- If it uses always-on DRM, I'm out (hence why I don't own Darkspore, C&C 4, SimCity, or The Crew).
- If the boxed version forces the use of online DRM, my price limit for that boxed version is €10.
- If the download version is DRM-free, my price limit for that version is €10.
- If the download version is DRM'd, my price limit for that version is €5.
- If it's multiplayer-only, I'm out.

Middle finger for any game that can only be played on line.

Has a working Linux port.

That's a really interesting topic! :)
So here I go:
Payment related
-I have to be able to pay with cash or with paysafecard.
-If I would have to pay a subscription fee, it's out.
-If I get the impression that the publisher wants to rip me off, it's out.
Device
-if the game is not on Linux then I will wait for an 80% discount.
I might make an exception for really unconventional games.
-If the game is only on a console that you can't emulate, it's out.
I would really like to see GOG sell roms for emulators! :) (I don't want to buy a console because I don't see a reason to buy my hardware multiple times, I don't want another DRMed platform and I don't get the feeling consoles let me do what I want with them.)
Quality
If the audio is noticeably distorted/ really low quality I won't buy/play the game. (e.g. Darksiders 2)
DRM/ distribution platform
-If the game is only on Steam I will probably ignore it.
I might make an exception for really unconventional games.
-If the game has heavier DRM than Steam (e.g. required online components) then I definitely ignore it.
game version/ censorship/ localization
-If the game is censored then I will buy an uncensored version or buy it on sale and use a patch to remove the censorship. If that's not possible then it's out.
-If I am not able to switch to the original language of a game then I probably won't buy the game.
Priority
-If I don't want to play the game immediately I will wait for a high discount.


[Edit: Sctructured the requirements and added one requirement]

I follow these parameters as well.

I also ignore certain genres such as sports, racing, F2P, MMO, hidden object and shooters (almost all nowadays).

The game has to be really good to avoid my 1080p/60FPS rule too.

I get the point of the topic, but as a true gamer I have to say why have rules (filters) in the first place. If a game is good, I will find a way to play it.

That said, I due appreciate all the people that put their foot down about some of these constraints game companies put on us. If not for them we would have no freedom of choice in how we play our games.

I don't understand your point of view. That's like saying it's your loss if you don't play a game that requires you to be always-online. It's the fault of the publisher or dev really that the game is not ported to the platform of your choice and if you still decide to buy the game you support that decision.
In my opinion, console exclusivity nowadays is about the worst thing that can happen because if you already have a computer it's like using UPlay and having to pay 400€ for UPlay. The irony!

Ideally, all publishers and hardware manufacturers should support open-source operating systems which you could install on a computer or a console. If I want to play a game I don't want to also buy a platform for it, open-source platforms for your games would be in everybody's best interest.

While technically they are not rules to me, they are filters or guidelines to limit my time trying a great deal of games that I will most certainly be bothered with one way or another (if you are not really easy bothered and can play anything with low standards, good for you).

I don't get it either. It's rather insulting considering in the end a choice is a sacrifice and we all have to choose with what to do with our limited resources.

I guess I'll post both buying and gaming filters.

- If it's Deus Ex or Sacrifice, it's out.

That's it.

Well, anyway, I already own Deus Ex and Sacrifice (but will never play them), so on a more serious note:

Buying filters:
- If it's for Android and a port of a PC game that's already on my backlog and I want to play, I'll buy it (assuming it runs on my tablet and gets decent reviews).
- If it's part of an Android game bundle, of a genre I'm interested in, has decent reviews and I think I'll try it in the foreseeable future, I'll buy it.
- If it's an Android game of a genre that I like, and is either highly considered (such as FF4) or from a developer I like (such as Artifex Mundi) and has good reviews, I might buy it.
- If it's a game that I supported at Kickstarter for less than the product pledge level and it's cheap, I'll buy it.
- On rare occasions other PC game bundles of genres I like (adventure, hidden object adventures, RPG).

Playing filters:
- It's on Android and it's of the genres I like.

+1

This is really all it is. Why put limits on yourself? Just reeks of pretentiousness.

I don't have any filters like that, but I try to refrain from replaying games I've finished before. Sometimes I just want to play an old game again, but then I try to convince myself to try something new instead.

I usually consider games only if:
- they are on GOG (so for PC, DRMfree, etc).
- they have a strong single player mode.
- they're discounted. Very old titles max 3$, a few years old 4-5$, new are just too expensive.
- their ratings is at least 7\10 (around the web)

I still wish that old consoles roms could be sold here to be played on any emulator.
(also that GOG could separate their launcher from the original game files)

I wont play if

it needs / installs a client

has any DRM (like Starforce etc)

needs a controller

needs to have an online aspect

Since the OP's examples are more for purchases, I'll list my purchase filters

I will not buy if:
It's online only
It uses DRM
It requires a DRM-esque client (Steam being the lone exception, and that is changing)
It's multiplayer only or mostly focused on multiplayer
It's entirely stealth based (IE: Splinter Cell)
It's top down (with exceptions, and I'm not counting isometric as top down)
It looks like a terrible game and/or cheap cashgrab (to state the obvious)

I will probably not buy if:
It has an interesting premise but it's cobbled together in a clearly amateur/baby's first game manner
It has anything to do with zombies
It is anime-esque (specifically that overly shiny everything with human girl/cat hybrids who constantly scream at the very top of the human vocal range style of anime)
It's turn based
It's generic Tolkien-esque Orcs/Elves fantasy shlock
It's set in a (modern) war (from WW2 to today)
It's a "humorous" game, especially if it uses memes or internet references
It has anything to do with an internet celebrity who is only famous for playing/reviewing games and/or repeating already popular opinions (like TotalBiscuit)

As far as what would make me consider buying a game, well I'll leave that to a future edit here