As for Console platforms, demos are certainly more numerous than they were during the cartridge era. There are usually around ~200 demos available on the XBOX Marketplace, I'd guess that Sony is pretty close to that number, too. They might not all be AAA titles, but the demos on the front of Amiga Format weren't frequently AAA, either.
I pirate games far less now than I did back then, too. My only motive for piracy back when I were a lad was affordability. Nowadays, my only motive is availability.
(, Wed 20 Dec 2023, 11:56, Reply)