I've been looking forward to getting a PSP, but my friends are all pirating.  They are all using custom firmware so they can't go on PSN because it wants to upgrade the firmware.  All the excitment just goes out the window when you buy a game, tell your friends about it then they just go download it.  I know people doing it on DS too but it seems far more people are doing it on PSP. 

Yeah, it does suck, but what can you do.

I don't really think it ruins anything, why should it matter how they play the game if they are playing it?

It's a pain in the ass when you spend 40 dollars on something new and they get it after a few minutes of downloading

I agree. It does take away from the excitements of new titles.

I think it really falls into Sony's hands to do something about it. It might be too late for the PSP, and possibly PSPGo as well.

It really sucks that developers like QGames are hesitant to develop for the PSP because of the pirates. Hopefully Sony learned their lesson and make a uncrackable PSP2 with good games.

Here are some examples:
- DS, because the library is so causal, the pirate rate is a lot lower
- iPod Touch/iPhone, free and cheap games makes pirating a waste of time
- XBox360, strong online framework

I don't understand how that really effects someone, if you don't wanna spend the $40 then don't.

Well for one,  you cant play online with them. 

That effects the people who make the game though and the console in the long run. Although I admit it doesn't kill the excitement for me, but i don't know anyone else who still uses the psp anyway.

Depends on the game. Also you have to consider the fact not all games are online enabled as well, PSP is a pretty strong home for RPGs and games of that sort, so how someone else pirating a game effects your enjoyment of it.. still don't get it.