5 ms·

This is equivalent to a software program where the basic and Pro versions are the same code, but some Pro features are locked by a software gate. Ammiibo hacki

by gpawl 10y ago

This is equivalent to a software program where the basic and Pro versions are the same code, but some Pro features are locked by a software gate. Ammiibo hacking is buying the basic version of a software program, and then bypassing the security code that protects the pro features. It's the same as piracy, which you may considered a vice or a virtue.

pythonaut_16 10y ago
Except in this case there exist(ed) far less keys than demand, with the original company (Nintendo) selling them for a flat price regardless of supply vs demand, i.e. if Nintendo sells 1000 Amiibos at $25 each, they'll have $25000, even if those same Amiibos end up being worth $5000 each on the secondary market.
- eridius 10y ago
  So what? That's not a rebuttal the parent comment. In fact, this argument seems strikingly similar to the normal piracy defense of the content being too expensive to purchase.
  - wink 10y ago
    But it's not too expensive to buy from the original creator - I think this is the point the parent made. I'm not sure the majority of people would pay Nintendo 50 bucks for this certain Amiibo, but I'd bet it would be quite a few more than those who will pay a reseller.
    - eridius 10y ago
      It looks like pythonaut_16 has edited their comment to say something completely different than what it did when I posted my reply. It used to be excusing NFC hacking on the grounds of Amiibo being limited, and therefore not everybody who wants one can necessarily get one.
      - pythonaut_16 10y ago
        I have not edited the comment, maybe you confused mine with someone else's or misread it? Anyway my point wasn't to support or deny Amiibo hacking, just to highlight the contrast between basic/pro software versioning and Amiibos.
        eridius 10y ago
        Ok now I'm confused. I know I was trying to reply to a comment that was basically saying that it's ok to do NFC hacking because of the limited availability of Amiibo, but I don't see any comment like that anymore.
heywot 10y ago
Agreed. I understand gamer's frustration with paywalls and pay-to-win, but let's be real here. These are collectible figurines and fun cosmetics inside a game. No one is forcing anyone to buy these and Nintendo has every right to do limited runs on some Amiibos. That's half the fun if you're into collecting these things. If it's understood that I will never have a skin/level/weapon because I didn't purchase something additional besides the game, I just weigh whether I want to make that purchase. Just because a feature can be unlocked via a code doesn't necessarily mean I have a right to it outside of purchasing that code. This is hardly Destiny where you paid the same price for the game, but some of the userbase got access to more content based on their console and that content never got released on other consoles (not that I'm bitter or anything). Here, you pay if you want it.
- problems 10y ago
  > Nintendo has every right to do limited runs on some Amiibos. They have every right to do limited runs, I have every right to do everything in my power to bypass that. I own the console, it's processor and memory after all. This is the nature of writing software that runs on a computer that someone else owns - ultimately, they have every right and power to decide how it runs.
  - jotux 10y ago
    If you buy the standard edition of a CAD tool, say Solidworks, and the premium edition is unlocked via a USB dongle do you have a right to apply a crack to unlock the premium edition just because the code is present in the standard edition installation?
    - pbhjpbhj 10y ago
      Morally, sure, you paid the money, they gave you the code and then you used it as you saw fit. Legally, meh, probably not so much.
EpicEng 10y ago
>but some Pro features are locked by a software gate And to top it off; you can't buy a key for the pro version!
jotux 10y ago
>Ammiibo hacking is buying the basic version of a software program, and then bypassing the security code that protects the pro features. It seems very similar to cracks that spoofs USB dongles to unlock pro versions of software. I guess you could argue the unlocked accessories are purely cosmetic but I don't think you can really get around the fact that the accessories are pirated.
govg 10y ago
Is it the same as piracy though? Here, you legally bought the game and presumably can make a claim that everything written in the code belongs to you, and hence should be accessible. In piracy, you are unlawfully obtaining a copy of something that you have no claim over. This would be like if someone wrote another story into a book you purchased, but using invisible ink, and then sold blacklights for 50$. Are you allowed to use your own blacklight to read the stories (since they're on a book you purchased), or are you supposed to shell out?
jiiam 10y ago
With all due respect, it isn't equivalent to a program coming in basic/pro versions. And if it is, then it is not piracy, or at least is not the same as downloading a pirated copy of a software and running it (even without messing with the code, e.g. getting a GOG game). My argument relies that beside the difference in functionality, the real separation between a basic and a pro version of a software is a license. If we where to draw a parallel between basic/pro software and BOTW, then we have Nintendo producing a device that more or less gives anyone who touches it unboxed a license to use the pro version of the software, and is trasferable/resellable. Now, this "license" might not grant right to copy and redistribute, but since it is not exclusive per se it should be equivalent to let a friend use it or "clone it" and send it to a friend, therefore reducing the piracy question to "is it piracy to use someone else's amiibo (with is consent)?". I think the answer to the latter is no.

