However, what is clear is that downloading and running a pirated copy may expose you to multiple risks – from penalty fines to dangerous malware.
Some studies like this 2017 report have found that, unlike other types of content, it may not always have such an adverse impact.
It’s difficult to say definitively whether piracy actually impacts the global trade in legitimate gaming software. Piracy is rife across platforms, from PC and mobile device-based games to consoles. Just as with movies, TV shows, music, and other digital content, there’s a roaring market in gaming titles that have been “cracked” so that anyone can use them for free.
But when we see this much growth, revenue, and users concentrated in one place, there are usually people around looking to profit. Revenue in the global video games market is set to grow by nearly 11% this year to reach almost $209bn.
