A great number of games publishers do of course loathe the prospect of their games being illegally shared via peer-to-peer networks, however Sacred 2 creators CDV appear to be willingly embracing this method of promoting their game, banking instead on the good will of players who will be encouraged to pay for the game after a certain period of time.

Users will not be prevented from trading the new game online, although shared copies will be time-locked, encouraging players to pay for the game after a certain period.

Inevitably, such measures will be circumnavigated via cracks, but CDV are hopeful sharers will do the right thing and pay for the game, recognizing CDV's efforts.

"Nothing is, of course, uncrackable in the world of video games," offered CDV exec Kroll, speaking to MTV.

"Our intention is not to build Fort Knox (and thus surely irritating paying, legitimate customers), but instead to offer a sensible sharing solution that works for publishers and gamers.

"Surely there will be cracks and unlock solutions, but we’re hoping that by extending the spirit of sharing and trying to be really unobtrusive in our approach, that consumers will do the right thing and reciprocate by paying for a high-value, high-quality game.

"I think with this approach, if it can be proven a success story, it will encourage other publishers to follow suit, rewarding those consumers that are fed up with other, overly draconian copy protection schemes impacting their enjoyment of games they bought."

Sacred 2 is out in early 2009. Your thoughts?

By Luke Guttridge