If I understand it right, you don't even need to run Steam after the initial activation.

That is incorrect, Steam needs to be running (but not necessarily connected to internet) if you want to play your game.

I may be reading too much into this, but I'm really afraid they're going to go with GFWL for authentication, achievements and such, so I really hope they read this thread. Obviously, it would be preferable if they went the route of old-school authentication with optional Steam. Being a heavy user of Steam, not buying games anywhere else at this point, I don't care as Steam will be enough for me, but I understand that some people would prefer not having to install third party software to play their games. That said, if you have to, choose the lesser of two "evils", go with Steam and scrap any idea of using GFWL as it is obvious that almost everyone is sick of it at this point.

I would love to see TES V available on Stardock's Impulse.

They have a good reputation, which is clearly evident by virtue of the fact that they are licensed to sell BioWare and CD Projekt RED games.

And they do require a License Key activation for games.

I would like Steam OR CDcheck+productkey but the best imo would be.. uh.. being able to activate the cdkey on steam IF YOU WANT to use it on steam. some games are optional to use with steam.

I voted for disc check plus authentication key, but would have no problem with a two-tier system that first checked for a disc and then progressed to a Steam check if no disc were found.

Sure, Skyrim may need steam but would yall want to have a constant internet connection and only 3 installs per disk? Steam is the most realistic choice even if i prefer disk check and no digital distribution.

DRM is pointless imo since the hackers go around it anyway. Spore, even though it has terrible DRM was the most http://www.destructoid.com/spore-wins-most-pirated-game-of-the-year-award-113801.phtml game.

You're right. While you can launch it with little fuss it DOES run. I just checked with Portal, Mass Effect 2, and Civilization IV (which I got in the summer when they had insane sales) by unplugging the router and launching them from the desktop. Mass Effect 2 refused to use the free DLC I got with it without an online connection, but I am 90% sure that was EA's fault and not Steam. It's also possible I never entered the codes for that DLC yet since I haven't played ME1 or ME2 yet (I got them for like 80% off and haven't gotten around to them).

In fact Steam uses a surprisingly bloated 20MB of RAM too. On this machine it's not big deal, but I was surprised to see that. It's still a better system than the alternatives though, in my opinion.

WHAT THE [censored]!!!! :wallbash: :sick: :flame: :flamethrower: :gun: :brokencomputer:

Does that mean I cant play GOTY without online authentication ????

GRMPF !

I just bought GOTY and havent installed it ... and guess what, I wanted to install it on my notebook (no internet whatsoever)

Great. Just great. :yucky:

Steam can be used in offline mode, if you installed the game.

Unless that was sarcasm, I have to say that's not much. Currently Steam takes up 110MB on my system, but I have the store (i.e. a browser), friends and chats open at once. 20MB of RAM is nothing, when you consider that most modern games easily use up >1GB and that most systems have 4GB or more installed.

That was quite nice, the game launcher used a SecuROM disc check, but the game executable itself was free from any DRM. I would very much like to see that return, as I much prefer it over Steam

However, I am pretty sure it will use Steam. The last two PC games Zenimax published used Steam, and I don't think this will be any different.

Yeah it would be nice to see that again. But as you say, they will probably use Steam again.

I just hope they skip Steamworks so retail copys doesn't require Steam.

That's over twenty million bytes. I expected more like 5MB, 10 at the most. For a modern machine it isn't a big deal, but it's definitely bloated for what the program does, no sarcasm.

Also, most systems most definitely do not have 4GB or more. Even with 2GB though 20MB isn't a big hit. It doesn't change that it's more RAM usage than I'd expect from a program like that though.

Edit:
And I was wrong it was 30MB.

I dont get the idea of DRM.

If you put too restrictive DRM in your product, it means people will not buy the game. Those who will be stupid enough to still buy the game will often return the game because they cant run it, then in future avoid games with such restrictive DRM. They will prefer the pirated versions - because those will actually work.

And dont get me started on the stupidity of tolerating a program like Steam on your system. It means anyone who manages to hack the steam servers will be able to control any home pc running steam, wordwide. Thats because with steam you trust the company that gets full control over your computer. There is no way I would ever trust some random company that much.

Really, considering all this hassle with DRM, I should probably just uninstall Windows and run Linux or OpenBSD on my computers instead.

My mistake.. the vast majority (of Steam users) do have 3GB or more, though, but that's still not 4GB (http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/.) As for what it does, it all depends on what you use it for. If you have all windows closed and the program itself running idle, 30MB may be a bit much, but considering I have a browser, a friendslist with around 30 different avatars, a UI and two chats with messages spanning a little over a day, 110MB isn't much. In comparison, there are two separate Skype (Skype.exe and SkypePM.exe) processes running at once, both idle and windows closed, which take up 55MB.

You are. Game for Windows and Games for Windows Live are a separate thing. GfW only means that the game fullfils some standards Microsoft requires, it uses the My Games folder for saves for example. Only GfWL will have the online component.

New Vegas for example is a Games for Windows game, still it uses Steam for authentication, achievements etc.

that sounds good imo.

My preference:

Disc check + Product key > That + mild authentication > Steam 100% required > GFWL > Spore/Ubisoft DRM

I'd be annoyed by GFWL, but any of that Spore/Ubisoft crap I won't take. Anything better I'm alright with.

For digital distribution I prefer Steam, but GoG is nice too. I'd never get a Direct2Drive version, it hinders modding. I've never used Impulse but apparently some games are limited to certain regions (like US/Canada only) so that's a no no.

of cos Steam

I had Steam on my old computer, shoot it may also be installed on the current one. But I have a paranoid dislike of anything that has to "phone home" to check whether I'm registered or not. I hate paying for spyware.

I much prefer having a disk check - after playing DA, I've absolutely had more than I can stomach of online authentication nonsense for a single-player game. I much prefer having a hard copy.

No Steam, absolutley no Steam.

Closed per OP request.