> For gamers it's just as if the game had a delayed release date.
When released, games sell for full price ($70 or whatever it is today), then the price starts going down. Most of the sales happen in a short period after the release.
Someone who wouldn't have bought the game even for $10 will not generate revenue no matter whether it's cracked on day 0 or day 60. Someone who's willing to pay $45 may buy a discounted copy if that's available before the crack, and someone who's willing to pay full price and wants the game within 10 days of release is much more likely to pay if a crack isn't available.
The way I see it, considering games are made to make money, the only alternative to DRM is going free to play. They then make their money with microtransactions.
When released, games sell for full price ($70 or whatever it is today), then the price starts going down. Most of the sales happen in a short period after the release.
Someone who wouldn't have bought the game even for $10 will not generate revenue no matter whether it's cracked on day 0 or day 60. Someone who's willing to pay $45 may buy a discounted copy if that's available before the crack, and someone who's willing to pay full price and wants the game within 10 days of release is much more likely to pay if a crack isn't available.