Getting Steamed

[Monk]

Ok, one buys ETW, activates it through Steam, copies the said files and bundles them with a copy of ETW to give away to other people. Millions of software pirates are happy, indeed.

If that's the way it works, why do I have to activate ETW online during installation?
It serves no purpose.
Wouldn't it be the same to register ETW when I would like to play online, except that an annoyance for the honest customer would be missing?

The CD key would still be tied to that one steam account, which if Steam discovered was being used to pirate and distribute the game they would ban it pretty quick. Steam is pretty diligent about banning CD keys that are compromised.

[SirRethcir]

The CD key would still be tied to that one steam account, which if Steam discovered was being used to pirate and distribute the game they would ban it pretty quick. Steam is pretty diligent about banning CD keys that are compromised.

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)

[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!