'Blackwell Deception' Indie Dev Claims 30,000 Steam Keys Stolen in Promotion
Wadjet Eye Games provided their game for free. Unfortunately, hackers decided to try and take advantage of the system.
Developing for the PC platform is a difficult task, if only because of rampant piracy. It's a fear that's constantly on the back of developer and publisher minds alike. Some publishers, in a misguided effort to combat piracy, have laid down stringent DRM on their games. Other publishers and developers have simply sold their games DRM-free for a low cost, hoping that easy access would encourage legitimate sales. Unfortunately, some amoral gamers have decided to take advantage of such systems to ruin the entire experience for everyone.
Recently, indie developer Wadjet Eye Games launched a promotion to give away one of its games, The Blackwell Deception, for free. Some hackers decided to take advantage of the system by stealing keys through masking their IP, grabbing up multiple copies of the game to sell later when the game was no longer free. People have stolen over 30,000 Steam keys of the game.
"This whole thing has made me terribly terribly sad," stated Dave Gilbert of Wadjet Eye. The 30,000 keys have since been canceled. All other keys redeemed through legitimate means will still be honored.
The problem is arse's who ruin it for everyone else.
The problem is that there are people out there doing this.....
The problem is arse's who ruin it for everyone else.
The problem is that there are people out there doing this.....
That's no different for any platform. You can buy chipped xboxs, ps3 hacked, etc. XGD3 anyone? All the different waves...DRM for xbox360...Once hacked I'd say it's much easier to pirate consoles game after game. At least you have to work for each PC game. There are sites totally dedicated to helping you with your console, so not sure either side has an advantage. If you want to crack it, no matter what it is, you can (and these people have no intention of paying EVER, thus attempting to thwart them just costs you money). There are people that will mod your xbox360/ps3 for you, after that you just have to be able to use imgburn via forums etc (free). Every PC game is possibly different and over it's life has multiple patches, cracks etc (which for some makes it worth a purchase right there, too much effort). ON the console side once hacked its just another burn and maybe a little patience between new firmwares. With a PS2 all you needed was two pieces of tape and a boot disc...LOL. Pirating is easy if you want it you got it. They should be thankful there are enough honest people to keep them in business. Lower the prices and you get more sales and even slow piracy. It isn't usually worth pirating something (for most) that is $30 or under. At $60? Well that's motivation for a lot of people especially when you can't return the product if it sucks. Which is probably why I usually wait for GOTY (patched, fixed, includes all DLC, so basically is what you should get the day it sells)
Not the kind that can be unlocked with a key to get the additional levels, you have to DL a full version.
It's really not that hard and avoids this kind of problem.
So you've equated me with thieves and I must be a dipshit trying to make a buck off them (thus I stole them) and thus I'm the idiot causing EA piracy measures...LOL. I don't buy EA games and only support GOG/kickstarter. We done? I never called them EVIL for trying to spread the word (didn't call them evil at all). Just said they are making stuff out of nothing while getting free PR. I don't even call THAT evil, heck get it while you can. Just don't be complaining while getting pretty much the excellent FREE PR if it essentially cost you nothing but cancelling keys.
I complain about EA because as an honest buyer I refuse to be treated like a criminal WHILE giving them my money which is all DRM does. I have never had a foodstamp in my life and I myself have only received ONE unemployment check in my life and only to try to get school funds for an MCSE track at a college. When I FINALLY got the check (it only took 2.5 months, some classes etc and finally check received), they had run out of money for tech classes so I dropped unemployment....ROFL. I fully believe you should have a VERY SHORT time on unemployment and get your butt back to work.
I should be calling you an idiot or dipsh1t for making statements about someone you know nothing about...But I'll refrain
besides that the game doesn't look impressive.
Not sure who your comment is directed at. All of the stuff I said (and more) is easily available on major tech news sites, and at times even linked to in stories so you can read just how easy it is with a click or two. I never condoned ANY piracy. At most I explained why it happens and gave a tip on how to solve it (lower prices, remove DRM). That doesn't say whether I condone it or not. If I swear a lot does that make me a trucker?...LOL. If I pirate games why would I buy them from Gog or support kickstarter? Or maybe I'm not the one you aimed your post at?...ROFL. I don't want to pay their prices at EA etc, and don't like DRM at steam (yet) so I don't play anything they have. Done yet?
Another person judging people apparently just for having knowledge. I can tell you a crap ton of info on nutrition. Am I a certified nutritionist? NOPE. I don't have time to play the games I buy from Gog even etiher. I just buy the sales to support them (but do plan to play them at some point). Basically I'm the exact opposite of what you're saying, I'm just more knowledgeable than most as an IT/stock person who reads about anything that could affect either my JOB or my STOCKS (piracy - how easy is it to kill my stock) etc. I surmise DRM stops nobody serious, pisses off honest people and changes nothing with my stocks unless DRM pisses off so many a good game will go down (indie devs are changing the game anyway, so no game stocks or console stocks).
If I know about aids or cancer, do I automatically have either? Might I just be a very active person trying to help them in any way I can? Might I just have a family member with one or the other? That statement if it walks like a duck, quacks like one etc it is one, is ignorant or worse just stupid. I can do all of that for fun for 10 minutes but will never actually be a duck right? jeez.
It's comic people like you judge people in a few lines of text. WOW. If you quit judging people, to quote you, "I'm sure more productive activities could be done with the time saved."