Cool dude, you shouldn't buy their stuff then. Not sure what that has to do with piracy though.

My point was pot calling kettle.

Not you, but when publishers complain about piracy, it's kind of disingenuous given how little they seem to care about whether or not they're cheating their customers.

Not true. Many triple AAA titles were released without DRM during the 90's and early 2000's.

For example, the Quake I-3 games. A simple CD-key.

The original Half-Life as well if I remember correctly. (I have the original box.)

You're right that the number of major titles shipping without DRM has significantly decreased as publishers have pushed harder, but you also fail to account for major titles where the DRM has been patched out by the developer as time went on (such as Neverwinter Nights).

-Shawn

CD-keys are DRM. Not as bad as other forms, but still DRM.

Eh, not really. Typically any key from that era would work equally well. It wasn't until multiplayer took off and the servers started checking for duplicate keys in use that it actually made any meaningful difference.

A good chunk of the geeks back in the 90s would have several Windows keys memorized.

That is relieving, seeing that a long "to pirate" list means you did not actually pirate it (yet?).

The way I'd "fix" this, if I were deciding things at CD Projekt/GOG, would be to borrow something from ... Steam. I know, hear me out before you kill me:

I'd allow the disc-buyers to use their serial key to unlock the GOG-version (or make a new, non-SE GOG-version for them). They've got very little to lose by doing this, and we'd all be happy.

CD keys are copy protection. DRM means your rights to use the product are digitally managed by the company after the sale. It's a stretch to apply that to a CD key or disc check because once you purchase the game those things will work forever. Once you make the internet and company servers a factor though the company can truly regulate your access after the sale.

CD keys are only drm for multiplayer in some cases. Otherwise I'd say no, seeing as how CD keys are generally on something you'd need to keep around anyway like a manual or CD case or cover insert. And games that I've needed a CD key for I've generally been able to install it on more than one computer and play it normally without issue. The main exception here would be Blizzard games that come in Battlechest form, because you install them from DVD roms or whatever you don't need the discs in the drive to play them after installation, but for multiplayer you can only be online with one computer at a time for that particular CD key used.

Yes. I would like to, anyway, because DRM users must be punished.

I just lump those together, but I see your point.