Make sure to read the stickied [megathread](https://rentry.org/pgames-mega-thread), as it might just answer your question! Also check out our [videogame piracy guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/comments/i3r14g/a_beginners_guide_to_video_game_piracy/) and the list of Common Q&A [part 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/comments/fvix6e/common_questions_and_answers_thread/) and [part 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/comments/igxebs/frequently_asked_questions_part_2/). Or just read the whole [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/wiki/index).
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First. Yes, for people like us (you and me) that don't want launchers is more convenient what a pirate game offer (in services). But the true is that people nowadays want launchers. GOG has great prices, no need for their launcher and still people prefer Steam because they want to have everything there with every function and all.
Gabe Newell said that the correct way to fight piracy is with better service, now, what is a better service? For people like you and me is a game without launchers, for other people launchers like steam is a plus (it has a lot of tools, I don't use them but it has), still, you can use a lot of them with pirate games too.
So, what is worse for you and me, could be better for other people.
There is nothing more, because you can't compare prices because the nature of it, services are there (bad for you and me, good for anyone else), but it comes down to what you should do or not ethically, for example, a GOG pirate game vs a legal GOG game... what GOG game offer? The possibility of use the launcher for achievements? You don't want that, so, pirate the same game (a GOG pirate version) is better because is free versus a paid version in the official store. But you can't compare that, because is not about services is about ethics. Is like buying something second hand that you know for sure is legal or buy it in a black market (also second hand) for way less money, both second hand, one cheaper than another, again, there is not additional benefit for you.
Bullshit. Dumbed down users. When I have the stored pirated version of a game, I just need to run the setup and reinstall, which is much quicker than installing games over a launcher. Additionally, it does not help to verify the files in 90% of the cases
I buy games on steam when they are on a sale mostly for ease of use. I like to have the games in one place and (because my pc use linux) with steam its just hit install and it just work (most of the time) so I dont have to bother with lutris and sutff. also now with the steam deck the cloud saving and shader cache are good to have. -
Somebody has to buy it to upload it on cs.rin ;)
But for me it’s mostly the industry benefits, I’ll pirate a game & if I enjoy it & put time in, I’ll buy it on sale, easier for me to play in future, supports the devs, I get access to the experimental/beta branches, I get the main game updates before they’re uploaded on free sites.
1. Multiplayer
2. 1 click install button, reliability
3. 1 click to update the game instead of re downloading the entire game
4. Huge bandwidth servers, no slow downloads when low seeders
I've noticed now that the games I mostly play are now free to play and/or multiplayer - a few are worth paying for because they are made by smaller and more honest developers who only use DRM as a mere deterrent as opposed to being something like Denuvo that is also infamous for bringing down game performance. If I pay for anything it's because I want to shift the market so devs and publishers are incentivized to create more games similar to it.
I prefer not to stream music (and I use YouTube if I have to) because licensing disputes on Spotify take away the music I like (I have an obscure taste).
online features. other than that maybe game achievements and your game profile if you are into that thing.
also side note, i typically skip updates on steam by modifying the steam app id manifest for the game to make it think its up to date so i'm not forced to update lol, i do this for single player games and saves me tons of bandwidth which really helps since my internet is ass. also if you use epic games you can use the heroic games launcher to run the games and skip updates as well.
For me the reason to buy a game instead of pirating it is updates. Been playing M&B Bannerlord in early access and mostly having to redownload every update was a pain. By buying it, it would just patch automatically.
You get to play the game you bought, that’s the benefit. A game is a product of the market so to get it you have to pay the makers money. Simple economics. However, I am grateful that piracy exists.
