Free games will beat piracy, says Perry

via Computer and Video Games


Shiny mastermind David Perry says free PC game releases will help stamp out PC game piracy in the US and Europe.

In case you've forgotten him already, Perry founded Shiny Entertainment in 1993, which is best known for gaming classics Earthworm Jim, MDK, Messiah and erm, Enter The Matrix. He left the company in 2006.

"The next big thing will be free games," said Perry, speaking in Belfast after being awarded an honorary doctorate by Queen's University.

"[Asia] had so much piracy that they decided to stop charging for the games. Instead, there'll be a charge for things you might want to use in the game," he continued.

"Your character might have a plain white T-shirt. If you wanted a nicer one you could have it for a dollar. Or perhaps you could buy a magic sword for a knight for a dollar."

Perry's idea is already in the beginning stages of appearing in the West; EA's Battlefield Heroes is set to release as a totally free download, and id is currently beta testing Quake Live, which is fully funded by in-game advertising.

"It's going to turn our industry on its head," he said. "I want to see the same thing happening in the USA and Europe."

Perry is currently working on ambitious, community-created MMO Top Secret with Acclaim.

COMPLETELY RETARDED!!! thats where the game modders come in and give u the same stuff for either a discount price or for free. it will just open a new form of piracy.