A launcher that launches a launcher that launches a launcher and then that launcher needs to update to launch a launcher that needs an update to launch the game but wait i need to login to the launcher to launch the launcher that i also need to login to to launch lauanahchhcha a dhsnhennamebrbjfbnsnsbr.
Piracy is jsut objectively better. Well unless you need game patches then its painful.
The only time I pay for AAA is when it's for online multiplayer with my friend group, or buying the hardware for shit like console hacks or cool peripherals.
Otherwise it's freebies, piracy, emulation, and buying indie/small dev games.