by gpawl 10y ago

pythonaut_16 10y ago

Except in this case there exist(ed) far less keys than demand, with the original company (Nintendo) selling them for a flat price regardless of supply vs demand, i.e. if Nintendo sells 1000 Amiibos at $25 each, they'll have $25000, even if those same Amiibos end up being worth $5000 each on the secondary market.

eridius 10y ago
So what? That's not a rebuttal the parent comment. In fact, this argument seems strikingly similar to the normal piracy defense of the content being too expensive to purchase.
- wink 10y ago
  But it's not too expensive to buy from the original creator - I think this is the point the parent made. I'm not sure the majority of people would pay Nintendo 50 bucks for this certain Amiibo, but I'd bet it would be quite a few more than those who will pay a reseller.
  - eridius 10y ago
    It looks like pythonaut_16 has edited their comment to say something completely different than what it did when I posted my reply. It used to be excusing NFC hacking on the grounds of Amiibo being limited, and therefore not everybody who wants one can necessarily get one.
    - pythonaut_16 10y ago
      I have not edited the comment, maybe you confused mine with someone else's or misread it? Anyway my point wasn't to support or deny Amiibo hacking, just to highlight the contrast between basic/pro software versioning and Amiibos.
      - eridius 10y ago
        Ok now I'm confused. I know I was trying to reply to a comment that was basically saying that it's ok to do NFC hacking because of the limited availability of Amiibo, but I don't see any comment like that anymore.

heywot 10y ago

Agreed. I understand gamer's frustration with paywalls and pay-to-win, but let's be real here. These are collectible figurines and fun cosmetics inside a game. No one is forcing anyone to buy these and Nintendo has every right to do limited runs on some Amiibos. That's half the fun if you're into collecting these things. If it's understood that I will never have a skin/level/weapon because I didn't purchase something additional besides the game, I just weigh whether I want to make that purchase. Just because a feature can be unlocked via a code doesn't necessarily mean I have a right to it outside of purchasing that code. This is hardly Destiny where you paid the same price for the game, but some of the userbase got access to more content based on their console and that content never got released on other consoles (not that I'm bitter or anything). Here, you pay if you want it.

problems 10y ago
> Nintendo has every right to do limited runs on some Amiibos. They have every right to do limited runs, I have every right to do everything in my power to bypass that. I own the console, it's processor and memory after all. This is the nature of writing software that runs on a computer that someone else owns - ultimately, they have every right and power to decide how it runs.
- jotux 10y ago
  If you buy the standard edition of a CAD tool, say Solidworks, and the premium edition is unlocked via a USB dongle do you have a right to apply a crack to unlock the premium edition just because the code is present in the standard edition installation?
  - pbhjpbhj 10y ago
    Morally, sure, you paid the money, they gave you the code and then you used it as you saw fit. Legally, meh, probably not so much.

EpicEng 10y ago

>but some Pro features are locked by a software gate And to top it off; you can't buy a key for the pro version!

jotux 10y ago

>Ammiibo hacking is buying the basic version of a software program, and then bypassing the security code that protects the pro features. It seems very similar to cracks that spoofs USB dongles to unlock pro versions of software. I guess you could argue the unlocked accessories are purely cosmetic but I don't think you can really get around the fact that the accessories are pirated.

govg 10y ago

Is it the same as piracy though? Here, you legally bought the game and presumably can make a claim that everything written in the code belongs to you, and hence should be accessible. In piracy, you are unlawfully obtaining a copy of something that you have no claim over. This would be like if someone wrote another story into a book you purchased, but using invisible ink, and then sold blacklights for 50$. Are you allowed to use your own blacklight to read the stories (since they're on a book you purchased), or are you supposed to shell out?

jiiam 10y ago

With all due respect, it isn't equivalent to a program coming in basic/pro versions. And if it is, then it is not piracy, or at least is not the same as downloading a pirated copy of a software and running it (even without messing with the code, e.g. getting a GOG game). My argument relies that beside the difference in functionality, the real separation between a basic and a pro version of a software is a license. If we where to draw a parallel between basic/pro software and BOTW, then we have Nintendo producing a device that more or less gives anyone who touches it unboxed a license to use the pro version of the software, and is trasferable/resellable. Now, this "license" might not grant right to copy and redistribute, but since it is not exclusive per se it should be equivalent to let a friend use it or "clone it" and send it to a friend, therefore reducing the piracy question to "is it piracy to use someone else's amiibo (with is consent)?". I think the answer to the latter is no.