{
  "id": 1740717,
  "title": "The Quake shareware CD-ROM contained encrypted copies of every id Software game—and yes, it was cracked 39 days after release",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/the-quake-shareware-cd-rom-contained-encrypted-copies-of-every-id",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-18T15:27:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/the-quake-shareware-cd-rom-contained-encrypted-copies-of-every-id-software-game-and-yes-it-was-cracked-39-days-after-release/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Quake shareware CD-ROM, released over 30 years ago, contained encrypted copies of every id Software game, sparking a wave of piracy. According to Fabien Sanglard, the CD-ROM held a mere 22 MB of data, leaving ample space to include locked versions of id Software's entire game library. This concept, aimed at providing access to the games via a hotline and payment, unfortunately became a target for cybercriminals. Just 39 days after its release, the Quakecrk.zip tool was available online, enabling users to generate decryption codes for every game. The unlock process involved a GUI displaying a code number, which users would then relay to a phone agent for a serial number. This serial was then entered into the program, granting access to all games. However, the serial number was generated internally, making it possible for pirates to create their own valid serials after obtaining a code number. The CD-ROM was also found to have technical issues, such as a typo in a filename that allowed pirates to access Final Doom without issue. Despite the initial success of the shareware release, the pirated version offered better experiences than the legitimate one, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.",
  "summary": "I blame those pesky kids.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hacker News Best",
        "title": "Quake Shareware, a CD-ROM just a little too full",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/quake-shareware-a-cd-rom-just-a-little-too-full-1653593",
        "published": "2026-08-17T22:06:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}