I don't have it handy. I just checked my l4d2 box, and sure enough, it does not say internet is required. I admit I could be wrong, which is why I said, "as far as I know".

Okie dokie. Leave the image bit out and it's still a decent representation of the customer base: some may "care", but in the end even most of them care MORE about playing. So if the 14-day-offline problem never hits them and their stable connections, it's going to be tough to convince them to make a case about it. As an extension, and as mentioned previous, they will then not care in a practical way whether it's a purchase or a rental. "Get a better internet connection" will be the response from most.

For the same reason, I don't make a big deal about getting locked out of prior purchases by declining to accept the new EULA terms. It has to be that the overwhelming majority doesn't blink over these things, so I'm not going to bother repeating my case: "Dude - just click 'I Accept' and get on with playing!". No, but thanks. Me and my wallet will go play elsewhere, and the juggernaut will never notice - nor care - that there is one less customer scratching its back.

My apologies for any misunderstanding.

Per a Steam Staff Member.. That's a month ago. Instead of making it crystal clear that they are renting or that an internet connection is always required they are instead at every point making it crystal clear that they want BOTH POOLS of consumers, those that are only willing to purchase and those that are perfectly okay with any and all DRM whatsoever.

To Pheace, I just don't see how one can assume there's such a requirement when they make it crystal clear at every opportunity that it's simply not the case. And please understand my next statement is NOT directed at you because your statement just makes a statement based on an assumption, an assumption that I don't get how one can make.

To the second poster, thanks for making my point about Steam fanboys. Were you too lazy to check out the links available in this thread to see that Steam THEMSELVES claim that they aren't renting, and that no full time internet connection is required. It is required only to initially register the game.

But you just kneejerk react that's it's my fault, Steam can do NO wrong, yadda yadda yadda and all sorts of nonsense coming out of your ass because hopefully your mouth knows better.

Please ignore any and all of my threads/comments and I will most happily and gleefully do the same in return as I'm sick and tired of the fanboy stupidity.

ADDED: 8/19 - Tried two more games today (Of Orcs and Men - Call of Duty BO II - Zombies) both worked flawlessly. I know it's only been a few days and I'm probably nucking futs but I can't help but hope again. One of the updates that occurred when I hooked back up was a Steam update, so that has me hoping. As I've said numerous times, not being able to play games one OWNS is my ONLY complaint against Steam. Any DRM that results in that is unacceptable, and should be by all gamers for the good of all gamers.

ADDED 8/20 - Two more games today (Fallout NV - Skyrim) worked flawlessly. So far so good.

GREAT NEWS!!!!

It's now been three weeks, THREE WEEKS, and I'm still able to play games.

This could be a game changer for me (pun intended).

Let's hope that this time it also stays that way. After all, the "two week trigger" apparently came a few months ago (first reports from April or May, I think), before which the offline mode worked, more or less.

That's what I love about DRM-free gaming: the publisher nor the service provider can't change it afterwards (intentionally or unintentionally, whatever) how I can access and play the game I have obtained from them. I don't wake up one morning seeing that all the lovely GOG game installers I have on my HDD are requiring online authentication, or have a two week offline trigger. I have the control.