Moreover since you like to use the completely erroneous argument that "theft is theft" what about the companies that sale shitty products and fail to support them? Are they not stealing people's money by not delivering on the intellectual property someone paid for? What recourse do the little guys have? NONE but to try to protect themselves from such things.
Indeed. An example for this that I, personally, got exceedingly steamed about was EA's NHL 08 for the PC. In this case, EA literally committed a crime (false/misleading advertising). Prior to the game shipping (it was shipping for the PC, PS2, PS3, and XBOX 360), their website touted the usual stuff about additions to the game mechanics, graphics, etc, etc.; the usual stuff you see with these annual release sports games.
What they didn't disclose was the fact the PC version would not include several features that the PS3 and XBOX 360 versions had. For some reason, EA split development; one group made the PS3 and XBOX 360 versions, another made the PS2 and PC versions.
I don't normally purchase EA products, but I'm a massive fan of hockey and I liked some of the features touted -- the same features that won me over into trying the game were the ones not included in the PC version. Its a good thing I decided to "steal" the game via pirating before purchasing it, otherwise I would have been out ~$60 with no recourse.
Shortly after the game was released, and a flood of very angry customers (you know, people who, unfortunately, bought the game) complaining about the missing features from the PC version, EA amended the website to note the PC version did not include several features. A friend of mine did buy the game, and on the box itself, it advertises these missing features.
Stunts like this, together with maddening DRM, poor quality control and the software/hardware conflicts also mentioned in this thread and several linked articles all conspire to drive people towards pirating games. For many I'm positive merely to "test" the product before purchasing, to see if the product is actually as advertised, working and worthwhile. But its a slippery slope, and once people start to pirate I'd wager that many start to just out-right pirate games.
Pirating, whether legal or illegal, is wrong. The gray area is that in many cases, the potential customer is left with little recourse but to engage in this activity to prevent themselves from being ripped off.
Very few other instances of luxury items exist as games do, in that you cannot actually test the product before purchase. Returning games, where actually possible, is often a tiresome, lengthy process (I recently returned a game to Wal-mart and it took over an hour, and having to talk with the store manager).
Console games, however, can often be returned. A friend of mine does it all the time at the same Wal-mart store. Additionally, you can rent the games prior to purchasing if you desire. PC games have no such try-before-you-buy. If I want an honest feel for a game's quality, and whether its something I'll enjoy.. I have the play it.
In my game library, I have 87 games -- all purchased. Less than half are games I feel no regret in purchasing. Some of the games I do regret purchasing are quality games that simply made design decisions that make the game un-appealing to me, but the opposite to others. Most, however, are bad games, either due to being rushed, buggy or simply poorly executed, but well marketed.
There's a lot of resentment between PC gamers and a lot of publishers and developers, and its because we can't trust each other. We can't trust them to put out quality, worth-while products, and they don't trust us to pay for what they do put out. Its little wonder the platform is so maligned.
So, what is a customer to do? I'm willing to pay for my entertainment. I pay for my movies, my music (well, not really, since these days I mostly listen to free and legal online streams). I buy my box sets of television shows I enjoy. I buy my sports equipment, my books and so on.
All things I can try, for free or nearly so, before I buy.
Ironic.
