Illegal copy of watchtower Megacampaing found!!! (Full Version)

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adantas -> Illegal copy of watchtower Megacampaing found!!! (2/25/2002 8:06:00 PM)

Hi folks, I'm very upset to say this but I found here in Brazil many Illegal copies of Watchtower Mega campaing CD with the ver 7.0
The price of such cds is only U$ 2,00!!
They came probably from Paraguay and are delivered to the Brazilian market by chinese mafia..
the point here is that in Brazil SPWAW isn't a well know game so this fact would not impact Matrix sales but the question is if they send such copies to other countries were the game is well know so...
I know that there's little to do against those Pirates but the only thing I can ask is that each of us who love this fantastic game show it to our friends and ask them to support Matrix guys buying legal copies of Mega campaings!! To Paul Vebber, Wild Bill and all guys from Matrix:
KEEP UP WITH THE GOOD WORK!!!
Alessandro --------------
Senta à Pua!!!



peter hellman -> (2/25/2002 10:58:00 PM)

Well bying a pirate copy is a good way to support crime organisations. I don't really think people joining this forum would buy such a thing even if possible, maybe I'm naive.



Gen.Hoepner -> (2/25/2002 11:40:00 PM)

I agree with u peter.As member of this forum since a long time,i leanrt to know the spirit of this forum.We all support Matrix,not only because we like to play its games,but also because we feel aorself part of a great community,which must be supported by the inside.



Omegaunit -> (2/25/2002 11:52:00 PM)

Yeah I totally agree, I made my brother buy his own copy of MC NA



Dogfish -> (2/26/2002 12:54:00 AM)

Hey All: I tend to disagree... I think that if we see pirated copies of Mega Campaigns we should buy them. You should be careful to get a receipt from the vendor, with date, name and address of vendor, and a reasonable description of the item you purchased. Not just 1 CD... $2.00 or something similar. Having done Computer Shows, up and down the East Coast for 20+ years, I think the first place they will show in the US will be at Computer Shows. I think having a valid receipt and the pirate copy is the first step that law enforcement agencies will need. Perhaps someone from Matrix can post exactly what steps they would reccomend us taking. And also post a list of contacts on the enforcement end. David?



adantas -> (2/26/2002 1:58:00 AM)

quote:

Originally posted by Dogfish:
Hey All: I tend to disagree... I think that if we see pirated copies of Mega Campaigns we should buy them. You should be careful to get a receipt from the vendor, with date, name and address of vendor, and a reasonable description of the item you purchased. Not just 1 CD... $2.00 or something similar. Having done Computer Shows, up and down the East Coast for 20+ years, I think the first place they will show in the US will be at Computer Shows. I think having a valid receipt and the pirate copy is the first step that law enforcement agencies will need. Perhaps someone from Matrix can post exactly what steps they would reccomend us taking. And also post a list of contacts on the enforcement end. David?
Hey mate, This sounds really good!!!
Alessandro --------------
Senta à Pua!!!



Les_the_Sarge_9_1 -> (2/26/2002 4:30:00 AM)

Saw a copy of MCNA myself as well. Fortunately I had the needed character strength to resist the temptation. But it was on a KaZaa site and obviously available to the whole planet as a result. Pirating is so simple so easy and so likely that I have no suggestions at all as to a logical defense. Copyright protection is to software what the Maginot line was to the Germans (no obstacle at all). Its sad, but all we can do is be part of the solution (and buy the game) and not part of the problem (obtain pirated software). When Matrix releases a game we have likely about 6 months and then the software has been out there long enough that someone that wants to will almost certainly have pirated it. Moralising aside, its just a sad reality for anyone that wants to produce software.



