By choosing to release the game only on PC CA are cutting out console users. By choosing to give the game high graphics they are cutting out those without a powerful PC. By charging £35 for the game they are cutting out those who cannot afford to buy luxuries. The game will be on a DVD, cutting out those who own a CD player only. They have made a series of decisions that cut out certain parts of the market, and they probably know exactly who their target audience is and how to get the game to them.

At this point not having any access to internet at all is rare. It sucks, but if you are unable or unwilling to get internet access then you'll find that more and more games and programs will cut you out.

The army of technology marches on gentlemen, you have to struggle to keep up with it or be left behind for the vultures of obsolescence.

And I have to agree with Belgolas. If you cannot understand how to use Steam then you are going to struggle with a computer, let alone Empire. I doubt you'd be posting on these forums either.

While I don't necessarily agree wit CA's decision to make an internet connection mandatory, I do understand it.