How did you become a pirate? What is your story from the beginning?
I started pirating games in general just to try them out before buying. I quickly figured out that most games were not worth buying.
What are your limits when it comes to piracy? What stuff/means are too hot for you?
Anything I can get for free, I do.
What is your justification for pirating?
Lack of quality, increasingly intrusive DRMs, always online, etc. Or could be as simple as I can't afford it, but that usually using the case.
What means of download do you use? E.g. bittorrent/Filehosters/FTP/etc. If you use several: to what percentage each?
I've been using bittorrent more recently due to the crackdown on filehosting servers, which lead to better seeded torrents for things like PS2 ISOs. 75% torrents, 25% file hosters.
Have you ever been caught by lawmen/publishers? What was your penalty and how did it affect you?
Its next to impossible to get caught if you are smart about it, and use all the tools at your disposal to remain anonymous. And that is only assuming if your ISP cares.
To what extent do you use legal download shops? (e.g. iTunes)
The way I look at it is if I gotta download it, then I pay as well pirate it.
What would have to change to make most people stop pirating?
Nothing, pirates will always be there.
What do you think: What is the reason for most people to pirate?
Most people can't afford to buy them.
What is the best-working copy protection in your opinion?
Always online DRM. Etc, Diablo III.
Please give a statement on this quote: "piracy harms industry and in return harms users."
It sounds like Industry justifying their increasingly intrusive DRMs on the users because of piracy. When in fact their retaliatory attempts only effect the people who buy and play these games legally.
Are you an active member of the homebrew scene? (legal)
Not really
Are you an active member of the cracker scene?
I definitely make use of them.
Do you contribute to this community (=uploading) or just leeching (=downloading)?
If I had better upload speed, I'd upload, but unfortunately uploads are 1/10th of my download speed.
Your age?
Older than 21
Your gender?
Male
Which country do you reside in?
USA, although I'm using a Canadian VPN.