Bing -> (2/26/2002 5:11:00 AM)

Bis, the shop who developed Operation Flashpoint, have a new twist, at least one I hadn't heard of before: You can "warez" or pirate OFP if you want, per above it is very easy to do so. But if you don't have a legal copy of OFP in your CD drive, over a period of time the pirated copy starts to lose game features, arriving at a point of being unplayable. I don't know if this is difficult to achieve, or if SPWAW in its present state would even allow such coding. The other answer is from Auran - who just released the retail edition of Trainz.You can't get "official" content without being registered. Service upgrade patches, offically sponsored layouts and rolling stock. And you have to log in every time you use their download service - it checks to see if you are registered or not. You can't even post to the tech sections of their forum unless you are a registered user. Some say Auran is shortsighted - I say I don't know, they are trying to protect their intellectual property. Time will tell if Auran's approach works or not. They have refused to post an electronic vrsion of their manual - you want the manual you buy the box. The odds are an e-manual is going to be somewhere on the Net within the next few days. Bing



Supervisor -> (2/26/2002 5:17:00 AM)

It gets worse, I just found Lost Victories on Kaaza!



RolandRahn_MatrixForum -> (2/26/2002 5:44:00 AM)

It's a shame....
SPWAW is free, the MCs are obviously for people who enjoy SPWAW and want more. I hope that only some weird people who want every software regardless if they like it or not take advantage of these pirate copies. I have difficulties to think of someone who likes SPWAW and takes a pirated MC. Kind regards,
Roland



ruxius -> (2/26/2002 6:26:00 AM)

Well I study in computer science..schools are places where boys share a lot of computer programs..piracy is a reality today and I am sorry to say that I think it's quite undefeatable...
I do not have enough money to buy all programs I use , but I always had a principle since my beginning ...
I will honour each software house which gives to me real fun..no matter of what they sell.. and so DID Matrix !
That's why I will never pirate MAtrix !
I always encouraged my friends to legally buy SPWAW...and I spent my money happily to support MAtrix with MEgacamps !!!
I am a Loyalist !
a person who decided to give a CONCRETE tribute to
uncommon people there at MAtrix..people who never deserved enough for what they have done !
 The only good news here is that at least MAtrix's name will spread across the world very soon ! I am next to you friends..I am grateful to the many of you who joined my call for Loyalty..
we can only trust in the better of us... Pirating MEGACamps while SPWAW is FREE it's the best demonstration that some piracy has really no respect for nothing !



Les_the_Sarge_9_1 -> (2/26/2002 9:58:00 AM)

With the net being sooooo accessible I think the future of software security has to be the user logging onto the net so that their software when employed is verified to see if it is legit before it will run. Sure that wont be an easy thing, and sure it will be intrusive. There will be those that will cry foul and make all manner of claims that the user is being "forced" to divulge "priviledged information". I am no better than anyone else. Can any here on the site boldy and honestly say not a single piece of software on their system was obtained through less than upfront and honest means?My halo is not sparkling nor bright (actually it is likely currently in a box in the basement).

We champion Matrix and decry any that would not support them. But if we possess any software from any source that was obtained through "alternate means", we have essentially supported the problem and not the solution. I was sort of proud when I put my cash up and bought Lost Victories, but it was a single action that doesnt make me a saint. Me I know nothing about software design. If I was told tomorrow that software would no longer function if I did not do something that legally proved I had in fact bought it, I would call that a step forward. What if software was sold that was inoperative until the final element was obtained through a means that made it impossible to pirate?
I dont know how this would be done. The hell of it is that software is software. People are always finding ways to usurp the controls placed on it. I dont support the radical notion that software should be free. I know there are those that support such rediculous notions. I also dont support a free lunch either.



mogami -> (2/26/2002 10:19:00 AM)

Hi, I just don't see non-grognards having much interest in these Pirate things. Non Matrix people want D&D and Sci-Fi if SPWaW was a big seller it would still be sold by SSI. I think these pirates might lose money on the CD's they wasted making copies. The limited market all lives and breathes here at Matrix and no one here would touch one of those pirate copies. I hope the support base grows, (and I think it will) but it will grow from here not from pirate CD's of mega campaigns. I can just see the forum posts from one of these players when they have a question about the game. "Hi, new player here. I got a pirate copy of the game and need to know how to clear mines and call arty thanks"



Wild Bill -> (2/26/2002 12:42:00 PM)

Thanks Adantas! We will! As for the piracy, I guess there is a plus and a minus side to it pertaining to Matrix. The fact that it was pirated means that somebody thinks it has value enought to take that chance. The bad side, of course, you already know. Unless you are a company like Microsoft with all the security they have on their programs (and even so, people find a work-around...always have), it is going to happen. I appreciate very much all of you that spent your hard earned dollars on the game. It means a lot to all of us and keeps Matrix alive...WB



Mojo -> (2/26/2002 1:12:00 PM)

quote:

Originally posted by Wild Bill:
...I appreciate very much all of you that spent your hard earned dollars on the game. It means a lot to all of us and keeps Matrix alive...WB
Loyalty and respect earn the same in return. A fact many have forgotten. You've got mine Bill.



