What is the need for Games?

Seriously …

Why do we have to play games?

Is it acceptable, to pirate software?

And, has software become worthless?

My Dad always sighed with a heavy groan, “Son, broaden your horizons! Don’t be so narrow minded!”

There has to be some addiction to games, I don’t like to think of it, as I was once a gamer. But in the same light that last sentence also debunks it too. Because while I still play games, it is a fraction of the level it once was. Dare I say those immortal words, I could stop at anytime! And yet I have to heed my father’s warning, because at times I can realise how addictive it can be!

Software has to be the most unique product in the world! From the millions of real worldwide products, I can’t think of any another that is so justifiably copyable. Even a book, which is similar to software, just in a physical way, is not as acceptable when copied. If I was to photocopy the latest best seller out there, not many friends of mine would easily pick it up and start reading away.

However if that same novel was scanned into a computer, it suddenly becomes “less of a crime”. Why is that? I am even wondering if the little voice inside, even bothers to speak when intellectual property theft is breached. I also know there is also a certain amount of ease and convenience that comes with an eBook.

This made me realise something, about software, Piracy and Humans in general! We are creatures of laziness. And I don’t mean this in any disrespect, as I count myself as a human too! We have to be pushed to get things done, and generally it’s someone else doing the pushing! I suspect the main reasons why a book is not photocopied anymore, is that you actually have to physically stand at a photocopier with a fist full of dollars.

Of course scanning it is simple, and makes it far easier to distribute afterwards. But this also makes things kind of worthless. Taking effort out of things, while allowing you to do more things in a day, also means you really don’t get a sense of worth. For something’s that’s ok, I mean who really wants to hand wash clothes? But on the other hand, books, I know many people that just cherish the smell of them. (Seriously, to me it is a little odd, going into book stores, the older the better, and sniffing them. We have words for that!) If you are young, and if you’re a gamer you probably are, you’ll not understand what I am talking about. But when you get older, yes I am old, you start to realise that worth was far more important than you may think!

Things, games especially, are so worthless these days, or should I say so disposable! Good or bad we have lost the time to cherish things. Gamers suffering probably more than anyone else, wanting to complete games in 6 hours or less. (It used to be 8 in my day!) Granted this all sounds a little cheesy, but there is a slight ringing in the ears, that’s the truth!

Which leads back to piracy; it has become a vicious loop! We need to play games, which leads us to trying to get more games. Those that have tried piracy, now see its benefits and how easy it is. Allowing them to get more games. So many choices means less time, and less time to enjoy and cheerish them. This fuels the need to get more games because we need to play games…!

Though you may not believe it, or even refuse to. Piracy is suffocating the PC Gaming industry! As a young gamer you may not even care. But let me tell you, as an old gamer, with many years of nostalgia, the very thought makes me sad!