Getting Steamed

[Polemists]

But an infinite number of 'pirates' can play ETW offline, so the whole "online activation on install" is useless. Furthermore it prevents possible customer from purchasing ETW. (e.g. me)

Online activation always works this way whether through DRM or Steam. Game companies cannot require you to have a constant internet connection for a non internet game. E.G. Not a MMO. Since a small percentage of consumers for said game dont' have a solid internet connection. So all they can require is that you log on, type in the key online and activate it.

In essence this is no different then when you type in the key normally, except that that database is taking down your account name.

Usually once you activate it, it's then stored. Saying Client A, activated Copy A. Even if Client B tries to play it, the system says, it's already activated, so client B still needs his own key.

Though they do have key generators online somewhere for certain games. It's a number code after all.

[pevergreen]

You can not stop piracy, you can just make a game that great that everyone wants to buy it anyway!