RolandRahn_MatrixForum -> (2/26/2002 2:26:00 PM)

quote:

Originally posted by Mogami:
I can just see the forum posts from one of these players when they have a question about the game. "Hi, new player here. I got a pirate copy of the game and need to know how to clear mines and call arty thanks"

Well, I think it might be the start of the largest flame war we have ever seen.
I hope that people like dogfish will be the first who respond to it (Something like "Congratulations, BTW, I'm looking for a pirate copy, too, please tell me....") to track (and hunt) them down. After the third response or so, the "owner" of the pirate copy will know that it is best to run away and to change his IP-Address. Kind regards,
Roland



Unknown_Enemy -> (2/26/2002 7:23:00 PM)

have a read http://www.groundplan.com/articles/art260102.php Have you finished it ? Good. So it seems that pirated software are nowhere near the point of movies and audio. But that will not help matrix when they think about the money lost, so it comes just to us, the wargaming afficionados to help matrix by expending the community. It just come to us.



adantas -> (2/26/2002 9:15:00 PM)

quote:

Originally posted by Wild Bill:
Thanks Adantas! We will! As for the piracy, I guess there is a plus and a minus side to it pertaining to Matrix. The fact that it was pirated means that somebody thinks it has value enought to take that chance. The bad side, of course, you already know. Unless you are a company like Microsoft with all the security they have on their programs (and even so, people find a work-around...always have), it is going to happen. I appreciate very much all of you that spent your hard earned dollars on the game. It means a lot to all of us and keeps Matrix alive...WB
Thanks Herr Oberst!! I agree with all posts here, and my intention here is just issue a warning about the fact, I'm sure that little can be done against pirates but I belive in loyalty like Ruxius said and soon I save some money I'll order my copies of MCs and I'll very pround to support Matrix!!!
it's a fact that for all who live outside USA the cost to buy the game is high, just for exemple if we in Brazil used the US Dollar, a U$ 25,00 MC would cost U$ 75,00 here without the cost of delivery from USA to Brazil since U$ 1,00 is almost equal to R$ 3,00 of ours
But again is a question of Loyalty !!! Alessandro --------------
Senta à Pua!!!



Charles2222 -> (2/26/2002 9:32:00 PM)

I refuse to even give warez sites a hit, much less download something from them.



Bing -> (2/26/2002 11:12:00 PM)

Mogami's post: "Hi, new player here. I got a pirate copy of the game and need to know how to clear mines and call arty thanks"
======================================= I think it will more likely be something like we get on the Trainz forum: My sister burned my copy of the manual, could you please send me a copy?? Not the exact same, because the (old) manual comes with SPWAW. Let's see - is there something on the legal CD the pirates might not have copied? Something that if a newbie asks for we would know he's playing from a stolen copy of the MC? We have a difficult issue here: The game is free but the MC isn't. Matrix might start thinking about player registering, if they are concerned about piracy. Its a jungle out there, Martha. Bing



AbsntMndedProf -> (2/27/2002 12:03:00 AM)

Unfortunately, the old saying, 'Locks were invented to keep honest menb [and women] honest.', holds true in cyberspace just as in the real world. Hopefully there will always be enough people who can resist pirated versions of software such that companies such as Matrix aren't bled dry through piracy.
Eric Maietta



Unknown_Enemy -> (2/27/2002 12:22:00 AM)

I would not mind registering my copy, but only if I am sure my personnal data will stay locked in matrix games. I would quite mad if something like that
http://www.theinquirer.net/22020207.htm
happen to my data.



