So long story short, I HATE DRM. I also hate $97 (Yes, exactly that much, in USD) worth of DLC for two games that cost about $8 apiece.

So the question is...should I pirate them? Are there any cons? (A "con" to me is something not working right, not the morality of the thing.)

Why?

No.

Do you really need DLC? I had enough fun without it.

Well, I mean there are online features that are bound to not work properly.

But that's not the issue, the issue is you. You're on a video game website about buying games and you ask if you should pirate something. The fact of the matter is you do not need to play the Mass Effect games. If you can't afford something, don't play it. If you hate the way it's sold, don't play it. You're not stealing a loaf of bread here. And it's not some grey area, where you're thinking about pirating a game this is completely unavailable for purchase anywhere. There is just no reason for you to pirate the games.

Because a large team of people worked a long time to create the three games that will give you hours and hours of enjoyment, and they should be rewarded for their efforts.

Do people seriously not get that?

The problem is, MOST of the DLC for Mass Effect is to some extent needed. (There's a lot of weapon packs that aren't necessary, but all the story portions are needed IMO, and that's where the majority of the cost is).

On the contrary, you can fully enjoy them without it. So no you don't need to pirate anything. Just buy the base games.

No. No. Yes.

Very true, which is why I'm against piracy as a rule.

I have no problem buying the games. What I have a problem with is spending literally 5 times the price of the games on DLC that costs as much as it does because of the "screw the customers" mentality of the company that created it.

Pros: Free stuff!
Cons: Losing the respect of your friends, your family, the GOG community, and everybody else you know. Also, defrauding the people who took a lot of hard time and energy and money into putting together the game.

I may as well ask the question of "This sweater is really pricey and I hate this store, should I just steal it instead?"
Just because there aren't any security cameras/guards around doesn't make it any better.

This is a very very loaded question. So I'll answer.

Yes...
No...

Alright, now to explain.

No:
I'd say if you have a 360 or older console and happen upon a pawn shop which sells the games used and cheap (say $10 each or so) then buy them if you can. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but i do prefer physical games when it's possible.

There's also that perhaps DRM isn't always enforced, perhaps you can get the game and download it via your favorite service. Since i refuse steam, it would have to come from GoG or from Humble Bundle, and NOT a steam key.

Something to also note, some games might have viruses or unwanted malware jacked into them, while usually legit copies don't (unless you consider the DRM/Copy Protection Malware... Which some of them are)

Yes:
If you are waiting for the game to become DRM-free, or you would never touch it otherwise, i'd say yes. If i acquire a game, usually it's to try, or because i'm just not going to wait for it to come to my store of choice, remove DRM features, or wait for it to come down in price enough for it to be worth actually paying for. This doesn't mean i'm not willing to pay my dues for a dev or publisher, but it's going to be on my terms, and my terms have very strict policies. If DRM is circumvented via a pirated copy, then that perhaps is the only way to play it until the publisher/devs change their ways.

There's also the cases of some games just not being available anymore, either because hardware is scarce, the games (like Cartridges) are rare and sold on Ebay for $300+, or games locking your options behind annoying paywalls.



If you plan to buy the game later when it's on discount and DRM-free, i'd say go ahead and you'll pay when it's time. If you aren't willing to pay, well you'd never play the game otherwise, and games are meant to be played (no matter what corporation or copyright law says).

To note, i have the Mass Effect games for my 360 and i have yet to get past an hour in... So maybe you'll lost interest before you get very far. It's always possible. Or maybe you'll start playing, see them release the game DRM-free, and you'll delete your local copy the moment you buy the more genuine customer friendly copy...

Only time will tell. I won't judge you.

Well fellas...as much as I hate you for it, you've convinced me to take the moral high ground :P

Thanks, I knew I could count on you!

But it only "screws the customer" if the customer buys the stuff and feels screwed by it. Don't buy it, don't play it - problem solved. Will you miss out on the experience that Mass Effect provides? Not really - you'll spend the time playing something else and gain that experience instead.

We, in turn, appreciate you not going to the Dark Side.
Now get over here and have a milkshake. Sure, they've got cookies, but they ain't got us beat yet.