It's like stealing cars from car lots at night
How is downloading a
copy (emphasised the word copy) of a game like physically removing a car? If you want to put a similar comparison in then you need to compare going into a shop and stealing a hard copy of a game direct off the shelf.
Downloading and physically stealing are NOT the same thing. Never have been. Never will be. Downloading a copy does not physically remove anything and no money has been lost
UNLESS the person was going to go to the store to buy the game but then thought "Nah I'll download it for free instead" and only in that situation is it lost money.
Someone saying "what the hell I'll download it to give it a try since its free" when they had no intention of buying the game is what is counted in piracy money loss figures when it shouldnt be.
I admit I fall into the latter. I buy games I truly wanted, and download ones that I would never buy but wouldnt mind giving a quick blast on. Ones I wouldnt get my moneys worth from as I will probably play twice and uninstall. My Steam list is full of games I have bought because they are worth it.