I just want a demo, I can get a feel for the game by browsing to my favorite bittorent tracker, but that makes me a criminal.

Only in the eyes of the government.  To me, that makes you a hero.

Yeah remember when you could get like the 10 disc pack of demo's for like $10 ?  Sometimes Steam will give you a demo/beta release for free for a limited time.

Heh, i remember seeing the disk kiosks in stores like Rite-Aid for games like Duke Nukem (the original not the 3d) and Doom.  I used to love to get those back in my 486 days.

They were just wrong. Those kiosks were like drug dealers... That's how I got a Komander Keen addiction.

I didn't realize this was a remember when post.
Remember the old BBS days and LoRD

I didn't realize this was a remember when post.

Us old fogey gamers get nostalgic often.

Oh yeah.  Playing Where in <blank> is Carmen Sandiego, was always a fun way to get out of doing classwork to have some fun.  Firing up the Apple IIE and putting the 5 1/4" Floppy disk in.  Fun times.

  Anyone else have an issue buying a game based off or some screen shots, "gameplay" footage, and BS professional shill reviews?  Other than games that are known to be RAWsome (MW2) I really have a hard time dropping $50 on a game sight unseen.

  I just want a demo, I can get a feel for the game by browsing to my favorite bittorent tracker, but that makes me a criminal.

Yes, I also have a problem purchasing off screenshots.  They can make the game look great and not really give a feel for game play.  I think video is a step up from screenies since it gives a "better" feel for the game.  But it kinda makes me think of a few games that just showed cut scenes or other "not actual" game play.  I suppose torrenting a game to decide whether or not you will buy is ok(in my book) assuming you will delete it or actually purchase it.  The powers that be may disagree.