10 Ways Developers Stopped Gamers From STEALING
“Ape Escape” (1999)
10 Crazy Ways People Have Beaten Video Games
Some anti-piracy methods aren’t clever and just tell the player, “hey you’re playing a stolen copy”. “Ape Escape” uses such a method. If there is any funny business, detected players will get the software terminated screen and won’t let them progress. The European version uses LibCrypt to help fight against piracy, which will disable controller input on the main screen. This will actually affect the ability to play physical PAL versions of “Ape Escape” on PS3 as the PS3 uses software emulation for backwards compatibility. Now we can never catch Chino in the Dark Ruins.
“Mafia II” (2010)
Top 10 Mafia & Gangster Games
Each version of a game could have different ways to fight against anti-piracy. The PC version of Mafia II has its own interesting spin on things. If the game senses that you’re playing a pirated copy, players' health will slowly drain and leave your gangster until every encounter is practically a one-hit KO. Theoretically, you could complete the game if you’re good enough, as healing items still work, but nothing can stop the diminishing. This anti-piracy method could be looked at as an added hard mode!
“Yoshi’s Story” (1997)
Top 10 Yoshi Video Games
Instead of giving you a message saying “don’t steal our game” “Yoshi’s Story” has you trapped in the first level when the game detects a fake being played. When the game boots up, it checks for the propper CIC lockout chip and will look for certain values to determine that you’re playing a genuine copy. We don’t know the correct terminology for how the lockout chip talk works, but we do know it’s a great way to torture people playing fake copies. Stealing is illegal so what better punishment than having players stuck in the first level of “Yoshi’s Island” and hearing that song on repeat!
“Metal Gear Solid” (1998)
10 Best 4th Wall Breaks In Metal Gear Solid Games
Imagine playing one of the best opening scenes in gaming, knowing that the journey ahead of you is one full of great gameplay and interesting characters…then getting hit with a warning screen. “Metal Gear Solid” does just that. You’ll be able to play the opening area where Snake sneaks around guards to get to the elevator that leads to Shadow Moses. As you make your way up the elevator and start to see the epic cutscene right before the logo is fully revealed, you’ll be greeted by a warning screen saying you’re in possession of an illegal copy of Metal Gear Solid. Kojima, you magnificent bastard!
“The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks” (2009)
The tease of being able to play a great game just for a bit is a devilish way to get back at pirates. “Spirit Tracks” will allow you to “play” the game up until you need to use the train aka barely any time at all.. During the opening tutorial for the train we learn how all the train mechanics work. The train will move on its own and will give players instructions to use the whistle and speed up…which has now been rendered impossible. Further down the track a cow will block our path to stop progression. The train is now at a standstill, and since players can’t control the speed, you’re stuck with your sins and a rage induced cow.
“Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” (2015)
Top 10 Multiplayer Games KILLED By Their Developers
Just like the original MGS, Phantom Pain gives us a little taste of what we could experience if we bought the game instead of stealing it. The amazing hospital level is still intact, and plays relatively the same. Once Snake escapes however, that’s when it’s game over. Behold, death by loading screen, where you’ll be stuck on the first loading screen forced to read tips instead of heading out on missions. That is your “Metal Gear Solid V” experience if you have a pirated copy. Congrats Cipher.
“Mirror’s Edge” (2008)
Is PUBG Game of the Year 2017? Mirror Match!
What would be the best way to stop a pirate in a game all about movement and speed? Slow them down, of course. In “Mirror’s Edge”, when the game detects that you’re playing a pirated copy, the game will activate checkpoints at locations where there isn’t actually a checkpoint. These fake checkpoints are usually near a jump that requires speed to make it across, and when the checkpoint is hit, Faith will slow down to a walk making the jumps impossible. Imagine getting that first epic jump full of speed and quickly coming to a walk. Sweet, slow justice.
“Alan Wake” (2010)
10 Things To Know Before Playing Alan Wake 2
Usually games try to stop you from playing illegal copies, some on the other hand let you play the game just with silly cosmetics on your character. “Alan Wake” will allow you to play the full game with slight changes, for if the game detects a pirated copy, Alan Wake will sport a pirates eyepatch throughout the entire game. While one eyepatch is shameful enough, once you encounter Barry - you’ll see he’s sporting two eyepatches. To go along with these silly eyepatches, during loading screens you’ll no longer get the standard messages, but instead are greeted with messages politely encouraging players to purchase the game if they enjoy it. At least they’re polite about it.
“The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings” (2011)
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings: Everything You Should Know
There are two anti-piracy methods in “The Witcher 2” The first is random cutscenes that display Geralt getting killed. But the second one is the real stinger. As per tradition, players have the opinion to romance many beautiful NPCs in the game. But if you;re playing a pirated copy, all love interests and hook ups will be turned into Marietta Loredo. Watching a romance scene with this lifeless model of a creepy old woman is definitely a sight for sore eyes, but hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
“Batman Arkham Asylum” (2009)
10 Hidden Secrets in the Batman Arkham Games
Being Batman is great, you get access to all of his tech and can glide around, taking enemies out in the shadows. But if you want to just be like the criminals he hunts and steal a copy of “Arkham Asylum”, you’re in for a bad time. If the game detects you’re playing a pirated copy the first thing that will be taken from you is the ability to use Batman's glide, which as everyone knows, is a pretty big deal. If you’re able to get around this sethback, the game will now take away certain grappling hook points, which again, will stop crucial progression points. Finally, if you remain persistent, the game will show grappling hook points in random locations, which when used, will launch you out of the game world. That’s some Joker level comedy right there!
