Vandal: I have to step in to defend Stardock (seeing as how I used to do their PR)... the fact that you have to be registered to download their updates is how they encourage real sales and discourage piracy. Really, I think we're getting to a point where everyone is expected to have internet access -- obviously this isn't always the case, but people without any sort of access on their gaming PC are definitely in the minority now. It's like when people started switching to DVDs from CDs a few years ago -- people who didn't have a DVD drive on their PC just had to deal with it and had to go buy one.
Stardock's position is that they will deliver a stable and good game right out of the box -- you don't need a patch or update to play the game as intended. The updates are usually major improvements to the gameplay, and by requiring people to register to download, they're giving positive reasons to buy the game, rather than forcing crippling DRM measures. It's not a perfect solution, but at least the retail game is solid.
Registering to get the updates was not a problem. Having to use Impulse and 'activating' the updates is a problem. I would not have a problem with registering to get the updates and then having the facility to archive the update to install at home but there is NO facility to do this. If this is how they intend to distribute patches then they need to make to clear to everyone who purchases the game. Just like from the switch to DVD from CD a few years ago. All the boxes clearly said 'DVD' so you could make an informed decision.
The patch that someone listed above was released as a stop gap measure apparently because Impulse was not ready and so will be the last patch to be freely available. (Although you had to register at the SotSE site to get it, or download it from anywhere else with no registration.)
I have no intention of turning this thread in to a Stardock bashing thread (as they make some really good products) but I think in the spirit of discussing DRM it needs to be said that Stardock cripples its products with DRM (Impulse, online only updates and activations) only when you attempt to update your retail product. There is no way to archive and install the game on a computer without net access and without Stardock 'authorising' it unless you use the out of date retail CD.
