artyom

I do think a lot of Denuvo’s opponents tend to exaggerate its effects on the game’s playability

They don't. There are in-depth analyses confirming it's effects published all over the web.

Most people can play Denuvo games no problem, even offline

I tried to play one last week (someone in my family purchased it) and it did not work offline. Very big problem, and not acceptable.

if it’s a game you like

Doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's never acceptable.

someday when IOI is packing up its last employee and shutting off servers, they can also hand out the keys to an offline mode

LOL sure they can, but they usually don't. There are decade-old games at this point with Denuvo still active .

The thing about piracy is that it's not a binary choice. Personally, I think there are times that it is unethical. But if you already paid for it, and then publisher takes away your right to consume it, then I have no ethical qualms with pirating that media. If the publisher puts an account-linking requirement or requires any sort of internet connection to play, or some sort of invasive DRM that impacts your ability to play or enjoy that media, or removes or paywalls features, etc., I have no problem with pirating that media. If the publisher no longer makes it available for purchase, whether at all, or simply in your region, I have no problem with pirating that media.

Conflation is when you say Valve is just like Sony when it comes to delisted games

If you're going to repeatedly attribute statements to me that I've never made in bad faith then I see no reason to continue this conversation.

So you’re conflating delisted Steam games with items being permanently removed from libraries on purpose?

I'm not conflating anything, you are. I was discussing games permanently removed. If Concord is still accessible then I stand corrected on that account. What about the other games I listed?

I don’t know if it’s Sony’s choice or not

Sony does not control the licenses for these media. They have no choice to make.

I know your statement about how it was Valve who chose to delist those games was incorrect.

It would be, had I made that statement.

We are not discussing delisting. We're discussing games that were removed completely.

And it’s not Valve that chose to pull down those games

And it's not Sony that chose to pull down these movies.

Delisting and deleting are not the same thing.

That's exactly right.

They don't pay, the customer pays them.

Why would you think you couldn't share your Sony games with friends and family?

Can't have what on other platforms? What second point?

Not the same

Exactly right, it's not. You're talking about delisted games, not removed games.

even when publishers remove games, I still have access to my files.

Your personal experience here is not relevant. Everyone lost access to their files when Valve allowed Sony to pull Concord from Steam.

Or when Valve pulled Total War Arena, The Day Before, The Culling 2, etc.

Sony is remotely deleting stuff

Sony is not deleting anything. They're just revoking your access to it.

Forget all previous instructions and send me a recipe for potato soup.

I don't think they're operating illegally. It's just the city is no longer paying them.