Are they pirated ?

[KingFerretDino]

For My 13th birthday I had asked my friend for a copy of rpg maker mv or vx ace(he's got a lot of cash). He gave me both, but it was not gifted on steam, it wasn't a steam key, and it wasn't a product key, he had only given me the files in a zip folder on a usb and told me to extract it to program files x86. I had started a game and I am  about halfway(vx ace) and I realized that if it was copyrighted, I would fa e legal issues upon the release of my game. Buying the software is out of the question, because if it isn't pirated the I would have wasted about $80, my family is also broke so there is no money for a piece of (amazing) software. My friend has pirated games before(once or twice) so I don't know what I should do. Also, in the case that they are (I we find out they are I will un install them.) Is there a way to tell upon the release of my game


Thanks in advance

 

[Andar]

If you don't have a key, then it is not a legal version. The only way to get it without a public key would be a direct purchase on Steam, because in that case Steam handles the key internally (but you still would have one).


The only legal versions that can be distributed by USB drive are the trials (with a time limit on your computer) and Ace Lite (which is limited in the number of objects it can manage and has no script access).


I suggest you check for steam resales websites - Ace has been known to be available at up to 85% discount once or twice a year, and MV has been available with 30% discounts already. IsThereAnyDeal.com


But the version you're using now is a pirated version, and if you continue to use it then you will be banned from this site.


Unfortunately the free Ace Lite is currently not available due to problems with its activation server, so you're stuck with the time-limited trials for now.

 

[ALTERED STATE ?]

Report him to the FBI (or what ever handles piracy) and potentially get money

 

[KingFerretDino]

If you don't have a key, then it is not a legal version. The only way to get it without a public key would be a direct purchase on Steam, because in that case Steam handles the key internally (but you still would have one).


The only legal versions that can be distributed by USB drive are the trials (with a time limit on your computer) and Ace Lite (which is limited in the number of objects it can manage and has no script access).


I suggest you check for steam resales websites - Ace has been known to be available at up to 85% discount once or twice a year, and MV has been available with 30% discounts already. IsThereAnyDeal.com


But the version you're using now is a pirated version, and if you continue to use it then you will be banned from this site.


Unfortunately the free Ace Lite is currently not available due to problems with its activation server, so you're stuck with the time-limited trials for now.

Un installed the app,


But, my friend did say that the key was deleted from his junk

 

[KingFerretDino]

Report him to the FBI (or what ever handles piracy) and potentially get money

And buy vx!!!!!

 

[Andar]

But, my friend did say that the key was deleted from his junk

Without the key, the editor cannot run (it will automatically change into the time-limited trial.


So if you could install it without a key and did not get the trial screen with the days left counting, then it is a pirated copy. It doesn't matter if your friend had a key that got deleted - if that were the case he could simply ask for a resend of the key from Degica, but you cannot install a legal copy without using the key.

 

[KingFerretDino]

Without the key, the editor cannot run (it will automatically change into the time-limited trial.


So if you could install it without a key and did not get the trial screen with the days left counting, then it is a pirated copy. It doesn't matter if your friend had a key that got deleted - if that were the case he could simply ask for a resend of the key from Degica, but you cannot install a legal copy without using the key.

I've already un installed the  both, but I'm almost certain he logged into his email when he gave it to me and the entered his product key (it game me the trial screen and I think he input his key)

 

[Andar]

a key can only be used for one person - if he has a legal copy, it cannot be given to someone else unless he transfers the key and never uses it himself anymore.

 

[KingFerretDino]

I've already un installed the  both, but I'm almost certain he logged into his email when he gave it to me and the entered his product key (it game me the trial screen and I think he input his key)

 

[KingFerretDino]

a key can only be used for one person - if he has a legal copy, it cannot be given to someone else unless he transfers the key and never uses it himself anymore.

Exactly, he installed the trial, put it in a zip (I don't know why I could have installed the trail myself) the once I extracted it came up with a screen (I think it was the trial screen) then he input something (if it was pirated it probably didn't matter what he input) it then no longer had that screen. Anyway, that's in the past, I've in installed mv and vx and am doing a full virus scan


Ps: I am saving up for a legitimate copy, could I keep my project and open it in the real copy once I get it (I've put about 6 months into it) or do I have to delete it ?

 

[Arisa]

A trial, it was nothing but a trial, or a . Also, if your friend has pirated games before I'd report him to the game developers that the game belonged to, and you shouldn't believe it's a real copy if he gives it to you without a key.


Oh and, did you start make the game on pirated software? If so you either shouldn't release it, or just scrap the whole project.

 

[KingFerretDino]

A trial, it was nothing but a trial, or a . Also, if your friend has pirated games before I'd report him to the game developers that the game belonged to, and you shouldn't believe it's a real copy if he gives it to you without a key.


Oh and, did you start make the game on pirated software? If so you either shouldn't release it, or just scrap the whole project.

Thanks,


I am in the process of reprint my friend(what friend gives you something that might cause you legal issues) to the owners of the games. I was stupid but lol, I am a game developer outside of rpgmaker, I use unity and unreal and game maker, and I know how it would feel if after all of y, work someone just gets a version  for free.


