So, yeah, the Playstation experienced piracy when the games were too expensive and the console was not officially launched there? Big fuckin’ surprise. Clearly, the problem there is piracy and not, you know, the fact that the Playstation games were too expensive and the console was not officially launched there. The true solution is that people in Brazil need to be “educated” on the benefits of purchasing overpriced, unsupported software! Newsflash: markets collapse and seek to fill a need on their own when no one else provides for it! GOOD CALL!

Hooray for the Blogosphere! Truly it is the new avenue of critical analysis!

Bruce Everiss just posted a history of how piracy killed the developer of Severance: Blade of Darkness, and how it is destroying the PSP and the DS platforms. Another very good example of how piracy destroys value and developers:

http://www.bruceongames.com/2008/02/19/92-piracy/

I definitely wanted to bring more attention to the issue of piracy and I think a big part of the solution will be to create a lot of discussion about what’s going on and what to do about it. Obviously, treating it like it doesn’t exist isn’t going to do anything but encourage it. Raising awareness, on the other hand, should help persuade people to buy a legitimate copy — simply because they’ll understand WHY it is the right thing to do. I mean, sure, we’d all love free games, but when you get to know the people you are hurting by deliberately stealing their product, suddenly it becomes a personal issue.

Thanks for taking the time to write a game review about Lex Venture: a Crossword Caper. I really appreciate the kind words and I am very glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks again
Mark Kanter
CEO Bang Out Games