Murdoch: illegal downloading is like stealing a handbag

They did it to themselves, no sympathy. If they weren't so damn greedy, hyperinflating their prices more and more every single year, then maybe penniless kids wouldn't feel the need "steal" freely available warez. Especially true right now with everybody's money problems, where parent's cannot provide that shiny new game for their son or daughter no matter how much they would want to or not.

Honestly, they are targeting kids with all these new games, but turn around and charge an unbelievable $50 to $100 per game today, if not more (such as for the Sims 3 Series which cost roughly $60 per EP). It is unrealistic, and highly unsustainable for both parties. If they charged a fair $30, then everybody would be able to afford to actually buy what they want. But for right now, at these current obscene prices, more and more people are going to resort to piracy - that's kids, and adults alike.

And I don't advocate it at all, but what I am saying is that I can absolutely understand why so many people feel that they have to resort to this practice, especially now with the state of the economies all across the world. Many of such people even call it "even" because they figure they are making MORE than enough money off of the saps willing to pay an unbelieveable 260% increase on their products. And you know something? They're right!

Myself, I couldn't afford a $20 game right now, let alone a $60 one such as Sims 3 World Adventures! And you know something? If I knew I could get it, 100% working and virus-free, I would be very, very tempted to say the hell with it and click the big red download button. Sorry, but I'm just being painfully honest here.


So I guess what I am saying, if these companies really wanted to make more money, they should lower the prices to a realistically reasonable amount, and because they would actually make more money that way instead of coveting their products for more and more money over time. You have to give some to get some, and right now, these corporations aren't giving NOTHING, so they aren't GETTING nothing.

Think about it.

Kari said:

As so often in life, it's a question of personal choices.

Last line in your sys specs is a link to TigerDirect's website, giving the specs and the price of your laptop. According to that link, your rig costs over $700. Your specs also tell you have an extra display and HD, let's be modest and say they are only worth $100 together.

Here is a listing of Newegg's laptop page, price range $400 to $500. My point is, you have chosen to put unnecessary money on your rig. You could buy a nice laptop with Win7, plus a few of your favorite games with less what your current laptop costs. And still have money for a beer or two when you need refreshment after heavy gaming.

IMO, you can only blame yourself. You chose to buy a computer too expensive to you thus leaving no money for games.

Kari

I don't understand what that has to do with the original point of the topic? Yes, I admit it, I did splurge a little bit on myself with a nice computer, because I have NEVER had a nice computer before unlike many other, more privileged teens/young adults, and could actually, finally afford to get one - one I will be stuck with for MANY years from now - so instead of choosing a cheaper one I knew I wasn't going to be happy with, I chose one slightly more expensive which I knew I WAS going to be happy with for many years to come.

But, you assume I paid for the Notebook - which I did, partially. The other half was gifted to me by my mom as my Christmas present, we both only paid $399. The other of my measly $1,000 a year from Peak Season work at UPS was spent on necessities, like fixing my car and healthcare costs. The External HDD and Monitor were handmedowns from three years ago, and didn't cost me a cent.

None of that has any forbearance on my inability to spend top dollar on video games, that all goes to being laid off and being unable to secure a stable job due to the screwed up economy here in California. So sorry, but your points are entirely off-base given the fact that I DID only spend $400, as you're saying I should have!

Kari said:

EvilOzzmess, that does not change my point. I do believe you mom had given her xmas present also if you had chosen a computer from a lower price range, so you could have saved if you wanted. That was your choice, you rather had the more expensive computer knowing that doing so it would not allow you to buy a game or two.

Anyway, that is how this our world works. We make the choices. I buy only what I can afford, and if I can not afford it I don't even think about stealing it.

Kari

Ok, well, that's your opinion. But again, unlike many people, I don't buy a PC and turn around and junk it for another one in a year or two. I use them until they're run into the ground and barely work anymore, usually between six to ten years. So buy paying slightly more for a PC, with better specs which will prolong the productivity and overall life of the computer, I SAVE money in the long run.

On the other hand, it is MY opinion that companies are charging way too much for their products, and this is the root of the problem, and if they want the problem to stop, they have to look at THEMSELVES and not the people pirating, and then make some changes to make their consumers happy and thereby deter people from wanting or else needing to pirate. That was the original point, and it isn't even really opinion, but a pure fact. It is basic business. People react to something that you do, and so it is not the people's faults, but the corporation's faults for the problems they are having.

And for the record, I don't pirate either. I bought EA's outrageously overpriced Sims 3 because that is my one and only hobby. But as I've said again, I can understand WHY people decide to pirate if they can these days - not that I do it myself!

2yrs my gaming PC will say goodbye either completely or partially through numerous upgrades.

Theft is theft

Agreed Harry5

harry5 said:

Theft is theft

Only if you're caught.

Well you won't be caught stealing any pirated software using my internet connection that's for sure. I don't do gaming and I only really use my Pc for internet, email and business applications and the prices that we pay down here Australia i must admit are bit over the line, but it's the right way.

ANd to the comment in regards "It's only stealing if you get caught" what a lot of horse towel! It's still stealing. :) Justifying the means in this case doesn't really fly.