Ultimate Trainer; The One. Could it be done?

[roberthall]

Well regardless of why people intend to pirate software, the fact is they do. Copy protections were created to stop people from stealing software, not because EA doesn't want Activision to copy them.

[Joe Forster/STA]

Don't believe everything that the mass media tells you. Actually, don't believe anything the mass media tells you, without giving it a second thought, as their values are seriously warped.

(@DTJango: Sorry about hijacking your thread. If you're annoyed, PM me and I'll split the thread into two.)

[DTJango]

It's no problem to me. I like when a thread takes a sudden, interesting direction, especially a debate.

On the trainer subject:
@roberthall
Originally, I started thinking about it like a single program that included many trainers, where maybe I'd just use a dropdown menu to activate the trainer I was wanting. Then I thought about it more and the "Steam of trainers" thing came into my head, where you could browse for a trainer to download so you wouldn't have to have dozens that you didn't need, the ones you had would automatically update (with the option to disable the update for a particular game and download an older archived version) and the possibilities just kind of grow from there.

On the current subject, starting after the trainer:

I agree with roberthall about the internet community is not organized or trusting (or trustworthy), but that doesn't mean something amazing can't come from it. As Joe Forster said, GNU/Linux is a big'un.

What usually needs to happen is just the right person with the knowledge and time to do it. That's about it.

The internet is an insanely open place and with that comes some obvious dangers, but some great benefits. When the production of something is driven by a community, not investors, it becomes an open project where everyone has a voice and, ideally, the option to modify the final product as they see fit.

Linux is a great example of this as it's open-source and those with the knowledge can tweak it how they want. Same goes for the video game industry when a game is open for modders. It benefits both the developer and consumer and it's a practice that should be adopted by all devs, in my opinion.

For example, ARMA II. Do I care about the game itself? No. It's not my thing. Did I still pay $30 for it and the expansion so I can play DayZ? Hell yeah.

The video game industry is a profitable one, though, and that brings the need to expand profits by any means necessary with spending the least to do it which brings in DRM.
Sales numbers prove to everyone that piracy pretty much never hurts a publisher, but it's seen as withholding potential profits. Why make $1 million, when you can make $1.1 million? That's an extra $100,000 that most likely won't go to pay anything extra to the hardworking developers, or add a nicer parking lot for the company, but it looks good on paper and appeals to investors.


(Sorry for the awkward segue to and from the internet openness and the piracy/industry subjects. I'm in a bit of a rush)