I apologize if this is already answered somewhere but I'm curious what exactly a fitgirl repack is? I know it's a pirated version of a game but like is it just an installer or something? And if you imported the game into steam for example can you be "banned" or VAT (idr the term)
The compression was already explained - I would add that if you're not deep into scene groups, popular repackers are in general a safe choice, i.e. no malware included. Of course it's never 100% safe, but in my opinion safer than picking from a list of torrents what could be the scene release.
I never had issues with fitgirl and Dodi, maybe other users can drop some more names that have proven to be reliable over a long time.
Do you want a simple answer?
fitgirl repacks attempt to stress your cpu/gpu to the maximum and try to overheat your beloved PC, by making the data for the game astronomically compressed to the point where the decompression time can actually take longer than the time to download the original crack on USENET by as much as 4-8x.
If you have USENET, don't even bother. If you have unlimited Data on your ISP, just torrent the un-"packed" version. You will thank me in the longer time. Its not worth it in most cases.
Here is an example of a 75GB repack that makes it 56GB: *removed externally hosted image*
Did the time it took you to save <20GB download save you the additional 1.5 hrs to decompress?!
Okay, if the repack is under 20-30GB, its probably worth a shot. But even then...
Fair point if you have a high speed connection. But if your system overheats during decompression, the fault lies with your shitty technical skills instead of the repack. Clean your rig, man.
Based on the response to your answer I think I'll disregard what you said entirely
+Patches provided with the one installer versus having to download multiple torrents with some of the patches not being actively shared.
+Lots of people sharing FitGirl repacks so better chance of finishing for those a little bit harder to find releases. This could just be a function of me using only public sites.
+Ease of install. It just works. I don't think I've ever had a FitGirl install go bad. Or Dodi. But it can take for-fucking-ever especially if you choose the low ram option (I've tried it a couple of times).
If you get from a reputable site like 1337x.to you don't have worry as long as you are also downloading from one of their reputable uploaders.
is it just an installer or something?
It's a compressed installer to be precise. Usually crackers only put up the patch files, which is pretty useless for anybody wanting to pirate a game. Fitgirl repackages (and compresses) the game files together with the crack patches into a cracked installer, hence "repack".
And if you imported the game into steam for example can you be “banned” or VAT (idr the term)
Nope, though it will look funny in your Steam Status there is nothing to worry about. After all for all Valve knows you could be using a renamed version of a legitimate App, for non-steam entries in steam only the .exe name is known, nothing else.
Just a word of warning: be careful when torrenting the games, while Valve will not ban you for using them game publishers are known to sue when catching you torrenting them (usually the upload part in the torrent is what gets people but the downloading is not 100% safe either). You should definitely look into how to safely torrent stuff before committing to it in order to avoid any nasty cease-and-desist letters flying in your door.
