Pirated video games & participating in sin

[Alex246]

I and many of my friends are avid PC gamers. We enjoy having LAN parties where we all congregate with our computers at someone’s house and play multiplayer games on a network. However, many of the people there have pirated some of their games (the “You don’t have it? Here’s a flash drive” approach is common). Obviously, I don’t approve of this, and just refrain form the practice, buy the games I want to play, and sit out when I don’t have them. But I’m wondering: because of the multiplayer nature of these games, am I participating in their sin even if I bought the game legitimately and play with someone who I know didn’t? It doesn’t really affect me right now, since I mostly only play the games that are free anyway, but I was considering buying another and thought of this.

 

[DexUK]

Well isn’t this a bit of a dilemma?

I would suggest that it isn’t always possible for you to police other people’s actions and rarely is it reasonable for you to take responsibility for them.

In this case what do you want to achieve?

You personally are doing no wrong: you’re buying the game legitimately and only using it legitimately. It is the others’ responsibilities to do the same thing.

Perhaps you can think of yourself as setting a good example to them which, if you weren’t present, they wouldn’t get to see? If they don’t have a good example to follow at all, then what instruction in moral behaviour in these circumstances are they being exposed to?

Is it an occasion of sin? I don’t know. I suppose there’s the possibility that it’s a remote occasion of sin, in that you’re being tempted by them to do wrong by pirating games yourself, but from your account it seems that your moral compass is pointing in pretty much the right direction and you seem firm in your convictions.

It’s possible that by participating in a group activity where some members (not you) are doing so illicitly, you’re increasing your enjoyment, so if you’re being scrupulous it’s possibly a morally doubtful area.

I would suggest that you need to weigh the outcomes here: participate and encourage them by your example to behave themselves better, or withdraw entirely and let them get on with their naughty ways without you (but in doing so you suffer as well).

Or, I suppose, you could just find new friends!

 

[TheQuestioner]

I and many of my friends are avid PC gamers. We enjoy having LAN parties where we all congregate with our computers at someone’s house and play multiplayer games on a network. However, many of the people there have pirated some of their games (the “You don’t have it? Here’s a flash drive” approach is common). Obviously, I don’t approve of this, and just refrain form the practice, buy the games I want to play, and sit out when I don’t have them. But I’m wondering: because of the multiplayer nature of these games, am I participating in their sin even if I bought the game legitimately and play with someone who I know didn’t? It doesn’t really affect me right now, since I mostly only play the games that are free anyway, but I was considering buying another and thought of this.

No sin. Whatever they do they do. No need to find new friends, just be a good example and buy your games.

There is no way you can know if someone else bought the game nor can the other person know if you did. So no, don’t worry. If they ask, tell them. Period. Have fun, and good job setting a good example. Keep setting that example and don’t steal.

 

[Alex246]

No sin. Whatever they do they do. No need to find new friends, just be a good example and buy your games.

There is no way you can know if someone else bought the game nor can the other person know if you did. So no, don’t worry. If they ask, tell them. Period. Have fun, and good job setting a good example. Keep setting that example and don’t steal.

That’s the problem. I DO know that they got them illegally because I saw them passing the drive around and copying the game.

 

[Holly3278]

I do not think that you are responsible for the sin of someone else. And since you can’t control the fact that they may or may not be pirating the software, you are not guilty of sin.

 

[DexUK]

However, one does have to be wary of condoning sin and encouraging its continued commission. I don’t think the original poster is necessarily in such a position of influence that on their own they can prevent others in their group from continuing this illicit use of games software, but by participating in the group activity where others are, in effect, using stolen property, then that does rather condone the activity.

 

[Bookcat]

In General regarding cooperation…

Here is what the Catechism says:

1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:

• by participating directly and voluntarily in them;
• by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
• by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
• by protecting evil-doers.

 

[Alex246]

Thanks, everyone, for the (name removed by moderator)ut so far. Bookcat, what I’m chiefly concerned about is the second one. I don’t participate in the actual pirating, and I don’t protect them. I also told my mom about the copying, but she’s of the opinion that “it’s no big deal.” So I don’t think I’m refraining from disclosing it. The question, from my viewpoint, is coming down to whether or not I am condoning their sin by playing the games with them. I don’t THINK I am, since I’m pretty sure they’ve understood by now that I will not copy games and don’t approve of it, but the other side of the argument still nags at me. I do have a tendency to be scrupulous though.

 

[ironband]

Thanks, everyone, for the (name removed by moderator)ut so far. Bookcat, what I’m chiefly concerned about is the second one. I don’t participate in the actual pirating, and I don’t protect them. I also told my mom about the copying, but she’s of the opinion that “it’s no big deal.” So I don’t think I’m refraining from disclosing it. The question, from my viewpoint, is coming down to whether or not I am condoning their sin by playing the games with them. I don’t THINK I am, since I’m pretty sure they’ve understood by now that I will not copy games and don’t approve of it, but the other side of the argument still nags at me. I do have a tendency to be scrupulous though.

It sounds to me like you’ve done your part. If you yourself are not tempted, then your presence and example could have a positive effect. As long as they know that you do not approve of this action, and why you do not approve of it, and they would continue with these actions whether you play with them or not, then you are not culpable for what they are doing.

That said, it would certainly be good to pray for your friends to come to their senses.

Another thought I have (and I don’t know how practical it is):

Say there is an occasion where everyone is going to play a given game, and you own said game, and one person does not own a legit copy of said game and is prepared to copy it so he/she can play…you could demonstrate your morals by offering to let that person play on your legitimate copy of the game on your computer while you sit out a round or two. Them seeing you willing to sacrifice your own enjoyment for the sake of them not doing wrong might help them see your side.

 

[Bookcat]

Alex…

…certainly you do not want to show approval of stolen games…so you are asking the right questions…

especially since you have some tendency to scruples…ask your confessor…or a good Priest in confession if you do not have one…(though you should try to get one if scruples are a difficulty for you)…