How to tell if someone is using an illegal version of VX?

Since pirating is so rampant, and seems to be especially with these programs, I was wondering how do you tell if people have using a legit version of RPG Maker VX? Some of the projects that I've downloaded and played, it doesn't seem like a lot of them put forth any time whatsoever into making the game, and I wonder if they legitimately purchased VX or if they just downloaded the trial/program, and used a keygen. Is there anyway to tell?

As far as I know, there's no real way to double check it. A game unlocked via a keygen code would use the same method of being unlocked as a web purchase code. The only difference would be the lack of an online confirmation in Enterbrain's database, but then the program is an offline program and can even make games while still using the trial, so it really doesn't matter much.

Ah gotcha. Well, if they continue to offer incentives to registering legit like they do with Ace, you'll see a lot less pirates I think. Like I've always said, I'll always buy something if its a good deal, just make it a good deal and they will come. All the RPG Maker's have been worth the purchase in my opinion, even though I've gotten way more time spent on some than others, but still totally worth it in the end. I got way more time out of VX than I did with XP, but I still don't regret buying XP one bit.

Example: Steam sales. I'd never have new games to play if it wasn't for all the Steam sales. Just too good to pass up!

Incentives? The omake released with Ace is hardly an incentive when it includes material you can freely find on the web anyway. To assume the people who want to use Ace are willing to drop $150 to buy it is absurd, at least in the west. Even the average age of casual visitors to this site can't begin to afford the cost, and when Ace is released in english and it receives the price drop they won't be including any false incentives anyway. The situation won't change.

Im going to have to agree most people cant afford the high costs of these programs even if they are slightly lowered when being sold to Western buyers and whatever incentives they may offer are normally things that can be found online somewhere. I think one of the main reason there is a lot of pirated copies of these programs is the combination of the overal cost and the type of people. Many of the people who would download or pirate a program like this are basiclly people who will fiddle around with the program for maybe a few months, maybe work on a few projects but never actually really finish anything and ultimately get boreed with it. The people who are more likely to purchase a legit copy of any of these programs are people who want to do this kind of thing for a profit. You do get some people who arent in it for a profit but the majority of people who shell out the high costs for programs like these want to make a living out it.

Not necessarily, Darkclawtooth. I have no illusions or aspirations of making money off my RM games, and I'll freely admit to having use pirated copies in the past, but mainly (in the case of XP and VX) to check the differences and mess around a bit on them. I will be buying VXA because it's worth it. The same reason is why I buy games - because having a proper copy around, as opposed to pirating one - is preferable in case something goes wrong.

Do I currently have a pirated version of VXA? Yes. So I can see if I want to buy it, try it out. It's like going to a car dealership and taking a care for a spin. Do you own the car legally? No. Do other people know that? No. If I like it, I'll but it. And I think a lot of people will be willing to buy it too - if only for the complete, proper translation and first access to incentives.

They would more likely benefit from differentiating between personal and commercial licenses. So if the price is say, $60 for VX, make that applicable under a commercial license. Whereas those people who don't aim to make money off of their projects would only have to pay $20 for the personal license. The tough part with a system like that is attempting to enforce it, but given the low number of commercial RM successes anyway I doubt it would be too overwhelming.

Ill admit as well i have used a pirated copy of RMXP before, way back when i first stumbled on the program I actually liked the program alot so i ended up yanking off my pirated copy and ended up getting a legit copy of it.

I will say I also have no illusions or aspirations of making money using this program or any of the others out there. Frankly i just lack the skills that it would require to make a game that would even be worth someone paying more for. I mainly use the program  for making games just to make them. One of the main reasons why i ended up shelling out the money to buy a legit copy of RMXP is mainly to support the company.