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90% of America's DS games are pirated ... That doesn't sound right?

January 31, 2008 in News comments 19

According to the manager of ELSPA's Intellectual Property Crime Unit, John Hillier, 90% of Nintendo DS games in America are pirated. He believes that said 90% use the R4 chip to download illegal games from the internet and play them on their DS.

I'd be surprised if 90% of DS owners even know what an R4 chip is.

Up to 90 percent of North American Nintendo DS owners are believed to be using the infamous R4 chip to play pirated games, according to the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association.

John Hillier, manager of ELSPA's Intellectual Property Crime Unit, told The Sunday Post that the R4 chip, which bypasses the DS's security system allowing users to play pirated games illegally downloaded from the internet, is hampering Nintendo's software sales and "risking the future of the games industry" by putting legitimate retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers at risk.

"The implications are massive. In America it's thought 90 per cent of Nintendo DS users are playing pirated games because of R4s.
Miss Razz via computerandvideogames.com »
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  • 0
    jmac353 Feb 1, 08
    Yeah, that sounds like it should be a PSP figure instead of a DS figure.
    • 0
      StarJet Feb 3, 08
      Even in the PSP, not more than 15 - 20 percent of PSP owners know about anything to do with homebrew or custom firmware.
  • 0
    Seeker X Feb 1, 08
    ...I don't get it...correct me if I'm wrong but aren't the DS sales like...*bleep*ing skyrocketing everytime? Or is that just in Japan?
  • 2
    StabWound Feb 1, 08
    Wait, 10% of people actually BUY games?! what a waste of money...
  • 1
    Kinetic Feb 1, 08
    Wow. I would have thought more than 10% of the people bought games. 0_0
  • 0
    Chekkaa Feb 1, 08
    I don't believe it. I wouldn't even believe it if it was 90% of DS owners, let alone games.
  • -3
    Final Blade Feb 1, 08
    Wait so does that mean the sales figures are Wrong then Cause this makes it sound like it, 90% pirated....Wow
    • -1
      Jaw Knee Feb 1, 08
      No. It doesn't. See, sales calculated by the games and systems that are bought.
  • 0
    Archangel* Feb 1, 08
    Honestly, that seems a bit high. I think they're trying to use the 'shock value' with this, but at the same time, they're over exaggerating it.
  • 1
    Akira_EX* Feb 1, 08
    The keyword is "up to".

    But yeah, the R4 is in the definite minority, although its a growing one.

    However, sales for the DS hardware and software are still through the roof.

    And remember kiddies, only use your R4s for homebrew.
    • 0
      Jesh Feb 2, 08
      That is exactly what I do. No pirates for me.
  • 0
    m xdogz Feb 1, 08
    Lol , unlucky americans .
  • 0
    StarJet Feb 1, 08
    This is rubbish. I guess 90% don't know how to play pirated games or have ever heard of "R4".
  • 0
    Reason Feb 1, 08
    90%? That's ridiculous. Especially considering that a large amount of casual gamers own a DS.
  • 1
    BANDITO ATTACK Feb 1, 08
    WAY TO GO FAGGOT. You just helped get even MORE word out about how to pirate DS games.

    the number is NOWHERE NEAR 90%. maybe 9%. the main demographic for the DS is younger kids, and kids these days are spoiled, and stupid. these kids dont even need to download their music illegally, let alone game software.

    and i've said it before but i'll say it again: people who are downloading games illegally are the same people who where never going to pay for it to begin with - they are BARELY hurting sales.

    for the record, i like to have a reason to travel to the game store and socialize with my peoples i buy games when i can afford them.
    • -1
      Final Blade Feb 1, 08
      Who are you talking to? No one is helping anything. Seriously stop with the profanity.
      • 0
        BANDITO ATTACK Feb 3, 08
        seriously stop trying to be the internet police.

        how many people who knew nothing about this are going to look up what the R4 cart is after reading that, and find out you can never have to pay for a DS game again for less than 50$? then how many people are going to buy it?
    • 1
      StarJet Feb 3, 08
      quote BANDITO ATTACK
      people who are downloading games illegally are the same people who where never going to pay for it to begin with - they are BARELY hurting sales.
      Right, you are!
  • 0
    VeGiTAX2 Feb 2, 08
    The ELSPA is now back tracking on the story claiming it was blown out of context. Figures given that they are a european ratings and software board trying to cite figures in a country out of their boundaries at that point.

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