Capt Chris -> (2/27/2002 12:55:00 AM)

This is a great topic. Software piracy is a real problem faced across the industry. I think posting about a pirated copy of MC here is like preaching to the choir. I think this group appreciates and respects the time and effort put into the MC development and would therefore not partake in using this "free" software. I recently purchased Return to Castle Wolfenstein which has a pretty cool protection feature, but it only makes a difference for online players. When you logon to the game server, the game registers itself with the server using a unique CD key. If anyone with the same CD key tries to logon to the same server, it pops up a message that you are using an invalid CD key and kicks you out of the game. Reading through the forums it looks like a LOT of people tried to copy this game and share their CD keys. This doesn't protect single player mode, but the game's best features are by far the online play. It's really tough to protect any software product from piracy. It is even tougher to do so without invading someone's privacy. Ask Micro$oft about that one.



Hauptmann6 -> (2/27/2002 7:55:00 PM)

quote:

Originally posted by Bing:

Let's see - is there something on the legal CD the pirates might not have copied? Something that if a newbie asks for we would know he's playing from a stolen copy of the MC?
I really doubt it, it isn't anything more than putting a CD into one drive and the blank in another and hitting teh copy button. It's not like you actualy move files or even look at them. Just raw data...



Bing -> (2/27/2002 10:49:00 PM)

quote:

Originally posted by Hauptmann6:
I really doubt it, it isn't anything more than putting a CD into one drive and the blank in another and hitting teh copy button. It's not like you actualy move files or even look at them. Just raw data...
The music industry came up with some kind of copy protection scheme to discourage piracy. IIRC the scheme disables the file after a few days unless it is unlocked, which sounds like a variation of the one the OFP developers use. Registration need not involve personal information - certainly not any more than Matrix already has. And most anyone can get from a Net search engine. Face it, if a person wants personal data you have posted any time, anywhere on the Net, they are determined and even halfway talented in this area, they are going to get it. The real targets are commercial firms. I've been scammed via pure credit card fraud which had nothing to do with the Internet. And I was flipped twice for long distance phone service, without mny permission, until I found out you can tell the phone company to put a lock on your long distance service - and they have to comply with your request. Bing



skryking -> (2/28/2002 5:47:00 AM)

the only problem with trying to do it the way the music industry is trying to protect disks is that they are creating a format that fudges the data on the disk just enough that a pc cdrom drive won't be able to read it...thus preventing copying.. this would present a problem with software titles trying to do this.



Bing -> (2/28/2002 5:52:00 AM)

So it looks like the way the OFP developers or the way Auran is trying to go would be the options for game publishers. But as someone said, I wonder how much of the illegal market is in the kind of games we play - the really popular Quake games and all I can see the monetary loss. Bing



scimitar -> (2/28/2002 5:22:00 PM)

Personnally I don't use illegal copies for different reasons: 1) To buy an original is to encourage the author(authors) of the software to ameliorate the soft with patches, new versions, etc. 2) Some people are buying illegal copies only to own a big quantity of softs. But do they have time to spend to play all softs? If you buy 10 illegal copies to play regularly with only one, I think it's better to buy only an original one... and to have all the docs, the support of the author(s), etc... 3) consequently of 2) above: if a soft is interresting me, I try to obtain some documentation on it (reviews in magazines; downloadable demos, ...) to see if that soft is really a good one. If so, I'll buy it. If not, then OK I'll forget it. But I want to limit the quantity of softs I'll buy, because I don't have time enough to play with 50 softs!
In fact, I only own 10-12 games softs. Some of them are very old ones (Empire Deluxe - yes, I still play PBEM with that oldie!).
As Megacampaigns are very interrestive and enjoyable, I've bought all three (one directly from Matrix; one via Roland Rahn's group order; the last one via Duchet, UK). As Combat Leader is interresting me, I'll buy it (probably via Duchet). And I think CL will be the only soft I'll buy in 2002. 4) For the softs I'm hesitating to buy or not (not really convinced but...) then the best is to wait a little bit: after 6-9 months, the game is frequently sold at bargain price... 5) To buy an illegal copy gives also the risk to find a virus on the cd...



HerrGeneral -> test reply (3/11/2002 2:47:48 AM)

This is a test reply.

Rod



Bing -> (3/12/2002 6:48:00 AM)

Anudder test reply.

Bing



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