You're missing my point. Ace implied that there was no way to play the game without a connection, which is pretty far removed from what you're suggesting (I've never had a problem with offline mode, nor heard of anyone who has). Edit: until now, that is

And your ragging on Steam sales is laughable. You really never miss an excuse to bash them, do you?

I've bought Deus Ex and KoTOR for 2 bucks, and they're normally, what, 10 dollars? If they ever came out on GoG, that's the same price they'd charge. You're criticizing a service that typically has prices just as low, and often lower, than anywhere else. Seems typically inconsistent to me.

I'm criticizing a rental service. I, too, have a copy of Deus Ex, only it's on disk. Mine will still work years hence, yours will work until something happens with Steam or your account. I've purchased many, many physical games out of bargain bins for prices rivaling the best Steam sales.

If you really don't believe me about offline mode not randomly demanding connections, ask anyone who travels a lot (e.g. for business) or who is deployed in some shithole in the military. Google has your back on finding this out, really, I don't know how much fanboyism can stop you from acknowledging actual drawbacks to various services, no matter how great they may work for you, personally. Really, I love GOG and I'm fully aware they have some pretty serious issues here.

I'm not bashing Steam here, I'm telling you you're incorrect about how offline mode works.

Incidentally offline mode actually is more intrusive than mere activation, as once the latter is done I'm not aware of SecuROM ever giving a crap about connectivity again.

backup .exe, apply cracked .exe
Oh look, offline mode.

I won't be buying anything from their store ever again. I bought Assassin's Creed from there and the DRM wasn't too bad, at that time, but later they migrated to a new site and cut those of us off that had purchased prior to the switch. So, if my copy of AC gets corrupted or deleted I'm completely out of luck.
That's not offline mode. That's just as illegal as if you never bothered to buy a copy in the first place, as screwed up as that is.

Exactly why do you pay money if that's what you're going to do anyway? I mean, everyone keeps pointing out how cheap the games are, if I'm going to that kind of effort, I'm not getting out my card for 2 damned dollars.

I pay money for products so I don't have to screw with them, not so I can futz with them endlessly.

Sure they do, it's just that the pack deals aren't available as separate games.

Neighbours from hell Compilation...
Castles + Castles 2...
Descent 1+2
and so on...

Steam does this too, to some extent. Some games are only available in a pack, GTA1 and 2 are only available in packs (yes, I know they're free off Rockstar's site, they were just the only example I could remember - I've seen others too though).

Every single PC game that I've ever downloaded in my time, for one reason or another, has had less futzing around than retail bought ones.

With a retail disk, you have your license key, your disc check on load, your one-time internet activations, etc, etc.

Granted, the internet bought and paid for ones tend to need internet on 1st launch at least, but PERSONALLY (read that again: personally) that's not an issue.

Internet non-bought ones have neither cd keys, nor a disc check, nor an internet activation.