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.
It's probably the sunk cost effect. When you pay for something you feel like you have to get your money's worth.