I'm sure there are some people who use pirated software in a more legitimate way, as well. While I don't "pirate", I sometimes download a game or a movie from the internet. I use them as a demo. If I play/watch enough of the software and/or I enjoy the software, I buy them. If it seems like I won't like them, I just stop after a few minutes and uninstall/delete.

I saw about 6 movies in pirated form and I bought or am buying 5 of them. I didn't like Transformers 3, but ended up watching the whole thing, so I'm contemplating either buying the cheaper DVD version, or just renting it so the companies get my money.

An example of something I didn't buy is Witcher 2 for the PC. I downloaded it, ran it on my PC, and after seeing it ran like crap on my PC, i uninstalled it and deleted it.

Not all forms of pirated software are bad for companies. There are some people who will use them legitimately.

In a way, I hoped the next Xbox would always require online. I get so tired of theories from game companies on how to best milk our money and failing is a great way to get them to shut the heck up.

Then again, failing may only shift their greed to another theory, rather than focusing on giving consumers what we WANT to spend our money on.

Game companies, don't misunderstand this as saying gamers won't be affected by an always online system. Although I am almost always online, percentage wise, I spend enough actual hours offline that an always online connection will seriously annoy me. And just because I'm connected, it doesn't mean that the majority of my gaming time is spent playing online.

An always online connection will have enough consequences that I have absolutely no plans to buy the next Xbox. Why buy a system that forces me to be online for single player games, versus one that does not? I have enough experience with always online games to know this is not the path for me.

I remember the Dreamcast's memory unit. It taught me that being forced to switch looking at the controller and the TV was counter productive.

Deja vu.

Yep. With companies trying to milk more money from me (fake DLC, anti-used games, DRM, etc.), they inadvertantly made me spend less money on games.

Karma.

And it may happen again in 2014.

1) The next Xbox will require an always online connection

2) The next Playstation will not

3) ???

4) PROFIT!

It all depends on the games and the gamers. Graphics matter more to some games than others, just as much as it matters more to some gamers than others.

There you go. 100% proof, right there.

There are millions and millions of gamers in the world. Not even 1% of gamers perform such atrocities. But since some felon just happened to play games, games are the cause?

Well, you know, North Korea's "political leaders" are terrorists who have gone mad with (their version of) power. So obviously, being a politician makes people violent and evil so this senator should be fired.

None of my devices require me to be "always on" to play games; PSV, ipad, iphone, PS3, X360, PC, Wii, and DS. And if MS thinks it's OK to require an always online connection because enough players have a good connection... I'm one of the people with a good connection that will not be buying the next Xbox. A good reliable connection isn't the only factor. I often play my games in situations where I don't have an internet connection at all.