As a programmer I find it really hard to justify the 'I will crack this game and see if I want it' mindset.
The truth is people who say that rarely go on to buy it, there are a few exceptions like LFS, Everquest, World of Warcraft etc where you cannot get the meat and bones of the game without paying - but truth is, most crackers have a very trivial attitude toward legitimate software - yet their backs are right up against the wall and their claws out the moment someone steals their livelihood, or worse, their latest FOX skin...