[Skarik]

Google it.

I sure as hell am not buying any legal copy if there is no LAN.

[gmc.jimmy]

I'm not doing any more internet-only games. It's frustrating as hell when my connection goes out. That's when I need my games the most.

[Necromas]

Good job not actually addressing the issue.

Their reasoning is that people can use LAN mode to play pirated copies of games online, bypassing any need to verify your CD-key or authenticate your account with the games online services. Starcraft 2 would easily have a huge network for playing pirated copies online over LAN, and that would mean anyone on the fence about pirating it no longer has much of a reason besides morales to buy the game if they can get easy no risk online multiplayer with a pirated copy.

Blizzard simply judged that the amount of people who would buy starcraft II mainly for LAN play and had no means to play online instead were less than the amount of people who would buy the game if they couldn't play online with a pirated copy.

Single player, which is a pretty big focus, can of course still be played offline. And you can expect pirates to get easy access to it.

[gmc.jimmy]

You say "the issue" like it's the only one. Pirates aren't going to pirate for just one reason. Some will for the lack of money, like adolescent youth without jobs. And others perhaps for the thrill, like college students that could acquire the money, but would rather spend it on food. Does that mean that there's only two types of potential customers? Hell no. Then there's us old farts that DO have the money and DO pay for their software. The gaming industry is fishing for "lost money" that never existed. Meanwhile us paying guys are getting caught up in the nets. So forgive me if I fixate on the issue that matters most to me.

On the side, I'd own even more games than I do now if they'd live on the shelves a till my paycheck rolls around enough to buy them. I can't count how many games that I've missed out on simple because when I finally did save up enough to get the game I wanted, it was no longer at the store. I won't drop good money on a used game. I've been burned on one of those deals before.

[Silikone]

GTA IV all over again.

[crazydog]

GTA IV all over again.

What? The problem with GTA IV was that it ran/runs like shit on most computers.

[Silikone]

What? The problem with GTA IV was that it ran/runs like shit on most computers.

On the 360, the only way to play multiplayer is through Live $$$.