Did Rockstar Use Pirate Game Code For Steam Max Payne 2?

[nsane.forums]

Back in 2008 we reported that software giant Ubisoft had embarrassed themselves by getting a little closer to the piracy world than they would’ve liked.

Due to DRM problems with Rainbow Six: Vegas2, Ubisoft uploaded a patch which they said would fix the problem. However, an enterprising individual ran it through a HEX editor and discovered that the fix was not Ubisoft code, but actually a no-CD crack released by the Scene group RELOADED.

Now, just under 2 years later, it seems that Rockstar have some similar embarrassing questions to answer.

According to a game buyer on the official Steam forums, the executable for Max Payne 2 available via the digital distribution platform has a rather unexpected easter egg inside.

Apparently, if one examines the code with a HEX editor, the ASCII logo of the Scene group Myth can be viewed, as per the screenshot below;

A clearer version of its ASCII logo included in Myth’s NFOs can be seen below;

At this point it is unclear why the logo exists in the release. Myth was a Scene group which ceased to exist after it was targeted in the FBI “Operation Site Down” raids in 2005. The speculation is that rather than program a no-CD version, the easy route of using a ready-made crack was taken by Rockstar instead.

It’s unlikely the company will explain, but we’ll try to find out.

Article from: TorrentFreak.

View: Original Article

[donizme]

Are we really surprised? Just look at EA Sports who want to charge you $10 to go online after buying a second hand game or a pre-owned one! Profit Profit Profit... :ninja:

[eqagunn]

Indeed, everything's in profit. Why would they waste their time and money to code new executable when such already exists, and doesn't hold any right also.

There is nothing bad in using Myth's cracked executable, as user's are going to get the same thing after all, maybe even better. :P

[myidisbb]

Indeed, everything's in profit. Why would they waste their time and money to code new executable when such already exists, and doesn't hold any right also.

There is nothing bad in using Myth's cracked executable, as user's are going to get the same thing after all, maybe even better. :P

actually even no cd patch coding was copyrighting rights under dmca in the usa. though not enforced. if they are that stupid that they cant delete the NFO file then they are taking a chance that the coding may have a backdoor etc. funny thing is they spent a lot of time and money on the illegal drm crap and then just can it afterwards.

now for EA. first used sports games for consoles rarely sell. its a deadend items. most stores will not take them and the ones that do give a low amount of money or credit for them. also i talk to my favorite ol buddys game place where im about the EA plan coming soon and they told me the gaming software companies are trying to attack gamestop to collect royality fees on used games. same shit the music companies try in the 90's with used music cds.

[shought]

This is rather amusing :P

Maybe Rockstar only just noticed the crack and they thought: 'What the ----, this is great! Let's just use it.'.

Maybe from now on crackers should send the company which created the software (game is also software) a copy? :P