Piracy was a much bigger issue in the early 2000s than newer generations realize. With limited accessibility due to the lack of digital game stores, high game prices, and underdeveloped anti-piracy measures, it was no surprise that everyday people turned to the internet to get the latest video games for free. The disconnect between the consequences of piracy and the act of committing it made it more prevalent, as many people viewed it as a victimless crime.
Eventually, developers and studios had no choice but to fight back. They had to stop this endless cycle that was only harming the gaming industry, which meant they needed to implement consequences and digital rights to deter piracy.
So, with all these new developments, is video game piracy still an issue in 2025?
Piracy at Its Peak
If you remember the early 2000s, piracy sites like LimeWire, ThePirateBay, and Napster might ring some bells. Piracy was so rampant and easy that anyone could visit torrent sites, search for a specific game (or movie or album), and download it. Sure, some downloads might’ve taken hours (sometimes even days) of time to download, but it meant not having to fork out any cash for those games and still receiving a playable copy.
There were many reasons piracy was so widespread back then. For one, game prices were high— similar to the prices we see nowadays. Priced at $50–$60, they were by no means affordable for the average person. Given that many video games are still priced between $50 and $85 on average, these costs are steep.
Digital platforms were lacking, torrent sites were all over the place, anti-piracy was more or less still in its infancy, and cracks and code generators were readily available that could quickly bypass copy protection.
The Rise of Subscription-Based Gaming
Other than the more serious legal consequences and crackdowns on piracy websites on the internet, one of the main reasons why piracy has dialed down is the adoption of subscription-based gaming and digital distribution. Just like brand new slots sites are launched and updated regularly, gaming subscriptions have helped make titles accessible and fresh for the public.
Gamers can purchase games with just a couple of clicks by simply going to the PlayStation Store or heading to Steam. They can even subscribe to services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus for a monthly fee, providing instant access to a library of games across numerous genres.
Rather than pay for one or two games, players can access monthly games and exclusive content from a variety of tiered membership plans at different price points. That way, they can spend only as much as they’re able to while also playing a whole host of fun titles. For example, PlayStation Plus’s Essential tier is $79.99, Extra is $134.99, and Premium is $159.99 for a 12-month subscription. Instead of spending that dollar amount on one or two games, you can access all sorts of games throughout the year for that same amount of money.
The sheer accessibility of video games and the reasonable pricing that comes with services like subscription-based gaming have reduced the need for piracy. Gamers don’t feel as though it’s necessary to go that route, especially since the stigma surrounding piracy has changed as well.
Copyright issues in other fields, like art and the controversies surrounding AI, bolster the stigma of piracy, which is seen as damaging to the industry and morally wrong. Piracy has been exposed as a negative practice with far-reaching consequences, and the general public doesn’t want to engage in it—or at least be caught doing so.
The State of Game Piracy in 2025
According to a report by PC Mag, music or video game piracy is no longer the concern. In fact, it’s internet piracy that’s the growing problem. With streaming services as the mainstream focus today and their rising prices, piracy sites have seen a growing population of visitors—up 36% from the start of 2024 compared to 2020.
The scenario almost mirrors the video game piracy issue in the early 2000s, with the cost-to-content ratio making piracy more attractive.
But when it comes to video game piracy, thanks to the legal reforms and changing consumer behaviors, it seems like it’s no longer a widespread practice. With clear-cut consequences, improved accessibility, and more conscientious respect for developers, piracy has almost turned into a non-issue for the video game community. That’s not to say it’s completely immune to piracy, but it’s not one of the main worries.
Instead, the video game industry is focusing a lot on the impact of AI and its ethics, as well as keeping up with the overall rising development costs, but that’s neither here nor there.
Why Some Players Still Choose Piracy
Despite game piracy being a less pressing issue, there are many groups and individuals who insist on keeping it alive. Whether it’s because they inherently enjoy the thrill of bypassing restrictions and breaking the law or simply don’t believe it’s worth spending a dime on developers’ hard work, it’s a choice that is damaging to gaming in general.
It’s a lot like when hackers feel satisfaction and victory when making their way into a forbidden file or hacking into a network. It’s not about even having that data or a game—it’s about proving that they can do it and undermining the work of creators. Unfortunately, since it’s a mindset, changing it is a long-term process.