Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Game Copy Software.

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Ratings

Ease of Use

Game copy Software should be easy to navigate, intuitively organized and easy for game copy novices to understand.

Ease of Setup

Game copy software should be simple to install, to set up and shouldn't require additional downloads or multiple restarts to work.

Feature Set

Game copy software should offer a wide variety of features for multiple skill levels and should offer additional features beyond basic game copy, like virtual drives.

Quality of Copy

Game copies should be indistinguishable from the original and should work without problems, no matter the number of times played.

Protection Removal

Game copy software should remove a wide variety of copy protections and should require minimal assistance from third party applications.

Help/Documentation

Game copy software should come with a built-in help section, multifaceted online support, updates and links to online game copy forums.

Platforms

Copy PC Game

Personal Computer games are designed to work with specific operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows or MAC. Copying these games typically requires software that can remove or emulate the protections placed on them by the manufacturer.

Copy Xbox Game

Microsoft's game console system, which plays games on CDs or DVDs. XBox game discs don't have protections placed on them. XBox consoles must be modifiedin order to play copied games.

Copy Playstation 1 Game

Sony's original game console system, which plays games on CDs. PlayStation 1 game discs don't have copy protections. You must know the appropriate settings and you must use a good CD burner to copy these.

Copy Playstation 2 Game

Sony's second-generation game console system that plays games on CDs and DVDs. PlayStation 2 (PS2) games use a wide variety of game copy protections, SecuROM and SafeDisc being the most common. Game copy software is typically needed to copy PS2 games.

Copy GameCube Game

Nintendo's game console system, which plays games on high-capacity CDs. There is no known way to copy a GameCube Game.

SecuROM

Game copying protection technology developed by Sony designed to prevent home media duplication. Recent versions, 4.8 and up, require a good CD/DVD Burner, an ATIP hider and possibly two or three special applications (patches) to make and play backup copies without emulation.

SafeDisc

Game copy protection technology developed by Macrovision Corporation designed to prevent home media duplication. The early versions of SafeDisc used bad sectors to thwart copy attempts, but can be overcome by a burner or reader that can read and copy the bad sectors. Recent versions encrypt the program executable so it requires authentication to run.

Protect-CD VOB

Game copy protection technology that originally utilized bad sectors to prevent copying, but with Protect-CD VOB 5 is using physical CD characteristics to thwart copy attempts.

Tages

Game copy protection technology that uses "secure areas" that allow game developers to program multiple, independent, fully-customizable authentication checks throughout the application. This means that authentication can occur during the loading process and throughout gameplay.

StarForce

Game copy protection technology that encrypts not only the executable files, but also the non-executable files in applications.

Features

Creates Virtual Drive

An application that emulates the computer's CD or DVD ROM drives, reading game images that can be created and placed on your computer through game copy software.

ATIP Hider

ATIP is a feature on recordable media (such as writable CDs) that informs a burner that it is recordable media. Many copy protection companies have incorporated an ATIP check into their technology, preventing the game from running in a CD or DVD burner. ATIP Hider is a feature that some game copy software uses to overcome this protection.

Copy of Copy

A game copy software feature that can make a working backup copy from an existing game backup.

Built-in Copy Protection Scanner

A built-in, game copy software feature that scans a game CS or DVD to discover what type of copy protection its manufacturer has placed on it.

Select Burning Speed

Allows you to select a maximum or minimum speed for burning.

Novice / Advanced User

Some game copy software allows you to customize different settings, navigation or options depending on your game copy expertise.

Third Party Software

Some game copy software protections require added help from free applications devolved by other companies or sources to copy or "patch" the game correctly.

Support / Documentation

Phone Support

Allows you to call the manufacturer support team directly for technical support.

Manual

Help documentation that will walk you step-by-step through the entire program.

FAQ

A list of "frequently asked questions" that you may search to find the answer to software related problem.

Knowledge Base

A searchable database of technical information provided for technical support.

Tutorials

An instructive demonstration of part or all of the software's features.

User Forum

A web application that provides a place for game copying help, discussions and links to helpful applications.

Download updates

New versions or information available for game copy software, typically received though the manufacturer's website.

Online Form

An online support outlet that allows you to post questions and receive an automated response within seconds.

Email address

An email address provided by the product's manufacturer to ask questions and receive answers directly from the support team.

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