Pirated Games Mega Thread Backup (2024)

Required Components:

You will need to install all of these before downloading any games (legitimate or pirated!) to stop games crashing due to missing software on your computer:

Related Subreddits:

Torrent Sites:

You will likely need a VPN to download torrents to avoid receiving Copyright notices from your ISP - unless, your country does not care about piracy. Read more in the VPN section further in this thread. Torrents are P2P downloads - you download from other people who have downloaded the file. No servers are involved.

Direct Download Sites:

Direct Downloads are any normal download. You download the file from a server through a web browser. It is significantly safer to download this way and you will not need a VPN. In some cases, you will need a VPN to access blocked filehost sites (e.g. ZippyShare is blocked in some EU countries). It is recommended to use a Download Manager mentioned further down the Mega Thread to help manage your downloads.

Trainers (Cheats):

Note: these are not for online games. Do not use cheats in online games!

Repacks:

Repacks are highly compressed games, designed for people with slow/limited internet bandwidth. Once you download them, you must install them on your computer which can take a long time due to file decompression.

Release Networks:

Please note, none of these sites provide downloads, only information on Scene/P2P releases. Looking to see if a game is cracked? Check here!

ROM Sites:

Emulators:

Torrent Software:

Direct Downloading Software:

Tools:

Useful Software:

For Microsoft products (Windows/Office) you can use MAS to activate them.

For Adobe products, visit monkrus.ws.

Useful Browser Extensions:

VPNs:

Tor is NOT a VPN, it will not protect you when torrenting!

Unsafe software:

  • Bittorrent - Same as Utorrent, has ads, trackers, and is unsafe.
  • Utorrent - Same as Bittorrent, has ads, trackers, and is unsafe.
  • CCleaner - Owned by Avast.
  • Avast - Notorious for collecting and selling user data.

Untrusted sites / uploaders:

  • AGFY - scam links
  • Apunkagames
  • IGG Games / PC Games Torrents - they doxxed mercs213 (owner of GoodOldDownloads), package their own DRM in indie games and exploit you for ad revenue.
  • BBRepacks - Fake BlackBox Repacks, contain malware.
  • LoadGames (clone of IGG games)
  • OceanOfGames - High malware risk.
  • nosTEAM
  • xGIROx - repacks contain bitcoin miners.
  • Seyter - repacks contain bitcoin miners.
  • SteamUnlocked / GOG Unlocked - slow downloads, malicious link redirects and uploads stolen from IGG Games.
  • cracked-games - Malware Risk.
  • crackingpatching - Malware Risk.
  • RepackGames - mislabel games and steal releases.
  • Pirate Bay - Malware Risk.
  • Kickass Torrents - Malware Risk.
  • Any site with a scene group name in the URL - SCENE GROUPS DON'T HAVE SITES!
Pirated Games Mega Thread Backup (2024)

FAQs

Can you go to jail for downloading pirated games? ›

Legal Repercussions for Pirates: Individuals caught engaging in piracy can face legal actions, including fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. This legal risk adds a further negative dimension to the impact of piracy.

Can you get sued for downloading pirated games? ›

If you are charged, you will probably be arrested and served with a criminal complaint. However, criminal prosecutions are rare. Instead, you will likely be sued by the copyright holder in a civil action.

What can happen if you download pirated games? ›

Most of the Cracked Games have viruses, malware, and ransomware. If crazy pop-up ads interrupt your game, your cracked game installed a virus on your device with game software.

Is it wrong to play pirated games? ›

Each time you visit an illegal site that offers you to download pirated games for free, you're exposing your private information and all the data you have on your device to cybercrime and the risk of getting your devices hacked. Here are some of the most important reasons why gamers should stay away from pirated games.

Does the FBI go after piracy? ›

Intellectual Property Theft/Piracy

The FBI's intellectual property investigations focus on the theft of trade secrets and copyright infringement on products that can impact people's health and safety, like counterfeit parts for cars and electronics.

What happens if you get caught playing a pirated game? ›

Answer: If you are caught with a pirated game, you may face legal proceedings initiated by the copyright holder. This can result in fines and, depending on the severity and jurisdiction, criminal charges. Additionally, you may face a ban or suspension from gaming platforms and services.

How do games detect piracy? ›

Answer: Common methods include serial key verification, digital rights management (DRM) systems, checksums or integrity checks, online authentication, and in-game triggers or Easter eggs that activate in pirated copies.

How much is the fine for pirating games? ›

Maximum penalties for misdemeanor copyright infringement are one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Maximum penalties for felony copyright infringement generally are: Commercial advantage or private financial gain: five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Is it illegal to download games that are no longer sold? ›

Rarely has any abandonware case gone to court, but it is still unlawful to distribute copies of old copyrighted software and games, with or without compensation, in any Berne Convention signatory country.

Why do people buy games instead of pirating? ›

With the legally bought software you get support and solutions to the problems you might encounter using it. Ease of use. Many pirated games make the installation process really complicated. It is easier to just buy the game on Steam or GoG (especially the latter) and enjoy it.

How many people play pirated games? ›

Unfortunately, the popularity of gaming also attracts bad actors looking to take advantage of the amount of money and users within the industry. Gaming piracy is on the rise. About 25% of all gamers pirated more than 50 games through the years. Piracy poses significant threats to games.

Is piracy OK if you own the game? ›

No, it is not "OK." Theft is still theft. If, however, you had already purchased this game in the past, then I'd be much more supportive. (There's often official support/approval for this, too, by the IP owners.)

Are pirated games malware? ›

Cracked, Hacked, or Pirated programs are not only illegal but also can make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryption. It is at times also a big source of current Trojan infections.

Is it legal to pirate old games? ›

Video game piracy is illegal.

Is downloading pirated content a crime? ›

Digital piracy is the act of downloading and or distributing copyrighted material and intellectual property without paying for it. And it is most certainly an illegal act. Digital piracy is a violation of federal copyright laws. It can result in steep fines and imprisonment.

What's the penalty for illegal downloading? ›

Fines for Copyright Violations

Well, you can get caught, and if you're convicted [of willful copyright infringement], you could face a fine of up to $150,000 per infringement as well as other penalties.

Is buying bootleg games illegal? ›

Pirating any media, whether it be games and movies or comics and manga, is illegal; distributing it and making a profit off it is a major crime. Depending on the game pirated and the extent of distribution, offenders may end up with hundreds of thousands of dollars or jail time.

Is downloading free books illegal? ›

Piracy Websites: Websites or online platforms that offer copyrighted books for free without the permission of the copyright holder are engaged in piracy. Downloading or sharing ebooks from these platforms is illegal and can result in legal consequences.

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