Video game piracy remains a major head-ache for developers, especially on the PC platform now that the world has moved on to Blu-ray on the new-generation of consoles. Microsoft, with the release of Windows 10, has apparently acknowledged that issue too.
According to report by Alphr, Microsoft has updated its services agreement to add a new clause regarding the piracy issue, among other things.
Here’s how it reads:
We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorised hardware peripheral devices.
That agreement is sure to raise some eyebrows, regardless of what the intentions of Microsoft are. That’s because as a lot of people have pointed out, if you’ve paid for the software that you’re using, you should be able to run whichever software you want.
From the look of things though, if you are running pirated video games, Microsoft can and will disable them. It’s unclear if this extends to illegally downloaded software like Adobe Photoshop or not.
Of course, this isn’t anything new for Microsoft, as the company has been restricting the grip of pirates on its Xbox platform for a long time.
The news will probably also condone the fear of a lot of people that Microsoft is being a lot more demanding of control of your PC this time. As a lot of users have pointed out, even with its services disabled, Windows 10 won’t stop sending some of your data back to Microsoft. Why that happens hasn’t exactly been detailed at all.
These are still early stages for Windows 10. If Microsoft has to ensure the popularity of its operating system, these are certainly some things it needs to sort out. The world is already wary of their privacy being compromised and the last thing Microsoft needs is a scandal for its new operating system.
Isn’t it only for xbox enabled games?
My gut instinct told me to not to migrate to Win 10 because of its sugarcoated nature. As days pass, and I hear more about this prison of a Windows, I am feeling vindicated.
Hello Hackers! Where are you? I love you..!! Please find a solution for the problem. :D
nice call
This is actually only for games connecting with the Xbox Live service (and downloaded from the Windows Store), which has always been this way ever since 2007, when the service was called Game for Windows Live.
Steam and Origin already handle piracy on their platforms through their DRM systems. Unfortunately, people who still download games through torrents would get a pass. I hope Microsoft comes out with a way to stop them as well.
Hackers always find a solution. Don’t Worry!
why?
I always download games and movies from torrentz….and also we Indians are the biggest users of Pirated softwares…OS and everything
i agree … , the platform will die without piracy (ironic if u think about it)
I m sure people over there also use only pirated softwares and OS…right?
mostly …
except for the v.v.v.few people who either have wayyy too much money on their hands or have mega-rich parents :D
lol but I know still no rich guy would spend money on things like softwares….here even rich people dont buy lol
lol
amir bro in windows 10 high Ram use issue is exist please tell us how to fix this problem.
amir bro plzzzzz install windows 10 on my desktaaaap !! :D
I hope Ubuntu becomes popular with PC user and we can switch to that. Microsoft has long monopolized the PC operating systems and sooner or later it has to change. Maybe google comes up with operating system for PCs, but if that happens we can say goodbye to our privacy with that as is the case with android.
With the changing policies in Win 10 – its time to switch to Linux – not because of piracy but privacy and monopolization by Microsoft
Not to be rude but should have at least read the actual terms of service before posting the article, if you didn’t bother to research it! It doesn’t apply to Win 10.