Let's see...

Regarding purchasing a game, if it requires a third party client or other such software and/or a connection to install/play, it's definitely out.
Also, with no credit/debit card, if it's an on-line purchase some payment method I can actually use needs to be offered, as in some prepaid card also available here or maybe pay by SMS without crazy overcharges. Bank transfers would also work in theory but have enough games to last me several years at the slow pace I'm playing already and that'd be too much bother at this point.
For games purchased on here, if the publisher(s) and/or developer(s) have any games on here where any region pays more than the base (US) price, it's out, regardless of the pricing of the game in question itself.
For retail (boxed) games, preferably DRM-free, if not then at most a key and/or regular disk check. Steam/Uplay/Origin/Battle.net, any other on-line DRM or creepy software elements added for disk checking make it no go. Then again, been years since the last retail purchase either way.
Also, won't preorder or buy too soon after release. In fact, would much rather not buy until I can be reasonably sure I get the final version of the game, with all planned content included and at least any significant bugs as patched as they're going to get. Usually years down the line.
After all that, I'd say that not purchasing a game doesn't in any way necessarily mean not playing it, but also haven't "pirated" anything in quite a few years, see what I said above about having enough (legally, now) to last me for several. And not the kind to go "omg, I need to play this now!". If I see anything interesting, I'll keep it in mind and check up on it again at some point in the future, maybe several years down the line even, if I won't change my mind by then.

About the games themselves... Well, had a topic on the MobyGames forums asking for recommendations a couple of years ago, so instead of saying what'd be filtered out, let me pretty much copy that and say what may be in:

Main trait desired:
- Escapism. This obviously starts with a believable world to explore and be pulled into (preferably large and open, but can make allowances for less if extremely well done). Good story and characters are a huge bonus.

Main trait to avoid:
- Frustration. This starts from a high difficulty, or perhaps even a moderate one when it comes to things that require speed and/or reflexes; not up for that sort of challenge. Then continues with permanent choices that can be proven to be clearly wrong much later, when it's neither an issue of seeing immediate results and being able to reload without losing anything else nor one of being able to at least make up for a bad earlier choice when you realize it's wrong in a way that'll negate any further consequences. Then, of course, nasty bugs, required grinding, pixel hunting, uncontrollable companions, generalized respawns (can be fine and even nice if limited to a few particular areas), required reliance on consummable items, too limited inventory... The list could go on, but likely with reduced relevance, though I'm sure I forgot something important...

Preferred genres (in order of preference):
1. Single character RPG. (By far.)
2. TBS with RPG elements. (Of a certain kind; liked King's Bounty: The Legend (still yet to play Armored Princess), the Age of Wonders series or HoMM4, didn't like HoMM3 for example. Yes, sacrilege...)
3. Party-based RPG where all characters are controlled by player. (Most preferably real time with pause.)
[In theory, some sim/managerial games would work too, but haven't played any in several years. Keep looking and eventually deciding against.]

Genres to avoid (not counting those I don't see as possibly matching the escapism thing):
- Shooter.
- Pure adventure.
- RTS that favors offense / speed / expansionism. (Tactical RTSs focusing on actual troop management that can be won with largely defensive tactics can be ok, though not preferred.)

Preferred themes / timelines (in order of preference):
1. Epic fantasy. Typical, dark, religion-inspired, more creative than that, whatever, but great scope, magic's very important, technology is medieval-ish, fantastic creatures, etc. (Again, by far preferred.)
2. Low-fantasy medieval / ancient. (Realistic medieval / ancient may work too, but definitely not preferred.)
3. Distant future, featuring either actual magic or magic-like technology and not requiring a reliance on firearms.

Themes / timelines to avoid:
- Modern, or anything thereabouts.
- Postapocalyptic.
- Anything requiring or at least favoring the use of firearms.
- Horror.
- Cyberpunk and related. (Dystopian can go here too, or if not here then under PA, so usually included either way.)

Oh, yes, and singleplayer only, no interest whatsoever in multiplayer of any sort.