Beware of BioWare!

[AstralWanderer]

Originally Posted by wolfsrain

That was the case for the first GalCiv indeed. For the second, I never had that problem. Neither for Sins of a the Solar Empire. But to get their patches, usually you have to get the game registered

According to this changelog, Dark Avatar requires activation ("Fixed error where invalid information was being returned by the activation code in Win98 and Windows ME by adding alternate code if the first instance failed.") - are you sure you didn't just miss it? As for SoaSE, Stardock is the publisher - it was developed by Ironclad.

Originally Posted by DABhand

Only would be worse if you didnt buy the game itself, or like to sell copies of your originals to friends.

Ah yes, the old "if you dont like it, you must be a warez d00d!" argument. Since that comment suggests that you've not considered this issue in any depth, allow me to present the following scenarios where online activation causes problems for legitimate users:

• Game requires activation but cannot connect (due to a fault with your connection, your ISP, the game company's ISP or a problem with their server). Result: you get locked out.
• Game has be to installed on an Internet connected computer - if you prefer to keep your gaming system offline (thereby reducing the need to run performance-sapping security software) then you can't use it, full stop.
• Users limited to dialup or mobile phone Internet access (where connections may be charged by the second) incur extra expense due to online activation - those lacking a permanent connection (e.g. living in mobile accommodation) can't activate at all.
• As noted in my post above (please take the time to read the links), online activation allows companies to impose usage restrictions that may be unfair or even unlawful. Stardock denying users their "first sale" rights is one example - Valve permabanning Steam accounts (causing customers to lose access to all previously purchased games) in cases where a credit card chargeback has been made is another.
• Privacy issues - a game that "phones home" frequently allows the publisher to keep track of your whereabouts. It also opens the possibility for it to send other information about you or your system (with or without your consent).
• Finally, what happens when companies stop activating? Just as publishers aren't going to release patches forever, they aren't going to continue to activate forever either (even if the process is simple, it still means support overheads for them). As such, unless a company chooses to release an activation-free version, you have a time-limited product.