Pirates of Doom target horror game
Pirate copies of a new computer game, billed as the most bloodthirsty yet made, are being downloaded by thousands of Internet users.
The science-fiction/horror game Doom 3 has been leaked on file-sharing networks and newsgroups.
The cost to the game's makers, id Software, could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost sales.
Matt Pierce, publisher of PC Gamer, said it was inevitable Doom 3 would be leaked as it was one of the most eagerly anticipated games in history.
He added: 'It almost certainly won't stop the game being a massive seller.' Gamers play the part of a Marine battling demons released from hell by messed up scientific experiments. The action takes place on Mars.
Todd Hollenshead, id's software head, said it has the most ferocious line-up of demons ever seen in a game.
'You will have an experience so intense that you'll need to keep your heart medicine handy,' he added.
However, the release comes amid growing concern about violence in the virtual gaming world. The parents of a teenager murdered by a boy obsessed with a Sony PlayStation 2 game are planning a £50million lawsuit.
Stefan Pakeerah, 14, of Leicester, was stabbed and beaten to death by Warren Leblanc, 17, in an attack which mirrored the Manhunt game.
His parents are to serve writs on Rockstar Games, the Edinburgh-based creator of Manhunt, and Sony, makers of the PS2 console, after Leblanc is sentenced next month.
Doom 3 goes on sale in Britain on August 13 - Friday the 13th.
