if it's not abandonware........

kctay on 3/9/2007 at 19:13

If it's not abandonware, where can I get it? I downloaded it at what I thought was a legal outlet for free, it was called Classic PC Games. I have no sound, and it is installed in the wrong directory so I can't apply patches.

I'm running vista, and want to be able to play this game for mostly the coop game, so my wife and I can play together. If I need to buy the game, I have no problem with that, I just need to be directed to a proper site.

Thanks

catbarf on 3/9/2007 at 19:29

It is NOT abandonware. Your best bet is Ebay.

Funny how everyone bristles at someone mentioning downloading SS2, when doing the same for SS1 (which many of us have) is just as bad a crime?

Peanuckle on 3/9/2007 at 19:57

I think it's politically correct to hate pirating on these forums, even though I'm sure a sizable portion of the people here have done it. Probably because it doesn't get money to the company that makes good games, but now that their toast, I wonder who gets the money for them? SS1 is just such an old game that I think not even the companies care about it.

Bjossi on 3/9/2007 at 20:35

I don't think any company gets the money when one buys SS2, just the person that was selling his/her copy.

Kolya on 3/9/2007 at 20:38

Quote Posted by Peanuckle

I think it's politically correct to hate pirating on these forums, [...]

You got the impression that people care much about political correctness here?

kctay on 4/9/2007 at 01:52

Uh, sorry, but is anyone going to actually ANSWER my question? I don't need a lecture on pirating, and I DIDN'T think I was pirating the game when I downloaded it for free from what seemed like a reputable site.

I simply couldn't find this game at the common places I buy games, and sorry, not an EBAY fan, and not a used game fan, which if you read most EULA's, you don't have the right to transfer anyway.

Why is this site allowing the free downloading of this game if it is indeed not available for free? This was NOT a warez site.

Thanks for all the help BTW

Zygoptera on 4/9/2007 at 02:33

The simple answer is that Abandonware does not exist, legally, in almost all cases. Unless the rights have been explicitly released it is illegal to download a copyrighted game, full stop, with a very few specific exceptions such as the rights holder allowing legal downloading of old games from specific sites (which usually have the same EULA as a paid for version, disallowing redistribution by 3rd parties). Unless you can find where EA specifically releases the distribution rights of SS2 it is and will remain illegal to download.

If you're downloading a game from an abandonware site do not delude yourself, it is almost certainly illegal whether the site is 'reputable' or not.

Al_B on 4/9/2007 at 06:55

Quote Posted by Peanuckle

I think it's politically correct to hate pirating on these forums

A large part of that is probably due to not wanting these forums shut down by endorsing pirating of games.

Quote Posted by kctay

Why is this site allowing the free downloading of this game if it is indeed not available for free? This was NOT a warez site.

It looks like it advertises itself as an 'abandonware' which is a polite(!) term for 'old warez'. It's in the sticky at the top of the forum: (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65259) System Shock 2 is NOT Abandonware.

I wish I could help you with somewhere to get it legally (from a retail outlet), sometimes people here spot some and post where they are.

pnK on 4/9/2007 at 07:49

To be honest, if none of the money i'd spend on a game would go to the developers, i wouldn't care about it.

cosmicnut on 4/9/2007 at 08:31

Copying a game without the copyright holders permission is illegal.

The real difference is that the SS1 copyright is in a mess with bits sold off to different parties. There is very little chance of anyone getting upset.

SS2 was released by EA, who still exist and are very protective about their copyright and IP rights. They also still own all the copyrights to SS2 so in theory they could prosecute.

"Classic PC Games" is another abandonware site. They just have SS2 rather than SS1