Instead of just preventing pirates and cheaters, some game developers add clever surprises into their games. These can range from enemies that can’t be defeated to wobbly camera controls and disappearing items. At first, these might seem like glitches, but they’re actually designed to playfully punish those who try to break the rules. Here are a few well-known examples of games that do this.
Game Dev Tycoon
Players who use illegally copied versions of the game are causing significant financial harm to the developers, mirroring real-world problems where lack of support can kill projects. Even if development continues and reviews are still written, the studio quickly runs out of money. The only solution is to purchase and play a legitimate copy, which restores the game’s proper balance and supports further development.
Serious Sam 3 BFE
Using pirated versions of the game can cause a very fast, indestructible spider-like enemy to appear, constantly chasing you and preventing you from making progress. It disrupts battles and pursues you across large areas, and because weapons don’t affect it, players often think the game is malfunctioning. This creature never appears in the official, legitimate version of the game during normal gameplay.
Batman Arkham Asylum
Pirated copies of the game prevent Batman from gliding, stopping players at a crucial point. Because everything else functions normally, it appears as a glitch in the game’s movement. Players get stuck when a puzzle needs them to glide across a gap. Once users reported this issue and described what happened, it became clear the problem was caused by using unauthorized copies of the game.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Pirated versions of the game have a distracting, shaky camera that makes driving and shooting very difficult. This wobble starts quickly and doesn’t let up, often making missions feel unfair. While you can still control the game, aiming is inaccurate and vehicles swerve uncontrollably, even on straight paths. Official, legitimate copies of the game start with a smooth, stable camera.
Crysis Warhead
Some illegal copies of the game replace bullets with chickens. When you shoot, chickens pop out and make noise instead of causing damage. The game still looks like it’s firing normally, but enemies don’t react, effectively stopping combat. These changes are a clear sign you’re not playing the official version.
The Sims 4
If you’re playing an unlicensed version of the game, you’ll notice a growing pixelated censor that eventually covers the entire screen. It begins when a Sim takes a shower and gradually spreads across the whole game area. While you can still access the menus, the screen is so obscured it makes playing very difficult. Purchasing the official game will remove this censor and restore the normal graphics.
The Talos Principle
If you’re playing a pirated version of the game, you might get stuck in an elevator that endlessly goes up and down. The doors will close, but you’ll never reach the next part of the game, and there won’t be any message explaining why. The game won’t crash, so it just feels like you’re stuck. Players with legitimate, purchased copies of the game can progress normally to the next puzzle.
Garry’s Mod
Pirated versions of the game have an error message that shows users are playing an illegal copy. When people shared screenshots online asking for help, they inadvertently revealed they were using a pirated version. The game also doesn’t run well and keeps displaying this error. Official, legally purchased copies of the game work perfectly and don’t show this message.
Spyro 3 Year of the Dragon
Playing a pirated copy of the game can cause items you’ve collected to disappear and eventually corrupt your save file. You might also encounter glitches in minigames or find doors that won’t open. These issues get worse the more you play, ultimately leading to a save file you can’t continue with. Using a legitimate copy of the game ensures that your collected items remain safe and your progress isn’t affected.
EarthBound
Pirated copies of the game have much more frequent and difficult battles, making it slow and frustrating to level up. Trying to finish the game with an unauthorized copy can even cause your saved progress to be erased. An official game cartridge avoids these issues, providing a normal difficulty and protecting your saves.
Operation Flashpoint and Arma Series
Bohemia’s FADE system subtly reduces weapon accuracy and performance when the game isn’t properly licensed. Initially, you might notice slight inaccuracies, but these quickly worsen, leading to wildly inaccurate shots. Vehicle handling also becomes difficult, and missions may not function as expected. With a legitimate, activated game, weapons and vehicles will perform normally.
The Settlers III
Copy protection can unexpectedly hinder your progress by causing iron smelters to produce raw materials instead of refined iron. This lack of usable iron prevents you from building an army and expanding your territory. While your economy might seem strong initially, you’ll eventually hit a wall when military structures require resources you can’t actually create. Legitimate, uncorrupted versions of the game function normally and allow you to progress as intended.
Alan Wake
If players use unofficial PC builds of the game, the main character will wear a pirate eyepatch. The game isn’t blocked, and a message encourages players to purchase the official version. It’s a noticeable visual cue, but doesn’t prevent gameplay. Purchasing the game removes the eyepatch and ensures existing save files remain accessible.
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Some flashcarts and emulators have anti-piracy measures that prevent players from earning experience points after winning battles. This stops Pokémon from leveling up, effectively blocking progress beyond the first few gyms. Players might spend hours battling, thinking the game is broken, when actually the system is working as intended to discourage piracy. Using a legitimate game cartridge or a modified setup that bypasses these checks restores normal experience gain.
GTA Online
Rockstar Games is now grouping players who modify the game or cheat into separate online sessions, effectively pitting them against each other. This happens automatically, without warning the affected players. While they can still earn progress and unlock items, they’ll only be playing with other modders and cheaters. To return to normal gameplay, players must appeal the decision and demonstrate fair play.
Max Payne 3 Multiplayer
Okay, so the game’s got a system for dealing with cheaters now, which is awesome. Basically, if you’re flagged as a cheater – either by other players reporting you or by the game’s own anti-cheat system – you get put into a separate group. You can still play, but you’ll only be matched with other suspected cheaters. If the system decides you aren’t cheating after a review, you get put back into regular matches with everyone else. It’s a good way to keep the main game clean, honestly.
Dark Souls II
FromSoftware uses a softban system to limit interactions for players who violate the game’s rules. While these players can still participate in summons and invasions, they’re matched only with other flagged players. This helps maintain a stable experience for most players without completely preventing those who’ve triggered the ban from playing. To remove the flag, players need to follow the rules and maintain a clean record.
Fall Guys
The game’s creators secretly tested a special area where only players using cheats could access it. Players who were flagged for cheating believed the game was glitching because every match they joined was filled with incredibly difficult, seemingly impossible jumps. Eventually, videos proved this isolated environment existed. The developers then removed the cheater island and implemented better cheat detection and banning systems.
No Time To Explain
The developers put out a fun, limited-time ‘pirate mode’ that dramatically changes levels, adding oversized cannons and causing intentionally broken gameplay. This version is more about silly chaos than actual challenge. Normal versions of the game maintain the original level design and intended difficulty.
Far Cry 4
Players who didn’t download the initial update noticed a missing option to adjust their field of view, leading to complaints online. The game developer explained that this setting was only absent in pirated versions. While the game was still playable, many legitimate users found the visuals uncomfortable. Installing the update fixed the issue for those with purchased copies.
Share your favorite examples and the funniest reactions you remember in the comments.
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2025-11-08 06:16