keygen

[giraffa]

Ok, so you released your game, and, some time later, keygen for the game appears on the web. What do you do?
You can not just change the protection system - the old keys for existing customers have to be supported as well. Any ideas?

[Mark Fassett]

You change your system, and create a key generator for your existing customers that will allow them to get a new key automatically when they download the new version.

If your existing customers never upgrade - then they don't need a new key.

[giraffa]

You change your system, and create a key generator for your existing customers that will allow them to get a new key automatically when they download the new version.

But what will it change? Somebody with the pirated key will be able to use it as well, right? Just feed his key into this “key-converter” and get a new key.
Or do you mean not to distribute the “key-converter” publicly, but just send it directly to the customers?

[DragonsIOA]

I think what he's saying is to put out a new version with a new/changed key formula and generate new keys for the existing legit customers as needed with a keygen that you only have access to. Unfortunately there's nothing you can do about the compromised version unless it has some form of auto-update built into it.

[Mark Fassett]

DragonsIOA is right - you don't generate a new key from the key they have - you generate the new key based on information they provide you that you have kept in order to keep track of your customers - like their email address, name, etc...

If they can't provide information that matches an entry in your customer DB - then you don't give them a new key.

[giraffa]

Now, another question: how much does pirated keygen actually affect sails for casual game? Average casual gamer is not a person who would check some pirated pages, right? So, maybe there is nothing to worry about - people who pay for the game would not use keygen; and people who use keygen would not pay anyway.
What do you think?

[Pyabo]

Now, another question: how much does pirated keygen actually affect sails for casual game? Average casual gamer is not a person who would check some pirated pages, right? So, maybe there is nothing to worry about - people who pay for the game would not use keygen; and people who use keygen would not pay anyway.
What do you think?

I think you're about to open up a whole can of worms...

This very topic has been debated endlessly for the past 20 years. Let's let it alone here.