Hey there community/developers, I have recently an email from my old channel concerning a comment that states the following: "Wrong. Mod works on pirate versions too - TESTED :-P". It seems that the user has the LCPDFR modification fully working on his pirated version of the game. Should this be a concern? I created this topic for your knowledge of the situation.

Here's a link to the video with the quoted comment above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfdL58mAXt0&email=comment_reply_received&lc=4Sv0vCwDu8fznimVVq0L82mlUGL8tWjtgG13pQg4bS0&lch=email_reply&feature=email

Edited April 24, 201213 yr by wmai20

It's a known fact people CAN get the modification working on Pirated versions of the game, we dislike people who pirate the game and frown upon it, thus, when they come crying to us about their crack not working/mod, we simply state that it is not supported whats so ever, there are WAY to many variables to count in on what could mess up and not make the mod work, so we simply don't support it, they get it to work? Great for them, they just wont get any help when stuff goes sour.

I torrent cracked games myself, although usually only as a means to decide whether I will like a game before I pay money for it. Those games I do like I buy legit copies of (such as the GTA games), the ones I don't then at least I didn't waste money buying a game I won't like.

But yeah LCPDFR worked on my cracked copy of GTA IV before...

It's a known fact people CAN get the modification working on Pirated versions of the game, we dislike people who pirate the game and frown upon it, thus, when they come crying to us about their crack not working/mod, we simply state that it is not supported whats so ever, there are WAY to many variables to count in on what could mess up and not make the mod work, so we simply don't support it, they get it to work? Great for them, they just wont get any help when stuff goes sour.

I don't support pirating games just as much you do, or any kind of software for that matter, because it simply isn't right. Developers should be given their due respect for coming up with great software, so people should pay for software and not pirate them.

However, I disagree with disliking all people who pirate software, because in today's times, there are cases in which pirating software should be taken as a good initiative against evil, greedy, despicable, etc. companies. Such companies as EA, Rockstar Games, etc. FORCE end-users to install spyware (i.e. EA's Origin), backdoor rootkits (i.e. Sony's SecuROM), and other nonsense on their computers just to play a game. Remember, WE'RE the paying customers, not the pirates, so we shouldn't have to be put up with this BS in order to play the games that we buy. I can tolerate having to input a CD-Key and online verification for the first time a game installs, but I simply cannot stand draconian DRM that forces you to install additional BS on your coomputer and/or requires you to be online at all times in order to play the game that you purchased. That makes no sense, and is totally unfair to the customers. GTA IV was one of those games that went along with the viral version 7 of SecuROM, which is known to take out perfectly good CD-ROM drives among other problems. Of course companies that use these draconian measures say they are harmless...what would you expect them to say? I have faced some problems with StarForce (used by Ubisoft) before where I needed to reinstall Windows, because it did something wrong to the registry and Ubisoft said it cannot be fixed. So, before you go off hating all the pirates, think about why someone may pirate something. Yes, most people do so simply to avoid paying for stuff, but there are those "smart shoppers" who know not to be abused by big businesses and pirate software instead as protesting them. And I fully support these people, because we should be treated fairly by them if we're the ones paying for their stuff!

Just thought I'd point this out to people who have misconceptions about why some people pirate software. Before you start hating, think about it. Yes, I agree that pirating of any sort isn't right, but is it the customer's fault, or is it the company's fault? I think that installing SecuROM just to play GTA IV was pretty horrible, considering it was the most viral version, so I forgive those who pirated GTA IV. SHAME ON ROCKSTAR for ruining its own games with stupid BS. I hope that the PC version of GTA V won't be containing any more nonsense for us paying customers...

Edited April 25, 201213 yr by Guru Nathan

There's limitations to using "cracked" copies, for one, they require Xliveless as ASI loader. Using a crack could also cause all sorts of errors, even with a fresh install of GTA IV, which is why we have a policy of no providing support for people who are using Cracked copies.

I am using the word cracked as opposed to pirated as those two aren't mutually exclusive.

Also, keep in mind that this thread isn't about piracy in general.

People will always have an ability to get mods to work on cracks. Sadly, they will never experience the full ability of modding/playing with mods untill they buy them selfs a clean copy. Not everything works on cracks, but everything does work on clean versions.

People who get it to work probably have to use xlive.dll or knew how to fuck with their game to get it to work.

Anyways, I shun people who crack games when they can simple either rent the game to give it a try, or just go out and buy it.

Just thought I'd point this out to people who have misconceptions about why some people pirate software. Before you start hating, think about it. Yes, I agree that pirating of any sort isn't right, but is it the customer's fault, or is it the company's fault? I think that installing SecuROM just to play GTA IV was pretty horrible, considering it was the most viral version, so I forgive those who pirated GTA IV. SHAME ON ROCKSTAR for ruining its own games with stupid BS. I hope that the PC version of GTA V won't be containing any more nonsense for us paying customers...

I agree with Guru Nathan 100%, and I understand NicolaiB's distinction between cracking and pirating software. It is totally unfair that game companies nowadays are using more and more intrusive measures to "protect" their intellectual property. Remember what happened when EA released Spore? People were outraged with the intrusive SecuROM measures implemented, as well as the limited installs of 3 times, with each additional one needing authorization from EA Support. Why would you think that people started to crack the game then? Not to save themselves a few bucks--that's what uninformed consumers would think. The real reason is to protest EA for basically punishing its paying customers.

