Piracy is a major problem in the gaming industry as it leads to a loss of revenue for game developers and publishers. One way that piracy occurs is through the use of cracked versions of games which can be easily downloaded from various sources online. These cracked versions essentially bypass the digital rights management (DRM) systems which are put in place by game developers and publishers to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of their games.
One way that pirated games can be played is by using the Steam platform, which is a popular digital distribution platform for games. Steam is owned by Valve Corporation and provides a variety of games from different publishers for purchase and download. When playing games through Steam, players are required to create an account and purchase games through the platform. Once a game is purchased, it is added to the player's library and can be downloaded and played through the Steam client.
However, some individuals have found ways to bypass Valve's DRM systems and play pirated games through Steam. This is done by creating a Steam account and using a cracked version of a game which has been modified to bypass the DRM protections. When the game is launched through Steam, it appears as though the game has been legitimately purchased and is being played through the Steam client.
One reason why this is possible is due to the way that Steam allows users to launch games. Steam provides a feature called "Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library" which allows users to add games which are not currently available on Steam to their library. This feature is intended to allow users to easily access their entire game library through the Steam client, even if the game is not available for purchase through the platform.
However, this feature can also be used to launch pirated games through Steam. The modified game is added to the Steam library as a non-Steam game, and when launched through Steam, it appears as though the game is being played through the platform. As a result, the modified game is able to bypass the DRM protections which have been put in place by the game developer and publisher.
Another reason why pirated games can be played through Steam is due to the modding community which exists around the platform. The Steam Workshop allows users to create and share game mods, which can be easily downloaded and installed by other users. While most mods are created to enhance the gameplay experience, some mods can be used to bypass DRM protections.
For example, a mod could be created which allows a pirated game to be launched through Steam without triggering the DRM protections. This mod could potentially be shared through the Steam Workshop, making it easy for other users to bypass the DRM protections and play pirated games through the platform.
Overall, the ability to play pirated games through Steam is a major issue for game developers and publishers. While Valve has taken steps to prevent piracy on its platform, there are still ways in which individuals can bypass the DRM protections and play pirated games through the platform. As such, it is important for game developers and publishers to continue to develop new and effective DRM systems to prevent piracy and protect their intellectual property.