30 replies to this topic

[+techbeck]

2
Dead Trigger, a zombie FPS for smartphones from the makers of Shadowgun, is now free to download on Android thanks to rampant piracy on the platform. In a statement on Facebook, developer Madfinger Games says that even at $0.99, the piracy rate on Android devices was "unbelievably high."

Madfinger is careful to point out that Dead Trigger will not be a freemium app, and "all players are able to play without in-app purchases." Dead Trigger is available now from the Google Play store for free, or on iOS for $0.99.

http://www.theverge....oid-piracy-rate

[Praetor]

who, in the world, piracies a $0.99 game?

[+littleneutrino]

hopefully with the new DRM available with the latest SDK for android piracy will be less of an issue going fwd. However, sadly Madfinger is not setting a good example making the game free. Now people are going to expect this sort of thing to happen, also if they left it at least they would make some money from the game from legitimate users.

On another note. This game is actually rather fun to play and has the best / most responsive FPS controls i have seen for touch yet.

[simplezz]

who, in the world, piracies a $0.99 game?

Someone who doesn't have a creditcard?

What I'd like to know is how do they get their statistics unless it phones home for some reason.

On the other hand, it does mean that the app/game is successful, which the developer should be pleased about. Just find an alternative way to monetise it.

[Veiva]

who, in the world, piracies a $0.99 game?

It's too expensive*, that's why!

To be brutally honest, people will pirate regardless of the price of a game or software. The common excuse of "[software] is too expensive!" doesn't hold water. This game proves that price doesn't matter. People will take what they can for free rather than have to pay for it.

[still1]

who, in the world, piracies a $0.99 game?

You would be surprised. Also, pirating an app is easier in Android than IOS, it's just a settings away.
I have not pirated any apps. I try to buy it when there is a fire sale.

hopefully the app encryption in JB solve the problems in future.

[n_K]

By having the androind version for free and the iOS version for $0.99, they're going to make iOS users pirate it because they'll think it's unfair.

[Detection]

Why would you make something free just because it is being pirated ?

Makes no sense to me

[+Pajter]

Google is also to blame for a lot of the piracy in the Play Store. They need to upgrade their payment options. Not everybody uses creditcards.

I know I would buy a lot more apps if they just supported PayPal or ClickandBuy.

[dead.cell]

By having the androind version for free and the iOS version for $0.99, they're going to make iOS users pirate it because they'll think it's unfair.

Don't see how likely that is. I read the article, and looked it up on iOS. It's literally just a click of a button and the entry of my iTunes password away from owning it, why bother pirating it at all? To save a buck? Time is money, and wasting it to save 99¢ is just silly, especially if it means leaving the developer with nothing to continue making games with...

[Razorwing]

This doesn't even work on my LG Optimus 2x. Boo.

[SirEvan]

who, in the world, piracies a $0.99 game?

Who in the world thinks "piracies" is a word?  Oh...wait.

OP, could your quote possibly use a smaller font?

[Detection]

Who in the world thinks "piracies" is a word? Oh...wait.

OP, could your quote possibly use a smaller font?

The dictionary ?

[+techbeck]

Looks like i messed up the OP. Didnt even notice. DOH!!

[TheLegendOfMart]

Um, even if it was being pirated surely people were still buying it at 99c, why would you make it free?