Hi, I read an article that mass effect 3 was hacked and people can download it illegal free on the internet for all consoles.

Wanted to know...

How many do you think will download it illegal?

Is there any penalities for doing this?

I like to invest with video game companies and curious to see how this will effect ea...

Is there anything special about ME3 in particular being pirated?

You must be new to gaming. All games are pirated sooner or later.

Short version: Yes, it's very illegal. Will pirates care? Not really. Will EA care? Holy fuck yes. Do I care? Nope, haven't played the previous two so I'm not interested even if I knew where to pirate a copy.

Indeed, there's nothing new with pirated games.
I think there are case in which a pirated game has caused suspensions of gamers account in consoles an stuff like that. But I have very little knowledge about stuff considering consoles, as I don't own any.

Summa summarum: Honest customers are gonna get blasted with repercussions, that's for sure. If not in the short, then in the long run. Pirates gonna pirate.

One thing for sure, It's gonna be pirated by lots of Steam fanboys (or lovers?) as it's not coming to Steam. I also like Steam, but I can use any other client, even Capsule or GFWL when I need to. It's a stupid reason to pirate anything imho.

You mean excuse.

Not really, except the game is available for pirates before the actual release date as far as I'm aware.

edit: In some cases, yes. But origin is rather restrictive on what countries it wants to sell to, so some countries have no other options than piracy.

You don't have to buy it from Origin. I bought it from GamersGate UK.

Oh, I thought it was origin exclusive. I've seen many people complain that they had no way to buy the game since origin wouldn't sell to them.

To the first
ALL console games hit pirate sites 2-3 weeks before release and I do mean ALL.

As for buying ME3 the only places not selling it are... Game in the uk cause they're basicly broke and Steam 'cause of their fucked up requirements...

You have to activate it on Origin but the key can be gotten from any authorized reseller. It essentially works like a Steam retail game.

It's only leaked on consoles. There's no crack for the PC version, and there probably wont be one until after the game is out. Don't ask how I know this.