Codemasters Want To “Sell Unfinished Games” To Combat Piracy

Piracy is bad. We get it. And no matter how intrusive your DRM is (I’m looking at you AC II), it will likely get cracked.

Even before you release the game.

So what does Codemasters have in mind? According to a recent statement by CEO Rod Cousens, the answer lies in selling us “unfinished games”. Before you go WTF, read what the man has to say:

“My answer is for us as publishers is to actually sell unfinished games — and to offer the consumer multiple micro-payments to buy elements of the full experience. That would create an offering that is affordable at retail — but over a period of time may also generate more revenue for the publishers to reinvest in our games.

If these games are pirated, those who get their hands on them won’t be able to complete the experience. There will be technology, coding aspects, that will come to bear that will unlock some aspects. Some people will want them and some won’t. When it comes to piracy, I think you have to make the experience the answer to the issue – rather than respond the other way round and risk damaging that experience for the user.”