Backing up or cracking games you actually own - is it ethical?

I used to do this all the time. Whenever I would buy a game I would install it and then install a NOCD crack. The CD then went back in the case and never to be taken out again.

Now, I only really buy games on Steam or play MMOs so it doesn't really come into play.
 
Definitely I'd say. When I buy software I consider it mine. Also...if I didn't back it up and the media was damaged, I have no problem downloading a replacement.
 
I refuse to have dvd's in when I want to start up games. EA/Bioware I'm looking at you, especially annoying when the publishers offer digital download versions of the same game and when I'm signed into my Bioware account to play DLC and get updates etc. Nocd cracks are a good thing.
 
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if you bought the game and just apply a crack to stop you having to put it in every time you start the game,

no problem
 
I am of this opinion - I always buy games legitimately as I play online mainly, and therefore have the DVD's available, but disagree with having to put them in the drive to play due to the nature of how easily damaged they are.
 
Metatron said:
Backing up games that you own or applying no-DVD cracks - is that right or not?

I would say yes.
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I do it for every game I own. Install it once and it goes back in the box, most of my games still smell new :D

Sticking the DVD in every time for a game is slow, annoying and noisy. Far better to get a no CD going on there.
 
Craig321 said:
I do it for every game I own. Install it once and it goes back in the box, most of my games still smell new :D

Sticking the DVD in every time for a game is slow, annoying and noisy. Far better to get a no CD going on there.
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Basically this. In addition, in some for older games (e.g. Medal of Honor or Undying) this is the only way to get them to run on newer OS....
 
I havent needed any cracks since I started buying most of my games digitially.

I also notice that a lot of retail games these days can be tied to a digital download service, for example I have dragon age origins retail and I applied the serial key on EA store.
 
One game I got Railroad Tycoon 3 did not work unless a no cd crack was in its place (even patched up). Pretty hilarious considering that's how I found about them.

Not sure about now though - maybe they fixed it, haven't played that game in a long long time.
 
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