Pirated Games Mega Thread Backup (2024)

Required Components:

You will need to install all of these before downloading any games (legitimate or pirated!) to stop games crashing due to missing software on your computer:

Related Subreddits:

Torrent Sites:

You will likely need a VPN to download torrents to avoid receiving Copyright notices from your ISP - unless, your country does not care about piracy. Read more in the VPN section further in this thread. Torrents are P2P downloads - you download from other people who have downloaded the file. No servers are involved.

Direct Download Sites:

Direct Downloads are any normal download. You download the file from a server through a web browser. It is significantly safer to download this way and you will not need a VPN. In some cases, you will need a VPN to access blocked filehost sites (e.g. ZippyShare is blocked in some EU countries). It is recommended to use a Download Manager mentioned further down the Mega Thread to help manage your downloads.

Trainers (Cheats):

Note: these are not for online games. Do not use cheats in online games!

Repacks:

Repacks are highly compressed games, designed for people with slow/limited internet bandwidth. Once you download them, you must install them on your computer which can take a long time due to file decompression.

Release Networks:

Please note, none of these sites provide downloads, only information on Scene/P2P releases. Looking to see if a game is cracked? Check here!

ROM Sites:

Emulators:

Torrent Software:

Direct Downloading Software:

Tools:

Useful Software:

For Microsoft products (Windows/Office) you can use MAS to activate them.

For Adobe products, visit monkrus.ws.

Useful Browser Extensions:

VPNs:

Tor is NOT a VPN, it will not protect you when torrenting!

Unsafe software:

  • Bittorrent - Same as Utorrent, has ads, trackers, and is unsafe.
  • Utorrent - Same as Bittorrent, has ads, trackers, and is unsafe.
  • CCleaner - Owned by Avast.
  • Avast - Notorious for collecting and selling user data.

Untrusted sites / uploaders:

  • AGFY - scam links
  • Apunkagames
  • IGG Games / PC Games Torrents - they doxxed mercs213 (owner of GoodOldDownloads), package their own DRM in indie games and exploit you for ad revenue.
  • BBRepacks - Fake BlackBox Repacks, contain malware.
  • LoadGames (clone of IGG games)
  • OceanOfGames - High malware risk.
  • nosTEAM
  • xGIROx - repacks contain bitcoin miners.
  • Seyter - repacks contain bitcoin miners.
  • SteamUnlocked / GOG Unlocked - slow downloads, malicious link redirects and uploads stolen from IGG Games.
  • cracked-games - Malware Risk.
  • crackingpatching - Malware Risk.
  • RepackGames - mislabel games and steal releases.
  • Pirate Bay - Malware Risk.
  • Kickass Torrents - Malware Risk.
  • Any site with a scene group name in the URL - SCENE GROUPS DON'T HAVE SITES!
Pirated Games Mega Thread Backup (2024)

FAQs

Can you go to jail for downloading pirated games? ›

Legal Repercussions for Pirates: Individuals caught engaging in piracy can face legal actions, including fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. This legal risk adds a further negative dimension to the impact of piracy.

What can happen if you download pirated games? ›

Once the files are downloaded, the moment a user starts using those files, they infect all devices with spyware, Trojans, ransomware, malware, etc., stealing the user's data, passwords, desktop files, credentials, and everything else stored on a device.

How are pirated games detected? ›

Answer: Common methods include serial key verification, digital rights management (DRM) systems, checksums or integrity checks, online authentication, and in-game triggers or Easter eggs that activate in pirated copies.

Does the FBI go after piracy? ›

Intellectual Property Theft/Piracy

The FBI's intellectual property investigations focus on the theft of trade secrets and copyright infringement on products that can impact people's health and safety, like counterfeit parts for cars and electronics.

Can you get sued for downloading cracked games? ›

While the chances are slim, it is a valid concern that could get you sued by the copyright holder. When it comes to piracy, running into malware isn't something out of the ordinary. If you've ever pirated a game or any other file, you very well know how your antivirus responded to the crack you were downloading.

How much can you get fined for pirating games? ›

Maximum penalties for misdemeanor copyright infringement are one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Maximum penalties for felony copyright infringement generally are: Commercial advantage or private financial gain: five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

What is the safest website to download pirated games? ›

The 9 Best Game Torrent Sites in 2024
  1. FitGirl Repacks: Best overall torrent site for games. ...
  2. The Pirate Bay: Best for popular games. ...
  3. 1337X: Verified gaming torrents. ...
  4. GazelleGames: The most trusted torrents. ...
  5. CroTorrents: Best PC gaming torrents. ...
  6. GamesTorrents: Best for Spanish downloaders. ...
  7. LimeTorrents: Best for new releases.

Are pirated games malware? ›

Cracked, Hacked, or Pirated programs are not only illegal but also can make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryption. It is at times also a big source of current Trojan infections.

How many people use pirated games? ›

The last few years have also seen the rise of free-to-play games. These games are on all platforms but are particularly prevalent on mobile. The piracy rate for mobile games is around 95% for Android and 50%-60% for iOS.

Is pirating games illegal in the US? ›

Video game piracy is illegal.

Can you go to jail for pirating? ›

A civil lawsuit could hold you responsible for thousands of dollars in damages. Criminal charges may leave you with a felony record, accompanied by up to five years of jail time and fines up to $250,000.

What software is the most pirated? ›

Some of the most pirated software includes Adobe software and Microsoft Office. qBittorrent is one of the most widely used torrenting programs due to its free and open-sourced nature.

Is it illegal to download pirated apps? ›

Downloading pirated software is illegal, no matter how you want to spin it. If you can't afford or find the program you're looking for, try a free and legal alternative. We love Google Workspace as well as WPS Office for word processing, spreadsheets, and more.

What happens if you get caught illegal downloading? ›

Fines for Copyright Violations

A lot of people figure, 'I can do this, and no one will know. Well, you can get caught, and if you're convicted [of willful copyright infringement], you could face a fine of up to $150,000 per infringement as well as other penalties.

Is it legal to download games for free? ›

If you don't have permission from the owner, downloading music, games, movies or TV shows for free that you would normally pay for can break the law – it is illegal downloading.

Can you go to jail for pirating books? ›

In severe cases, people have been known to be put in jail for up to five years.

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