timppu: The way I see it, the pre-ordered and pre-delivered retail version is incomplete. They require you to download (or otherwise obtain) the missing part before you have obtained the full game. Beyond that point though (everything is delivered to you, partly on a DVD and partly with a small download), you have the full product and are independent of any accounts or internet connection, no matter how many times you install it on different computers.
The purpose is the same as with DRM (control whether you can use the product, in this case not play it before the official publish date), but it happens only once when you obtain the game, and after the official publish date (when you obtain the missing part), the DRM(?) vanishes from your purchased product. The digital GOG version uses basically the same tactic, by the way.
Arguing whether this is DRM is akin to arguing that the GOG account in itself is DRM, even for all GOG games. The argument whether keeping the delivery of your product (but not installation nor playing) behind an online account is DRM. Same goes to the delivery of DLCs and patches.
So the definition for DRM-free for single-player games: "Can I install and play it on my PC in a bunker years from now, without having to go online etc."... yes you can, after you have obtained the
full game. Too bad the pre-order retail DVD alone isn't that, you have to download or obtain the remaining part elsewhere once.
EDIT: To approach the question differently: let's say someone sells a retail game in a box, but you only find a GOG code inside the box (just like with some retail games you find only a Steam code inside).
Is that game a DRM, or DRM-free, game? Yes, you need an online account once to receive the goods, does that alone make it DRM?
Maybe the question really isn't whether the pre-order retail version is DRM-free or not, but whether it is fully a (physical) retail version or not. You have to obtain part of its content online, so maybe it isn't fully what many expect from a retail game. Just like they expect it not to be a box containing only a GOG code.
To me it's clearly DRM, pre-release DRM. Largely absolved by the notion that you'll be able to make it kinda/sort drm free by backing up the required files (sucks for a retail version imo, you want to plug and play, not plug and manually patch patch and play)
Personally, I completely understand *why* they are doing it. Even though it was made into a half wasted effort with the console versions still leaking, however I think the issue rather is that CDP/GOG are the ones doing it.
Here's a quote from them from a while ago which, to me at least, feels apt for this situation.
Each time we are thinking about a decision, the first rule is we have to treat gamers like we’d like to be treated. We don’t believe in DRM because we hate DRM. It also doesn’t protect, not really. Games are cracked in minutes, hours or days, but they’re always cracked. If you want to pirate you’ll find a way. But if you’re a committed gamer and are buying the game why should we place a barrier on you?
And I personally think the DRM question is going to depend on whether there'll be standalone patches to download, and possibly available elsewhere, though it doesn't sound like it, since they specifically said they linked support/dlc/patches to their GOG service to counter piracy. And requiring an account to patch your game sounds like a barrier to me, same as Stardock Sins which did the same thing didn't seem truly DRM-Free to me either.
