Would it be stealing to play on a free server on an MMORPG?

[Destroyer2000]

I know how to get a free server for PSO, but would it be stealing to play on it?

[Debitt]

If you have to pay to play the game on a normal server, then yes, it's stealing.

If you don't, or if the company has expressly given their blessing to private servers, then no, it's not stealing.

At least, that's my thoughts simplified. I play RO eagerly and in that case I think there would be a few exceptions with private servers, but I don't know how each game is run, so I won't get into that here. If you'd like to hear more, PM me.

In the case of PSO, I think it's based on a pay to play system. So yes, it would be stealing. It'd be like walking into EBGames, taking a game off the shelf, and walking away with it. =/

[The Coldwood]

No, it would not be most of the time. It is wrong to steal the intellectual property of any software company. This is a form of service piracy, where you are playing a service that would normally cost money for free.

It's just like stealing cable.

[blkmage]

Monthly costs for MMORPGs are for the upkeep of servers and bandwidth, in-game support, and the creation of new content. If you play on a free server, then you do not benefit from those things. So no, I don't think it's stealing if you play on a free server, assuming you bought the game.

[shooraijin]

Well, that depends. Some of the per-month charges, particularly on services trying to get as many players as possible by making the initial purchase cheap, might also be used to amortize the cost of developing the client software over a large user base.

Btw, moved to Gamers.

[Destroyer2000]

^Thanks, shoo. I registered once, and thought I had cancelled, but I made a mistake and didn't. So I spent 6 months worth of money on PSO, and it never amounted to anything. Also, Sega has basically abandoned it.

[uc pseudonym]

If you are still wondering morally, consider the company's policy regarding free servers. Most of the time they will specifically ask that such not be used, which would leave you in an ethical dead end.

[shooraijin]

^Thanks, shoo. I registered once, and thought I had cancelled, but I made a mistake and didn't. So I spent 6 months worth of money on PSO, and it never amounted to anything. Also, Sega has basically abandoned it.

I remember PSO. That pretty much died with the Dreamcast, although it did persist for a little while after Sega killed the line. I agree, it was never well-marketed (which pretty much sums up the Dreamcast et al, still my 2nd favourite console after the Intellivision).

[Debitt]

If you are still wondering morally, consider the company's policy regarding free servers. Most of the time they will specifically ask that such not be used, which would leave you in an ethical dead end.

Something else I forgot to address. ^_^ UC's right, most MMOs have "do not use private servers" in their terms of agreement, so even if it's not illegal in a broad scope (whether or not it is is debateable), by playing on a private server you're breaking contract and that's illegal. And a perma-bannable offence in most cases.