PCGA boss: Start-ups can benefit from "widespread piracy"

PCGA head Randy Stude - don't forget the "e", for God's sake - has told BigDownload that PC game piracy has benefitted companies like Stardock, Valve and id by simply allowing users to play their games for free.

The full quote:

The PC Gaming Industry's history is littered with examples of start-ups (including Stardock and Valve) that actually benefitted from widespread piracy to grow a market for their future titles. Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating piracy... However, how would Quake, Doom, StarCraft, Counter-Strike, or Half-Life have been able to grow widespread brand recognition without a widespread network of gamers openly sharing these games. These titles (and many more) defined the industry. Personally, my first experience with a first person shooter was with Doom (back in the day) and I did not pay for it. Id Software turned the corner and has a very successful business built on the back of the early free/open source exchange of their games...

Randy's a pirate! Thanks, Blue.