Group Description
Games that use forms of copy protection where if the game detects that it is a pirated copy, some aspect of the game is changed. This is done to discourage piracy in such a way that is not initially detectable by the pirater. In some cases the game may still be completable by the player, but in others completing the game will be impossible. This can be done in multiple ways:
- Include messages asking the player to buy the full version, without otherwise hindering game (usually done by developers who aren't particularly bothered if there game is pirated). An example of this is the PC version of Alan Wake, which replaces the loading screen tips with messages telling the player to buy the game, and also gives the player character an eyepatch.
- Disabling certain abilities that the player would usually have access to. Examples of this include: Batman: Arkham Asylum, which disables Batman's glide ability; and Pokémon Black & White and their sequels, which disable experience gain.
- Significantly increasing the game's difficulty.
- Make it impossible for the player to reach the game's normal intended conclusion. An example of this is Earthbound, which will cause enemies to appear more often, and if the player manages to get all the way to the game's final boss the game will freeze and wipe the player's save data.
Limitations
- This game group is specifically for games that contain this type of copy protection built into the version of the game that is officially sold. Games where the developer themselves uploaded modified pirate copies to popular game piracy websites (such as Game Dev Tycoon & No Time to Explain) should not be included.
Related Game Groups
Game Title | Year | Platform | Publisher | User Score |
Just Shapes & Beats | 2018 | Linux, Macintosh, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Windows | Berzerk Studio Inc. | ... |
Five Nights at Freddy's | 2014 | Android, iPad, iPhone, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Windows Apps, Windows Phone, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox One | Clickteam SARL | 2.29 |
ArmA III | 2013 | Windows | Bohemia Interactive Studio s.r.o. | ... |
Crysis 3 | 2013 | PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Electronic Arts, Inc. | 3.49 |
Alan Wake | 2012 | Windows, Windows Apps | Cenega Poland Sp. z o.o. | 4.04 |
Game Dev Tycoon | 2012 | Android, iPad, iPhone, Linux, Macintosh, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Windows Apps | Greenheart Games Pty. Ltd. | 3.36 |
Pokémon Black Version 2 | 2012 | Nintendo DS | Nintendo of America Inc. | ... |
Pokémon White Version 2 | 2012 | Nintendo DS | Nintendo of America Inc. | 3.75 |
Gyakuten Kenji 2 | 2011 | Android, iPad, iPhone, Nintendo DS | Capcom Co., Ltd. | ... |
Serious Sam 3: BFE | 2011 | Linux, Macintosh, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Devolver Digital, Inc. | 4.12 |
Take On Helicopters | 2011 | Windows | Bohemia Interactive Studio s.r.o. | ... |
Pokémon Black Version | 2010 | Nintendo DS | Nintendo of America Inc. | 3.69 |
Michael Jackson: The Experience | 2010 | Nintendo DS | Ubisoft, Inc. | ... |
Alpha Protocol | 2010 | OnLive, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Now, Windows, Xbox 360 | SEGA of America, Inc. | 3.59 |
Pokémon White Version | 2010 | Nintendo DS | Nintendo of America Inc. | 3.74 |
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City | 2009 | PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Rockstar Games, Inc. | 3.42 |
Batman: Arkham Asylum | 2009 | Macintosh, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Eidos, Inc. | 4.19 |
Pokémon SoulSilver Version | 2009 | Nintendo DS | Nintendo of America Inc. | 4.20 |
Pokémon HeartGold Version | 2009 | Nintendo DS | Nintendo of America Inc. | 4.21 |
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks | 2009 | Nintendo DS, Wii U | Nintendo of America Inc. | 3.92 |
ArmA II | 2009 | Windows | Got Game Entertainment, LLC | 3.20 |
Mirror's Edge | 2008 | PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Electronic Arts, Inc. | 3.95 |
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride | 2008 | Android, iPad, iPhone, Nintendo DS | Square Enix, Inc. | 3.70 |
Grand Theft Auto IV | 2008 | PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 | Rockstar Games, Inc. | 3.81 |
Overlord | 2007 | Windows, Xbox 360 | Codemasters Software Company Limited, The | 3.74 |
Selected Covers
Selected Screenshots
Game group created by
firefang9212 (75790), additional games added to group by
PoliticallyCorrupt (2686),
Plokite_Wolf (77380) and
Pseudo_Intellectual (64072)