Anti-piracy Protection Options/Help

[Konidias]

Here's the way I'd do it:

1. On buying the program a verified credit card number is required either to buy the software or for security reasons along with an account that matches with the credit card.

2. Then after the software is downloaded and ready to install the installer should open and you should be required to enter your account info and for the serial code it should be the credit card number.

This will work because since a credit card number is required most people will be to afraid that people will steal their credit card info so they won't share it. The only way most people will still share the software is with their friends and family, but I really don't see that as much of a problem. Of course as you were afraid of internet is needed but only once and who really doesn't have the internet now a days?

Hope this helps!

Using people's credit card numbers is not a great idea. You might as well shout out "we don't trust our customers". Not to mention, you're losing any customers who don't have a credit card.

Also, a credit card number by itself doesn't really do much these days... You'd still need the name on the card, the expiration date, and probably the security code on the back.

It's a nice idea in theory, but it's a step too far I think. Not to mention, what's to stop people from distributing the files after they have been installed? Just seems like you're giving people a reason to avoid paying for your game. I don't want my credit card number being used for anything except it's original purpose.

[Nifflas]

Even web stores doesn't show the entire card number if you're on your own account page, they just displays the four last digits so you can easily see it's the right card.

Using credit card information is simply way out of the question.

[Shawn]

Sending a credit card number to your authentication server is not secure and the info could easily be stolen. You'd have to have some really good encryption going on there. And if you aren't sending it to an authentication server, if they have to use it as a serial number then somewhere on their computer their full credit card number is going to be stored. Most people would probably be upset their credit card number would be used freely in that manner.

It's just opening a can of worms and I'd avoid it altogether.