This is probably one of those posts where I demonstrate once again how I've completely missed something simple and fundamental...but here goes...

Is Steam not required to run R2? And if running via Steam, don't the patches load automatically once they go live, whether one desires or not?

If this is the case, I don't see how any typical player can possibly be running the game without Patches 1-5.

I say "typical" because I'm sure there's a few computer whizzes out there who can tinker the game however they like, and could run R2 without the patches. I'm at a loss to come up with any rational reason why they would want to do so in the first place.

@EasternSpartakus, I strongly suspect you've already got Patches 1-5 loaded. If I'm in error, well, just load them all up anyway. They've done nothing except improve the game. Immensely.