You don't need layers for spriting.
And why not exactly..?
Maybe not for some stupid small scale games, but games where you have a lot of interchangable equipment it comes in handy. Not to mention objects in-game that require multiple layered enemies. The more complex your game requirements become, the more complex the spriting becomes. Layers are a must-have for all sorts of in-game applications. Then again; no, you don't need layers for Zelda Classic games or most stupid GM games <_< but they're not really high end to begin with.
tl;dr (not that it was long)- "hurr durr you don't need layers if your sprites are one-offs and not really used for anything."
You seem to use the word "stupid" in exchange for simple, and that's just not accurate. Just because some art is simple or doesn't need complex tools to achieve doesn't make it a stupid game.
I personally use the old Paint because it does everything I need it to do(even if it is a bit crippled), and I just don't like the new one, and no that's not because of change. I hate the ribbon interface, the pen tool cursor is annoying(I prefer the +), zooming is worse(sure you can zoom in more, but you can't specify where). Also, I still don't see any options for layers or transparency in my Windows 7 version... so really there is no huge benefit for converting, unless I got some crippled version with my Windows 7.
I say let people use what they're comfortable with instead of trying to make them convert using belittling words. Sure, people who use the old paint probably do have a hard time changing, but that doesn't change their skill(even if they have to work harder), and doesn't make anything they do stupid. And more importantly, the new MSPaint does not offer anything more important for pixel artists, making it a useless conversion. They're better off switching to something like Paint.NET, Gimp, Graphics Gale, or something suited to pixel art if they're actually willing to make the change(something they could have done a long time ago).