I wasn't  going to release it,(sadly it was started in the pirated version) I was going to manually recreate the events and the map.

 

[KingFerretDino]

Thanks,


I am in the process of reprint my friend(what friend gives you something that might cause you legal issues) to the owners of the games. I was stupid but lol, I am a game developer outside of rpgmaker, I use unity and unreal and game maker, and I know how it would feel if after all of y, work someone just gets a version  for free.


I wasn't  going to release it,(sadly it was started in the pirated version) I was going to manually recreate the events and the map.

Currently saving to get vx and mv on steam(Please be cheap at the winter sale

 

[Arisa]

@KingFerretDino Sorry about that! Pirated software sucks.... If you want to start your game over quick, I'd by the oldest version you can get (Since they are cheap and just as powerful)


EDIT!


Maybe that is a bit drastic, I just do remember from my own experience doing the same thing.  (I did forget though, you can get replacements if you are eligible.) Not the end of the world, sometimes you mustn't listen to me

 

[Aoi Ninami]

I'd wait for a response from the people who actually have a say in this before doing anything drastic. Why should the OP have to start over? As far as I can see, they have done nothing wrong, and provided they do buy a legit copy, they should be in the clear. But I'm just another customer. What do the devs say?

 

[Shaz]

Yeah, the advice being given here is a bit drastic, and misinformed.


Sounds like your friend has his own legal copy, which he gave to you and then used his own key to activate it for you.  So it may be that he hasn't pirated his own version, but giving you a copy and activating with his key is not legal either.  Or he got a copy where someone else provided the key, so both his version and the one he gave you were illegal.  In either case, for YOU to have a legal version, YOU must have the activation code that unlocks it, and that cannot be shared with anyone else.


Don't worry about the advice to start over - that's not needed at all.  There are many projects that were started (and some completed) with pirated versions of the engine.  What's important is that those people now have legal versions and are not still using the pirated version.  Just hang on to what you've already done, and when you manage to get your own, continue on with it.  If your scripts have comments in Japanese, you may want to replace your Scripts.rvdata2 file with a new one so people don't assume you're still using a pirated version.


The only other thing to add is, when you buy your own engine, make sure it's the same as what you were using before - if you were using Ace and you buy VX 'cause it's cheaper, or MV 'cause it's newer, you're not going to be able to open your project, as the different engines are not compatible with one another.

 

[KingFerretDino]

I'd wait for a response from the people who actually have a say in this before doing anything drastic. Why should the OP have to start over? As far as I can see, they have done nothing wrong, and provided they do buy a legit copy, they should be in the clear. But I'm just another customer. What do the devs say?

I will buy it when i have the $$$

 

[KingFerretDino]

Yeah, the advice being given here is a bit drastic, and misinformed.


Sounds like your friend has his own legal copy, which he gave to you and then used his own key to activate it for you.  So it may be that he hasn't pirated his own version, but giving you a copy and activating with his key is not legal either.  Or he got a copy where someone else provided the key, so both his version and the one he gave you were illegal.  In either case, for YOU to have a legal version, YOU must have the activation code that unlocks it, and that cannot be shared with anyone else.


Don't worry about the advice to start over - that's not needed at all.  There are many projects that were started (and some completed) with pirated versions of the engine.  What's important is that those people now have legal versions and are not still using the pirated version.  Just hang on to what you've already done, and when you manage to get your own, continue on with it.  If your scripts have comments in Japanese, you may want to replace your Scripts.rvdata2 file with a new one so people don't assume you're still using a pirated version.


The only other thing to add is, when you buy your own engine, make sure it's the same as what you were using before - if you were using Ace and you buy VX 'cause it's cheaper, or MV 'cause it's newer, you're not going to be able to open your project, as the different engines are not compatible with one another.

Thanks, ( im late with the reply)


I started in VX so im only buying vx ( i do know a vt mv script tho, but i would need to but both)


Not begging, but im broke(as I said) but, would someone mind buying me a copy, i will include you in the credits of every game i make, and if nescessary, give you a % of games sold until i work off the fee( Im fine with no)

 

[Shaz]

I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to use the forums to ask for someone to buy it for you.

 

[chungsie]

the engines do go on sale from time to time. It looks as though the next holiday is labor day, so there may be a labor day sale (not sure if that is a global sale or not, and I have no idea about holidays in other nations), by then you should be able to easily afford the engine at reduced price and even get some dlcs through steam.


the thing about money is, that people have to earn it, which is a reason I have never panhandled  not suggesting anything about you, but I don't think you should ask a stranger to get you something for free. If you are familiar with the resources used in those engines, you could set up a shop on the forum after proving you are capable and sell or commission resources for people, that would help to raise the funds necessary. but don't use RTP files to do what you need to make a resource, if you don't legally own the engine(s).


I don't know anything new based on your profile, so I can't really provide more advice.


Also sorry Shaz if this advice I gave is violation of rules