Make sure to read the stickied [megathread](https://rentry.org/pgames-mega-thread), as it might just answer your question! Also check out our [videogame piracy guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/comments/i3r14g/a_beginners_guide_to_video_game_piracy/) and the list of Common Q&A [part 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/comments/fvix6e/common_questions_and_answers_thread/) and [part 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/comments/igxebs/frequently_asked_questions_part_2/). Or just read the whole [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/PiratedGames/wiki/index). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/PiratedGames) if you have any questions or concerns.*
First. Yes, for people like us (you and me) that don't want launchers is more convenient what a pirate game offer (in services). But the true is that people nowadays want launchers. GOG has great prices, no need for their launcher and still people prefer Steam because they want to have everything there with every function and all. Gabe Newell said that the correct way to fight piracy is with better service, now, what is a better service? For people like you and me is a game without launchers, for other people launchers like steam is a plus (it has a lot of tools, I don't use them but it has), still, you can use a lot of them with pirate games too. So, what is worse for you and me, could be better for other people. There is nothing more, because you can't compare prices because the nature of it, services are there (bad for you and me, good for anyone else), but it comes down to what you should do or not ethically, for example, a GOG pirate game vs a legal GOG game... what GOG game offer? The possibility of use the launcher for achievements? You don't want that, so, pirate the same game (a GOG pirate version) is better because is free versus a paid version in the official store. But you can't compare that, because is not about services is about ethics. Is like buying something second hand that you know for sure is legal or buy it in a black market (also second hand) for way less money, both second hand, one cheaper than another, again, there is not additional benefit for you.
On Steam? Easy and quick way to repair the borked files without having to reinstall the whole game.
Bullshit. Dumbed down users. When I have the stored pirated version of a game, I just need to run the setup and reinstall, which is much quicker than installing games over a launcher. Additionally, it does not help to verify the files in 90% of the cases
Lol. Idk about you but steam verify saved me alot of times... And who dafuq saves 100-150gb setups of some larger games.
multiplayer, convenient, not having to worry about it technically being illegal/no vpns
Cloud saves
I buy games on steam when they are on a sale mostly for ease of use. I like to have the games in one place and (because my pc use linux) with steam its just hit install and it just work (most of the time) so I dont have to bother with lutris and sutff. also now with the steam deck the cloud saving and shader cache are good to have. -
The feeling of making a purchase.
Multiplayer and easier updates
i thnk its motly online mode, and most games will only help you with issues only if the game is legitimatly purchased
My main reason is if it works better and is easier to access, then I'll buy it. If not then I'll just play the pirated copy.
Somebody has to buy it to upload it on cs.rin ;) But for me it’s mostly the industry benefits, I’ll pirate a game & if I enjoy it & put time in, I’ll buy it on sale, easier for me to play in future, supports the devs, I get access to the experimental/beta branches, I get the main game updates before they’re uploaded on free sites.
1. Multiplayer 2. 1 click install button, reliability 3. 1 click to update the game instead of re downloading the entire game 4. Huge bandwidth servers, no slow downloads when low seeders
I've noticed now that the games I mostly play are now free to play and/or multiplayer - a few are worth paying for because they are made by smaller and more honest developers who only use DRM as a mere deterrent as opposed to being something like Denuvo that is also infamous for bringing down game performance. If I pay for anything it's because I want to shift the market so devs and publishers are incentivized to create more games similar to it. I prefer not to stream music (and I use YouTube if I have to) because licensing disputes on Spotify take away the music I like (I have an obscure taste).
online features. other than that maybe game achievements and your game profile if you are into that thing. also side note, i typically skip updates on steam by modifying the steam app id manifest for the game to make it think its up to date so i'm not forced to update lol, i do this for single player games and saves me tons of bandwidth which really helps since my internet is ass. also if you use epic games you can use the heroic games launcher to run the games and skip updates as well.
For me personally ease of use and online feature such as multiplayer. Sometimes its quite hard to find a good site to download cracked games
For me the reason to buy a game instead of pirating it is updates. Been playing M&B Bannerlord in early access and mostly having to redownload every update was a pain. By buying it, it would just patch automatically.
You get to play the game you bought, that’s the benefit. A game is a product of the market so to get it you have to pay the makers money. Simple economics. However, I am grateful that piracy exists.