've heard of half life right? Quake 2 engine, man.

No one deserves jack but what people are willing to give, and piracy is a bullshit notion.

"The cost of piracy is a fantasy concept. Many "pirates" (jeezus, what an overblown term for people who make a personal copy) would never buy the game."
First off, no one refers to people making personal copies pirates, nor is this post about people doing such. This is pure nonsense. I don't refer to people who steal copywrited material as pirates anyway, I use the proper term, thieves. I also use an alternative term, scum.

"In a sensible market, people pay what something is worth. But since prices are all fixed by publishers, that isn't possible, and thus you get illegal copying. Doom 3 is an engine Demo. The game is boring, though pretty. IT should be given away free or maybe for $20 or something. id makes their money on licensing. You've heard of half life right? Quake 2 engine, man.

No one deserves jack but what people are willing to give, and piracy is a bullshit notion."

This is complete crap. You are what we generally refer to as a cretin. Worth is determined by the market. Thats why we call it a market. I bring my goods, and see what I can get for them. If you choose to steal them then obviously Im screwed. Are their sugnificent issues to be dealt with arround the issue of digitally copiable objects? Sure. This doesn't make it any less an act of stealing. If you had acctually creating anything in your life worth stealing you'd know this.