> the benefits isn't in downloading content, but extra features. Stuff like auto-update, cloud saves, friends list, etc.
Features like donloading content is the main benefit. Or, rather, quick and painless access to content.
iTunes/Apple Music and Spotify never had any friends lists etc. And there are no "auto updates" to music. Same goes for Netflix (and other streaming services). And yet they reduced piracy probably a hundredfold.
Same goes for games. There are many features we associate with Steam these days, but many of those features weren't there for years, and still Steam was extremely successful and also significantly reduced piracy.
People don't want to chase content somewhere and then chase cracks/unlocks that may or may not work, that may or may not contain any number of viruses etc.
> Features like donloading content is the main benefit.
Ease of use yes. But ease of ownership is much better with pirated content. I can play pirated music where and how I want. I'm not tied to an ecosystem.
Features like donloading content is the main benefit. Or, rather, quick and painless access to content.
iTunes/Apple Music and Spotify never had any friends lists etc. And there are no "auto updates" to music. Same goes for Netflix (and other streaming services). And yet they reduced piracy probably a hundredfold.
Same goes for games. There are many features we associate with Steam these days, but many of those features weren't there for years, and still Steam was extremely successful and also significantly reduced piracy.
People don't want to chase content somewhere and then chase cracks/unlocks that may or may not work, that may or may not contain any number of viruses etc.