I pirated it too back then, and bought two copies years later. Sent them an email when I did so and got this reply from Ron Carmel almost exactly 10 years ago (2013-12-18):
> thanks, daniel! tons of people play world of goo without paying for it, and we're ok with it. we think that sometimes buying the game makes sense (when you can afford it and it doesn't feel like a big expense) and sometimes it doesn't (when you can't get access to a payment system, when you're poor, or if you're living in a place where the price of the game sounds outrageous).
> anyway, appreciate your support now, and glad you are enjoying it!
> thanks, daniel! tons of people play world of goo without paying for it, and we're ok with it. we think that sometimes buying the game makes sense (when you can afford it and it doesn't feel like a big expense) and sometimes it doesn't (when you can't get access to a payment system, when you're poor, or if you're living in a place where the price of the game sounds outrageous).
> anyway, appreciate your support now, and glad you are enjoying it!
> ron