If I’m not mistaken, aren’t shareware games quite a bit harder to pirate? While also not interfering with gameplay like more oppressive forms of DRM tend to do? I think Greenheart’s next game might have less of a piracy issue if they sent out personalized activation codes rather than download links to customers. Harder to share for free, that way.
Spiderweb Software (another indie game developer, they were just a startup too once upon a time) still sells all of their games as shareware (download the full game but only a small chunk is playable, activate the rest with a code). I don’t know if they’ve had any piracy issues, but they’ve never complained about it as far as I know. Seems like a pretty solid win-win for the devs and the paying customers from what I can see.
It’s worth research.
Spiderweb Software is a good studio, though I feel like their earlier products outclass some of their more recent work. There’s more polish on what they’re making now, but the ideas were fresher years ago.
Seems a legit way of preventing piracy, the only problem is creating a software to create these personalized keys. Then they have to make sure these codes work with the code activation system. This can cost money and time before its even done, and then, if corners are cut, can cause a great deal of bugs. Where the codes are incorrect and sent out to the wrong people or they are recognized as used already.
The shareware model worked in the past when passing game materials around was difficult, and developers could get away with not shipping all the chapters of their game in one package.
These days the developers would have to implement some form of DRM, which could hide away portions of the game until an unlock key is provided. Simply not sharing the extra materials until you pay does not work as once someone has bought a copy, they can easily share it around, negating the need for anyone else to make a purchase.
GHG have clearly stated that they do not wish to implement DRM in any form if they can help it, and there is a demo which (I believe) has a link to the game store readily available.
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Piracy is and still will be a problem for devs.
DRM makes it only worse for the loyal fans, they get stuck with intrusive gameplay and a whole lot of hassle just to get their game working and keep on working. Pirates download the game for free and get a stripped of DRM game.
Personally i would have the loyal paying customer have the first class service.
Having a website for the game where all the important game related stuff happen only being available for people who bought the game.
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I hate DRM, too, but I’ve never had an issue with shareware titles. I thought it might be an option; a way to make the game a little bit harder to steal without impacting the people who actually paid for the game. I do understand what you’re saying though, oppressive DRM only encourages piracy. I admire GHG’s code of ethics and dedication to providing an enjoyable player experience.