Anyways, I shun people who crack games when they can simple either rent the game to give it a try, or just go out and buy it.

It's people with this kind of thinking that are helping the big businesses' cause in invading the consumer's privacy. EA's Origin is known to go through documents on your computer, as a German computer user proved with a task tracking tool that showed Origin looking through his financial records among other things. SecuROM is known to cause problems to Windows and damage hardware. Think about it, people who crack the game to get around these BS measures are, as Guru Nathan said, the "smart shoppers." They are not falling for the companies' traps and are protesting them for their rights. If GTA V still contains SecuROM or other stupid draconian DRM system, then I'm simply not paying R* a cent of my money. But I'm sure there are other consumers out there that don't care and just want to get their hands on it no matter what. These are the ones who R* are manipulating, making it think it's OK to implement such intrusive software onto their customers.

Just stating my opinions so that others can stop and think for a moment and become smart shoppers as well. I remember the days when installing games used to be as easy as simple disk and CD-key checks. What ever happened to those days? Surely the cracking and pirating of games has seen an increase due to these intrusive measures. You would think that they'll go down, but like I said, the wise consumer won't take this kind of abuse from the big businesses.

Again, this thread is for discussing LCPDFR on cracked copies, not piracy in general, please stick to the topic.

I agree with Guru Nathan 100%, and I understand NicolaiB's distinction between cracking and pirating software. It is totally unfair that game companies nowadays are using more and more intrusive measures to "protect" their intellectual property.

Nice to see a fellow smart shopper here not being manipulated and abused by these companies. In order to make a change, we have to stand together and do something. To big businesses, making money is all that matters, so we can show our disapproval of their invasion of our privacy by not buying their games.

Again, this thread is for discussing LCPDFR on cracked copies, not piracy in general, please stick to the topic.

Sorry, I realize this thread has went on a tangent. Let me try to bring it back to the topic of LCPD:FR and its support of cracked copies. In my honest, humble opinion, putting the thought of invaded and violated customers against greedy and dishonest businesses, I seriously think that the G17 Media development team should focus more on making the mod supported on all builds of the game, and not try to waste efforts in preventing it from running on cracked copies. By allocating time and energy into doing this specific act, I take it that G17 Media is backing up R* in their abusive acts, which is outrageous. I know that the G17 Media team doesn't have this intention, and they mean well when they say to only support legally bought copies, but I don't think that support should be segregated to legal and cracked copies. We need more developers supporting consumer rights rather than the nasty practices of big businesses. Don't get me wrong, I don't think piracy is right. However, LCPD:FR should still be able to be played on cracked versions of GTA IV for those smart shoppers that know not to be abused by these greedy companies.

That's about all I have to say about cracked copies and playing LCPD:FR on them for now, and I tried to stay on topic as much as possible this time. You may not agree with me, and that's OK, since to each his/her own opinions. I want to help keep the rights of consumers, and help mod developers see this POV in making their decisions as to what their mod supports. Can't we just all be able to enjoy LCPD:FR for what it is? Some of us are bullied by big businesses enough, and don't need even more bulllying. I trust that the G17 Media team will see this POV and understand it.

Nice to see a fellow smart shopper here not being manipulated and abused by these companies. In order to make a change, we have to stand together and do something. To big businesses, making money is all that matters, so we can show our disapproval of their invasion of our privacy by not buying their games.

Sorry, I realize this thread has went on a tangent. Let me try to bring it back to the topic of LCPD:FR and its support of cracked copies. In my honest, humble opinion, putting the thought of invaded and violated customers against greedy and dishonest businesses, I seriously think that the G17 Media development team should focus more on making the mod supported on all builds of the game, and not try to waste efforts in preventing it from running on cracked copies. By allocating time and energy into doing this specific act, I take it that G17 Media is backing up R* in their abusive acts, which is outrageous. I know that the G17 Media team doesn't have this intention, and they mean well when they say to only support legally bought copies, but I don't think that support should be segregated to legal and cracked copies. We need more developers supporting consumer rights rather than the nasty practices of big businesses. Don't get me wrong, I don't think piracy is right. However, LCPD:FR should still be able to be played on cracked versions of GTA IV for those smart shoppers that know not to be abused by these greedy companies.

That's about all I have to say about cracked copies and playing LCPD:FR on them for now, and I tried to stay on topic as much as possible this time. You may not agree with me, and that's OK, since to each his/her own opinions. I want to help keep the rights of consumers, and help mod developers see this POV in making their decisions as to what their mod supports. Can't we just all be able to enjoy LCPD:FR for what it is? Some of us are bullied by big businesses enough, and don't need even more bulllying. I trust that the G17 Media team will see this POV and understand it.

Agreed. The only time I pirate is when I want to try the game before I purchase it, otherwise it would be a waste of money and space. When I enjoy the "pirated version" of the game, I delete it and go out and make a purchase.

Can honestly say i've never had a "pirated game", hell, i've never even downloaded free movies :biggrin: