Game Groups > Games with game altering copy protection

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

Related Groups

58 Games [ view in game browser ] [ add game ]

Title (Year ) Platforms Genres Moby Score
box cover thumbnail Alan Wake (2012) Windows, Windows Apps Action
8.1
box cover thumbnail Alpha Protocol (2010) Windows, Xbox 360 (+3 more) Role-playing (RPG)
6.6
box cover thumbnail Alternate Reality: The Dungeon (1987) Commodore 64, Apple II (+3 more) Role-playing (RPG)
7.1
box cover thumbnail Arma II (2009) Windows Action, Simulation, Strategy
7.4
box cover thumbnail Arma III (2013) Windows Action
7.4
box cover thumbnail Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Action
8.8
box cover thumbnail Bomberman (1990) Amiga, DOS (+3 more) Action
7.9
box cover thumbnail Bucky O'Hare (1992) NES Action
8.1
box cover thumbnail Command & Conquer: Generals (2003) Windows, Macintosh Strategy
8.0
box cover thumbnail Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 (2000) Windows Strategy
8.0
box cover thumbnail Crysis 3 (2013) Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Action
7.7
box cover thumbnail Crysis: Warhead (2008) Windows Action
8.2
box cover thumbnail Darkstar One (2006) Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Action, Simulation
7.0
box cover thumbnail Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (2008) Nintendo DS, Android (+2 more) Role-playing (RPG)
8.2
box cover thumbnail EarthBound (1994) SNES, Wii U (+2 more) Role-playing (RPG)
8.5
box cover thumbnail Fast Food Tycoon (1999) Windows Simulation, Strategy
7.2
box cover thumbnail Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - Ring of Fates (2007) Nintendo DS Role-playing (RPG)
7.6
box cover thumbnail Five Nights at Freddy's (2014) Windows, iPhone (+8 more) Action
6.9
box cover thumbnail Game Dev Tycoon (2012) Windows, iPhone (+6 more) Simulation
6.9
box cover thumbnail Garry's Mod (2006) Windows, Macintosh (+1 more) Action
7.1
box cover thumbnail Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) Xbox 360, Windows (+1 more) Action, Racing / Driving
8.6
box cover thumbnail Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City (2009) Xbox 360, Windows (+1 more) Compilation
8.2
box cover thumbnail Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) PlayStation 2, Windows (+6 more) Action, Racing / Driving
8.4
box cover thumbnail Gyakuten Kenji 2 (2011) Nintendo DS, iPad (+2 more) Adventure
n/a
box cover thumbnail Hook (1992) DOS, Amiga (+1 more) Adventure
6.9
box cover thumbnail IndyCar Series (2003) PlayStation 2, Windows (+1 more) Racing / Driving
7.0
box cover thumbnail Just Shapes & Beats (2018) Windows, PlayStation 4 (+6 more) Action
8.1
box cover thumbnail Kirby's Dream Course (1994) SNES, Wii (+3 more) Sports
7.7
box cover thumbnail La Abadía del Crimen (1987) DOS, ZX Spectrum (+2 more) Adventure
6.2
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect (2007) Xbox 360, Windows (+1 more) Role-playing (RPG)
8.6
box cover thumbnail Merchant Prince (1993) DOS Strategy
7.4
box cover thumbnail Michael Jackson: The Experience (2010) Nintendo DS Action, Simulation
6.5
box cover thumbnail Mirror's Edge (2008) Xbox 360, Windows (+1 more) Action
7.9
box cover thumbnail Never Mind (1989) DOS, Amiga (+1 more) Puzzle
6.5
box cover thumbnail Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (2001) Windows Action, Simulation
8.2
box cover thumbnail Overlord (2007) Windows, Xbox 360 Action
7.7
box cover thumbnail Pokémon Black Version (2010) Nintendo DS Role-playing (RPG)
8.6
box cover thumbnail Pokémon Black Version 2 (2012) Nintendo DS Role-playing (RPG)
8.0
box cover thumbnail Pokémon HeartGold Version (2009) Nintendo DS Role-playing (RPG)
8.5
box cover thumbnail Pokémon SoulSilver Version (2009) Nintendo DS Role-playing (RPG)
8.5
box cover thumbnail Pokémon White Version (2010) Nintendo DS Role-playing (RPG)
8.3
box cover thumbnail Pokémon White Version 2 (2012) Nintendo DS Role-playing (RPG)
8.0
box cover thumbnail Postal (1997) Windows, Macintosh (+1 more) Action
6.3
box cover thumbnail Puggsy (1993) Genesis, Amiga (+1 more) Action
7.6
box cover thumbnail Sacred (2004) Windows Role-playing (RPG)
7.4
box cover thumbnail Serious Sam 3: BFE (2011) Windows, Linux (+3 more) Action
7.5
box cover thumbnail Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) DOS, Windows 3.x (+7 more) Strategy / tactics
8.0
box cover thumbnail Sid Meier's Pirates! (1987) PC Booter, DOS (+10 more) Action, Strategy / tactics
7.8
box cover thumbnail Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000) PlayStation, PSP (+1 more) Action
8.0
box cover thumbnail Stars! (1995) Windows 3.x, Windows Strategy
7.1

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