In a recent chat with Scotland's The Sunday Post, John Hillier of the ELSPA (Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association) warns retailers that the R4, a popular DS flashcart capable of running pirated and unauthorized software, could ruin businesses and the gaming industry. In the scaremongering piece, Mr. Hiller throws out an unsourced statistic: "In America it's thought 90 per cent of Nintendo DS users are playing pirated games because of R4s."90%? Considering the near-ubiquity of the handheld and its expanded casual audience, we highly doubt that even 9% of DS owners in the US have a flashcart of any sort, let alone know of their existence. Though we don't consider ourselves supporters of piracy, stating a false figure like that as fact just to rally people to his cause is unconscionable.
In a way, we kind of wish the R4 was that popular, but not for any illegal reasons -- it would likely result in more homebrew projects and a much larger homebrew audience. Mr. Hillier will hear none of that, though: "The R4 has shifted balance of power in the piracy industry to the consumer -- and that is hugely worrying. That's why we intend to stop trade in these chips wherever we can."
_thumbnail.jpg "Mega Man Star Force 2")
_thumbnail.jpg "Rune Factory 2")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
1-31-2008 @ 11:21AM
Dustin said...
People will say anything...
I know ten people with DS's, and not a single one of them has ever pirated a game.
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1-31-2008 @ 11:22AM
pas said...
Thing is... you guys are pirates too... I guess. Even tought I know a lot ppl who are too... I still feel sorry for the company.
If they just could lower the DS Game prices :(
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1-31-2008 @ 11:32AM
TheCoats said...
Thats a sad excuse to steal - no offense.....i understand wanting to try a game before purchase - IE - Find out if it sucks so you dont waste the 40$ for the game - IDK - I have mixed feelings on piracy - but i dont think the price is the reason people should give to pirate.....because the fact is there is NO price......
1-31-2008 @ 11:29AM
TheCoats said...
Bull-Where can i send Mr Hitler a message......I know close to 20 peoples with DS's maybe more and i have never once seen an R4 IRL - I wont lie i wouldnt mind having one but mainly for homebrew i buy my games
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1-31-2008 @ 11:31AM
Chris said...
I could see 90% of PSP owners playing pirated games because it is so easy and you don't need to buy any extra hardware. But DS owners? Aren't most DS owners casual gamers that probably wouldn't even be able to figure out how to pirate games?
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1-31-2008 @ 11:34AM
flamingsquirrel said...
well there's not much to figure out; google "ds ROMS" download the file, drag it on to a micro SD card, put that in your flashcart, put the flash cart in your DS.
anyway, 90% is complete crap.
1-31-2008 @ 11:44AM
Chris said...
You need the right kind of Flash Cart too. Some will play homebrew but not roms and vice versa.
1-31-2008 @ 11:54AM
Bryant said...
Easier than R4? I don't think so. With the PSP you gotta mess with the firmware and everything. And there's always the chance of bricking your system.
90% of Mr. Hiller's brain isn't functional. SEE - I can make up random stats too.
1-31-2008 @ 11:35AM
P-Dizzle said...
I do happen to own a flashcart, but I also buy all my games. I use a tool to make a copy of the game I already own, and I load it on my cart so I don't have to carry 10 small, easy to loose cartridges. I do not share these, and I don't give them to anyone. I think these can be used in accordance with fair use laws, as long as the person who owns the cart obeys (which is probably not the case with most owners).
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1-31-2008 @ 11:38AM
Gamer said...
I hate people who don't do research before yapping their mouthes. Se"xbox," I'm looking at you. The R4 is quickly being surpassed by the M3 Real Perfect bundle and the CycloDS. The R4 only has power because for a long time it was the only cart available. And just to clarify, Flash carts are not just for pirated games. They can be used to play backup roms of games you already own. Books. Mp3s. Pictures. I bought my M3 because I want to read my Harry potter, Ender books by Orson Scott Card and the Foundation series by Asimov without lugging around all the books.
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1-31-2008 @ 12:25PM
ssuk said...
You have that mixed up. The M3 was the first popular 2nd Generation DS flash card (one which didn't require a GBA Flash cart and/or PassKey). The R4 became popular because it was very easy to use, something which the M3 tried to recapture with the M3 Simply.
1-31-2008 @ 1:43PM
troy said...
So you are just pirating books and music?
1-31-2008 @ 2:24PM
Seb656 said...
You forgot to say that its also a good way to put p0rn on the DS.
1-31-2008 @ 11:40PM
Waffala said...
Seb656 and pr0n ftw.
1-31-2008 @ 11:39AM
CJC said...
I have an R4, and will admit to using it to play Japanese games that will never see the light of day over here. But I'd never use it to play a game that I could just go and buy, I still mostly use it for homebrew.
If you like games, support the developers and buy them!
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1-31-2008 @ 11:41AM
Brett said...
Six of my college friends own DSs that I know of, and none of us pirate games. I'd figure we're the most likely demographic to do it, too.
(Now, some other friends tried to pirate xbox games a while back, but they eventually stopped when all they could get there hands on were crappy old versions of burnout.)
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1-31-2008 @ 11:47AM
Commonc said...
I have twenty games and storing them on one cart would be great! If I knew how to copy my games to store them on a cart I would definately buy one
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1-31-2008 @ 11:56AM
foosnark said...
The main reason I'm thinking about an R4 is for homebrew. DSMidiWiFi, Nitrotracker, etc.
Though the idea of not needing to carry carts around also appeals to me, I have no interest in piracy (I work in the game industry myself).
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1-31-2008 @ 12:03PM
Pizza Pasta said...
I love my R4, I don't use it for DS ROMs unless it's something that's really had to get (Japanese Club Nintendo releases).
However, I do use it for classic emulation and the like. I'm still waiting for Cave Story which is pretty much the reason I got an R4.
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1-31-2008 @ 12:07PM
Sakura3210 said...
I've considered buying a flashcart, but never felt the need to since I already have other devices for reading books, etc. As for trying out games, I just look at reviews and videos to see if I'd like them. Most people I know are the same way when it comes to choosing games, so that 90% figure is BULL.
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