Square-Enix has a special message for users running pirated copies of newly released Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates - "Thank you for playing!"

Flashcart versions of the game found their way online within hours of its release this week, but pirates reportedly soon found that the game would randomly cut to a screen displaying the thank you message and would not allow them to progress further.

It is not yet clear how this function works and why other companies have not implemented the detection system, but it's believed to allow pirates the chance to try the game before booting them out, as a temptation to purchase the product.

Unfortunately, the copy protection scheme seems to only work on certain flashcarts and a workaround is likely to appear online within days. For now though, score one for Square!

Courtesy of CVG.

Mar 13, 2008