Yes, it can be avoided. Keygen, include the keygen with the download.

I've written plenty of code that needs to be unique on the server and does that uniqueness without any prior interaction with the server. It's Networking 102.

I mainly appreciate gog for its drm free policy (and good games).

Although I am not interested in such multiplayer ventures, it still may be interesting to have the options for games with those features... as long as it's clearly stated it is multiplayer oriented, and that it is drm free for solo.

While initially reserved about this, I eventually decided it's fine. While it often feels this way, GOG is not actually "The Single-Player Experience™." It kinda sucks that the only campaign requires a secondary account elsewhere, but the LAN aspect sold me on it.

I won't be buying it, but I'm not opposed to adding it to the catalog.

Yes it can. The server doesn't need to request a serial from the players, it's the developers' free choice to make their games do it. For example Incredipede does have a lot of advanced online features (even sharing your creations and solutions) and doesn't ask for a serial, it only wants an email address so people can request their account data in case they forget it. Of course some games' online features require more work done by their servers but requiring a serial for online multiplayer is still just a standard, not a necessity.

I voted "no" because social networking features, achievements/stats and the lack of a single player campaign are the reasons why "modern gaming" is a complete disaster. Also, the feature of unique keys violate the DRM-free agenda of GOG.com.

What exactly is unavailable on direct IP / LAN that you have on the official server? Can you summarise? Obviously stat tracking, achievements and matchmaking, but that's not an issue. Specifically, please tell us more about the online campaign if you can.

Aside from the fact that I do not have a stable internet connection at home, I have never been fond of most online features. As has been testified by games such as Phantasy Star Online Universe, they may not last and be gone on a whim. I have always seen Gog as a way to prevent the rotting of old games, to make sure that they would still be playable for some time (DRM-free and all).
Games like Dead Space 2 and Dragon Age also made me weary of online features. Despite owning a copy of the game, I have to go through the pain of creating an account and login in to access all the contents. I also have the experience of playing Spacechem offline and I got the feeling I was missing something (mostly a potato-meter to compare the size of my potato to that of others). Although I cannot remember if the game, after a first connection manages to download and cache all the leader boards or not.
Maybe it is a thing of these youngsters in the new age, to know that the game you buy is just an ephemeral and incomplete experience and that years from now, you will just have the memories to keep you warm in your vault during the next nuclear winter.

On the other hand, whenever I can, I have loads of fun playing Team Fortress 2 which is hardly playable offline and which lifetime is tied to means beyond my reach. And it is nice to have the option on Gog. So go for it. Voted yes, despite not being interested in the game because of what I perceive as restrictions.

Pardon the croakings and rantings of one of them froggies.

This game has full LAN support. There are plenty of ways to play a "LAN" game over the internet so I don't see much of a difference here between this game and other LAN multiplayer games that are offered on GoG.

"The Galactic War is a replayable single and multiplayer metagame. Play locally by yourself or co-op with your friends against our world class Skirmish AI’s. Or play on the live multiplayer servers and try to conquer the galaxy! "
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/659943965/planetary-annihilation-a-next-generation-rts/posts/303555
That probably isn't just for backers.

Damn. I enjoy those conferences. Hopefully a summer one then :) lol. Thanks for the reply :D.

I think it's a great compromise. As long as the gameplay part, even multiplayer, can be done without an always online-platform I'm sold but that doesn't mean they can offer optional, always online-features for those that want them.

I'm fine with these kind of online features, so long as there is still a fully functional game that you can play apart from them.

- A unique key is required for Internet multiplayer.

If I understand what they mean and at the same time they offer LAN multiplayer you can still host a server through a VPN such as Tunngle, GameRanger, Hamachi, LAN Bridger and then play with someone you know on the internet. Not as easy as matchmaking of course but personally I always preferred that way because then you and your friends are in charge of the server and the rules, not the creators/publishers, plus it has delay/speed advantages too.