Nope, the game itself works perfectly fine with no internet connection, infact right there at the main menu you have the option to "play offline". The only limitation of this mode is that it doesn't save your controls/match options/etc after quitting. Once you've started a profile online even once, it works from there on, and you can safely backup this profile for use indefinitely... which now suddenly seems like a necessity.

At least this is how it is with the boxed, retail edition. I don't know if they've done anything dodgy with online versions.

This is pretty much the reason i seriously do not like games having only autolobbies for multiplayer.

Proper LAN, direct IP + private servers are really "must" for longevity.

However, as games are made consoles in mind and any self respecting economist will tell you - your average company is more happy about you buying the next annual version of the game instead of sticking with the COD2 or whatever for decade.

Yes, but if you play offline, there's no servers to join.

No, but nothing is stopping you from playing over LAN.

Yeah, but I dont know of anyone that plays UT3 locally. I play on online servers. How do i get the servers IP from the server lists?

I was merely saying that the servers shutting down doesn't mean total death for the game as bot and LAN play is still good to go. As for your question, I honestly can't remember, it's been years since I fired the game up sorry.

To me, however, those are two major not-selling point nowadays. Generic out-of-the-mill crap, where the next amaaazing installment looks, feels and plays exactly like its predecessor and MP that gets crammed into games as a means of DRM. Because that is why modern games usually don´t have the simple LAN option anymore, it is bloody DRM and nothing less. This crap is only overtrumped by the stupid idea to force an "always online" requirement onto SP games.

Nothing much new here, just rumours & hopes of some getting to live on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMsThO6m6s0

It was all that cheating players did that got the Whole service shut down!

I hate Multiplayer anyway! to many cheating 6 to 13 year olds on there!

unfortunately world doesnt work the way we want :(

Some publishers have started applying terminology very loosely to con PC gamers; several recent games include LAN modes that require an active internet connection for DRM authentication while others boast about including support for dedicated servers that have to be rented from approved providers.

I'm expecting a resurgence of always-online games for this new generation under the guise of providing a seamless transition in and out of multiplayer (despite prior cases like Dark Souls achieving similar results without actually requiring a connection).

Good news for ARMA/DayZ (or any of the other mods):

https://twitter.com/bohemiainteract/status/469839119582253056

"People who have a non-Steam version of #Arma2, and/or the expansions and DLC, can now activate their key(s) on Steam "

I guess, even though it means having to use steam, folk still get to play online :)
Typical though, I already had the main Arma2 on steam & standalone lol