Piracy
Ongoing coverage on Piracy.
Latest coverage
John Romero says id Software once sold empty Doom boxes to Taiwanese pirates so fans there could have legit copies:…
John Romero revealed that id Software once sold empty boxes of Doom to Taiwanese pirates to legitimize their distribution of the shareware version. The company was content with this arrangement, viewing it as a way to get the game out to as many people as possible before the internet was widespread. id Software also opted not to implement copy protection, believing it was a losing battle.
Corsair Cove Released
Corsair Cove has been released for Windows PC and is available on the Epic Games Store, Steam, and the Windows Store. The game allows players to explore the oceans and engage in piracy.
The Odyssey leaks online in full as Universal responds with takedowns and warning to pirates
Christopher Nolan's film "The Odyssey" has been leaked online in full shortly after its theatrical release, with copies appearing on Twitter in both theater-recorded and 4K formats. Universal Pictures has responded by initiating takedown protocols and issuing a warning against piracy, stating they take copyright infringement seriously. The film has been a major box office success, grossing over $639 million globally.
Switch 2 modding scene makes new breakthrough, but Nintendo safe from piracy
A new userland exploit has been discovered for the Nintendo Switch 2, though it is not currently capable of enabling piracy. This exploit differs from the hardware vulnerabilities found in the original Nintendo Switch, which led to widespread piracy issues. Nintendo remains safe from piracy concerns on the new console for now.
Forget Black Flag Resynced, the best pirate game of 2026 might be a logistics-heavy city builder
Corsair Cove, a new pirate-themed game from Limbic Entertainment, redefines the genre by focusing on logistics and city-building rather than traditional swashbuckling. Players will manage resources, construct a colony on cliff faces, and utilize novel transportation methods like ziplines and elevators to create an efficient pirate haven. Despite its complex systems, the game aims to be accessible and visually vibrant, blending management gameplay with pirate fantasy elements.
Why Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is Better Than the Original in Almost Every Conceivable Way
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is presented as a superior remake of the original, enhancing visuals, parkour fluidity, and character animations to make the world feel more alive. Gameplay improvements include more dynamic missions, refined combat relying on parrying and environmental interactions, and expanded naval combat. While the removal of modern-day Animus sections and multiplayer is noted, the remake is praised for its comprehensive upgrades and is considered a strong starting point for newcomers and a worthy experience for fans.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced opens to 2 million sales on launch day
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has achieved strong launch day sales, selling two million copies and becoming the top-ranked game on Twitch. The game also set a new record for the Assassin's Creed franchise on Steam with nearly 100,000 concurrent players. Despite praise for its updated graphics and open world, some players have expressed concerns about cosmetic microtransactions in the single-player experience.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Launches Worldwide on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC | Invision Game
Ubisoft has launched Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the 2013 title, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Developed by Ubisoft Singapore, the game features rebuilt visuals, enhanced combat, stealth, parkour, and naval gameplay, along with new narrative content. It is also Steam Deck Verified and offers both Standard and Deluxe editions, with a Collector's Edition available.
Lenovo just nuked its retro handheld that sellers packed with illegal ROMs, but unbranded versions are still haunting…
Lenovo has officially discontinued its controversial G02 retro handheld, which was found to be pre-loaded with potentially illegal ROMs by third-party sellers. While Lenovo claims the device was not intended for sale outside China and denies sanctioning such sales, unbranded versions of the device are still appearing on marketplaces. This situation highlights the often unregulated nature of the retro handheld market.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Return Us to the Golden Age of Piracy
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a ground-up rebuild of the classic title, is set to launch on July 9, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S. This reimagined version features modernized stealth and combat systems, enhanced graphics with ray tracing and Dolby Atmos, and new storylines focusing on characters like Blackbeard. The game aims to provide a satisfying pirate adventure with improved naval mechanics and a more dynamic open world.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a faithful remake that enhances the original's narrative, land, and naval combat. The game features modernized visuals and sound design, offering an authentic pirate and assassin experience. It is set to release on July 9, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced review - the best pirate game got even better
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a remake that significantly improves upon the 2013 original, enhancing visuals and gameplay for modern standards. The game focuses on pirate adventure with Edward Kenway, offering a vast open world with numerous activities, compelling ship-to-ship combat, and boarding actions. The PC version further benefits from features like ray tracing and seamless exploration.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced review - a great pirate game swaps the ups and downs of old Assassin’s Creed for the ups and downs of new Assassin’s Creed
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Resynced offers a modernized take on the beloved pirate adventure, focusing on Edward Kenway's journey and enhancing naval combat and ship management. While some changes, like the new epilogue and streamlined stealth, are debatable, the core experience of high-seas piracy remains strong, with improved combat fluidity and engaging new crew members.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest rising
This week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
The Video Game History Foundation sees piracy as the future after PlayStation’s abandonment of physical media
Following Sony's announcement of closing digital storefronts for PlayStation 3 and PS Vita, and ceasing physical disc production by 2028, the Video Game History Foundation has criticized the move. Director Frank Cifaldi stated that piracy is currently the primary method of game preservation, as the industry trade organization refuses to offer legal alternatives for preserving digital-only content.
Evening Consolidation
PlayStation 5 owners are reportedly turning to piracy following speculation that Sony may discontinue physical game releases. Meanwhile, Xbox Insiders can now play the game Pit of Goblin. A release announcement was also made for Back to the Dawn.
Game preservation expert says stop killing games if you don't want piracy, because companies like PlayStation and Rockstar "refuse to offer a meaningful alternative"
Game preservation expert Frank Cifaldi argues that companies like Sony and Rockstar Games are contributing to piracy by refusing to offer alternatives to digital-only or soon-to-be-discontinued physical game formats. Cifaldi, director of the Video Game History Foundation, stated that piracy is currently the only effective form of game preservation due to industry practices.
Private Minecraft servers are "Illegal," according to an ESA official
An official from the Entertainment Software Association stated that private Minecraft servers are illegal and considered piracy, despite Microsoft's encouragement of community servers. Minecraft's creator, Markus Persson, criticized the ESA's stance, while Microsoft and Mojang Studios have not officially commented.
‘Piracy isn’t theft' but 'moral imperative' say fans after PS5 goes digital-only
Following Sony's announcement to transition the PlayStation 5 to digital-only releases, many gamers and industry figures are advocating for piracy as a means of game preservation and ownership. Critics argue that without physical copies, players lose true ownership, making pirated games a 'moral imperative' for ensuring long-term access to titles.
'They refuse to offer a meaningful alternative': Game preservation leader agrees that piracy is the only…
Frank Cifaldi, director of the Video Game History Foundation, agrees that piracy is currently the only effective method for game preservation, especially with Sony's planned discontinuation of PlayStation 5 discs in 2028 and the closure of older digital storefronts. He criticizes the industry for not providing legal alternatives for preservation institutions, despite acknowledging the problem.
